'Wanted' Trailer

Salman Khan is all revved up for his upcoming release 'Wanted' along with co-star Ayesha Takia Azmi. The film is directed by choreographer-turned-actor Prabhu Dheva and will be released this upcoming Eid in September. Salman Khan plays a ruthless gangster who is caught in war between two gangs. We want to give you a first look at this action-packed movie so check out the promo and tell us if you look forward to seeing Salman back to the action genr

'What's Your Raashee?' Promos

Last time we saw Harman Baweja and Priyanka Chopra in a film together was in the 2008 flop 'Love Story 2050'. Well, they will be together again in Ashutosh Gowarikar's upcoming romantic comedy 'What's Your Raashee?' Harman plays a young guy who is told that he must find his dream girl within ten days to save his family from ruin. So he makes a plan; he will meet one girl from each zodiac sign or raashee, so that he will get twelve chances to fall in love. Two meetings per day gives him six days to meet them, three days to make a final decision and he can get married on the tenth day. Priyanka Chopra plays twelve different characters depicting the twelve zodiac signs. Check out these two trailers from the film with one that's a promotional promo and another that's a track from the film

Music Review: 'Wanted'

The team duo Sajid-Wajid has already had a great hit soundtrack this year which was 'Kal Kissne Dekha'. Even though the movie didn't do well, the music was still greatly appreciated. Next on the list this year for them is Salman Khan's action-packed film 'Wanted'. Will it carry on the same success as 'Kal Kissne Dekha'? Let's see...
The first track "Dil Leke" has a bit of techo and a lot of softness to it. Sung by Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal, they sound great throughout the whole song. There's also a remix version of the track that sounds great on the dance floors.
Next up is "Ishq Vishq" which is has a lot of techo and reminds you of some of Salman's past films. The song marks the return of Kamaal Khan who sang songs from most of Salman's films which turned out to be hits. He makes a great comeback with the same voice we still remember back in the day with Sunidhi Chauhan also singing with him and Suzanne in the background. This track also has a remix, but the original still sounds better off without it.
The track "Jalwa" has a lot of Punjabi flavor to it. The only problem is that the track can be annoying after a few times because of Wajid echoing 'Jalwa' every time. The On the House remix makes the track even less popular.
This next song "Le Le Maaza Le" gives a mix of Middle Eastern music and Spanish vocals. The female vocals by Suzanne, Soumya Raoh and Nikita Nigam have brought the song into great lengths and the male vocal by Hrishikesh Kamerkar doesn't make the track the certain power it needs to get the hype going.
"Love Me Love Me" would probably be one of the best tracks in the bunch. It sounds a lot like "You're My Love" from 'Partner'. It may have borrowed elements from that track, but it is still a great song to listen to with Wajid and Amrita Kak singing the track. The Mama Papa Mix of the track adds quickness to the song to become more enjoyable on the road.
This next track "The Most Wanted Track" is the one you may have heard in the promos. What may shock you is that Salman sang some of the lyrics in the song. He does a great job making the track come to life with his voice. I wouldn't say this is the best in the soundtrack, but it certainly isn't the least.
The last track "Tose Pyaar Karte Hain" sounds like a track you would hear in a village. Sung by Wajid and Sunidhi Chauhan, it is an OK track of the bunch. The Bhojpuri Makhan Mix of this track makes it a bit better for the dance floor yet it doesn't give you much to cheer.
Sajid-Wajid has given an average soundtrack for Salman's film yet it makes you wonder if they have lost their touch in music. Anyway, the best of soundtrack would be "Ishq Vishq" and "Love Me Love Me" because it gives the essence of the film. This album would deserve a 3 out of 5 for a good effort for a Salman Khan starrer.

First Look at 'Wake Up Sid'

Whether it's his roles in Bollywood films or his relationship with Deepika Padukone it seems that Bollywood cutie, Ranbir Kapoor is always being talked about. So what's the latest buzz on this young actor? Well his next big release is with Karan Johar's Dharma Production House. The film titled 'Wake Up Sid' is slated for release in October. In the movie Ranbir Kapoor plays a college brat who lets life pass on by until he meets an aspiring writer from Kolkatta played by Konkona Sen Sharma. The film shows his passage from youth to his adolescence.

Bollywood's Best Celebrate 15 Years of Gitanjali Jewelers

Bipasha Basu in Rocky S.

From Sexy starlets lighting the ramp on fire to a grand finale with Bollywood megastar Salman Khan, Gitanjali's 15th anniversary gala was quite an extravagant affair. The glitterati of Bollywood strolled into the Renaissance Hotel in Powai, Mumbai to celebrate 15 years of business as India's leading jewelry company. The highlight of the event was a glamorous star-studded fashion show. B-town's best walked the ramped donning some exquisite pieces.
To commemorate their years of business Gitanjali introduced a new line of Jewelry called IIFA Bling, "The Bollywood Jewelry for the IIFAs". The leading men and women of Bollywood wore the new line of exquisite pieces with grace and style. Some of the top designers displayed on the runway included Neeta Lulla, Vikram Phadnis and Rocky S. Everyone involved played a vital role in increasing the extravagance of the festivities.
Aside from the fun and fashion there had to be some gossip in order to make it an official Page 3 event! So what was the industry buzzing about throughout the night? Well sources tell us that most of the chatter was quite positive until poor Neetu Chandra tripped and almost fell on stage while she hosted the event. Might not sound like that big of a deal, but when you are filled with a room full of socialites who also need something to talk about, it's never fun being the one picked on!

Celina Jaitley in Neeta Lulla

Things weren't all bad for Miss Chandra. She hosted the event alongside Cyrus Broacha who, like always, kept the crowd laughing. The two were great hosts for the night but the focus, of course, was on the star-studded fashion show.
Bollywood's best floating down the ramp in glamorous Desi attire is what really made this a night to remember. Bipasha Basu looked stunning in her sexy white lengha designed by Rocky S. It was B-town's starlet though, Celina Jaitley who stole the spotlight in her deep red lengha, which she wore for Neeta Lulla. Neil Nitin Mukesh receives an honorable mention as he got all the young teen girls screaming as he hit the ramp sporting some "IIFA Bling".
Overall, the fashion show was stunning and the audience absolutely loved its grand finale, featuring Gitanjali's brand ambassador Salman Khan walking the ramp.

