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Simply Ashmit

AVS Newsroom — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:52:41 +0000

There was a time he was known as actress Ameesha Patel’s brother or at most the guy who kissed actress Riya Sen in an MMS. Meet Ashmit Patel, the guy who proved to be unlucky in films has slowly made his way as TV’s favourite love guru, while he hosted ‘Superstud: The School of Flirt’. Here, the stud shares some of his best learnt lessons on love, relationships and everything sweet.

Do you believe in true relationship?
Yes, I do! We can’t live without having a relation. I share a good relation with everyone in my life, be it my friend, mom or sister.

Are you in a relationship right now?
No, not yet! I haven’t met anyone.

Is all well between you and your sister Ameesha?
There has never been anything wrong between us. I still love and share everything with my darling sister, Ameesha.

As brother what you think about Ameesha’s marriage?
(Smiles) Why not? But still it is my sister’s life and she is in charge of it. Her decision is very important for all of us.

Are you satisfied with your career?
I’m satisfied with my life. I feel we need to be happy with whatever the almighty has bestowed upon us.

After ‘Murder’ you haven’t had any good films. Do you regret your decisions of choosing wrong films?
Whatever I do, it is my decision. And definitely I got so many movies. For me, all were best.

Veena Malik…
She is my good friend. Why people and media create unnecessary stories and link ups, I still fail to understand. We never were into a relationship and have always treated each other as good friends.

Do you think she is using your name just for publicity?
No, it’s nothing like that. Whatever happened, it’s her decision.

Karisma’s item song

AVS Newsroom — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:47:16 +0000

Call it the year of comebacks. 2012 will see not one, but two stunning actresses make their reutrn on the silver screen. While on the one hand you have 80’s power performer Sridevi who will be seen in the mature comedy ‘English Vinglish’, on the other, sexy star of the 90’s Karisma Kapoor will be seen in the 3D horror film ‘Dangerous Ishq’.

However, what sets the two leading ladies apart is the way they are making a comeback. While Sridevi will see a plain jane re-emergence, Karisma on the other hand has left no stone unturned to make her ‘I’m back’ stance clear. After taking on the mantle of size zero from her now number one actress sister Kareena Kapoor, the Lolo has moved on to do something more daring - an item number in Akshay Kumar’s ‘Rowdy Rathore’.
And why not? She fits the criteria perfectly! She is fair, dances well and has a great figure.

Films over Friends

AVS Newsroom — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:35:51 +0000

Sanjay Dutt may play a baddie in films, but when it comes to real life, there isn’t a better friend and a better person in the industry than this ‘Kancha’. The actor is not only known for being generous to all his friends, filmy and otherwise, but also his inability to say no when it comes to obliging a friend. Result, after giving hits like the ‘Munna Bhai’ series, the star acted in and produced a disaster like ‘Rascals’.

But if latest buzz is to be believed than the so called ‘pals’ of the star are safely guarding the his interests by egging him to look at films that are commercially viable. Sanju is being constantly told to listen to these ‘pals’ and sign good films and not to oblige ‘friends’. Now all this is okay, given his star quality and power, he should be taking better, bigger films. What we are confused about is who are these ‘pals’ and what ‘friends’ are they talking about?

Saif and Kareena mum about wedding plans

AVS Newsroom — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:20:21 +0000

Now that Ritesh and Genelia Deshmukh are happily married, it’s time to move to the other most awaited shaadi in Bollywood. And while the world waits for Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor to announce their big day with bated breath, it seems like their nuptial plan have gone awry. One reason that has everyone talking is the couple’s newly acquired attitude. Not only are they making solo appearances at events that demand both their presence, but both are keeping an eerie silence over the M-word.

For instance, take the first look unveiling of ‘Agent Vinod’. Contrary to popular belief, Saif Ali Khan came alone and brushed any questions about the wedding date by stating that his priority right now is the film. Queries regarding leading lady and Saif’s love, Kareena Kapoor were swept aside with a “she is busy” reply.

It was the same scene at an ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ promotion event as well, where the otherwise jovial Kareena went mute on the issue of her wedding and Saif. However, this wasn’t the first time that Bebo has remained mum over the wedding issue. While Saif has been vocal about getting married soon, a career conscious Kareena has kept her feelings to herself. This has led many to believe that there might be a possible delay, the couple gave the whole incident a Shakespearean twist at the Ritesh-Genelia wedding reception. Much to everyone’s surprise Saifeena came hand-in-hand looking very much in love.

‘Phas Gaye Re Obama’ sequel

AVS Newsroom — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:06:41 +0000

Call it a receipe for success or a current trend, announcing sequels of films seem to be the best formula to stay in news. And the newest to join the bandwagon is ‘Phas Gaye Re Obama’. If you can’t recall the film, here’s a refresher: Made in 2010, the Subhash Kapoor film was a satirical look at the recession in US, whose ripples were felt by a small village in India. Starring Rajat Kapoor, Neha Dhupia and Amol Gupte, the movie did moderate business at the box office. But the makers who recently announced the sequel are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that their second venture is a success. So the script is new (obviously), the director is new – Anshul Sharma replaces Subhash, and the cast is refreshed. Ask the makers who’s not in and the name that pops up immediately is Neha Dhupia. The reason being that the actress didn’t fit any of the new characters. “Believe me, we tried our best to fit her in,” says producer Ashoke Pandey and as if on consolation adds, “Rajat too isn’t a part of the sequel.”

Amy Jackson: Britain to Bollywood

AVS Newsroom — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:28:12 +0000

Can you tell us about your character Jessie in Ek Deewana Tha?
I play a Malayali Christian girl in Ek Deewana Tha. We have shot the movie in New York, India, Kerala and Chennai over five months. It was a great experience working with such a young and talented actor like Prateik. And Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman did the music!

