V-Day Sp: Sizzling Couples in Love

It is that amorous time of the year again where expressing your love is a compulsion. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we bring you Bollywood's hottest couples who haven't tied the knot as yet.

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan: They are Bollywood royalty. She is a Kapoor and his father is the Nawab of Pataudi. She is a flawless beauty and he is drop-dead-hot and handsome. Together they make a madly-in-love couple with crackling chemistry. It was on the sets of the disastrous Tashan that their romance blossomed. Kareena looked so gorgeous in the movie that Saif couldn't help but be drawn to her. They have eyes only for each other and aren't afraid of showing how much they adore one another. You want to fall in love just looking at them. Saif wants to tie the knot now but Bebo's saying 'not now'.

Bipasha Basu and John Abraham: Dating for over five years now, this sizzling twosome has stood the test of time. Romance blossomed on the sets of Aetbaar and the two set the screen on fire with their unrestrained passion in Jism. The good looking fitness freaks complement each other really well. She is a smokin' hot Bong tigress and he is a Bawa boy with the body of a Greek God. They are a mature couple who have left their PDA days behind and are too secure about each other to be affected by malicious rumours.

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone: Ah, young love. She is a leggy supermodel-turned-actress with enchanting doe eyes. He is Bollywood’s Prince Charming who could sweep any girl off her feet. It was a double whammy for them at the Filmfare Awards in 2008. Not only did they win best debut awards, they also secured each other's affection. The two bonded in picturesque Australia while shooting for Bachna Ae Haseeno. The photogenic twosome is so much in love that they cannot keep their hands off each other, even in public.

Shahid Kapur and Priyanka Chopra: These two, who will feature together in Kaminay, are rumoured to be going out. And they have adorable nicknames for each other: Peefee and Shaks. They share a hot kiss in the film so it’s no wonder a hot romance started off-screen too. Priyanka was having a hard time with Harman and Shahid wasn't really dating anyone after his breakup with Kareena. They stay in the same building and spent a lot of time bonding on and off the sets. The two are fiercely private people so the relationship is still under wraps. But their chemistry in Kaminay will surely tell us all that we need to know.

Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia: She is vivaciously beautiful and he is dashingly debonair. Preity has gone from bubbly to sophisticate ever since she started attending upscale society dos with her good looking boyfriend. They mix business with pleasure as they own a cricket team together and Ness accompanies Preity on her shoots. They aren't into PDA but their sweet gestures such as feeding each other during matches show that they have eyes only for each other.

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif: He is over 40, she is over 20 and they are madly in love with each other, though they may not show it. She is a beautiful in-demand newbie in Bollywood while he is the handsome established superstar. Being Salman Khan's girlfriend is not easy, but the composed and dignified lady Kat is, she has managed to play that role with aplomb. Apparently, his family loves Kat too and Salman hasn't been so smitten by anyone before. He wants to settle down but she is in no hurry to with her burgeoning career. Will they or won't they? We will have to wait and watch.

Bebo's date with Delhi

This parade on Rajpath was almost as grand as the parade that passes on this road on January 26.

The news that Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor were shooting there spread like wildfire. While there was little crowd early in the morning, when they started shooting, it had swelled to a mob by afternoon, and the shoot had to be packed up early because of it.

They are shooting in the city for a Dharma Productions film, directed by Rensil D’Silva, in which Saif and Bebo are reportedly playing terrorists. But the shoot wasn’t anywhere near as serious – picnickers at India Gate gathered to sneak a peek of Saifeena. The duo did not emerge from their vans, but in the meanwhile, we talked to Raju, a proud camel owner whose camel has become a star because it is featured in the movie. He said, “Hamara oonth Chandni Chowk To China mein bhi tha. Hum bhi aaye they usme thodi der ko. Ab hum is film mein aayenge.”

Finally, Kareena stepped out looking quite miffed. Crew members told DT that ‘madam’ was angry because Saif was taking too long to come out of his van and resume shooting. The crowd cheered and whistled for Bebo, but she didn’t respond. But when Saif stepped out, he waved back and smiled at the crowd. When the two sat in the car, Kareena was seen talking to Saif angrily. The insider said, “Arrey, Saif mana lenge abhi. Pehle bhi ho chuka hai ye.”

