What will Deepika do with her 'RK' tattoo?

At the height of their romance, Deepika got boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor's initials tattooed on the nape of her neck. Now that the two have broken up, what will she do about it?

Deepika, who reportedly was the one who got dumped, does not seem to mind the tattoo, at least not for the time being as she has made no attempt to hide or alter it.

This is quite understable considering she's the one who's said to have been more in love and committed to the relationship, so she's likely to need time to get out it.

Meanwhile, Deepika is all set to take off to the U.S. with her family for a counsin's wedding. She's hoping the break will refresh her. We, too, are hoping to see a genuine smile return to her face, soon.

Nude scene forces Urvashi to walk out

Compromise. That's the much used and abused word, especially when it comes to the entertainment world. More so when this world happens to Bollywood. A compromise could be presented in different ways and forms. It could be monetary, physical, mental or even psychological. In an industry where glamour sells, any form of compromise becomes even more visible, pertinent and perhaps even a bare minimum criterion for a step ahead in the career. Quite a few aspiring actors may fall in this trap, a few may agree to tread the path with their eyes open, some may remain oblivious to this while a select few may dare to say no. Urvashi Sharma belongs to the last category.

Buzz up!
The story doesn't belong to the primitive times. In fact it dates back just a month ago when things had actually started heating up for better in Urvashi's career. A couple of years after Abbas Mustan directed Naqaab, where the fair lady was noticed for her author backed role and performance, she went onto do a small but meaningful role in hard hitting Baabarr. She made her presence felt and as she awaited big banners to knock on her doors, she soon crossed over a few seas to see a British project landing in her lap.


The film was called The Bounty Hunter and it seemed like a perfect new beginning for Urvashi Sharma, who was also signed by Priyadarshan for a couple of films back home. She went gaga over the prospects of doing an English language film that boasted of a cast from across the continents. A big league pretty much seemed to be in the offering for the young woman who till then was enjoying her professional standing of being an established model for long and a face of 'hazaar' commercials.

However, this proved to be a dream that wasn't destined to be fulfilled. Just when she was about to sign on the dotted line, she was informed about a 'core requirement' in the film's narrative. She was asked to do a nude scene for the film, a compromise that she was certainly not willing to make for any movie, whether Bollywood, British or Hollywood. She reasoned with the makers (Endboard Productions) and argued if this scene was really that crucial for her to enact on camera. However, the production people and director Sunandan Walia had their own take on affairs. The leading lady in the film was required to go nude and there were no second thoughts.

The situation pretty much reached a roadblock with none of the two parties willing to compromise. Urvashi Sharma, with her Indian ethics intact, was quite sure that she wasn't willing to give in to the situation, regardless of the project promising to bring her up to an international platform. On the other hand, Endboard Productions felt that Urvashi's stand was unreasonable.

Also, they promised that the shoot would be done aesthetically. However, Urvashi being a newcomer in the industry was of course apprehensive about the entire affair. She chose to steer clear from this film without regretting her decision at a later stage. Even if this meant letting go off a plum acting opportunity in a film which is being funded by U.K. Film Council, she was unwilling to get into this compromise that could have had severe repercussions in her career.

After a period of ecstasy followed by mental turmoil, she finally decided to let the project go away once for and all and instead started concentrating on her Bollywood career. She was sure that after all the appreciation she gained from Naqaab and Baabarr, it was a matter of time before filmmakers started taking note of her presence in the industry. This may perhaps require some more wait but at least that would be on her terms rather than someone else's. She informed Endboard Productions about an end in their association and finally heaved a sigh of relief.

"It was a period of immense mental turmoil since I had earlier made up my mind to be a part of The Bounty Hunter. It seemed like a good career decision but going nude for a role was never a part of my agenda. Skin show and exposure is a part and parcel in the glamour world but come on, there is a limit to everything", says Urvashi who is quite clear in her mind about where to draw the line.

Well, regardless of a The Bounty Hunter or the lack of it in her work profile, one waits to see the beautiful lady come back into action. Who knows, there may be many more tumbling skeletons as Urvashi turns on the heat. This time on her own will and without any sense of compromise

Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol to star in Zoya Akhtar's next

Zoya Akhtar, who earlier this year made an impressive debut with Luck By Chance, is all set to start her second directorial venture Running With The Bulls (working title). While her first film had quite a few bigwigs of Bollywood make a fleeting appearance, her second film too has quite a stellar cast. Running With The Bulls stars Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol in lead roles making it an extremely interesting casting coup of sorts. Shooting for the film begins in January 2010 at various locations such as Greece, Turkey, Thailand, UK and India. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under their banner Excel Entertainment, the film will have lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Other crew members include Carlos Catalan as the DOP, Suzanne Caplan Merwanji as the Production Designer, Nandini Shrikent as the Casting Director and Arjun Bhasin as the Costume Designer. The film is expected to release in December 2010.

Anushka Sharma cannot forget Shah Rukh’s smell

It seems like the magnetic personality of Shah Rukh Khan attracts one and all. Ask the chubby-faced Anushka Sharma, who debuted opposite the King Khan in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’! The girl is still hanging on to the memories of working with the ‘Baadshah’ and cannot stop herself from speaking about him at any given opportunity. Recently, in an interview, the girl said, “One thing I can`t forget about SRK is his smell. He smells superb. He used to smell different each time. I would be like, `Wow man! Shah Rukh, you smell so good`.”  Talking about how baffling, Shah Rukh can be, Anushka said, “If you think you know Shah Rukh Khan, you don`t. That`s the thing about him. He can always keep you guessing.” 
“Each day I used to be like ‘Okay, he`s like this, oh no he`s not like that...’ Every day he used to be a new person for me. He`s just so mysterious, yaar. I don`t know if you`ve heard anyone say it.... I can`t fathom him. I just can`t," the lass added.

We agree Anushka because ‘Don ko samajhna mushkil hi nahi naamumkin hai’! 

Aamir Khan Secret for looking young at 44!