Sameera Reddy in Vikram Phadnis

Prachi Desai in Neeta Lulla

Taj-E Brings Back 'Vang Teri' in Urban Remix

There's already been lots of buzz around Bhangra artist Juggy D re-entering the scene on producer Taj-E's song "Vang Teri." Well, now the guys have used the song to create an Urban Remix of it. Obviously they have given us something more to talk about, so the question is will the chatter about the remix be positive or

Kamini says: Emraan Hashmi Bounced from Bandra

This week, Emraan Hashmi went public with allegations that he was the victim of housing discrimination due to his religion. He was unable to get a "no objection certificate" for the purchase of his new home in the luxuriously posh Pali Hill neighborhood. Instead, Emraan will be seeking a "character certificate" from the police to assure the society members of his upstanding character. People, please.....
Do I think that a "character certificate" request is ridiculous? Definitely. I mean, please - who hasn't heard of Emraan Hashmi? He couldn't keep his private life secret if he wanted to. Rumor is that the housing society disproved of his film roles and "serial kissing." Um, it's called acting people. That means that it isn't real. And if the housing society can't figure that out, imagine the intellectual capacity of the residents or Pali Hill.
Do I think that Emraan Hashmi was discriminated against because he is a Muslim? Yes. It's happened before, it will happen again. Just ask Zulfi Sayed or Shabana Azmi.
And do I think that Emraan should move in to the Pali Hill home if all paperwork gets sorted? No. First of all, who would want to live where they aren't wanted? Second, as alluded to above, it is likely infested with intellectual half-wits.
If Emraan does decide to move into this home, however, I hope that he makes sure to throw lavishly loud parties, invite the brazen and bold from all corners of the globe to diversify the neighborhood, and that he trains his dog to piss on the stoops of his neighbors. Pooh-pooh, Pali!

Movie Review: Short Kut

The Story:

'Short Kut – The Con Is On' is a wise-cracking comedy about two strugglers – Raju (Arshad Warsi), a bad actor, and Shekhar (Akshaye Khanna), a wannabe film maker.
In their chase for success, Raju and Shekhar face a series of wacky situations which put them at the onset of scam, deceit, super stardom and the subsequent fall. Once they discover each others’ ambitious streak, Raju takes a shortcut: he steals Shekhar’s prized script and is shot to fame overnight. Shekhar plunges into depression and tries to save himself from shame by splitting with his wife, reigning actress Mansi (Amrita Rao), who goes on to share the sets with her new hero Raju. To add to his misery, Shekhar must also return the advance he received for his script before it was stolen. Now, Shekhar is left with only one motive in life – to get even with Raju.
While Raju runs the high hurdles with the help of his acting coach Guru Kapoor (Chunkey Pandey), Shekhar plots against him when they are reunited on the sets of Shekhar’s directorial debut, which stars Raju. At first, Shekhar refuses to cast Raju in the lead, but when the producer gives Shekhar a chance to direct, Shekhar takes advantage of his only opportunity to sideline Raju. As the film progresses, comical act of con, trickery and clashing egos reveal the ultimate plight of Raju and Shekhar.

The Cast:

Akshaye Khanna as Shekhar – sincere and hardworking, Shekhar is an aspiring assistant director who believes there are no short cuts to success. He is extremely gifted and confident, but his naïve character only makes him a victim in the cut-throat filmy world.
Arshad Warsi as Raju – a struggling actor who thinks he is Bollywood’s most prized possession and is willing to take all shortcuts to stardom. He betrays his friend Shekhar by stealing his script and becomes an overnight sensation. What he really is, is an over-confident, good for nothing actor.
Amrita Rao as Mansi – a highly successful actress with lots of sex appeal who has a heart of steel and will do everything it takes to stay on top. She marries Shekhar but later leaves him when his depression kicks in.
Chunky Pandey as Guru Kapoor – he partners up with Raju as his acting coach and cringes at Raju’s poor acting skills, but never discourages him.
Siddharth Randeria as Kantibhai – he is the landlord who backs Shekhar in all of his dreams.

The Crew:

Director: Neeraj Vora, Roshan AndrewsProducer: Anil KapoorProduction House: Anil Kapoor Films CompanyDistributor: Studio 18 Music Label: T-SeriesScreenplay: Anees BazmeeStory: Anees BazmeeCinematography: Ashok Mehta, Johny Lall, Arvind SoniChoreography: Bosco-CaesarMusic Director: Shankar-Ehsaan-LoyLyricist: Javed AkhtarCast: Akshaye Khanna, Arshad Warsi, Amrita Rao, Simi Garewal, Chunkey PandeySpecial Appearance by: Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt

The Soundtrack:

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy produce an upbeat soundtrack with strong audio value. There’s a variety of foot-tapping numbers including the very filmy spoof ‘Pal Pal’ (‘Kyun Hota Hai Dil Deewana’), which is shot on the beach with a qawwali twist, the hot item number ‘Mareeze Mohabbat’ and the romantic song ‘Kal Nau Baje.’ The title track ‘Patli Galli’ is catchy with strong Indian flavour yet contemporary orchestrisation.

Beauty Queen Aishwariya Rai Bachchan Lends A Hand To Charity

L'Oreal is a cosmetics and beauty supply company many of us are familiar with and the company has ambassadors such as Eva Longoria, Jane Fonda, and Aishwariya Rai Bachchan. L'Oreal has been in business for 100 years now and they are giving back in honor of this milestone. This week L'Oreal India in association with Aide et Action launched their 'Beautiful Beginnings' campaign in Khar Danda Village, India. India is one of 60 countries that is participating in the campaign.

The campaign is designed to reach out to underprivileged girls who have dropped out from school. The 'Beautiful Beginnings' campaign will provide a 4 month training session in which girls will learn how to color and style hair, administer manicures and pedicures, and how to thread, wax, and give facials. With all these new skills, these girls will be able to open salons and provide their services which will help stabilize their futures. Aishwariya inaugurated the campaign in India and is very proud to be part of the L'Oreal family. She also took this opportunity as a time to mingle with the students who will be taking part in this campaign.