Gloriously in Love

These B-Town girls have gone from skinny to comparatively or positively curvy and we think it is all thanks to the amorous magic of their doting beaus. Take a look

Kangana Ranaut: She was skinny, almost anorexic when she entered the Bollywood scene in 2006.But now she can be called curvy. In the first picture, even the nautical stripes don't add volume to her waif like frame but in the second picture, she fills out her striped dress much better and she is glowing with the affection that Adhyayan showers on her.

Kareena Kapoor: Kareena started getting into shape in fitness freak ex-beau Shahid's company. Her weight loss for Tashan was dramatic and she went from curvy to anorexic. Then, jab she fell in love with Saif, he was extremely concerned about her weight and lavished romantic dinners on her, urging her to put on weight and eat well. The result is for all to see. Kareena is getting her curves back. Her chest is almost flat, her waist is narrow and her frame is waif like in the first picture, but she appears heavier on the top with a broader waist in the second picture.

Sushmita Sen: Her men would change with the changing seasons but her weight remained constant and she maintained a slim, perfectly proportionate figure. Then when, current beau Mudassar Aziz entered her life, she piled on the pounds and how. It's all the glow of love. It seems she is so happy and content that she doesn't count calories anymore. What's more, she has quit smoking because of Mudassar which has caused her to gain weight. In the first picture, you can see how skinny her arms are and how slim her face is, but in the second picture, she is wearing dark colours and full sleeves to camouflage her bulging arms. Even her face is looking bigger and her smile is the widest and brightest in prospective husband Mudassar's company.

The New Year eve plans of Bollywood stars

With 2009 just around the corner, Bollywood stars are headed to different destinations to usher in the New Year.

Since the mood in Mumbai is pretty glum after the November 26 terror attacks, most of the New Year performances in the city have been canceled. Moreover, even the stars who would normally stay put in Mumbai on Dec 31 are headed to exotic locales.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor are on their way for a chilled out vacation in the Swiss Alps. Hope there are no bhel puri restaurants there to give Saif the stomach cramps.

Akshay Kumar is already on a holiday with wife Twinkle Khanna , son Aarav and Dimple Kapadia and his mom Aruna. For them, the celebrations began on Dec 29 with Twinkle’s birthday and will continue till the January 1.

Shilpa Shetty is on a vacation with her beau Raj Kundra in Spain. Alongside the duo are their respective families.

Salman Khan along with his brothers is in Goa for the New Years. The celebrations, low-key this year, began in the Khan household from Salman’s birthday on Dec 27 and will continue well into the first few days of January.

Katrina Kaif has been in London for the Christmas reunion with her family and is expected to join Salman on 31st evening.

Malaika Arora would be performing on stage at a hotel in Singapore, while Celina Jaitley will perform at the New Year bash at City Pavilion in London.

Arjun Rampal , Farhan Akhtar , Ritesh Sidhwani and the rest of Rock On gang is headed to Dubai. They initially planned an outing in Goa but changed the plan after the government canceled outdoor parties.

Shahrukh Khan is in Los Angeles to shoot Karan Johar’s film My Name Is Khan . He, Gauri and the kids are likely to fly to Uganda for a brief holiday.

Kajol and Ajay Devgan have left for their farmhouse in Karjat. They are expected back on Jan 2 after which Kajol would fly to the US to shoot with SRK.

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu will most likely head to Goa. Looks like they don’t mind if there aren’t any outdoor parties.

In Pics: Saif heads Home

After staying in Lilavati Hospital for two days thanks to a severe gastro infection, Saif finally heads home with girlfriend Kareena.

Saif and Kareena walk out of the hospital


Saif is happy but also stunned by the massive media presence


He goes to talk to the media...


....with the doctor and security personnel in tow.


He tells all his fans that he is alright


Answers all the queries…and looks very happy and pleased


Meanwhile, an angry looking Kareena (and not Saif) looks like the patient as she waits for him to head home.


The two head home in Saif's Lexus.

Latest: Saif discharged from Hospital

Actor Saif Ali Khan was finally discharged today. After being given a final final check up by his doctor at Lilavati, the actor was sent home. Kareena was by his side.

Saif Ali Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on Thursday evening following complaints of severe stomach ache. The actor checked into the hospital around 5.30pm on Christmas Day and although he was to be discharged late in the night, the actor was kept under observation for a day. Doctors say that was a precaution being taken because of the actor's history of smoking, drinking and heart trouble for which he was hospitalised last year as well. Kareena's secretary confirmed the news saying that Khan would soon be on his way home.

