Look who is learning to make love to Vidya Balan

First-timer Tusshar Kapoor to undergo lovemaking workshops for Dirty Picture

He may have worked in films that have adult-rated content but Tusshar Kapoor has never had to indulge in lovemaking scenes on screen. Until now.

The actor features in his sister Ekta's production of Dirty Pictures, a biopic on South sex siren, Silk Smitha, starring Vidya Balan in the lead role.

He plays the only man Smitha truly loved and is slated to shoot intimate scenes with Balan sometime soon.

To help him lose his inhibitions, didi Ekta has suggested rigorous workshop sessions with the lead actress, where the two will get emotionally and physically comfortable around one another.

Tushar confirms, "It's true I'm doing the film. But I trust my director Milan Luthria enough to know he will make the content aesthetic.

There's a lot of intense passion in my relationship with Vidya Balan.

I play the only guy who accepted her for what she was and insisted that she keep her career out of their relationship."

Workshops with Vidya would be vital since Tusshar doesn't know her that well. "She acted in Ekta's Hum Paanch ages ago.

That's how I remember her. People are saying she's older and that we will be mismatched. That isn't true. I'm a year older. We'll work towards looking compatible on screen."

Curiously Tusshar doesn't figure in Ekta's other big production, the Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai sequel.

"I didn't suit any of the parts. Besides, I don't have to be part of all our home productions, " he chuckles.

Sonakshi: I won't make love

Sonakshi Sinha ensures that her film with Kamal Haasan has no lovemaking scenes

While Kamal Haasan got his actress of choice -- Sonakshi Sinha -- for his next, a supposed remake of Hollywood film, Hannibal, there will be no lovemaking scenes between the two.

The untitled film begins its first schedule in a few weeks and will be shot in London.

Initially, Shatrughan Sinha's daughter was hesitant to take the project, but once the veteran actor sat with her for the narration, she was convinced about it.

The conditions

It will be a Tamil film that will be dubbed into Telugu and Hindi. Sources reveal the Sinha gal laid down conditions that she won't be doing any kissing or intimate scenes.

The script did have a few intimate sequences between the two initially but the Dabangg actress explained to Kamal that she doesn't want to expose or do any suggestive scenes. The lovemaking shot was done away with."

A source reveals, "Kamal was very clear that he wanted Sonakshi for the film. He wasn't even thinking of any second or third choices.

After watching Dabangg he was so impressed with her, that he asked his people to persuade her to do the film. He even blindly agreed to her every term and condition."

Be natural

The South superstar has also asked his new co-star to be impromptu for the film. "Even though it's her first South film, Haasan has asked her not to attend any workshops. He wants her to just land on the set and start shooting.

The only preparation she's doing is watching some Tamil films to get accustomed to the language. She's currently in Chandigarh shooting for Joker with Akshay, and watches South Indian films in her trailer during the breaks."

Clear-cut

Even while signing Race 2, Shotgun's daughter made it clear to the makers that she will not do any bedroom or lovemaking scenes in the flick.

How Salman came to the rescue of Bandra's fire victims

Helped out people affected by recent Bandra blaze on hearing about it

Though he wasn't in Mumbai at the time, Salman Khan swung into action as soon as he heard about the destruction caused by the Bandra blaze.

Through his Being Human foundation, he arranged for the distribution of food packets and clothing to around 1, 500 people who lost their homes.

Says a source, "Salman wasted no time in rushing relief. He was extremely concerned about what had happened. As soon as he realised the magnitude of the loss, he told his volunteers to get going."

Adds the source, "He was not keen to publicise that the aid was from Salman Khan. Several of the blaze hit, however, only later realised that it was from the star! They couldn't help thanking him then."

Adds the source, "Bhai does not want to talk about it. But those close to him know how he coordinated the relief measures within hours of the tragedy. He was even more concerned as it happened in Bandra a place where he resides."

The star, who's has been shooting in Thailand for Ready, had flown into Vizag over the weekend for the Celebrity Cricket League curtain raiser event.

After which he was back in Bangkok. But he kept in touch with the volunteers about the relief measures.