Looking at him one can hardly make out that he will touch 44 next year. Yet the man is ageing just as you and I. So how does Aamir Khan manage to wear that super effective camouflage over and over again, right from the days of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ to the upcoming ‘Three Idiots’, so he passes off seamlessly as a youthful stripling?

For all those who attribute Aamir’s ability to retain his youthful charm despite his forty something years, to taking lots of fresh fruits and Yoga, you might be in for a surprise! Although, the man has never shied away from a tough fitness regimen, as was evidenced by his preparation for ‘Ghajini’ for which he had to sport a macho look, that’s hardly the secret of his youthful self. Nor can it be naughtily attributable to a happy sex life, though we have no reason to claim the contrary, happy as he is with his present partner Kiran.
So what in God’s name keeps the man ticking, we wonder?
The answer is in the fact that the actor has somehow managed to keep feeling young. He probably believes in the adage which goes, ‘If you don’t feel it, you don’t show it’.
The actor says that more than anything else, it’s the fact the he keenly observes the ways of young people, their behavioral patterns and idiosyncrasies and tries to incorporate them in the conduct of his film characters, that makes him look ‘believably young’ and acceptable to both his fans and the general audience.
What’s more surprising is that even at this age, the man successfully manages to set fashion trends through his movies, which later catches on with the youth and becomes a fashion rage. Be it the ‘Goatee’ of Aakash from ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ or the ‘Mohawk’ of. Nikumbh from ‘Tare Zameen Par’ or his latest youthful avatar in ‘Three Idiots’ the man never tires of acting different.
So we say, ‘Go on Aamir, keep surprising us! For we love you for your ways.

Aamir Khan: The original 'serial kisser'

Emraan Hashmi might have earned the tag of being a serial kisser but it wasn't Emraan but rather Aamir who started the kissing trend in Bollywood. There is buzz in the tinsel town that Aamir has locked his lips with Kareena Kapoor in the movie 3 Idiots. Now, that's nothing new for the perfectionist actor who has locked lips with all the Bollywood actresses in the last two decades of his career. Here are some instances of Aamir's lip locks.

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak: Aamir made his kissing debut in his debut movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. Aamir's up and down kiss with Juhi Chawla made the audience realise that there was a man hidden behind Bollywood's 'chocolate boy.' This was a bold act in an non-kissing era where QSQT had more kisses that all the movies put together in that year!

Love, Love, Love: If the Aamir-Juhi kiss of QSQT wasn't enough to excite the fans the pair did it again a year later in Love, Love, Love. Although the movie set in the backdrop of cricket bombed at the Box Office the kiss would serve as a lesson to the Indian cricketers for years to come. Aamir literally stole the kiss from Juhi in a sea beach.

Dil: Although Madhuri Dixit had a bad kissing experience with Vinod Khanna in Dayavan, Aamir did not disappoint the 'Dhak Dhak Girl.' The movie went on to become a blockbuster and the Aamir-Madhuri lip lock established the romantic essence in the movie. The kiss would have surely helped Madhuri win the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin: The Mahesh Bhatt directed movie has Aamir opposite his daughter Pooja Bhatt. When a young man and women miss a bus and are left to spend the night in a stable love is bound to erupt. In the movie Aamir couldn't resist Pooja Bhatt's tiny lips and what happened next was a sizzling lip lock breaking barrier of the 90s.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar: It was the chance of another Pooja to have a lip lock in with Aamir in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Already having sizzled in the Kamasutra condom ad, Pooja Bedi gave the best scene of her short Bollywood career. Ayesha Jhulka, who loved Aamir in the movie had tears in her eyes as she witnessed the steamy kissing from distance.

Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke: Who could have imagined that there would be lip lock in a movie like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke. But Aamir and Juhi made their hat-trick in it. The duo had a short lip lock in the romantic comedy.

Akele Hum Akele Tum: The movie of a young boy torn between the divorce battle of his parents. A successful wife and struggling husband a perfect recipe for a marital discord. Director Mansoor Khan still ensured that Aamir and Manisha Koirala's lips were also in focus in the movie. The movie connected well with the audience and Manisha was the latest in Aamir's kissography.

Raja Hindustani: This surely was the hottest ever kiss in Aamir's career. A rainy sequence, a young man a young woman under a tree and a huge thunderstorm. Does the situation need to get any better. Aamir and Karisma locked their lips for well over 40 seconds and the movie was one of the biggest hits of the 90s. The scene would have surely been a bench mark for the Mallika Sherawats and Emraan Hashmis.

Ishq: The years was 1997 and Aamir was back with his favourite kissing partner Juhi Chawla. It was a kiss different from all others in the past. It was a forced kiss and in full public glare. What's more it was a two for one offer as Juhi replied Aamir's forced kiss with greater vigour. Surely by than Aamir and Juhi knew a thing or two about kissing each other.

Ghulam: After a horribly debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Rani Mukherjee needed a boost in her career and what better way than locking her lips with Aamir in the rain. What a rape seen in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat could not do for Rani a lip lock with Aamir did. Rani Mukherjee soon became one of the most sought after actresses in the industry.

Rang De Basanti: After kissing all the top actresses in Bollywood, it was Aamir's turn to have a lip-lock with a foreign babe in Rang De Basanti. Alice Patten did not disappoint Aamir either. While the entire RDB cast was dancing to the tunes of the song Khalbali, Aamir and Alice expressed their love for each other in the sizzling lip-lock.

Looking at Aamir's kissography spread over two decades it seems Emraan Hashmi has got the tag too early in his career. Emraan will surely have to go a long way to match Aamir.