Michael Jackson's Paris wants to sing

The thought that one inherits the talent of their father's is indeed correct, as this is not a next Billie Jean moment but one of Paris Katherine Jackson who has showed interest in wanting to do a tribute to her dad in song. Paris appeared before thousands on Tueday during the memorial expressing love for her dad. The few words the 11 year old managed to mumble while crying caused many to break down in tears.

"Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much."

With fans still leaving flowers and liting candles all over the world for the King, Paris has recently expressed her wishes to say goodbye through a song . Though her wishes may very well be the next upcoming blast for Fans wanting something to soothe the recent tragedy, the family is keen on keeping the kids away from the public.

This burning passion to entertain was made clear to Michael Jackson himself when he asked the 11 year old what she wanted to do when she grows up and she said she wanted to sing and dance. Many still are in shock with the families' openness with the kids at the memorial as the father has always insisted in hiding their faces from the public.

This will be fascinating news for many and the recent news is leaving alot to question and speculate. What do you think of this? Will she be as talented as Michael was? Will it be released in time for the upcoming August memorial in London? Would Michael Jackson want this?

Rakhi Sawant Wants to Look Like Aishwarya Rai on Her Wedding Day

Elegance and poise are not words that come to mind when thinking of Rakhi Sawant. For the most part Rakhi has shown us that she can be pretty darn improper. From her chest bearing, scandalous costumes to her wild behavior, it’s no wonder that her name is associated with being vulgar.

All of that might be changing as Rakhi prepares for her big day. While scores of suitors are lined up to bring Rakhi to the altar on her reality show, "Rakhi Ka Swayamvar" where men are competing for Rakhi's hand in marrige. she has been busy picking out her outfit. And surprise, it is not going to be trashy. Rakhi has opted for a much more traditional look. She wants to look like an Indian princess; she wants to look like the gorgeous and graceful Aishwarya Rai.

Rakhi is working with Ace designers Neeta Lulla and Farah Ali to coordinate her clothes and jewelry. The two shared some design sketches with Rakhi on the kind of look that she should have, and suggested various colors that would look good on her complexion. They also showed Rakhi various intricate stone studded designs that she should wear for her big day. From Diamonds to Kundans to Emerald and Rubies, Rakhi got a chance to try on necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.

I wonder if Rakhi will embrace this new lifestyle of elegance and marriage and leave behind her vulgar days. In the mean time we have some photos of Rakhi trying on her amazing new wardrobe.

En Karma Releases A New Single

The Bhangra band En Karma has just released their latest single "En Karma Diyan Boliyan." In true Bhangra fashion the track is upbeat and fun. The band which consists of Ravi, Pip, JP, Rick, Nick, and Inder, comes from Canada and has been on the scene since 2006. The band collectively worked together to compose, write, and record their tracks; with so many great ideas it's no wonder that En Karma's music has its own unique vibe

Which Hard Kaur Video is Your Favorite

She's the rebel with the rhymes! We all know her as a strong, edgy woman who gives us all that she can with her fun lyrics and slick moves. Hard Kaur exploded on to the scene with the track "Glassy" and had her Bollywood breakout in 2007, in Sriram Raghavan's "Johnny Gaddaar." She rose to success with her strong lyrical power and tough atitude. From the UK to India Hard Kaur has established herself as a female rapper.

Being a key player in the UK Urban Desi scene and making a place for herself in Bollywood one has to wonder what will be next for the entertaining artist? Will she break into the US next? Well she is currently touring the states with the one and only singer, Sonu Niigaam so who knows, maybe she will score a deal while she is on tour

Asin Stalked in Singapore

It seems that fans can’t get enough of Bollywood beauty Asin, especially one fan in particular. Asin was in Singapore when a man, who seemed to be in his mid-20s, constantly followed her everywhere. The drama unraveled at the hotel where she was staying. The stalker approached Asin to talk to her, without paying any attention to the security guards surrounding her.

Things started to get incredibly strange when the man pretended to be a body guard, preventing people from seeing or even getting near Asin. Furthermore, another incident occurred at a function, “He told the guards that he had come from Indore, India and wanted to talk to her at any cost. He tried every trick in the book to convince them and succeeded,” Asin’s friend said. Before she could react to the intruder, he began to take pictures of her.

That wasn’t the end of it either. Asin spotted the man following her at the mall during a shopping excursion and saw him later that day in the lobby of her hotel. Thankfully, the obsessed stalker was nowhere to be seen as Asin jetted for the airport to catch her flight back to Mumbai.

Confirming the unpleasant incident, Asin’s manager said, “Yes, Asin had a problem in Singapore with a stalker.” She, as well as her security team, have been given instructions to keep an eye out for the man that is believed to be her stalker.

Exclusive Video of Anil Kapoor at his 'Short Kut' Press Conference

Anil Kapoor was in New York to promote his fourth coming film 'Short Kut' which will be released this Friday, July 10.

'Short kut' is a hilarious film directed by Neeraj Vora and produced by Anil Kapoor. From what we can see from the previews this movie looks like it packs in a lot of laughs.

This comedy stars Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi. And what better way to round off a cast than with a gorgeous heroine like Amrita Rao

Michael Jackson's Memorial Service Takes Place in Los Angeles

he beautiful public memorial service we told you about for Michael Jackson took place today in Los Angeles' Staples Center. It was attended by thousands and watched by millions around the world on national television. But this wasn't just any memorial service; it included performances and speeches by many of Michael Jackson's closest friends and family including Mariah Carey, Usher, and Smokey Robinson.

The memorial opened with the strong voices of a gospel choir singing and an invocation by Pastor Lucious Smith. After this opening, each musical performance that followed was introduced by a heartwarming speech. Performer Queen Latifah reflected on her fondest memories of Michael Jackson and read a piece by poet Maya Angelou. She also introduced R&B singer, Lionel Richie, who sang "Jesus is Love."

Award winning R&B songstress, Jennifer Hudson gave a tear jerking performance as images of Jackson flashed in the backdrop. Emotions also rose as Usher, Stevie Wonder, and Mariah Carey performed. Other notable moments included Shaeen Jafargholi from 'Britain's Got Talent' singing Jackson's 'Who's Lovin' You," Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine singing "Smile," and Brooke Shields talking about her memories of having fun and laughing with Michael Jackson.