Girlfriend Kareena Kapoor left ailing lover Saif at around 2pm yesterday after having spent the entire night by his side. The actress stayed away from the media but made her way back later in the evening. And she was by his side when he checked out this afternoon.

Director Ravi Chopra and Kareena's mother Babita had visited the actor earlier in the day.

Actress Karisma Kapoor told the media present outside Lilavati last evening that Saif was stable and there was nothing to worry about. “Both Saif and Kareena are inside. They will be discharging him in 2 hours time. There is nothing to worry about. Saif is stable,” said Karisma who had accompanied her sister and Saif to the hospital.

“All through the day Saif had been feeling very unwell. He kept complaining of a bad stomach ache and had been vomiting all through the day. Finally late in the evening the family decided it was best to head to the hospital and make sure it wasn’t very serious,” said a source close to the actor.

“There was a big get together last night on Christmas Eve. Saif and Kareena were also there. And something that he ate did not go down well. It’s nothing major,” said the source.

The hospital spokesperson has also admitted that Saif is in the hospital but refused to give any details about the treatment he was undergoing.

While the official take is being given as a severe stomach infection, many of the actor’s industry insiders are putting it down to a whole lot of merry making on Christmas Eve.

“We all know that Saif and Kareena love to party. The Chhote Nawab surely knows how to have a good time at a party. And who hasn’t had a drink too many on a fun night out?” laughs an industry insider.

This is not the first time that actor Saif Ali Khan has been admitted into hospital. In February 2007, the Bollywood actor underwent an angiography after he was admitted into Lilavati following complains of severe chest pain. The actor had undergone an emergency appendectomy surgery after complaining of abdomen pain during a shoot in Kuala Lumpur in early 2006.

In Pictures: Ravi Chopra and Amrita visit Saif

Saif Ali Khan is currently at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra being treated for his stomach infection. Take a look at his visitors.

Friends Forever: Kareena's best friend Amrita Arora arrives early in the morning.


Model Visitors: Aditi Gowitrikar and Dipannita Sharma were spotted at the hospital.


Seeing My Friend: Director Ravi Chopra and his wife pay a visit to Saif.


Waiting: A distraught looking Kareena waits for her car to arrive in the afternoon.


Going Home: Kareena on her way home. Kareena had been by Saif's side through the night.


I Am Back: Kareena returned to Lilavati Hospital in the evening. It is amazing how she looks so flawlessly beautiful even in these distressing times.

"I'm going to be fine tomorrow; the holiday with Kareena is on"

Saif Ali Khan gave all his family and friends a scare when he was hospitalized on Christmas Eve. But today (December 26), he is well on his way to recovery.

Speaking from his hospital bed at Mumbai's Lilavati hospital, Saif said, "I've almost recovered now. I'm going home tomorrow (Dec 27). It was nothing, really. I returned from Philadelphia from the shooting of Rensil D'Silva's film on 23rd night. And since I was missing all the Mumbai ka khana, I gorged indiscriminately on local junk food- Sev puri, bhelpuri, paani puri...puri ki puri fauj went into my stomach."

So wasn't he frightened when his stomach started acting up on him? "Not at all. It was gastroenteritis. Yes, I've been in hospital twice in the recent past. Once it was just appendicitis. And the other time it was far more serious. After going through what I did the last time I'm hardly going to get scared by a little stomach infection."

Chuckles Saif, "Actually it's much less scary than it looks. I've got a drip coming out of my hand, so that makes it look kind of serious. But it's nothing. I'm fine. Just a little sleepy. In fact, Kareena and I are going on our holiday to the mountains as planned."

Is YRF unlucky for Saif

YRF has scored its first hit this year in the form of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi starring SRK. But things haven’t been that rosy for the other Khan and Yash Raj Films. Three films starring Saif Ali Khan have flopped. So is YRF unlucky for Saif who has otherwise had a great 2008?

Our source tells us, "Saif got his big break with Dil Chahta Hai and YRF's Hum Tum directed by Kunal Kohli starring Saif and Rani was Saif's first solo hero hit in 2004. But after that, none of his films with YRF have repeated the success of Hum Tum."