How is the change from Britain to Bollywood?
I was new to acting before my role in Madrasapattinam. Though I was familiar with Bollywood since there are many in Britain who watch Hindi movies, I hadn’t watched any of these films before I came to Chennai. I have been away from home since I was 17. I went to the US to start my modeling career at a very young age. So, venturing into films and handling the pressure isn’t a big task. I feel more comfortable in saris than gowns. Unlike Madrasapattinam where I wear gowns, in Ek Deewana Tha, I wear saris and kurtas. I had never worn one before I started shooting for the film and believe it’s the most elegant outfit for a woman.

Was it hard to memorize Hindi for your part?
The British accent is hard to miss. Ever since I decided to shift base to India and made Mumbai my home, I have made an effort to learn Hindi and even take diction classes. I couldn’t understand a word of Hindi earlier. Though my voice will be dubbed in the movie, it was easier to memorize Hindi than Tamil. Before takes, I used to practice my lines for almost an hour to get it right. Prateik did help me with the Hindi. =)

How have your friends in the U.K. responded to your international movie career?
I had no prior training in acting. Once Madharasapattinam released, we had a premiere in Liverpool for my friends and family. They were surprised to see me on screen! Even today, many of my friends who are in university back in England find it tough to believe that I am part of Indian cinema. Some of them think I am crazy. For me, this has been a dream come true!

How did you enjoy working with Ek Deewana Tha director Gautham Vasudev Menon?
A couple of weeks before we began shooting, we did a workshop to understand the personalities of the characters we were playing. Gautham gave me a lot of freedom. He is such a calm and collected director who gives his actors the freedom to experiment. It was nice to be able to give my opinion.

What are your plans for the future?
I will be starting work in a Tamil film opposite Vikram in March.

EK DEEWANA THA opens across US/Canada on Friday, FEBRUARY 17, for the long Presidents Day holiday weekend.

Imran and Kareena play cupid

AVS Newsroom — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:59:02 +0000

For those of you who are wondering what Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor are doing on V-Day this year, then here’s the story. The stars are spending some quality time with each other and with 15 men and women for finding the perfect Valentine King and Queen. The actors are hosting a V-Day party at an undisclosed location where 15 lucky singles will party with them till the wee hours of the morning, with free food, alcohol and lots of love games.

As Part of ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ promotions, the evening will see Imran and Kareena play cupid to the exclusive lot through a series of games. And interestingly the lead pair plans to hook up at least two singles for good. Promos of the same are likely to go on air soon and will have Imran and Kareena sharing some of their personal love lessons.

Mallika’s time management

AVS Newsroom — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:52:35 +0000

When it comes to films, Mallika Sherawat may not be the quintessential Bollywood superstar, but she is a diva in every sense of the word. She flies in specially chartered helicopters for events, stays in the best of hotels and when on ground believes in travelling in limousines, nothing less. But recently, the ‘Khwahish’ actress took the public transport to reach to the sets of her film, ‘Kismat Love Paisa Dilli’. And the reason for this wasn’t the non availability of a car, but time. The actress donned a ‘burkha’ to be able to undertake the ferry ride without garnering much attention. However, this isn’t the first time that the actress had gone under a cover. A few years back, Mallika had used the ‘burkha’ to escape the photographers and public attention at the airport.

Raj Kanwar passes away

AVS Newsroom — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:37:13 +0000

Filmmaker Raj Kanwar passed away on Friday, February 3. The producer-director who gave hit films like ‘Deewana’, ‘Judaai’, ‘Humko Deewana Kar Gaye’ amongst many others, was suffering from a kidney ailment. Kanwar flew to Singapore for treatment but lost his battle before he could be operated upon.

Bollywood stars expressed their grief about Raj Kanwar’s demise on a social networking site. Shah Rukh Khan, who got his initial hit in the form of ‘Deewana’ that was directed by Raj Kanwar, tweeted, “My friend Raj Kanwarji passed away. The impermanence of life makes one feel so helpless. May his soul rest in peace. Miss you, sir.” Actress Priyanka Chopra made her debut with the director’s film ‘Andaaz’ and she too was not behind in reacting. “It saddens me so much that my first director Raj Kanwar passed away. RIP, Rajji. You believed in me when even I didn’t. ‘Andaaz’ taught me everything I know,” her tweet read.

Many other actors like Arjun Rampal, Abhishek Bachchan, and directors like Madhur Bhandarkar and Kunal Kohli, expressed their condolences. Akshay Kumar who worked under him in a couple of films said, “Deeply saddened to know, Raj Kanwar, one of our finest directors passed away. He’d directed two of my personal favourite films of my career, ‘Andaaz’ and ‘Humko Deewana Kar Gaye’. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP.” Kanwar was also suffering from acute diabetes.

‘Talaash’ similar to ‘Shutter Island’

AVS Newsroom — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:23:22 +0000

If the success of ‘Agneepath’ and the news of remaking ‘Satte Pe Satta’ have made you believe that finally Bollywood has stopped looking at Hollywood for inspiration, then here’s the bubble buster! It’s being said that Aamir Khan’s next, ‘Talaash’ is more than just an ‘inspiration’ of the Hollywood film, ‘Shutter island’. Much like the Leonardo DiCaprio 2010 hit, which tells the engrossing, yet disturbing story of US Marshall Teddy Daniel’s investigation into the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby, Reema Kagti’s ‘Talaash’ too showcases Aamir (as inspector Surjan Singh Shekhawat) in a similar quest, but in a Bollywood framework.

And while given Aamir’s ingenuity as an actor, there is no doubt that ‘Talaash’ too will translate into an intelligent film.