Katrina down with jaundice

 Katrina has joined the list of Bollywood babes whose health have taken a toll due to their hectic schedules. First, it was Priyanka who burned out herself from back to back shooting  & promotion of "Kaminey" & "Whats your Rashee" .
The second entry was our bubbly Ghajni girl  Asin who fainted in a press confrence.
And the third but the most affected is our Katrina. She has lately been very busy with promotion of "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" & shooting of "Rajnati". It was when she was gearing up for the promotin of De Dana Dan that her health gave out. Looks like De Dana Dan just won't get Katrina's attention.
The actress had been feeling queasy and weak for quite a few days but she kept ignoring the warning signals because of her hectic schedule. She was testing her limits until Sunday morning, when she couldn't drag herself out of bed.
"That's when Katrina realised something was seriously wrong. She was taken to the doctor who performed a series of tests on her. It was found that her hemoglobin count had gone down drastically," says a close friend of Katrina.
On Monday evening, Katrina was seen in a  suburban hospital looking pale and weak. She was in the hospital for about five hours. Finally, on Tuesday afternoon she was diagnosed with jaundice.
Katrina has been forbidden to even move out of bed. She has been advised complete bed rest for about a month. But Katrina insists on getting back up & moving much sooner because of her professional commitments.
Katrina's business manager said, "She's trying to rest so that she can fulfill her commitments as soon as possible.  The doctor has advised her complete bed rest.”
Katrina have you heard of a phrase "stich in time saves nine"? A month is still affordable, what if your health takes a turn for worse & you have to be in bed for 6 months.
Salman would sure have some wise words for his girl.

Saif changed his bed for Kareena

Love is known to influence people so much that they can change overnight. Saif Ali Khan claims he has changed a lot of things in life after meeting Kareena Kapoor. Saif and Kareena are keeping no stone unturned to create a buzz about Kurbaan.In a recent promotional event for their movie Kurbaan, Saif said that "After meeting Kareena I have changed a lot of things in my life. Besides my mobile phone number and my feelings, I have also changed the bed in my room".

Now, this remark shows the reason behind Saif Ali Khan having had a Casanova image in the industry. Kurbaan is surely one of the most hyped movies of the year and lot has been said about the sizzling chemistry between Saif and Kareena. The movie has been in controversy after Shiv Sena activist sent Kareena a saree to cover her bare back. The movie will be hitting the screens on November 20.

"Saif! I am hurt" - Kareena Kapoor

All is not well between the Bollywood's hottest couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor if the latest news is to be believed. Kareena was captured on camera, sending angry SMS to her beau Saif.

On seeing a serious Kareena sending one SMS after another, cameraman of a Marathi news channel turned curious and zoomed in to her cell phone. This is what Saif's SMS to Bebo reads - “Sorry baby... was talking about your role only.” Bebo replied, “You were rude, Saif! I am hurt.”


It's clear from the exchange of text messages that the couple has tiff. It looked like Kareena warned her beau over some disagreement and he was apologising. Her SMS tells that she's not happy with Saif.

Well, let's wait and watch if Saif succeeded in wooing back his ladylove.

Priyanka, Shahid's cross connection

Actors Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor have a cross connection and there is a third angel too as, post-love, it has become the reason behind someone's sleepless nights.

Actually, the phone number on the name plate in an audition scene used by Priyanka in her movie Fashion and the number scribbled on Shahid's in Chance Pe Dance were the same.

Though it was a cross connection for Priyanka and Shahid, the common factor in the story has been the person the actor duo has been troubling unintentionally.

Ram Mirchandani, whose phone number features on the audition plates used by Priyanka in Fashion and Shahid in Chance Pe Dance, has been getting incessant calls from the fans of the two stars wanting to speak to the cute couple from Kaminey.

It is definitely a Kismet Connection of sorts for Shahid and Priyanka who were reportedly seeing each other until recently. Mirchandani has been getting up to about 100 calls in just 20 minutes.

Hope that after seeing this story people will stop troubling Manchandani and for Shahid hopefully Chance Pe Dance would turn out to be a hit like Fashion.

Aishwarya, Salman are back together ??

The most controversial couple of Bollywood, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan are coming together once again. According to the latest buzz doing the rounds in Bollywood, filmmaker Javed Khan is all set to make a movie on Aishwarya and Salman Khan's love story. As per reports, the movie has been tentatively titled as Ajab Hai Ishq and Salman will be playing the lead role. We are yet to get the details of the female lead in the movie.

Aamir Khan Injured ...!!

My dear Idiot Aamir Khan has gone and got himself injured. Now my birdie says this was not while performing a stunt on his film sets. Neither did it happen while saving a damsel in distress. Apparently, Aamir sprained his ankle on slipping in a game of badminton! The actor had taken to the sport all through the shoot of 3 Idiots, his theory being that a game of badminton before shooting made him "look younger". So much so that, he woke up students of IIM Bangalore (the shooting location) at 3 am in the morning to play with him! But this little incident has not stopped Aamir from promoting his film. The actor is spending sleepless nights before the release on December 25. So much for perfectionism!

Sachin Tendulkar's autographed bat sold for Rs. 351,111

Sachin Tendulkar's autographed bat sold for Rs. 351,111


http://cgi.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170406802183

A new snap of Kareena - she is simply the best

Aamir hasn't read Five Point Someone!

Perfectionist actor Aamir Khan may be busy promoting his movie 3 Idiots but he may not have approached the movie with perfection. Aamir revealed that he hasn't read Chetan Bhagat's book Five Point Someone which is said to be the inspiration behind 3 Idiots. The actor in a recent interaction with the media said that he felt the script of the movie was more important than the book from which it has drawn inspiration.

Aamir said that when he was approached for 3 Idiots by Raj Kumar Hirani he insisted on being given the script rather than a copy of Chetan Bhagat's book. He added that if the script and the dialogues are well written in a movie rest of the things fall into place. 3 Idiots is based on the lives of students of a prestigious engineering college who feel out of place in their institution. 3 Idiots hits the screens on Christmas day and is one of the most awaited movies of the year.

I love Sachin's intensity: Aamir Khan

What is amazing about Sachin is that for 20 years he has been able to maintain a level. There has been no dip in his abilities, his application or his passion for the game. I would say very few people could last this long. I've played cricket and believe me, you can't get out of bed for one week after one gruelling match.