For once all of the bad press about Michael Jackson was laid to rest and he was remembered for all he gave to this world. Michael Jackson was particularly noted for his passion for charity and for bringing people of all races together by creating a sort of comfort level between them.

Motown Records founder, Berry Gordy may have summed up Michael Jackson's life the best as he reflected, "Though it ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful. Michael Jackson accomplished everything he dreamed of." He further added, "The king of pop is not enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived."

The ceremony ended with an all-star performance of "We Are the World" and "Heal the World." The loss of the pop icon was truly felt when his 11 year-old daughter, Paris, told the audience through tears, "I just wanted to say-ever since I was born; daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much."

Akshay Kumar to Release Film for Michael Jackson?

The undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson has tons of fans across the world, in India and in Bollywood and one of those fans is Akshay Kumar! It seems Akshay loves Michael so much so that it's being reported that he is planning a film based on his music and dance as a tribute to the legendary icon.

Akshay has branched off into film production with his company Hari Om Productions and rumors are flying that a film based on Michael's music is in the works. Akshay has stated that he still remembers his days living in Bangkok doing a cleaning job in a hotel while listening to Michael's music, tracks like, 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It.' Akshay also said he was at MJ's 1996 stop in Mumbai as part of his tour in India. At the time Akshay says he was a small time actor and was a crazy fan jumping to try and get a glimpse of the King of Pop just like every other fan in the crowd. Wow who knew?!

It seems Akshay has a few other films in the works as well and much like Shahrukh Khan, he plans on doing a film for his son Aarav. Aarav loves cartoons and Indian mythology, so Akshay is planning on doing a film on mythology just for his son.

So we want to know what you guys think about Akshay supposedly doing a film on Michael Jackon's music and dancing as a tribute to the king. Do you think it's a good idea? Would you watch it?

Mariah Carey Releases New Single!

Looks like the melodious singer, Mariah Carey has been hard at work in the studio. The newly married singer just released her single, "Obsessed" and will be releasing her 12th album, 'Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel,' on August 25, 2009. That's right! The singer has been in the limelight for 12 albums now and has had 17 number 1 hits!

Her new single has quickly hit all major radio stations and is different from what we would expect to hear from her. 'Obsessed' has a deep beatsy grove to it and is laced with Carey's signature high octave notes. It is definitely a song that will be bumpin' in all of the clubs over the summer!

Perhaps it is Mariah's husband, actor and TV host, Nick Cannon that has brought this new edgy and partly synthesized side out in her. Mariah also paired up with rapper, the-Dream once again to write and produce this song.

While many fans speculate that her hit new single is a jab at rapper, Eminem, the singer denies such accusations. Both music artists have released songs that have stirred up a buzz. Eminem raps about Mariah in his song, 'Bagpipes from Bagdad.' He raps: "Nick Cannon better back the f*ck up/I'm not playin' I want her back you punk...Nick you had your fun I've come to kick ya in your sack of junk"

The beef between Mariah and Eminem is ongoing as her lyrics read, "Why you so obsessed with me (Boy I wanna know)/Lying that you're sexing me (when everybody knows)/It's clear that you're upset with me/Finally found a girl that you couldn't impress." Eminem has spread rumors that the two were dating for 6 months while Mariah Carey denies they were even in a relationship.

So which side is telling the truth? We'll let you be the judge. Take a listen to the track below and let us know what you think. Are you excited to hear what the rest of her album has to offer?

Music Review: 'Kaminey'

hankfully, there are a lot of cool films coming out this summer. One of those happens to be 'Kaminey' which is the story of two brothers. It stars Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Amol Gupte. The movie soundtrack is something that seems like it will offer a fresh sound from the regular run of the mill Bollywood film experience.

Most of the songs on the album are sung by Sukhwinder Singh. The songs 'Dhan Te Nan', 'Fatak', and of course the 'Dhan Te Nan Remix' offer slightly different sounds and experiences for the listener. 'Dhan Te Nan' is the song that's heard on the trailer for the movie and is an upbeat tune. The remix of it offers a little more diversity in its sound by adding more of a traditional feeling with the modern sound.

'Fatak' is stripped of any modern western sound. The Bhangra sound abounds in this track, but it remains a song that is upbeat. Meanwhile 'Go Charlie Go' literally sounds like something one of the characters will be running to, undoubtedly making their escape.

The track 'Kaminey' named after the film is a beautiful slow ballad with an electronic undertone that can't be denied. Meanwhile, 'Pehli Baar Mohabbat' is a modern love song with an indie appeal. These two songs are easily the best on the soundtrack.

'Raat Ke Dhai Baje' is what you would typically look for in a Bollywood movie. It features a female singer and offers something more customary for an Indian flick. The remix of the song gives a more Bhangra dance appeal to it.

Overall, the soundtrack for 'Kaminey' is going to have something for everyone. It mixes a modern sensibility with lots of custom to create a mix that will go well with the film. For a film that seems to have a contemporary feel to it, the music will undoubtedly strike a good chord thanks to Vishal Bharadwaj.

Model Gauhar Khan Set to Appear in 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year'

Well, it looks like another model is going from the catwalk to Bollywood. Model Gauhar Khan, who was made famous for her participation in this year's season of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa', is moving on to the big screen. Apparently someone liked her dance moves on the show and thought she'd be perfect in doing films. Which is why she is set to appear in Ranbir Kapoor's next big release 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year'.

Gauhar Khan isn't a complete newbie in Bollywood. She was in 2003's 'Miss India: The Mystery' with Priyanka Chopra. She's also appeared in some music videos, but her most famous television stint is still on 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'. It's uncertain what her role will be in 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year', but hopefully it will get her the exposure that she needs to make it in the business.

Bollywood has seen a lot of models turned into actresses in the past including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and Anushka Sharma.

Kal Penn Officially Goes from White Castle to the White House!

