Lillete loves theatre or money?

If you have to describe Lillete Dubey in one word, it has to be bindaas! The theatre person and Bollywood actor is smart, doesn’t like maintaining an image and is eager to push the envelope.

“I can do enough ‘khush raho beta’ type of roles in Bollywood but I don’t want to. In theatre, I can play a 75-year-old or a man. If I stand on the stage with a balloon in my hand, you’ll even buy that I’m a 10-year-old. I have developed interest in cinema now and I have no qualms about playing any roles.

It may be a cameo but it has to be something that people remember me for. I’m not Hema Malini or Dimple, who wouldn’t want to be featured as anything but the central character,” says she. And this philosophy does remind us of her short ‘n’ sexy role in KJo’s Kal Ho Naa Ho . Lillete laughs, “I’m perceived as a serious person and I had to show that I can carry off a comic role. I didn’t mind the role, despite it being a little raunchy. What is funny is that people keep getting back to me with that line from Jism . When Karan asked me to say that, I told him I hadn’t seen the film but I’d do it. And I did it my way!”

This is when the theatre person in Lillete takes over the film actor. “It’s important to bring audiences to the theatre for plays. Earlier, when someone said that they’d write the star of Monsoon Wedding to feature in a particular play, I’d feel apprehensive. Now, I say ‘Do it if that brings people to watch the play’. I am not doing theatre for some esoteric pleasure – I’m doing it for money. If I don’t earn money, I’ll shut shop within a year,” she quips.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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I want to be Devdas' Paro: Tata Young

She may have made Dhoom sound like Doom but Thai pop sensation Tata Young counts it the as the most important experience of her life.

“I was inspired by Hindi film music so it is kind of apt that one of my biggest successes – the song Dhoom Machale – came from Bollywood,” said Tata on a recent visit to Delhi.

Singing, however, is just a part of her CV. “I enjoy doing all – modelling, acting and singing. But I feel my voice can do more miracles than acting and modelling,” she added.

But despite that, she believes she can do more in the acting department in Bollywood. “I’m a big fan of Shah Rukh and Amitabh Bachchan. I have watched a few Bollywood movies and I find them to be very entertaining as they include a lot of dance and music. I will never forget my experience working with Abhishek Bachchan in Dhoom . He is a very friendly and hardworking person.”

Ask about her dream role in Bollywood, and pat comes the reply, “One of my all time favourite Bollywood movies is Devdas . I especially liked that one scene in the movie where Paro is seen running with her saree sweeping across the floor. I would like to play the same character. And I want to work with SRK, he is so hot!”

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Age is on my side:Hansika

'I did get a lot of offers for roles opposite younger actors but for me, it’s the script that’s important', says Hansika
What have you been upto since Aap Ka Suroor?
l I got numerous offers after the film but I wanted to do something really different after playing Riya in Aap Ka Suroor. I took three months break after the film and then signed Kumar Mangat’s Money Hai Toh Honey Hai . I also did a South film opposite Junior NTR which has completed 200 days and I’ll be leaving soon for Mauritius for a Telugu film Country, opposite Junior NTR again.

What’s your role in Money Hai Toh... all about?
It’s a complete contrast to my earlier film. In Money... you’ll get to see a completely different Hansika. I’m opposite Chi Chi (Govinda), which means there’s a whole lot of comedy involved.

Himesh Reshammiya and Govinda are both much elder to you. Why aren’t you working with younger actors?
See I did get a lot of offers for roles opposite younger actors but for me, it’s the script that’s important. When I did Aap Ka Suroor, I knew that the film will have great music and amazing publicity, which it did. Here, I’m opposite Chi Chi and I’m learning so much from him. I have not considered who’s younger or elder. It’s not that I don’t want to act alongside younger actors. I would love to work with all of them but my role has to be good too.

How’s Govinda as a co-actor?
Chi Chi is a terrific actor and the world knows that. I may not have had a long career but from whatever I’ve learnt from him in these last 30 days or so, I will always cherish.

