Money matters
Mallika Sherawat is normally known for her diva attitude and tantrums. But recently, she was put in her place by the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) when she tried to avoid paying Rs2.5million (approx Dh217,390) that she owed to production company Studio 18.
According to sources, the company had signed her for a film earlier this year and paid her the money as a signing amount. After having accepted the money, Sherawat demanded that the director of the film and the cinematographer be replaced.
But when the production house refused to oblige, Sherawat decided to walk out of the film. She has now been ordered by IMPPA to return the money or face the consequences.
Abhi turns singer
From the looks of it, professional playback singers in Bollywood may soon find themselves without jobs since directors such as Farhan Akhtar and actors such as Abhishek Bachchan are busy exercising their vocal chords. After the tremendous success of his debut song Ek Main Or Ek Tu in Bluffmaster, Bachchan plans to do a hip-hop album with Vishal and Shekar.
So is Abhi following in his father's footsteps? "Dad [Amitabh Bachchan] has a great voice. Mine is nowhere near it. I don't think I have the ability or talent to do all that he has done," he says. What's next, we wonder? An album that has the women in his family singing as well?
A big heart
Salman Khan might have the reputation of being a brat who refuses to grow up but there are times when the star really surprises everybody with his kind deeds. Recently, the actor paid Rs700,000 (approx. Dh61,000) through his non-profit organisation Being Human for the surgery of a young girl who had lost her ability to speak and hear due to a congenital ailment.
What is more touching is the fact that he not only paid for the treatment but also constantly kept in touch with the doctor before and after the surgery to inquire on the girl's health. He even went to see her at the hospital.
When asked about it, the star said, "It feels great. I am very happy that the girl is doing fine and is well on her road to recovery." A real hero, indeed.
Ready to rock
One of the TV stars who will soon make her debut on the big screen is Prachi Desai, better known as Bani from the soap Kasamh Se.
She will be seen as Farhan Akhtar's wife in Rock On. Talking about her role during the music launch of the film, she said, "My debut in films has not been tough mainly because I have a simple role as Farhan's wife who is instrumental in bringing the rock band back to centre stage."
For an 18-year-old, the girl knows exactly what she wants. "I would like to complete my graduation alongside films and I am looking forward to doing some good work and enjoying myself," she says. Rock on girl!
Sanjay's new role
According to sources, Sanjay Dutt was so keen to work with Mani Ratnam that he did not even bother to hear the storyline of the film before signing on the dotted line. The film also stars Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan, for whom working with Mani has sentimental reasons as the two fell in love while working together in Mani's last Hindi film, Guru.
In the next film, however, the couple are not romantically involved. Instead it is Dutt who will be romancing Rai. Now we wonder whether it is the thought of working with Mani that has Sanjay excited or the idea of romancing Ash that has the macho man in a tizzy?