As we told you before, Kal Penn has put acting on the back burner and began working with the Obama Administration. We saw Kal Penn meet with the ex-president in 'Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay;' this time however, he will be with the new president on completely different measures! The ex-actor started working for the White House at the start of this week as the Associate Director in the White House's Office of Public Liaison & Intergovernmental Affairs. Who would have thought that the relaxed and humorous stoner, 'Kumar,' would be working for the government one day?

The new Associate Director, who prefers to be called by his birth-name, Kalpen Modi by co-workers, does not think that his celebrity status will disrupt his professional life at all. When asked how he prepared for his first day at work by 'New York Magazine,' Modi replied, "I brushed my teeth. I flossed. I used mouthwash. I took the bus to work - the same things that everybody does ... I expect to be treated just like any other staff member."

The new White House worker did not reveal a great deal about the much anticipated film, 'A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas,' set to release in November 2010. We are all wondering if Kumar will be replaced with a new face as he tells fans, "Obviously, I enjoyed being in the Kumar role in the past and I found those to be a lot of fun... [But] at the moment I've decided to take a step away from acting, so I hope that the folks who make the 'Harold & Kumar' films will respect my decision to work in public service."

Sonu Niigaam's Tribute to Michael Jackson

Many Bollywood stars gave their praise on the multitalented artist, Michael Jackson. One celebrity, talented singer Sonu Niigaam has also made a tribute to the King of Pop, but in a different way. Sonu and his team recently started a fan page on his facebook dedicated to Michael Jackson that had him and many fans writing songs about Michael. It was a way for fans to know that music can, like Michael Jackson's hit song, "Heal the World!"
The fan page is also served as a forum for Sonu Niigaam and his friends and admirers to share their thoughts, views, and their music.
Among many songs that a lot of fans have written, a few were chosen to be compiled into a new song thanks to two talented musicians named Saikat Roy and Shankar Ramanamoorthy according to Sonu's facebook page. Sonu Niigaam has also written a song dedicated to Michael Jackson called "This Is It" that will be composed by Sonu himself. Sonu Niigaam told us at Desi Hits! his reasons on what compelled him to do this.
I don't know what made me do it... I guess Michael! Unbelievable response... none of us knew there's so much talent in people who approached me as mere fans.
"I don't know what made me do it...I guess Michael! Unbelievable response... none of us knew there's so much talent in people who approached me as mere fans. I am glad it's getting an outlet. Composers wanting to compose and writers wanting to write, producers wanting to program...press wanting to write about it. It's getting bigger by the day...I'll have to format the process to be able to give it a structure. Got to take this on a different level."

Kamini says: Bollywood film 'Kaminey' Creates Much Needed Discussions

Is a kiss too risqué? Or the mention of safe sex in a Bollywood love film? Please. I'd prefer that my dear old mum sit through five minutes of discomfort if it meant that thousands of young audience members learned the value of healthy sex.
In the new film, "Kaminey," passing reference to HIV is mentioned in a song that some are finding too much. In addition, other features in the film symbolize this message and remind us to think of HIV, including Shahid Kapoor's character, Guddu, wearing the red ribbon around his neck and the inclusion of red backdrops. Both most likely reflect the red ribbon AIDS awareness campaign.
Finally. We are breaking through our chastely veiled discussions of sexuality and addressing a reality that strikes India. Like it or not, over two million Indians are living with HIV/AIDS. So I for one am thrilled to see a novel attempt at getting this message into the mainstream, even if it is one song in one film.
According to the World Bank (2008) Indians holds the "common perception that HIV is transmitted predominantly through injecting drug use and sex between men." This is grossly erroneous: "the overwhelming majority of infections in India occur through heterosexual sex." And consider this: 39% of individuals living with AIDS in India identify as straight, married and in monogamous relationships. Clearly our "let's not talk about it" attitude isn't working if so many people are monogamous, yet getting infected.
For those of you who don't feel that this is appropriate material, I have a suggestion. Don't go see it. But consider that if you aren't even comfortable hearing someone else talk about it in mild terms, that there's probably a lot that you don't know. That could protect you. And if you are relying on your "monogamous" spouse to do the right thing, let me refer you again to the preceding paragraph. Go somewhere else for your information if you need to, but go somewhere. Ignorance may be a comfortable place, but it's not bliss. And given the rampage of HIV on India, we know it's not real. I'm looking forward to taking my mum with me to see this film. And although it may be a bit uncomfortable, I'm also looking forward to our discussion on the ride home.
The appearance of chastity is limited to its primary intent: Appearance