I saw him for the first time in 1988 when I was shooting at the Brabourne Stadium and he wasn't playing for the Indian team yet. The team was practising at the nets and I was chatting with Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar and a few others. At a distance I could see this kid batting. I was surprised to see that he was middling the ball; he looked so small, and so young. I was zapped. I wondered who this little boy was, who was being allowed to practise at the nets with the Indian cricket team. So I asked Kapil and Vengsarkar, “Who's he? How come I don't know?” They told me he was a new guy called Sachin Tendulkar, who was being seriously considered for the Indian team. So I had the good fortune of seeing Sachin play even before he walked into the team.

The first time I met him was in 1990 when he came to the sets of Raj Kumar Santoshi's Andaz Apna Apna. I don't know how many people will recall this but it was Sachin who gave the clap for the mahurat shot at Mehboob Studios in Bandra. We met briefly and over the years we have been meeting off and on. We have been to each other's homes.

I have shown him all my movies, even Andaz Apna Apna which took three years to make. He came along with members of the Mumbai Ranji team to Bandra's Gem theatre in the G-7 complex where I had organised a preview for them.

Whenever we meet, we talked about both cricket and films. He saw Ghajini at the test screening in my Khar office. He saw Taare Zameen Par also at the test screening. We stay in touch through SMS and when he plays really well, I promptly send him a text congratulating him — like when he smashed 175 in Hyderabad.

What's so attractive about Sachin's game is the joy and passion with which he approaches the game. There is a lot of intensity in his game whether he is batting, bowling or fielding. For me, everything he does is perfect. I like to watch him open the innings in the ODIs. It gives me a high.

Amitabh, Aamir to discuss marketing strategies for ‘Paa’, ‘3 Idiots’

New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan are leaving no stone unturned to promote their upcoming films “Paa” and “3 Idiots” respectively - the two are meeting Sunday to discuss marketing gimmicks for both the films. “Paa” is releasing Dec 4, while “3 Idiots” hits the screens Dec 25.
“Aamir comes over Sunday at my initiative to discuss a few promotional points for our respective films. It is always a joy to meet him… We have always spent time together discussing various topics of common interest and yes films is one of them. Lets see how things go,” Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com Saturday. Aamir, who excels at promotional gimmicks for his movies, has so far had live chat with fans on the Internet, reportedly got in touch with them through social-networking websites and even launched the music of the film online. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, “3 Idiots” has been produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Based on Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller “Five Point Someone”, it stars R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor apart from Aamir. Big B too is promoting “Paa”, in which he plays a 13-year-old suffering from the disease progeria that causes premature ageing. He says his fans often come to visit him on Sundays and that he plans to “give hand outs autographed by me or maybe by Auro”. “There is a unique way in which the promotion for ‘Paa’ is scheduled over the radio and soon you shall all be in a position to witness it…,” he wrote. “Talks have now been initiated for the premiere to be held in not one, not two, but three centres. And we are diligently working on a London-Dubai-Mumbai destination… The logistics and the mechanics are being worked out and hopefully there will be some news soon,” he added.
Directed by R. Balakrishnan, “Paa” stars Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan as Amitabh’s parents.

First ever article written on Sachin Tendulkar

Author's note: This piece was written 21 years ago for Sportsworld magazine (and was only retrieved thanks to Mudar Patherya, who was a young cricket writer then). Sachin Tendulkar was 15, a year and a half away from playing Test cricket and four months short of his first-class debut. I was not yet 27, in an advertising job out of business school, with one Test match and a handful of one-dayers on Doordarshan behind me. We were both looking ahead in our own spheres. What a time it was, it was, a time of innocence...

	"Once I get set, I don't think of anything" © Unknown

All of Bombay's maidans are a stage. Where every cricketer has a role to play. And his seems to be the blockbuster. Ever since he unveiled Act One early last year, audiences have been waiting, a little too eagerly at times, to watch the next scene. Sachin Tendulkar is only, so far, acting in a high-school production. Yet critics have gone to town. And rave reviews have not stopped coming in.

I guess it can only happen in Bombay. That a schoolboy cricketer sometimes becomes the talk of the town. Why, at the end of every day's play in the final of Bombay's Harris Shield (for Under 17s) everybody wanted to know how many he had made. For he does bat three days sometimes! And for all the publicity he has received, Sachin Tendulkar is really still a kid. He only completed 15 on 24 April. And is very shy. Opening out only after you have coaxed him for some time. As his coach Mr Achrekar says, "Aata thoda bolaila laglai" [He's started talking a bit now]. And it's then that you realise that his voice has not yet cracked.

His record is awesome. He has scored far more runs than all of us scored looking dreamily out of the window in a boring Social Studies class when we were his age.

For a prodigy, he started late. When he was nine years old. And it was only in 1984-85 that he scored his first school-level fifty. But 1985-86 was a little better. He scored his first Harris Shield hundred and played for Bombay in the Vijay Merchant (Under-15) tournament. And 1986-87 was when he blossomed. Still only 13, he led his school, Shardashram Vidyamandir, to victory in the Giles Shield (for Under-15s). He scored three centuries - 158*, 156 and 197 - and then in the Harris Shield scored 276, 123 and 150. In all, he scored nine hundreds, including two double hundreds, a total of 2336 runs.

By now everyone had begun to sit up and take notice. The beginning of the 1987-88 season saw Sachin at the Ranji nets. Once again the top players were away playing Tests and perhaps the Bombay selectors felt it wouldn't be a bad idea to give Sachin first-hand experience of a higher category of cricket. He was named in the 14 for the first couple of games, and manager Sandeep Patil kept sending him out whenever possible - for a glass of water or a change of gloves. All along Sachin probably knew that he was still at best a curiosity, and that while Bombay was giving him every blooding opportunity, he had to prove himself on the maidans.

And that is exactly what he did. Season 1987-88 was a purple patch that never ended. Playing in the Vijay Merchant tournament he scored 130 and 107 and then at the Inter-Zonal stage he made 117 against the champions, East Zone. Then in the Vijay Hazare tournament (for Under-17s) he scored 175 for West Zone against champions East Zone.