Past Good Work

>> In July 2010, Salman Khan had organised a three-day eye-care camp in Jaffna and Vuvuniya in war-torn eastern Sri Lanka. Five eye surgeons were flown in from India with 1, 000 pairs of lenses, after-care medication and equipment required for surgery.

>> In April 2010 during the shooting of Dabangg in Wai, Maharashtra, Salman called a doctor from Mumbai and asked him to attend to the aged on the verge of losing their eyesight. He personally supervised the entire operation and made sure they got proper post-treatment care. Those with cataract were taken to Pune for operation.

>> Around the same time he distributed 100 cycles to students from a school in Wai that consisted of poor students from neighbouring villages.

BANDRA BLAZE

A major blaze engulfed the Garib Nagar slums adjoining the Bandra railway station (east) on Friday night. Though there were no human casualties, the fire has rendered over 1, 500 families, including Slumdog Millionaire child actor Rubina and her family, homeless.

Is this Vidya Balan in a black bikini?

he No One Killed Jessica actress is the latest to fall prey to being photoshopped online

It's the kind of thing that'd demand your attention at first glance.

And then the realisation sets in. That possibly couldn't be Vidya Balan in a black bikini on the cover of a men's magazine.

The No One Killed Jessica actress is the latest to fall prey to being photoshopped online. The picture you see alongside is doing the rounds of the internet is a doctored one.

There are quite a few loopholes that give the hoax away.

For one, Vidya hasn't been in town for some time now and is out of the country. Two, those close to the actress have denied that she ever did such a photoshoot.

Three, the magazine in question deny that the actress is on any cover of theirs so far. Lastly, and most importantly, it's marked as an 'Annual 2011" issue. Interesting, given that the year has only just begun.

PEHLE BHI...

Morphed pictures of Sonakshi Sinha in a bikini on the cover of a men's magazine did the rounds online in December. The actress had denied that it was her.

In 2006, South actress Khushboo was seen in a red transparent bikini. She filed a police complaint against the magazine.

In 2009, Celina Jaitly had filed a case against a gadgets blog and a Bollywood portal for uploading obscene morphed picture of hers online.

Shocked Sonam dumps international designer for his racist comments

Won't wear outfits designed by the couturier, is upset by his anti-Semitic statements

Sonam Kapoor plays it safe. The actress, who loves wearing creations by a certain Parisian fashion house, is shocked at the anti-Semitic statements allegedly passed by their head designer John Galliano.

She's so upset that she has sworn off his outfits and accessories.

Says a source, "She is extremely fashion conscious and loves wearing the brand's outfits, especially those designed by Galliano. For Aisha, a majority of Sonam's outfits and accessories came from the designer label.

She even possesses a few outfits from the fashion house. But she could never condone anti-Semitic statements no matter how much she loves the designer.

She was on Twitter when she first heard that Galliano had passed such remarks."

Kapoor feels that though John is a genius, no one has the liberty to make such statements that hurt the sentiments of all. "She is disgusted and has decided not to wear the brand."

THE CONTROVERSY

Fashion designer John Galliano was arrested in Paris recently for verbally attacking a woman and for making anti-Semitic insults after a drinking session.

French prosecutors have ordered him to stand trial on the charges of public insults based on the origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity over his remarks. Though he issued an apology, Galliano has been suspended.

He could spend up to six months in prison if convicted.

View the video here: http://goo.gl/TF5uB

NAT CUTS OFF TIES

Oscar winning Israeli American actress Natalie Portman, who's associated with the brand, severed ties as the Galliano scandal picked up momentum.

Bollywood hotties and their Dirty Dancing

Be it 1950s or 2011, item songs have always been seen as the X-Factor of Hindi films. Sreya Basu finds out what makes the hip-shackers a guaranteed success at the Box Office

Back in 1960s Helen’s name on film posters used to be magnified and got more space than the heroine’s. And a dance number by Bindu or Aruna Irani was like an insurance policy for the film’s success.