Film Review: Kambakkht Ishq

Kambakkht Ishq is the story of an ace stuntman, Viraj Shergill (Akshay Kumar), and a part time ultra-swish model-turned-surgeon, Simrita Rai (Kareena Kapoor), who are invaded by the most elusive of all emotions - love.
The battle of the sexes begins when Viraj and Sim outrageously storm into the altar to stop the marriage of Viraj's brother, Lucky (Aftab Shivdasani), and Sim's best friend, Kamini (Amrita Arora). After Viraj and Sim rampage Lucky and Kamini's bizarre wedding reception - where Viagra is mixed into protein shakes and cake is tossed around, - all hell breaks loose between the two rivals. Where Viraj is out to prove that 'women are only good for two things,' Sim is stuck in a rut where 'men are good for nothing losers.' In countless encounters, including the one in Venice where they work on the same set - Viraj as a stuntman and Sim as the model, an assignment she takes up to pay for her medical degree, - their clashing egos lead to one trying to upstage the other.
Low and behold, when Sim walks into the operation room to perform her first surgery, she finds a semi-sedated Viraj. During the operation, Sim's supreme medical mishap occurs when her mantric heart-shaped watch pendant is stitched away inside Viraj. From this point onwards, Viraj begins to hear the 'Om Mangalam' mantra at the top of every hour. What leads to this accident and what becomes of it, all surfaces alongside a series of circus-like scenes with clowns including the deaf Doctor (Boman Irani) who leaves Viraj helpless, Keswani (Javed Jaffrey) as an immigrant looking to hit the jackpot by suing people, and Dolly Aunty (Kirron Kher) as Sim's lovable, gift-giving care-taker, who is the root of Sim's anti-marriage ideal, as well as the glitch in the operation.
In an effort to save her medical career, Sim puts on an act to seduce Viraj and get him back in the operation room to remove the pendant. What love games are played between Viraj and Sim, and who takes the beating in this love-hate relationship, is revealed through a dramatic twist of fate.
The Cast:
Akshay Kumar as Viraj Shergill - a sexy Hollywood stuntman who lives by one mantra: 'women are good for only two things: making love and making love!' The word 'marriage' does not exist in his dictionary as he leads a commitment-free lifestyle revolving around women and pool parties.
Kareena Kapoor as Simrita Rai - conveniently called Bebo, is a hotheaded supermodel and aspiring surgeon who believes that "all men are dogs." She bares her hotness only to pay her way through med school but spends more time frolicking around Los Angeles in designer wear.
Aftab Shivdasani as Lucky Shergill - is the loving younger brother of Viraj and love-struck by his hot sizzler wife Kamini. Unfortunately, Viraj's anti-marriage attitude works against the married couple and leaves Lucky with many unlucky nights without Kamini.
Amrita Arora as Kamini - a leading lingerie model who marries the love of her life, Lucky, but is often manipulated by her best friend Simrita, who talks her out of marriage.
The Crew:
Director: Sabbir KhanProducer: Sajid NadiadwalaProduction House: Nadiadwala Grandson EntertainmentDistributor: Eros EntertainmentMusic Label: ErosScreenplay: Kiran Kotrial, Anvita Dutt Gupta, Ishita Mohitra, Sabbir KhanStory: Anvita Dutt Gupta, Ishita Mohitra, Sabbir KhanCinematography: Vikas ShivramanChoreography: Vaibhavi MerchantMusic Director: RDB, Anu Malik, Salim-SulaimanLyricist: RDB, Anvita Dutt Gupta, Sabbir KhanCast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Amrita Arora, Aftab Shivdasani, Javed Jaffrey, Kirron Kher, Boman Irani
The Soundtrack:
Anu Malik, RDB and Salim-Sulaiman have created the most upbeat soundtrack of the summer. All of the songs well-placed in the story and the best ones are 'Om Mangalam,' 'Lakh Lakh', 'Bebo', and 'Kambakkht Ishq.' You definitely walk away chanting 'Om Mangalam.
What Works:
Hollywood meets Bollywood no more. This time, Bollywood invades Hollywood. This star-studded film has a lot to rave about, especially the performances. Although Akshay seems to have repeated his Casanova act he played in 'Hey Babyy', he manages to deliver one of his most humorous roles. Akki's on-screen interaction with the Hollywood stars are genuine and truly put him on top of his career!
The scenes with Boman, Javed and Kirron are the high point of the film. In all of the masti, the Hollywood stars including a droopy-eyed Sylvester Stallone who fights the bad guys Bollywood-style and presents an award to our original stuntman (Akshay), Brandon Routh, as well as Denise Richards who out-shines our size-zero Bebo in the sequenced bikini, are a refreshing watch. This doesn't mean Kareena doesn't steal the screen - Aki Narula's world-class styling has Kareena prancing around in Chanel, Prada and the sexy black Valentino swimsuit.
Cinematographer Vikram Sivaraman scores high by giving an international feel to the film. The action (Spiro Razatos) sequences really stand out. Choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant is superb.
What Doesn't:
Unfortunately, with four scriptwriters, the plot still falls flat. Although a laugh-fest, the film has a predictable nature, clichéd climax and repetitive dialogues. The constant foul language sound awkward coming from Akshay and Kareena.
The pace of the film does well the first half but drags post-interval. Kareena looks glamorous but fails to perform. Her poor characterization has her acting hysterical and a bit over the top at times.
The viewer can't help but ask 'how does a stuntman live so lavishly and how does a surgeon/supermodel have time to lounge around town?
Slated or Rated:
The expensively mounted Kambakkht Ishq is contemporary, yet traditional at heart. It's everything a demanding audience wants: a full-on masala entertainer. At the box-office, fireworks go off for this Independence Day release.

Bollywood Film 'Kaminey' Promotes Safe Sex

Bollywood does something completely new and uses its talent to increase AIDS awareness in India. Rumor has it that the film "Kaminey," set to release August 14, features a new track that promotes safe sex.
The innovative song is being written and composed by the director himself, leading film maker, Vishal Bharadwaj and is being sung by none other than "Chaiyya Chaiyya" singer, Sukhwinder Singh. Heartthrob Shahid Kapoor will be lip-syncing the song in the film as his character, Guddu.
The buzz is that the video for the song focuses on the usage of condoms and is being filmed in a backdrop with red lighting. Shahid Kapoor's character will have a red ribbon around his neck, perhaps symbolic of the red AIDS awareness ribbon. Quite controversial for a film industry that finds kisses to be taboo!!
The lyrics to the song include, "Bhawra aaya aayaa re, gun gun karta aayaa re ... Yeh ishq nahih aasan, AIDS ka khatra hai ... pathwar pehen kar jaana- yeh aag ka dariya hai."

Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan Seen Out On a Date

Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan may have broken up because of their inability to make their relationship work, but it looks like the on again/off again couple may be on... Again! This time, the couple was spotted in Bandra at the brand new Salt Water Café. The rumors are spreading like wildfire on the internet.
The two seemed to be getting cozy together and really enjoying each other's company. A source said that, "Salman and Katrina arrived together at around 6:00 pm. Both were looking extremely happy and it appeared as if they had arrived to celebrate the success of Katrina's new release 'New York'. She was smiling nonstop while talking to him. The people around them were left completely star struck and no one dared to disturb the lovers."
Was it really just a celebration dinner? Or were the two kindling an old flame over a dinner date? The source continued "When anyone around would stare for long at Katrina, Salman would stare back at him or her. Generally, the two used to be often seen at the coffee shops near Salman's Bandra Bandstand house such as Café Coffee Day or Barista, but may be they came here because being a Sunday, those places would have been extremely crowded."