Then came the avalanche. A 178* in the Giles Shield and a sequence in the Harris Shield of 21*, 125, 207*, 329* and 346*! A small matter of 1028 runs in five innings! And in the course of that innings of 329* he set the much talked-about record of 664 for the third wicket with Vinod Kambli, who, it is not always realised, scored 348*. Perhaps the most fascinating of them all was the innings of 346*. Coming immediately, as it did, in the shadow of the world record, a lot of people were curious to see him bat. Sachin ended the first day on 122, batted through the second to finish with 286, and when the innings closed around lunch on the third day, he was 346*. And then came back to bowl the first ball. In April's Bombay summer.

	"People don't realise that he is just 15. They keep calling him for some felicitation or the other. The other day he was asked to inaugurate a children's library. This is ridiculous. These things are bound to go to his head. He will start thinking he has achieved everything."Tendulkar's coach, Ramakant Achrekar

But when did this story begin? Like all children, Tendulkar took to playing "galli" cricket. His brother Ajit was a good player and persuaded Mr Achrekar, probably Bombay's most famous coach, to look at him. Achrekar recalls, "When he first came to my net four-five years ago, he looked just like any other boy and I didn't take him seriously. Then one day I saw him bat in an adjacent net. He was trying to hit every ball but I noted that he was middling all of them. Some time later he got a fifty and a friend of mine, who was umpiring that game, came and told me that this boy would play for India. I laughed at him and said that there were so many boys like him in my net. But he insisted. 'Mark my words, he will play for India.' My friend is dead now but I'm waiting to see if his prophecy comes true.'

Tendulkar is taking first steps towards getting there. He discovered that his house, being in Bandra, would not allow him to be at Shivaji Park whenever he wanted. He now spends most of his time at his uncle's house, just off this nursery of Bombay cricket. When he is not actually playing, that is.

Quite often, he is playing all day; important because it has helped him build the stamina to play long innings. "I don't get tired," he says, referring to them. "If you practise every day, you get used to it."

And what about that world-record innings? "I could bat very freely then because my partner Vinod Kambli was batting so well that I knew that even if I failed, he would get enough runs for the side."

Isn't there a lot of pressure on him now? Everyone assumes he will get a big score? "Only in the beginning. Till I get set. Once I get set, I don't think of anything."

Wasn't he thrilled at being invited to the Ranji nets? "Definitely. After playing there I got a lot of confidence."

Everything in Tendulkar's life has so far revolved around cricket. Including his choice of school. A few years back he shifted to Shardashram Vidyamandir, only so that he could come under the eye of Achrekar. "It helped me tremendously because 'sir's' guidance is so good," he says.

Strangely his parents were never very keen about cricket. His brother Ajit says, "They were not very interested in the game, though they gave him all the encouragement. You see, in our colony all parents were training their children to be engineers and doctors. And they would say, "Gallit khelun cricketer hoto kai?" [You don't become a cricketer by playing in the alleys]. I am so happy he is doing well because now people think he is doing something."

The question that arises then, given all the publicity is: Just how good is Sachin Tendulkar?

"For his age, unbelievable," says Sharad Kotnis, Bombay's veteran cricket watcher. "He is definitely comparable to Ashok Mankad, who had a similar run many years ago. But remember Ashok had cricket running in his family and his father often came to see him play. I think Tendulkar's strongest point is that he is willing to work very hard."

Luckily for Sachin, there is a calming influence over him, just so he doesn't get carried away by this acclaim. His coach Achrekar knows exactly what he is talking about. "He is not perfect yet. Far from it. In fact, I would say he is not even halfway there. He still has a lot of faults, particularly while driving through the on, which is an indicator of a class batsman. He still has a long way to go, but what I like about him is his ability to work hard. I don't think we should get carried away by his scores. After all, one has to take into account the nature of the wicket and the quality of the bowlers. By his standards the quality of the bowling he faced was not good enough.

"His real test will come this year when he plays in the 'A' Division of the Kanga League. [Sachin will play for the Cricket Club of India, which for him has waived the stipulation that children under 18 are not allowed inside the Club House!] He should get 70s and 80s there and not just 20s and 30s; particularly towards the end of the season, when the wickets get better."

	Tendulkar as a wee thing with coach Ramakant Achrekar© Unknown

Achrekar, in fact, is quite upset about the publicity Sachin is getting. "People don't realise that he is just 15. They keep calling him for some felicitation or the other. The other day he was asked to inaugurate a children's library. This is ridiculous. These things are bound to go to his head. He will start thinking he has achieved everything. I hope all this stops so he can concentrate and work hard."

Yet both Achrekar and Kotnis agree on when they think Sachin will become a Ranji regular. "I think he should be playing the Ranji Trophy next year. I think it is unfair to compare him to the [Lalchand] Rajputs and [Alan] Sippys yet, but I think he should play next year," feels Kotnis. And Achrekar adds, "Inspite of what I said about him, if he maintains this kind of progress, he should play the Ranji next year."

Clearly the curtain call is still a long way off for Sachin Tendulkar. He has a lot of things going for him. Most importantly he is in Bombay, where the sheer atmosphere can propel him ahead. In how many cities would a 15-year-old be presented a Gunn and Moore by the Indian captain? And in which other city would the world's highest run-getter write to a 15-year-old asking him not to get disheartened at not getting the Best Junior Cricketer award?

Sunil Gavaskar wrote to Tendulkar to tell him that several years earlier another youngster too had not got the award and that he didn't do too badly in Test cricket. For him the letter from his hero is a prized possession. Another great moment was a meeting with him where "… he told me that I should forget the past every time I go to bat. I should always remember that I have to score runs each time."

He is in the right company. And the right environment. The next few years will show whether he has it in him the mental toughness to overcome the over-exposure. If it does not go to his head, surely there is a great future beckoning. This is really just the beginning and I will be watching this little star with avid interest for the next three years.

If he is still charting blockbusters, I'd love to do another review then.