And have you discovered your comic streak too?
That you’ll have to wait and watch! (smiles)

You had to put on some weight for your debut film, have you managed to lose it?
Oh yes! I lost nine kilos and in fact, my director Ganesh Acharya finally had to tell me to stop losing so much weight!

Any other films in your kitty?
There’s nothing as of now. It took me three months to sign anything after my first film. I know I have to earn my bread and butter but I’m not here only for money. My first passion is acting. I’m going through a lot of scripts these days. I don’t want to restrict myself to one image. I did a serious role in Aap... and I’ll be doing comedy in the next. The best part is that age is on my side; I’ve just completed 16. There’s a lot I have to learn.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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The 3.5 cr babe!

Personally, her love boat is rocking ever since she hitched up with Chhote Nawab Saif Ali Khan, but professionally too — actress Kareena Kapoor’s on the rise.

After she delivered the hit Jab We Met with ‘ex’ Shahid Kapoor, Kareena has regained her status as the No 1 actress in Bollywood and is now drawing a whopping Rs 3.5 crore per film.

This is the highest amount being paid to any Bollywood actress. Kareena’s future projects include films like Tashan with Akshay Kumar and Saif, Kambhakht Ishq with Akshay again, Golmaal Returns with Ajay Devgan, Agent Vinod with Saif, another with John Abraham and Karan Johar’s next.

“I have always dabbled and experimented with various kinds of roles. Be it in Omkara, Jab We Met or Chameli , I have experimented. Guess my patience and hard work paid off,” laughs Kareena adding, “but honestly, I don’t believe in this numbers game. The industry does it. I am happy doing what I do best, giving 250 per cent before the camera.”

Kareena disagrees that the new high in her profession has anything to do with the love of her life. Everyone says Saif is proving to be her good luck charm, but Kareena said, “If people believe that — it’s great. But personally, I feel love has got nothing to do with it. By saying this people discount the hard work put in by me and the entire crew and cast of the films I have done. I would say all the risks and challenges that I have taken as an actress have paid off. Encouraged, I shall venture into newer zones in my work area now.”

She swore that it’s work and her career that drive her more than anything. “I am highly ambitious. My strength, my confidence and everything else stems from my ability to work hard in my career which is the pivotal point of focus in my life. It’s beyond everything,” Kareena stated.

Even beyond love? “They are two different compartments,” she retorted. Has she thought about marriage? “Every woman dreams of marriage and having children. I am no exception. But at this point I am too young to think about it. We will take each year as it comes, not each day as it comes.”

But, yes, she does credit Saif for being extremely supportive in her career. “Both Saif and I met at a time when we are comfortable in our respective careers. We have put in so much hard work and he understands that. He is a wonderful guy. He is not only supportive of my career, but he supports me in everything I do,” she said with pride. Has she met his family? “Not as yet. When the time comes, I will do it.”

Exceptionally busy with work, Kareena plans to go on a long holiday after she wraps up the shoot of Golmaal Returns . “I badly need a holiday now. I am planning to take one, when I am done with the shoot. But my family says, I should work when the time is ripe, holidays can wait.”

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Jessy turns music director

The shooting of Sawal, the latest film being directed by B Jaya has been completed recently and the film is expected to release soon.

Thota Venkateshwara Rao is producing the film starring Bharath and Suhani in the lead. Suhani, a well known child artiste will be making her debut as an actress.

The music will be launched on December 18, and sources say, debutant music director Jessy Gift, is a bundle of nerves these days. Having made his mark as a playback singer with songs in movies like Malleeswari and Yuvasena, this time he's composed the music for Sawal. It will be interesting to see if he manages to hit the bull's eye this time too.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Sanjay gets back in shape

All those Bollywood hunks with six packs had better step aside, Sanjay Dutt the original stud of the silver screen, is back to claim his title.

Yes, Munnabhai who is out on bail, is using every moment of his temporary freedom to get back into real action. "I am enjoying the luxury of time before I get down to serious work," said a charged Dutt who begins shooting for his next film EMI from Wednesday.