Ajay Devgan Gives Bipasha Basu a New Blackberry

So it seems sultry actress Bipasha Basu has got herself a brand new swanky Blackberry! Her producer and co-star Ajay Devgan gave the phone to Bipasha this week as a wrap-up gift for his film's leading lady. "I love it! I'm going crazy with it. Though I have no numbers on it and am trying to figure it out, I just can't get enough of it," said Bips. The comedy film, 'All the Best' wrapped in Goa this week.It seems Ajay decided to give Bipasha the phone out of the blue on the last day of shooting after working around the clock, even late nights and early mornings. It seems Bipasha was so busy with the shoot that she barely even talked to boyfriend John Abraham who was in crutches in Mumbai promoting, 'New York.' Plus we hear that Bipasha agreed to do another role in the film besides just the leading lady's role and didn't even charge Ajay an extra fee. No wonder he bought her a gift! Well, let's not forget that Ajay is also known to be quite a generous producer and had heard Bipasha wanted a Blackberry."Ajay knew I wanted it. In fact it was he who got me interested in. It is actually a gift in appreciations for working long hours and changing at lightning speed between shots when we had loads of work to finish. Ajay is a fabulous producer and co-star."

Khiza's Album 'Turning Point' Drops This Friday

Bhangra Producer Khiza has a very impressive résumé. He started out as a dancer in Birmingham, England and is now an international success. Khiza has 14 albums to his name and is going to make this statistic 15 this Friday with the release of his album 'Turning Point.' He has run his own record label, UK Goldmind/Khiza Records, and has now developed Utopia Music Ltd. As his record label grew, the collaborations did too. Khiza has worked with artists such as Atif Aslam, Mika Singh, Apache Indian, and Hadiqa Kiani. 'Turning Point' has some hot collaborations on the track list too.
Khiza's new album is a fully loaded album with 20 tracks. The album is Khiza's reflection upon his career as a producer; it highlights the highs and the lows he has experienced. Vocalists being featured on this album include Abrar Ul-Haq, Hadiqa Kiani, and for the first time, Khiza himself.
Along with singing for the first time on this album, Khiza introduces four new artists: Omer Nadeem, Arun Ji, Nidhi Kohli, and Aryana. Omer Nadeem is from Pakistan and a mere 18 years old. He has already stirred quite a buzz with his strong vocals. Arun ji is also a young 18 years old and he comes from Punjab, he has studied under legend Hans Raj Hans. Nidhi Kohli is from Delhi and won the competition 'Aaj Ki Awaz.' Lastly, Aryana adds a new flavor to the album, she is a Persian vocalist from the UK. This mix of raw, new talent should set this album apart, but it will be up to the audiences to decide whether they like it or not.
'Mehr Ma' and 'Hot Like Fire' are two different tracks that both hit the charts from Khiza's last album 'Loyal To The Game' and his track 'ye Khuda' featuring Omer Nadeem has made quite a buzz on the music scene as well.

Akshay Kumar and Celebs at ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ Press Meet

Will the Bollywood film ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ live up to the hype that has been made about it? Well I guess we won't really know till the movie actually releases, but with all the buzz about the film we sure hope it does well. Everything in regards to the film so far has been done in a grand scale. Even the press meet turned into a starstudded affair. Katrina Kaif was one of the many celebs that attended.

Kareena Kapoor called ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ a “power-packed film which is going to rock today and tomorrow”.Well we will have to see how many agree with the actress once the movie comes out but till then check out the pictures from the press meet and share your thoughts about this high budget film.

Yashraj to Sue Writer for ‘New York’ Plagiarism Accusations

The heat with the Bollywood film “New York” plagiarism scandal has switched teams. Now Yashraj films are putting the allegations on Suchita Bhatia.
Initially, the scandal set off when Suchita Bhatia accused Yashraj films of taking a script that Bhatia suggested 3 years ago for what is now the film“New York.”
“New York” writer Kabir Khan speaks out on the latest with the situation and how it showcases Bhatia’s disparity with her intentions. In a Times of India article he says, “This is really unfortunate. I wonder which cave this girl was living in so far to suddenly wake up five days after our film released to realize that “New York” is about three friends against a 9/11 backdrop.”
It turns out that Bhatia is somewhat of a fame snatcher, working the timing of the production to her advantage. “It’s a great method of getting her 15 minutes of fame. Yes, we’re planning to sue her and make an example of this sort of post-success harassment that filmmakers go through,” says Khan.
The director of “New York” is fuming about the allegations of plagiarism made against him. He hopes that he can rectify the situation by, in turn, suing Bhatia. He says, “Why does one have to keep fighting to protect one’s integrity? By suing this girl I hope to discourage such frivolous charges in the future.”

Rani Mukherji Goes Sardar!

This weekend the long awaited film 'Kambakkth Ishq' will hit theatres. The glamorous Kareena Kapoor plays a model and buff Akshay Kumar plays a stuntman. But moviegoers will soon be seeing a sight they've never seen before...Rani Mukherji as a sardar. That's right, Yash Raj Films' next release 'Dil Bole Hadippa' will feature the actress dressed as a sardar and she is almost unrecognizable!
The concept isn't really that new. A girl has a dream which she hopes to pursue, however she's in a male dominated society. She then decides to dress like a man to pursue her dreams and along the way falls in love. The idea that they would use Rani Mukherji to portray this role and don her in a Punjabi, Sardar clothing could spell some pretty funny moments as well as a fresh look on the clichéd plot.
Rani Mukherji is no stranger to playing roles that may be difficult for other actresses, she's played strong roles in 'Black' and 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag' and more light heated ones in 'Bunty Aur Babli' and 'Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic'. She's always up for a challenge and audiences are always looking for something new. Mike Stringer who recently worked on 'Dhoom 2' was flown in from London to create her look for the film; while Manish Malhotra designed the costumes.
'Dil Bole Hadippa' is directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Aditya Chopra. It stars Shahid Kapoor, Rani Mukherji, and Anupam Kher. If all goes as planned, the movie should be released on September 18, 2009. We have the pictures of Rani Mukherji in her sardar garb. We want you to tell us what you think about her costume and if it makes you want to check out the film.