Harsha Bhogle is a commentator, television presenter and writer. This article was first published in Sportsworld magazine in 1988

Aamir Khan: "Titanic is actually a Hindi film shot in English"

Aamir then informs readers about his rain songwith Kareena, which is a tribute to old Hindi films (Raj Kapoor) and also English film Titanic. Excerpts:

"In 3i too we have this rain moment in theromantic song. In fact, apart from being a moment in the film for Pia and Rancho it is also pays a tribute to old Hindi films... and one Hollywood film... Titanic :-) . Which is actually a Hindi film shot in English. :-)

That song is going to be released tomorrow in fact. So catch it on the news, and youtube I suppose.

Back to my singing now.

Hai hai yeh majboori...

Cheers"

Asin: "I am just going with the flow"

Asin made a name for herself in the South with her performance in various kinds of roles and began her journey in Bollywood with Ghajini opposite Aamir Khan, which was a blockbuster hit. But her second movie, the newly released London Dreams with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn has opened to mixed reviews. But that has not in the least dampened Asin’s spirits.
“People who have watched London Dreams, ask me why I did it when my part in it is quite limited. These are people who have seen me perform in the South. When I signed on the movie, I knew what I was getting into. The movie is primarily about two friends, and every other character in the movie supports the main theme. But if you ask me, I saw it as a great opportunity. What more can a new actress in Bollywood ask for than to act with three of the most revered in her first two movies? I am just going with the flow,” she says.

"I have delayed my shoots many times to watch Sachin bat": Amitabh Bachchan on Sachin Tendulkar's 20 Years of Cricket

Question: Sachin Tendulkar is going to complete 20 years in international cricket. Your reactions on this awesome feat by the little great man of 
Indian cricket...

AB: Incredible! It is a marvel that a sportsman can have such an extended, achievement-filled life. His recent performance (referring to Sachin’s 175 in Hyderabad) was better than all those much younger than him. He is a true genius!

Question: How does it feel to know that despite being an icon himself, Tendulkar has been a huge fan of yours since he was a kid? 

AB: I am so, so humbled by this fact. It is Sachin’s greatness that he should consider me to be capable of his affection and love.

Question: What is it that you admire about Sachin’s batting? 




AB: It is the absolute confidence his stance exudes, and also the imperious manner in which he dismisses each delivery. All his strokes are poetry in motion but, for me, his punched off-drive is simply breathtaking.

Question: You are a legend yourself and have been in the limelight for so many years now. Do you appreciate the way Tendulkar has handled pressure, both on and off the field? 

AB: I am no legend, but Sachin is a consummate artist and all such artists are gifted in handling pressure under all circumstances. Indeed, I believe if there were to be no pressure in an artist’s life, his best would never emerge.

Question: Have you ever delayed a shoot, or postponed an appointment, just because Tendulkar was going great guns during a match? 

AB: Yes, innumerable times!

Question: When Tendulkar is playing well, he puts a smile on a billion faces. Suddenly, people everywhere seem to be more accommodating and friendly, and even the cashier at the bank serves you with a smile! Have you experienced similar feel-good vibes at your shoots? 

AB: There is an atmosphere of positivity when Sachin is doing well and, at shoots, there is a constant, uplifting buzz.

Question: Talk us through some of the innings you cherish... 

AB: Look at his record! Do you really think anyone has the capacity to talk through his best innings? As far as I am concerned, they have all been the best.

Question: When did you first meet Sachin and what was your first impression about him? 

AB: I cannot remember when exactly I first met him. But I do remember that from the day I met him to this day, he has remained the same humble, quiet and shy person, one who almost wishes that he could avoid all the attention he gets in public.

Question: Tendulkar has appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati and also featured in a few commercials with you. What was the chemistry like during those shoots? 

AB: There was instant rapport between us and he was clinically correct in the execution of whatever he took up.

Question: Facing controversy is part of being a celebrity. Do you sometimes wonder how someone like Tendulkar has managed to stay away from controversies despite being under the microscope for two decades? 

AB: It is the able manner in which he conducts himself in public and private that has made him what he is today. It requires great restraint and mental rectitude to achieve that. It is not easy to remain unaffected and aloof from controversy, but Sachin has always exercised the qualities most achievers do: he has remained patient and allowed his bat to do the talking. When his bat talks, controversy — right or wrong — can take a walk.

Question: Apart from his batting, what are the qualities you admire in Tendulkar? 

AB: His gentle, unobtrusive manner.

Question: Besides yourself, who else in your family is a Tendulkar fan? 

AB: Everyone in my family is a huge Tendulkar fan.

Question: Like in your case, age appears to be just a number for Tendulkar. Retirement seems far off... 

AB: Do not compare or put Sachin in the same class as me. May he continue to be with us, in our team, and be our inspiration forever. At a public function for the promotion of his film, Aamir Khan made a very pertinent remark. He said despite the fact that they know they are the best, Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar have never been heard saying so themselves. I would look at this remark in two ways. 1. Those who think they are the best, need to keep saying it because others do not. 2. Those who know they are the best do not need to say it because others say it! So if they are not saying they are the best, it probably means they still believe there is room for improvement. That’s the true mark of a master.

Ritesh Deshmukh is to play as Sardar in next movie "Aao Wish Karein"

There was a time when directors making cameos in their own films were considered to be a fad. Now the latest trend seems to be getting an actor to do a cameo in a film that has been hyped to the hilt, without even a mention about the star's presence.

The last well-kept secret cameo that Bollywood witnessed was that of Deepika Padukone in the film Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, a film which only showcased the on-screen presence of Salman, Kareena and Sohail Khan. This time round, it is the Aftab-Aamna starrer fantasy flick Aao Wish Karein, directed by Glenn Baretto. We found out that Aftab's chaddi-buddy Riteish Deshmukh will be seen playing a Sardar in the film. Our sources also went to the extent of furnishing us with the snap of Riteish's look in the film.