The scene remains unchanged even today where Salman Khan needs a Munni Badnaam to garnish his Dabangg. Or, Sheila Ki Jawaani saves Farah Khan from being doomed by an otherwise flop Tees Maar Khan.

No matter how much film-scholars scrowl or criticize item numbers, Hindi films are unimaginable without the taadka of hip-swivelling chartbusters.

Talking about item numbers, how can we forget the ‘hottie ready to go naughty’ attitude of item girls!

Remember Nadira looking into Raj Kapoor’s eyes and singing Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh in Shree 420, or Helen stripping off her red gown and running to her on-screen lover in Piya Tu (Caravan), or a Bindu flaunting her yellow feathery attire before Ajit and Amitabh Bachchan and swaying to Dil Jalon Ka in Zanjeer?

While Nadira was a seductress, Helen was effortless…she was a born item girl. She had class and hence even her skimpy costumes never looked vulgar on-screen…but there was oodles of sex appeal for sure.

And whoever said you need a Size Zero figure to enter a man’s fantasy should watch out for Bindu. Despite her typical Punjabi curvaceous figure, she ruled the ‘60s and ‘70’s and how powerfully!

Sridevi was nicknamed Hawa Hawaii…thanks to her fruity item song in Mr India; Madhuri Dikshit too became the Dhak Dhak girl for her sensuous number from Beta.

“Malaika Arora was more popular as the Chaiyan Chaiyan (Dil Se) for her item number on a moving train until Munni happened. Now even a kid knows her more as Munni than Malaika,” says costume designer Ashley Rebello.

Not to forget, Rakhi Sawant owes her so-called stardom to item songs like Dekhta Hai Tu Kya and Bichua (other than her publicity stunts).

While Rekha matured from Pyaar Do Pyaar Lo (Jaanbaaz) to Kaisi Paheli (Parineeta), known for playing cerebral roles, Shabana Azmi reported danced away all night to Munni Badnaam on her 60th birthday party.

No matter how much butter item girls add, it’s the music that is the hing of a particular number.

“A film has a number of songs…romantic, tragic, soft, loud. But the item song has to be a fun number. It must have the capacity to make people jump off their seats at theatres, blow whistles and do all sorts of mad things,” says music composer Anu Malik.

And by fun, we need not mean only comedy…be it AR Rahman’s Mayya Mayya (from Guru) or Vishal Bharadwaj’s raunchy Beedi (from Omkara)…the main criteria is to make sure a saint turns Mithun Chakraborty (oops…read, disco dancer).

But then, fun songs need lyrics of equal stature. Wordings for an item number has to be wicked…something like Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai or Pyaar Tera Dilli Ki Shardi or Main Zandu Balm Huyi Darling Tere Liye.

“I prefer lyrics that are subtly cheap as opposed to downright cheap. For item songs it’s imperative to get words that one has never heard of. Like I hit on Chamma Chamma for China Gate,” says Anu Malik.

However, it’s singers who make the songs come alive. While Asha Bhosle was brilliant with the Ahh..ahh..ahh background in Piya Tu, Sunidhi Chauhan’s high pitches are essential for songs like Sheila Ki Jawaani or Chaalia (from Tashan). Or we need Rekha Bharadwaj’s earthy flavours to spice up Namak Ishq Ka.

“I am known for soulful numbers. But in Namak Ishq, I brought out a little naughtiness…a little flirtatious quality is needed for item songs,” says Bharadwaj.

And if singers give life to a song, dance moves make audiences go gob-smacked. Who thought Miss Prim and Proper Aishwarya Rai will turn on the heat with her Kajra Re!

Be it Yeh Mera Dil (Don), or Mehbooba (Sholey) or Ek Do Teen (Tezaab) or Mayya Mayya (Guru)…the hip movements, suggestive gestures, seducing looks, turns and twists of waist drive the masses wild.

And then of course, costumes add zing to item numbers.

“Costumes should be sensuous and sexy, rather than out and out cheesy,” says Ashley Rebello.

“I went for a complete gaonti look for Munni…flower-printed skirts, tights and jewel-studded blouse. Since Malaika’s entire torso needed to be exposed, I came up with chains that were attached beneath her blouse to the waistband of her skirt,” says Rebello.