And, Dutt has a secret weapon up his sleeve. He’s enlisted the services of noted Hollywood training guru Mark Twight to get fighting fit. Twight had trained the warriors in the film 300 and got actor Gerard Butler, who plays the leader of the Spartans, into awesome shape. Butler reportedly underwent months of strenuous workouts before shooting began. Dutt is hoping some of Twight’s magic will rub off on him now.
"I have to wrap up some work and by end of February, he is flying down from LA. I will start training with him immediately," said an excited Dutt.

He is confident that soon he will get a body that will be Bollywood’s envy and his pride. "Just give me six months, and I promise you I will have eight pack abs," added the actor. "Eight pack abs is a new concept here, but in the West, it’s not uncommon. You can push your body to get it, but it’s a very strenuous process."

He is not insecure or in competition with the league of present hunks in Bollywood. "They all look damn good! I am glad everyone is understanding the essence of keeping fit," said Dutt, adding that working out has always been his first love. "I am an actor not a body builder. Six pack abs don’t guarantee success or make you a good actor. Your talent, dedication and a good body adds up to it all. When I say I am going to get a fitter body, it’s nothing to do with setting a trend, or that I am preparing for any specific role. I want to see how much I can push my body. It’s a new high, a different kind of challenge for a man who loves working out."

Dutt, incidentally, has been an idol and inspiration for many Bollywood stars who today follow the path of fitness religiously. But the past few years, and his legal problems, have taken a toll on that once magnificent body. "I have a strong belief in God, my loved ones, my fans, and most importantly in myself. I will bounce back again," said the actor who has himself been inspired by the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Al
Pacino.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Gimme more!

One of them is an engineer, another was considering business management while the third could have done nothing but make music. Now that all three of them have found their true calling in music, they couldn’t ask for more. DT chats with Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy...

You recently performed in Delhi, how was the experience?
Shankar: It was very emotional, the passion of the crowd moved me.
Ehsaan: Delhi crowd has always been so wonderful; we wanted to give them more.
Loy: It was a memorable experience performing to the wonderful sea of humanity gathered.

How difficult was it becoming what you are today?
Shankar: I was an engineer with a lucrative job and leading a comfortable life. I wanted to break out of that cocoon and wanted to do the thing closest to my heart before it was too late. Leaving your comfort zone is always difficult but one has to gather courage and follow one’s heart.
Ehsaan: I flunked science in school so I thought I would end up studying graphics or business management. That was when my uncle suggested that I should take the risk and study music. I was sceptical but he said everything in life involves risk. So I went to America to do so and it changed my life. Had I not believed in my dreams, I wouldn’t be here today.
Loy: I prefer flowing with the drift. Boys fantasise about becoming soldiers and pilots and I was no different. There were no professionals around me but music was there in my house. My brother was in a rock band and singers like Remo Fernandes used to visit our house. I just knew I had to do this.

How important is it for an artist to be socially responsible?
Shankar: I’m not into the politics of adopting a cause but yes, it is important to do be socially proactive. But again, it varies from individual to individual. Every single man doing his job honestly would be enough to change our society.
Ehsaan: What you get, you must return. One can’t afford to be selfish. If we can influence people in any way, we need to do our bit.
Loy: We are the channel of joy to millions of people who forget their pains while listening to our music. The society absorbs what you give them.

Creating music for the bigwigs of the industry, especially SRK, how does it feel?
Shankar: When we know we are composing for a Shah Rukh Khan starrer, we have a certain security that it’ll be seen and heard by a lot more people. However, we make music with equal passion and enthusiasm even for a newcomer.
Ehsaan: When we sit down together, our aim is to make great music. We concentrate on the music rather than the star.
Loy : It’s the director’s call. We deliver what we consider is our best and what the director expects. SRK or no SRK, we give our best.

One very important philosophy which keeps you going everyday?
Shankar: To create more music, one lifetime is not enough. Right now, we have only scratched the tip of the iceberg.
Ehsaan: Music.
Loy: Music, music, music.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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