He further adds, "After Hum Tum, he did Salaam Namaste with Preity Zinta which was an average success. Then Ta Ra Rum Pum was supposed to repeat the success of Hum Tum because people had loved Saif and Rani in that film. It was the first film of Yash Raj in 2007 and it did not live up to the expectations of people."

"This year the first release of Yash Raj was Tashan in April with Saif and Kareena. The movie got a lot of publicity over Kareena's size zero figure and their romance but Saif got a raw deal in the film as his role had been chopped off. The movie was the first big budget flop of 2008. Then Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic released in June. Everyone expected the movie to do well because it was a children's film and had Saif and Rani. Moreover, Kunal Kohli had given two hits back to back with Hum Tum and Fanaa. But in spite of all the hype, Ameesha's lack of clothes and good reviews, the film flopped.”

“Roadside Romeo released in the Diwali vacations and was expected to draw in the crowds because of its animation and Saif-Kareena pairing but it didn't happen and Jugal Hansraj's directorial debut sank at the BO. Clearly, Saif's jodi with neither Kareena nor Rani is creating wonders at the BO. In fact, even YRF films which have Rani in the lead are flopping though she has got good reviews for her performances in the films. Barring the success of Hum Tum and Bunty aur Babli, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic have flopped,” adds the source.

But outside of YRF, Saif has had a good year. Last year Omkara released and this year Race. Both have been huge hits for the actor. “Saif's only hit this year was Abbas Mastan's Race which was a multistarrer and more importantly not a YRF release,” says the source.

He further adds, "In fact, Saif is not doing another film with Yash Raj Films in the near future. He is busy with the films he is producing and with Dharma Productions' film! There is nothing with YRF on the cards in the near future!"

Saif writes a letter to terror-struck Mumbaikars

A shaken Saif pens an emotional piece from Philadelphia

To my city...

Mumbaikars are resilient! The spirit of Mumbai back on its feet... I am sick and tired of hearing about the spirit of the resilient Mumbaikar. What choice do we have? I really hope we don't forget this.

The government has failed us again. Politicians are advertising for your votes while the bodies of the dead are not yet cremated. Mr Modi has offered a crore to Hemant Karkare's widow.

Everyone, as usual, is gaining his own mileage from a deplorable situation. The Taj in flames... 60 people shot dead at the CST. 9/11 was not so close to us.

Terror has come home. Who will protect us from this happening again? Is getting shot in the coffee shop of a 5-star hotel or getting killed in an explosion another legitimate way to die? Like getting run over or dying of some disease? In our parents' time, Beirut was called the Paris of the East will Mumbai succumb to a similar fate?

I think there's no voice of liberal Islam anywhere to be heard today, which is why I choose to express my anguish at what's taking place around us today.

We have either the fundamentalist forces or someone blowing up the place.

As an Indian and a Muslim, I feel like expressing my condemnation and outright disgust at any party killing innocent people in the name of God, Allah or whatever we choose to call him.

I am so worried that the whole religion will be judged and condemned.

There are strong communal feelings running through all stratas of our society and I find it hard to defend the fact that there seems to be a Muslim hand behind every detonator.

Indians must unite as Indians and not split under any circumstances on any line.

I too want revenge for what has happened. I know the whole city is baying for Pakistani blood. We want to bring back draconian laws like POTA.

While I might agree with this I feel we should all remember that 500,000 Indians are in jail under this law without a trial.

Is it humane to go in this direction without fully understanding the situation? We should get our facts right.

Yes, if Pakistan is to blame then we should go to war against them. But till we know what's the truth, we should stop having these knee-jerk reactions like going to war or not paying taxes.

If we don't pay taxes, who will support our brave soldiers who battle such attacks and go to war?

I feel a little scared as a Muslim. I want to urge us to fight the right enemy. This is beyond religion. It's not about India vs Pakistan.

I do feel that to fight Pakistan or to go to war is to play into the hands of the terrorists. This is what they want.

We need to unite as a region against this common enemy. Pakistan is fighting the Al-Qaeda on the Afghanistan border. The US has pledged support.

The Marriott hotel was destroyed and Mrs Bhutto was killed we have the same enemy.

I applaud Condoleeza Rice for flying to India and saying that non-state actors sometimes act in the confines of a state and there has to be strong action against them and it is still a matter of Islamabad's responsibility and Pakistan has to act against them.