Music Review: Luck

There is no doubt that the music of 'Kaal' and in particular the title track picturized on Shahrukh Khan and Malaika Arora Khan, succeeded in giving the film a huge opening. It therefore comes as no surprise that director Soham Shah has once again teamed up with music duo Salim-Sulaiman to repeat the magic of 'Kaal'. So let us weigh up the result of the audio album of the team's latest offering, 'Luck'.
The album gets an energetic start with the title track, ''Luck Aazma'', which can be classified as the theme track as it contains the essence/spirit of movie. Naturally, the king of inspiring songs, Sukhwinder Singh is the perfect choice and he delivers as usual and is well supported by Satya Hinduja. The remixed version is quicker and it wouldn't be surprising to find a promotional music video of the same, featuring all the actors (just like for 'Kaal').
The talented and beautiful daughter of big-time actor Kamal Haasan and actress Sarika, Shruti Haasan, making her debut with 'Luck', also gets a chance to try her luck behind the mike, with the next version, ''Aazma - Luck Is The Key''. And true to her reputation of an excellent singer, she comes out with flying colors. Shruti sings like a pop diva, her vocals strong with just the right approach. Clinton Crejo does well with the English parts. This version is a bit on the slower side as far as the rhythm is concerned and more emphasis is on the Western musical arrangements.
The next number, ''Khudaya Ve'', is inspired heavily from the background signature tune of the duo's last hit 'Fashion'. Salim sings with feelings but his diction is simply weak. The number is a sad one and naturally the rhythm is slow, but not too gloomy and that is the only bright part! There are two remixed versions of the song and it is similar to the original and not much has been taken to give it some flavor.
Terrific guitar strumming and soothing flute notes begins the next track ''Jee Le'', which is what I think is the best song of the album and is naturally picturized on the teen hearthrob, Imran Khan, and the hot new sensation Shruti Haasan, and the two look like a charming couple on-screen. The music and performance by Shruti Pathak and Naresh Kamath with some English rap are superb. The remixed version is good, although the heightened tempo is a bit too much.
Since the film revolves around betting oneself, the track ''Laaga Le'' dedicates itself to the theme. A sizzling paced track that may not sound great at the first hearing but in the context of the movie, it is a well composed, arranged and rendered (Anushka Manchanda, Robert 'Bob' Omulo) number. Its placement in the film will surely be at a very important and tense stage.
To bring this review to a close, the soundtrack of action packed films like 'Luck' doesn't rely on tunes. The highlights are on deadly rhythms and fast paced adrenaline pumping beats, which Salim-Sulaiman have succeeded in incorporating. Numbers like ''Luck Aazma'' and ''Jee Le'' (with their versions) are the pick of the bunch. I think this album deserves a three out of five. However, given the high standards that Salim-Sulaiman has set for themselves (like 'Fashion' and 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'), the album as a whole, may dishearten their hardcore fans.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor: The New Mr. and Mrs. Smith?

Watch out Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie! Looks like lovebirds Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor have paired up in soon-to-come Bollywood action film, ‘Agent Vinod.’ The Bolllywood it couple will both be playing spies, just like in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
When we first heard about the film, the female lead role was to played by Deepika Padukone. However, director, Sriram Raghavan denies ever approaching Deepika. Was that just a rumor or did Bebo feel threatened after the new formed friendship between her boo and his latest co-star?
Sources report, when Kareena secured her role, she was still not so thrilled because she played a very small role. Since then, Kareena has gained a much more substantial role, assuring her time in the spotlight. Looks like Bebo might be wearing the pants in this relationship!
Saif assured fans, “She does play an undercover agent from another country. Kareena will do everything I do in the film, and she’ll do it even better. She will kick butt better than all the other girls in our industry, that’s for sure.” The couple will be going through rigorous training to get into athletic shape for some hot fight scenes.
The good news doesn’t stop there for Kareena! The buzz is that the starlet will be joining Saif’s production house, Illuminati Films, and they will both be working together to produce ‘Agent Vinod.’ Looks like Kareena’s taking some big steps! Sources report Saif said, "We’ll definitely be producing films together. It will give us a chance to grow as actors. She is as much the producer of ‘Agent Vinod’ as I.”
We can expect ‘Agent Vinod’ to be released in the next year. Will Kareena be able to prove to us that she earned this role through hard work or does Saif simply melt at her every request? Will the couple ook as good as Brad and Angelina? Let us know your thoughts about the upcoming film!

Ciara Inspired by Bollywood

Looks like HipHop Princess, Ciara, tried her hand at remixing a Bollywood track.
Ciara played with AR Rahman’s song, ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ from the Bollywood film, ‘Bombay.’ This upbeat song is entitled, ‘Turntables,’ and features none other than the always-dancing, Chris Brown. The Hindi song is heard in the first few seconds as Ciara’s track first starts.
The track isn’t quite to the caliber that we typically would expect from the dancing superstar. ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ sounds out of place and does not mesh well with Ciara’s beat. It's almost as if the two songs are playing at the same time from two different stereo’s and the listener wants to turn the volume down on the Hindi song. Ciara’s song would have done well without ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ interwoven.
Take a listen to the song posted below and let us know what you think.

DH! Video: Sonu Niigaam On Evolution of Hindi Music Industry

Desi Hits! has recently had the opportunity to score another exclusive interview! This time we met with none other than singing sensation, Sonu Niigaam. Being a loyal supporter of Desi Hits!, Sonu Niigaam was kind enough to stop by and give us an exclusive interview for our readers. It was great to be able to spend time with the ever-humble recording artist, as he discussed with us the past, present, and future of the Indian film and music industry.

You may be one of the millions of Desis from around the world that recognizes him for his vocal contributions in movies such as 'Dil Se', 'Taal', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham', and 'Om Shanti Om', but how much do you really know about his opinions on the music he has helped make so popular? Sonu is not only a staple in Bollywood, but also the rest of the Indian musical landscape. In the video Sonu shared his feelings about his beloved business.
Both on camera and off, he was very expressive to the Desi Hits staff about his love for music, no matter what genre. Even though he got his start in music by singing jingles and covers as a teen, he has continually added to his bag of tricks and will soon be coming out with a Kannada album. In our interview, Sonu mentioned that he would like to see Indian music spread outside of just the Bollywood scene and we can all guess that this desire stems from his life-long passion for music. By having such a varied music career it is easy to see why he would want others to enjoy music as much as he does.
Let us know your thoughts about what Sonu Niigaam had to say in his own words in the video posted above!