Last, but not the least, an item song is incomplete without a complimentary backdrop.

The Babuji zara dheere chalo number won’t have been a whip-crack hit unless Yana Gupta made and entry riding on a buffalo.

The effect of Jhumma Chumma song would have been halved if Kimi Katkar won’t have been surrounded by mill-workers banging their enamel mugs in chorus.

Having said that, as Anu Malik once commented on the sets of Indian Idol-Romantic is nice, but item numbers are and will continue to be the spice of Hindi films.

Katrina gives Anuhska a ride? Read on to find out how...

Anushka Sharma gets a lift on Katrina's Kaif's chartered flight. Read on to find out how...

Since debuting in Boom (2003), Katrina Kaif has remained more or less aloof from and reserved with other actresses.

That attitude seems to be changing, beginning with Anushka Sharma.

You'd expect the senior actress to snark at the new actress, given that she is slowly but surely trying to step into Sheila's shoes.

Not only was Sharma's last release with Kat's fav actor Akshay Kumar, but the Band Bajaa Baraat girl was boldly trying hard to cosy upto Ranbir Kapoor, in the presence of Kat at a party last month!

Me, too?

On Thursday, the two girls were in Dhaka (Akki and Salman Khan were also present) for the Tri-Nations show. Kat had to rush back to Mumbai to shoot for her YRF film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.

Since no commercial flights were available, she booked a chartered flight for her and members of her staff to fly back.

When Anushka heard of it, she hesitantly asked if she could bum a ride. Kat immediately yes."

The YRF factor

Anushka Sharma is a Yash Raj Films protegee (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Band Baaja Baraat) while Katrina has worked in New York, and is now acting in the banner's film opposite Imran Khan.

Presently, they are Aditya Chopra's favourite leading ladies (even Rani Mukerji seems to have taken a backseat).

Up until the plane ride together, they hadn't interacted with each other. But on flight the two girls had a party. They were seen enjoying each other's company, chatting like long-lost friends.

Kangana knows she is ignored for being too 'down market'

"It's scary what has happened, " says Madhavan, referring to the explosion of expectation that the Tanu Weds Manu trailers have garnered. He isn't flattering himself, the curiosity for this film is high. It's true the publicity has struck a chord but why should that be frightening?

Then it dawns on Koel, Maddy and Kangana have never had to shoulder the responsibility of a much hyped film. They've been good in other people's hits. This film, if it works, will be their own hit. The stakes are high. They are still not considered true blue insiders by the film industry.

Kangana may have a national award but she still gets ignored by the self-appointed core group for being too 'down market'. When she told me this off camera it broke my heart.

Koel says she liked her from the first time we met because she was never shy of being different. By remaining true to herself she was braver than most aspiring actresses who are happy to be cast in a clone like mould.

She saw no shame in wanting to learn whether it was English or the etiquette of urban society. Deep in her heart she was and is a philosopher.

She always thinks out of the box. "Love is too huge a thing for me to talk about just like that: Why are we obsessed with marriage as girls? Can't we live happily ever after as we are?"

But no one can escape the insecurities the industry inspires, not even this pretty philosopher. The result is amply evident on her lips and her body though her mind remains beautifully unaltered.

Maddy may not have a similar problem but he too ends up playing sidey parts in Hindi films when he's such a huge star down south.

But the more I meet him the more I think that he's not really interested in being a star; he gets off on the acting and also on Jennifer whilst sitting on the couch. You'll have to watch the show to get that one. Another reason to make a date with your tele is the easy flow of jibes between Tanu and Manu.

Like their characters they too are poles apart. Perhaps, this is why they really dig the other's company but there certainly isn't a romantic thing going on there.

They like to tease each other and they are friends enough for constant jibing. Their chemistry is genuine and based on mutual respect.

Madhavan gushed at how wonderful it was to work with an actress that came prepared and knew more about the character than even the writer. Kangana praised Maddy's intellect and patience but wanted to know what he does for two hours in his vanity van when she can be ready in 20 minutes.