I would like to thank the NSG and the Mumbai police who handled the situation so well with so little on their side in terms of equipment and support.

Some of our government agencies like RAW have failed us yet again. Since 1970, there has been more politicising of these agencies leading to their inefficiency.

Let's get it right this time and vote for the government that we believe in and then stand by them. Let us unite on this issue as Indians.

Shooting cold wintry nights in Philadelphia, in the USA and already miserable with the weather and the hours and making a film on terrorism of all things.

Both Kareena and I were exposed to the news that has shaken the foundations of our city and destroyed our already shaky belief in our governments ability to protect us.

We feel so terribly sad and depressed for our city… Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mumbai...

Saif Ali Khan Pataudi

Kareena to visit Saif's ancestral Pataudi village

Bollywood beauty Kareena Kapoor seems set to take her relationship with beau Saif Ali Khan to another level. She'll soon be visiting his ancestral village Pataudi in Haryana.

"Yes, Kareena has been invited to Pataudi. It'd have been earlier, but it was too hot. Winter is when our family reunions happen every year. And Kareena is now part of the family. My parents are extremely fond of Kareena," Saif, who worked with her in "Tashan", told IANS.

Saif, who started dating Kareena after breaking up with ex-girlfriend Rosa Catalano, is quite happy with their relationship and says he is looking forward to marrying her.

"This relationship is 'IT' for me. Today I feel very settled and very happy. Though a bit lonely. And when I've bad days, I feel I'm being ungrateful. I'm now looking forward to settling down with Kareena. Our marriage will happen very shortly as soon as we both have a little less work on hand and we can give the marriage quality time. Also, her family has to be ready for our marriage," he said.

The actor says he enjoys a good rapport with Kareena's parents - Babita and Randhir Kapoor.

"We're very close. She has been really gracious in inviting me into her family. She's made sure I'm part of her family. I've also met Daboo uncle (Randhir) a few times, shared friendly drinks with him. As for Karisma, I think she's the sweetest girl ever in the world. I'm deeply fond of both Karisma and her husband Sanjay (Kapoor). They're truly wonderful people. Kareena's family has taken to me as warmly as my family has taken to her," Saif said.

The actor, who suffered a mild heart attack in 2007, says his lifestyle has now changed completely.

"My lifestyle has changed completely after the heart attack. Looking back it's hard to believe I went through such a health scare. If it wasn't for that life-changing experience, I wouldn't be in a relationship with Kareena right now. I hardly drink. Don't even look forward to drinking any more. I don't smoke or party."

Jaya, SRK, Saif, Kareena, Deepika, Rani, Imran watch 'Dostana'

Exactly two screenings of Karan Johar's keenly anticipated DOSTANA have been held so far. The first screening, held on Tuesday night at Yash Raj, was attended by the cast and crew of the film, besides the Chopras, who are close family friends of the Johars, besides being the global distributors of DOSTANA.

The second screening, held last night [Wednesday] at Yash Raj, was a truly hi-profile affair, what with Karan's closest friends being invited for the screening. Jaya Bachchan, SRK and wife Gauri with their kids, Saif and Kareena, Karisma Kapoor, Rani and her parents, Deepika Padukone, Susanne Roshan, Arjun Rampal with wife Mehr, Imran Khan and girlfriend Avantika, Kunal Kapoor, Kunal Kohli, Ritesh Sidhwani, Anil Thadani, Sajid Khan, Siddharth Raj Anand, Jugal Hansraj, Kangna Ranaut, Amrita Rao, Sanjay Kapoor and wife Maheep, Sonam Kapoor, Neelam, Chunkey Pandey and wife Bhavana, Koel Purie, Mushtaq Sheikh, Manish Malhotra, music composers Vishal and Shekhar, writer Shibani Bhatija were amongst those present at this exclusive screening.

The auditorium was resonating with laughter and claps all through the screening.

Priyanka Chopra walked to meet the guests after the screening got over. Karan and director Tarun Mansukhani were wonderful hosts, attending to every guest personally.

Kareena a Fan of Saif's Ex-Wife

Kareena Kapoor may still have 3-4 years more to go before she walks down the aisle and says Kubool Hai to Saif, but she is trying her level best to fit in to Saif's family well in advance.