When we spoke to director Glen Baretto, unlike many directors, this man was indeed sweet enough to admit the presence of Riteish in the film. Not just that, he also went to the extent of telling that, "Riteish is not making a cameo in the film. He is actually the grown up version of the Sardar kid whom you have seen in the promos. He plays Bonny, Aftab's best friend. Riteish agreed to do this as a gesture of friendship towards Aftab Shivdasani." So friends, Aao Wish Karein that friendships in Bollywood should be as real as Aftab and Riteish!

Is rare disease a new way to sell movie in Bollywood?

Bollywood seems to be setting a new trend in exploring rare diseases which seek to raise awareness about lesser known ailments and the celeb touch to such diseases make people aware about it. Here are a few of them...

In the upcoming flick 'Paa', superstar Amitabh Bachchan plays a child affected with Progeria, a rare genetic disorder where a child ages three times faster than normal. The movie has Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan playing Big B's parents. 

In another upcoming film by Karan Johar, 'My Name is Khan', Shahrukh Khan portrays the pateint of 'Asperger's syndrome' where the victim has difficulty interacting socially. The movie also brings back the hit duo of SRK and Kajol back again. 

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next, 'Guzaarish', Hrithik Roshan plays the role of a person who is suffering from paraplegia, a complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs. 

The movie 'Taare Zameen Par' brought the problem of 'dyslxia' in children to the notice. Aamir Khan had created a huge impact by portraying the problems of dyslexic children. Since dyslexia can not be detected easily, it required special effort to deal with the subject. And that's why it created such awareness level among people regarding dyslexia. 

In the movie 'Black', Amitabh Bachchan was shown succumbing to 'alzheimers', a progressive and fatal brain disorder that destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems with thinking behaviour. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black' showed Big B and Rani at their best and brought into notice the problems of such patients. 

Action -thriller 'Ghajini' was one of the major hits of the year 2008. The movie explored the life of a rich businessman played by Aamir Khan who develops anterograde amnesia, a selective memory deficit resulting from brain injury. 

In 'Krazzy 4' Arshad Warzi was portrayed as a schizophrenic. His acting skills was appreciated in the movie that brought back Arshad into the limelight. 

Madhur Bhandarkar to stand trial on rape charge

A Mumbai court on Wednesday ruled that Madhur Bhandarkar will stand trial for allegedly raping model-turned-actress Priti Jain, five years after her complaint to the police. "The magistrate said that FIRs are genuine and Madhur Bhandarkar will be put on trial," said Sushan Kunjuraman, Priti's lawyer. The aspiring actress had in her complaint to the police in 2004 alleged that Bhandarkar and she "had sex 16 times between 1999 and 2004". "Madhur had promised to give me a lead role in his films. However, he didn't offer me a lead role in any of his movies. At times when I refused, he raped me," she had alleged then.

Bhandarkar made three films in the five years that he knew Jain--Chandni Bar, Satta and Aan--and she complained that she had no role in any of them. "Bhandarkar's forthcoming movie, Page 3, also does not feature me," she had told reporters soon after filing her case. Priti also claimed that Bhandarkar had promised to marry her and make her a star.

Yash Chopra: "Bollywood is all about candy floss flicks"

Fêted as one of the prominent Bollywood directors, Yash Chopra is a celebrated name in the Indian film fraternity. The man who has given golden hits like ‘Waqt’, ‘Kabhie Kabhie’, ‘Deewar’, ‘Darr’, ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ and ‘Veer Zaara’, is not a happy man these days!

The ace Bollywood director feels that people area no longer making films on controversial subjects as various objections and protests stall the movie release. Recently in Delhi to inaugurate a film festival that showcases his 1961 flick, ‘Dharmputra’, Yash Chopra said that Bollywood shirks away from experimental cinema, especially from the themes of social and religious intolerance.

Speaking on the mass commercialization and uncalled protests that lead to stalling of releases, Chopra said to a news daily, “Maine ek film banayi thi, ‘Aaja Nachle’. Usmein ek gaana tha, jisme line thi, ‘Bole mochi khud ko sunar’. Folk line hai. Teen states ne picture ban kar di, maafi maangni padi. Mohabbatein mein, there’s a man standing, reading the Gayatri mantra - usne shoes pehne hue hain. Itni parties hain, everybody wants to get political mileage out of it. So people take the safe way, make a film where there’s no controversy. Intolerance itni hai iss age mein, not just in India, everywhere. Nobody’s willing to tolerate anything that goes against their wishes. Nobody wants to sit and discuss anything.”

Speaking on the contemporary Indian cinema, Chopra said, “There’s huge money at stake. You can’t fool around with it.” However, when enquired what could be the suitable solution in order to stop anyone from stalling the movie releases, the director added,
“Solution toh government ke haath mein hai. Films are a peacetime industry. If there’s too much rain, too many riots, too many strikes, people don’t watch films. Keeping the peace is in the government’s hands.”

When quizzed about his next directorial venture, Chopra said, “I will, I can’t find an appropriate subject. I’m a director, not a writer. I’m making a music video on a Sahir Ludhianvi poem on war and how it separates people. I have the copyright to it, I’m going to make a peace video.”

Exclusive interview with Ranbir Kapoor

If Ranbir Kapoor is bearing the weight of expectations as a member of Bollywood's first family, he's not showing it. Just four films old in the industry, the 27-year-old grandson of Raj Kapoor has already made a name as one of the most successful new faces in Bollywood.

After a hectic day promoting his latest film "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", Kapoor spoke about discovering his comic timing and why he doesn't read the newspapers every day.

Q: You've done a lot of talking today. Is there anything that you haven’t been asked?
A: (laughs) "Actually no. I think I have been asked everything about my life today. Except for whether I have cut my nails."

Q: So have you cut your nails then?
A: (laughs) "No, I haven't. I am glad you reminded me. That's the first thing I will do now. Thanks for asking me a new question."

Q: Now that we've got that out of the way, could you talk about your film "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani"?
A: (laughs) "Yes. First of all, this is a Rajkumar Santoshi film and I am a huge fan of him. This is a romantic comedy and has a really light tone to it. It was such a privilege to work with a director of his calibre. Raj ji's brand of comedy is like no other. I think I discovered my comic timing in this film."