She has bonded well with the Pataudis, Saif's kids Sarah and Ibrahim also like her and guess who she is ready to break the ice with - Saif's ex-wife Amrita Singh.

In an interview she revealed, "I respect the fact that Saif was married before and has two lovely children. I have been a fan of Amrita Singh. I haven't met her ever but I know her through her films.

"For me, she'll always have a place of importance in his life because she is Saif Ali Khan's first wife and the mother of his children. And, I've told Saif this. I would want her to have that kind of respect always. This is what my parents have taught me.

"At the end of the day, it was just a marriage that didn't work out. I have always encouraged Saif to be friends with her because I think that would be great. I guess they will just need time but that's something that they would need to deal with. I will always respect her. As far as any other relationship of Saif is concerned, I don't think they really mattered."

Busy Couple of Bollywood

Kareena Kapoor is in Dubai shooting and is being constantly bombarded with feedback from her friends and industrywallas on her latest release Golmaal Returns. However, the actress is upset that boyfriend Saif Ali Khan still hasn't seen the film, a week after its release.

Bebo says, "Saif's too busy for me. He has been shooting round the clock in Delhi for his home production (directed by Imtiaz Ali) and hasn't had time to watch the film.

I am dying to know what Saif thinks of my film. I think Imtiaz has locked Saif up and thrown away the key (laughs)! I only got to meet him last week when he came down for a day to spend Diwali with me and we had gone for Akshay's Diwali party. Can you believe it? It's been more than a week since I met Saif!"

But Kareena cheers up and adds that though her Mr And Mrs Khanna schedule in Dubai is till November 10, she will fly in for a day to shoot an Airtel ad and meet her beau, "It's been a hectic schedule and we shoot for almost 14 hours a day. I have got great reaction for the Airtel ad with Saif, Shah Rukh and me. It's very cute. In fact, we will be shooting more such ads together based along the same lines."

Kareena is thrilled with the response to GR and is kicked most about her niece Samaira's reaction to it, "What makes me the happiest is when my four-year old niece Samaira loves the song Tu Saala Kaam Se Gaya so much that she keeps singing it. In fact, she won't eat breakfast till she listens to it. Earlier, her favorite was Pappu Can't Dance Saala but now it's Tu saala. Samaira plays it in the car while going to school and keeps dancing to it with her building friends, while keeping the car door open!"

Bebo flew to Delhi to be with Saif on Karva Chauth

Despite a hectic schedule, Kareena Kapoor flew down to New Delhi last Thursday to celebrate Karva Chauth with beau Saif Ali Khan. The actor has been shooting in the capital for his home production, directed by Imtiaz Ali.

Says an eyewitness, "Kareena and Saif were together on October 17 (Karva Chauth). The two were stuck to each other. After hanging out on the sets, the couple visited a jewellery store."

Adds the source, "Kareena didn't reveal to anyone the purpose of her visit. However, buzz did the rounds that she had arrived for Karva Chauth. As soon as Bebo reached the sets, Saif wrapped up the shoot up and even gave his co-star Deepika Padukone two days off."

Kareena however maintains, "It's not true. I don't believe in Karva Chauth. I went to Delhi for an ICICI show. Saif wasn't in Delhi, he was shooting for his home production in Rajasthan."

Buzz is that Saif and Bebo also spent time at his home in Pataudi, which is two hours away from Delhi. He then gifted her an expensive jewellery set for Karva Chauth. But Kareena laughs, "Saif got me nothing. He was shooting in Mandwa. I haven't met him since I was shooting in Italy for Kambakht Ishq."

Hot Muggs merchandise for Roadside Romeo

Hot Muggs, a stylised drinkware concept, has entered into an alliance with Yash Raj Films for producing licensed merchandise on Roadside Romeo. With about a dozen characters in Roadside Romeo, this is the first animated film with an India-U.S. co-production of Yash Raj Films and the Walt Disney Company, and is scheduled for release on October 24, 2008.

With the concept of film merchandising catching on in the Indian film industry, Hot Muggs has integrated a first time concept of incorporating cool one-liners from the movie like "Tension Not", "Stay Cool" and "I'm Good Na" on the mugs. These mugs will not only appeal to the movie lovers but also to a wider audience who emote with the appeal and positioning of the characters from the movie.

The merchandise has been designed, manufactured and marketed by Hot Muggs, and will be available at malls, bookstores, and concept shops in over 40 cities across the country. Cartoon characters-based merchandising market is expected to be in the region of Rs.300 crore. Hot Muggs plans to promote the merchandise through a multi-channel promotional campaign with emphasis on below-the-line activities and other promotional programs.

Mr.Rishi Jain, Managing Director - Hot Muggs, said, "The product class of Hot Muggs, the concept of entertainment, funkiness, adventure, adaptability has an ideal connect with Roadside Romeo. Characters such a Romeo - a small cute looking pet of a super rich human family, Laila - the hottest girl ever, Charlie Anna - the dreaded Don of the Slum, these characters lend themselves to being merchandised. We are upbeat about the fact that we not just offering a product or merchandise, but an object of desire that one would want to own."

YRF gets ready to unleash 'ROADSIDE ROMEO'

YRF was facing horrific times at the box office before Siddharth Anand resurrected the production house with a successful BACHNA AE HASEENO. And now it is up to a bunch of dogs to further get some smiles on with ROADSIDE ROMEO finally getting ready for release.

Readers may remember that earlier on, YRF had announced the film's arrival to be in summer 2008. However, the film got delayed as the production house was striving to get the best of animation in place for ROADSIDE ROMEO that features voices of Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Javed Jafferi.

Now the film is back in news as the film's audio has hit the stands. Salim–Sulaiman has composed music for this film which is now confirmed for 24th October arrival. Directed by Jugal Hansraj, the film would face competition from HEROES (which releases on the same day) and later GOLMAAL RETURNS, FASHION and EMI that arrive a week later.

Roadside Romeo - First Look

Saif, Arjun and Yuvraj on the cover of GQ

The much awaited news has just hit the stands (read 'news stands'). We are indeed talking about GQ, the world's leading men's magazine and their super-mega Indian launch, which has got none other than the Nawab Pataudi Jr. (Saif Ali Khan) himself for starters. Even though he looks his usual element on the cover along with a hot PYT chic, we would have definitely preferred him with his trademark glares.

Nevertheless, this issue has Saif speaking (read 'confessing') that "Married men who are inaccessible are definitely hotter for women... In most of my relationships, I've been unfaithful, and I don't want to do that anymore... I've done things backwards. I've been married; I've lived with someone, now I'm dating someone." Honest confessions there by Saif!

If that was not enough, the readers can feast their eyes on the super hot and super sexy Yuvraj Singh (who is a pro in both bowling maiden over as well as even the maidens over!) and Arjun Rampal, to say the least!

And if that was not enough, the magazine also has Karan Johar as the contributing editor. Looking at the launch issue, we can surely say that 'GQ...has arrived'!

Saif apologises for alleged assault

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan on Monday apologised for a row with a photojournalist in patiala but maintained that he was not involved in the alleged assault on the photographer.

Saif's apology came hours after Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a case against him and four others of a film unit for allegedly assaulting a photojournalist.

The actor, who initially remained unavailable after the case was registered against him and others, later held a meeting with local journalists and apologised. A compromise was worked out between both sides.

"Patiala is a lovely place and our shoot has been going really well. The crowd has also been very co-operative. As an individual I was not present at the time of the incident so I don't know the details. But as a producer and on behalf of Illuminati Films, our company, I would like to apologise on behalf of our security for any inconvenience caused to the local press," said Saif.

"Shooting can get pretty chaotic and crowded in small towns and some pushing and shoving normally happens in a crowd situation. It happens all the time. So if anyone has been offended I would like to apologise to them personally and also on behalf of our production," added the actor.

Saif and members of the unit of his film were booked for assault, intimidation and inciting violence. The actor himself was booked for inciting the film unit workers.

Commenting on the assault charges levelled against him, Saif said: "That is completely, completely false and baseless. I was not even around. Anyway, like I said before, I would still like to apologise to anyone who was offended."

Earlier in the day, GRP officials said a case was registered following a complaint by a photojournalist from a Hindi newspaper who said he had been beaten up by the film unit staff after being incited by the actor.

"We registered a case against Khan and others following a complaint," GRP inspector general G.S. Grewal said.

The photographer was taking pictures of Khan at the railway station in Patiala on Sunday. The star objected and told private security and film production unit associates to tackle the photojournalist following which he was allegedly thrashed.