Q: You are one of the few heroes in the under-30 bracket. Do you feel that is an advantage or a disadvantage?
A: "Depends on the way you look at it. Yes, as a 27-year-old, there will be certain roles that will suit me better than others, but I really don't think there is a dearth of roles in Bollywood these days. "Films like 'Wake Up Sid' or now Prakash Jha's 'Rajneeti' are films that maybe would not have been made ten years ago. I really don't look at it from the point of age. This is a good time to be an actor in Bollywood."

Q: Do you feel that you have been slotted as a romantic hero?
A: "Not really. Also, I don't really look at my films in terms of genre. I don't care what genre it is, as long as I agree with the script. At the end of the day, it has to be a good cinematic experience. The rest of it hardly matters. "And it is not that I am not doing other roles. I have Prakash Jha's "Rajneeti", which is a hard-hitting film and different from what I have done earlier. There is no set plan in my head as to the kind of films I should be doing."

Q: There has been so much written about you in the press, whether it is about your link-ups or relationships. Does it bother you?
A: "I will not lie and say it doesn't bother me, because it does. However, there are certain things you cannot control. I have tried to put my side of the story across to the media so many times, but it doesn't really yield much. "I have stopped reading newspapers and magazines because they seem to know before me what is happening in my life. I tell myself that as long as the people who are close to me know the truth, I really shouldn't pay attention."

Q: Has there been too much media focus for your own good?
A: "Yes, especially this year because I have three films releasing back to back. First there was "Wake Up Sid", now this one and I have Shimit Amin's "Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year" coming up in December.  "You know earlier actors didn't really have to worry about much media presence, but now there are so many channels and so many publications that it becomes difficult to keep them out. But that's okay. I think this is part of our occupation and we must accept it."

Want to taste Kareena (Pizza) ? (Kareena reacts to Kareena Pizza)

It all started five years ago with a leading film publicist ordering a chocolate-cheese cake for Bollywood actor Bobby Deol from confectioner Milanda Jagtiani at Pali Hill. The three-tier cake, which has a baked lower half with a liberal helping of chocolate on the upper tier and some other magic ingredients in the centre, became such a hit at the Deol household that repeated orders followed from them. Happy to comply with the continuous orders from one of Bollywood's leading joint families (they have a lot of cakes because they host at least two dozen parties each year) and thrilled with the growing numbers ordered by them, Milanda named the cake Bobby Cake. Now it is a part of her designer menu. Jagtiani caters to the Pali Hill elite and invariably gets asked about the cake named after the Deol scion. At Urban Tadka, a middle-order suburban restaurant that is frequented by film and television personalities, the menu offered Om Puri Ka Mutton Saagwala because the actor, who lives a stone's throw away from this eating joint, patronised this eating place and the dish for years on end. "Currently a new menu is being planned; but whether it will once again have the Om Puri dish is something we don't know,'' says restaurant manager Augustin. When Sanjay Dutt frequented the TADA Court, a roadside joint named a mutton dish after Baba. But now, both the joint and the dish have been forgotten. An Italian joint in Delhi recently introduced the size-zero pizza named after Kareena Kapoor. And the flattered Bollywood diva, Kareena Kapoor, said: "I'm kicked that someone thought about naming a pizza after me."

Exclusive Interview with Aamir Khan

Being a ghost director
The media assumes that I am ghost-directing most of the time. I am not. I am very clear that I don't want to give credit for the work I do to somebody else. Am I adding value to a film? Yes, I am. Is Ashutosh a talented director who has made Lagaan? Of course, he is. Lagaan is entirely his film. I have only supported him. Creatively, I have been a good sounding board to him.

Equation with SRK
Throughout my career, I have never commented on SRK. And I have never spoken about him nor have I reacted to what he has said. And he has often commented about me, even in his interviews. The only difference I see in the equation is that for the first time I reacted.... I just felt it like so I did. That was the only change in the equation....he is used to saying things about me and expecting silence from my side.

Divorce from Reena
We were married for 16 years. She and I knew each other from the time she was 18 and I was 20. So we kind of grew up together. It was difficult not just for me but for Reena as well and both our families. And of course for the children (Junaid and Ira) too. Reena is someone who I really hold in high regard and esteem and I really value all the years I had the opportunity to share with her. I think sometimes things go wrong. They are not in our control. But I know that I can always depend on her as a person, and she knows that she can always depend on me at any time. She is a very important part of my life, and will always me.

Not working with RGV
I had a mixed reaction to working with him (in Rangeela). On a certain level, I found him very good as a director and on a certain level, I found that he was very ready to do compromises. I think circumstances change and people change...but let me put it this way it would be unlikely that I would work with him again... I am not the last actor on earth and neither is he the last director on earth. We are both doing fine without each other and there is no real stress between us.

Meeting Kiran
Kiran worked as one of the ADs on Lagaan. But at that point we were not romantically involved at all. We didn't even share a very close friendship. We actually became friends much later. It was after Reena and I went through our separation and divorce; I met with Kiran after that. We first became friends and then our relationship grew. So that was the period that I started seeing her. And eventually I felt that here is someone who I have met and really value and we share something, which we would like to turn into more permanent.

That was when we decided to get married... I feel very lucky to have found Kiran.

On his brother Faisal
My brother and I are extremely close to each other and we share a warm and loving relationship. He works with me in my company and I am so glad because I feel that he is someone who is very strong... whatever differences and misunderstandings that may have been at one time are now cleared.

Keeping DG a secret
The reason why we kept Dhobi Ghaat such a guarded secret was that Kiran wanted to shoot in a very guerilla-style way...with a small unit of six-seven people and shoot in real locations. The moment you have someone like me in a film, it is impossible to shoot in real locations. I entered the location at 3.30 in the morning when everyone around was asleep and remained there for three weeks.

Collection of Rare photos of Sachin Tendulkar