Mentol Blog's

Mumbai, July 24 -- Salaam my sizzling shasliks! How's your weekend going? Don't ask me about mine as I'm not exactly gung-ho about it. Blame it on Rapchik Rajni and Madhu my Mottu Maid who have become a bit too lackadaisical in sourcing spicy gossip like my other khabrus from around town. So while I've exiled them for now, you my dahlings, need not worry about your dose of daily goss. Read on to know what many in tinsel town don't.

Like this raaz ki baat on Aamir Khan. Sher Lock Holmes tells me that the actor was keen to act as Natha, the farmer, ever since he first heard about Peepli Live.

Anusha Rizvi narrated the concept to him years ago, when he was filming Mangal Pandey - The Rising. He expressed his desire to play Natha, but she didn't see him in that role. Seems she thought it wise to bide her time till she finished scripting.

Fortunately, Khan signed Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots in the meanwhile, and since both the films were to be shot around the same time, Khan didn't want to keep Rizvi waiting. And before he knew it, she showed him the audition tape of Omkar Manikpuri as Natha.

Sher Lock bhai tells me that Khan was so impressed with the result that he agreed with her and felt that Rizvi's actor looked more convincing as Natha, than he himself would.

Source

This year is turning out to be quite the scorcher. And we have Kambakkht Ishq to thank. Sajid Nadiadwala's May release stars Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, and also also sees cameos from Hollywood stars like Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards. But the reason this film will be a scorcher is because the women here -- Kareena, Amrita Arora and Denise -- will strut their stuff in sexy swmisuits.

Ilene Hamann in Rog

Celina Jaitley in Money Hai Toh Honey Hai

Mugdha Godse in Fashion

Minissha Lamba in Kidnap

Neha Dhupia in Julie

Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2

Amisha Patel in Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Sameera Reddy in Musafir

Sharmila Tagore in An Evening In Paris

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra in fashion Photo shoot by Farrokh Chothia last year. This photo shoot also featured on Hi! Blitz Magazine India.

Rakhi Sawant has been working with Canadian desi fusion artist ishQ Bector and sports a brand new look for a video from the artist's album Jhagde. "The spunky brand, known for her bold and brazen personality attracting mass appeal, will now be seen in a completely classy, upmarket trendy look and style," ishQ explains, whilst talking of Rakhi's new short bouffant hairstyle and short sequinned minidress.

Talking about her break-up with Elesh Parujanwala, the winner of her swayamvar, Rakhi says, "Elesh confessed that he took part in the swayamvar only to know me as a person and not to marry me. He told me that he wanted to marry a girl from London. He had expected that he would be voted out in a few episodes but he stayed on and we got engaged. I'm glad that we called it quits now before rather than after marriage."

Ironically, Rakhi is set to be a judge on the grand finale of Star TV's Perfect Bride next week, giving the girls advice on how to behave! "Yes, I will be there for the Grand Finale of Perfect Bride," she confirms, "My main intention in going there is to give suggestions to the Kanyas (brides), because I don't want them to repeat the same mistake that I committed, by choosing Elesh Parujanwala as my life partner."

Actress Shamita Shetty, who has voluntarily opted out of TV reality show ‘Bigg Boss’, is absolutely elated about her elder sister and Bollywood Actress Shilpa Shetty marrying London-based businessman Raj Kundra Nov 22 of this year and says to the media she also wants a ‘perfect man’ like her brother-in-law to-be.

In an interview, Shamita says”Raj is just so absolutely wonderful. He is so calm, intelligent and good-looking. There could be no one better than him for Shilpa. He is just so perfect. I also want a man like him in my life.”

The 29-year-old bollywood actress was one of the participant in the third season of TV channel Colors’ reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ and came to know of Shilpa’s engagement only a week back. She has chosen to take a voluntary exit from the reality show in order to stay with her sister for her very last few days at home. This special episode featuring Shamita Shetty will be aired Saturday.

Shamita said: ‘It feels fantastic to be out. I am just so excited about Shilpa’s wedding. Oh my god! She is getting married. I want to go home, cry, hug and chat with her. She has sent me a picture of her engagement ring on my Blackberry but it’s very hazy. So can’t wait to see that.

‘We tell each other everything, so I know how difficult it must have been for her to get engaged without me around. But since I got to know about her wedding date, I wanted to be with her no matter what. Family definitely comes first for me.’

Shamita was also worried about the clothes she would wear for the wedding functions, but to her surprise, her elder sister had already taken care of it all.

‘I was so worried about who will stitch my clothes within 10 days and how I will manage it all. But I just spoke to Shilpa and she said she has organised a few options for me. So I’m very happy that I don’t have to start planning from scratch,’ she said.

Shamita says her respect for Shilpa, who won ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, the international version of the show in 2007 after facing racist remarks, has risen by leaps and bounds after her stint in ‘Bigg Boss’.

‘I have begun to respect Shilpa so much more. I haven’t even faced 50 percent of what she must have faced. She was in a different country, with people from different cultures – it must have been hugely different. I can’t even imagine how she went through all that,’ she said.

As for her own stay in the ‘Bigg Boss’ house, Shamita said: ‘It feels great and fantastic that I wasn’t asked to leave. But I felt sad that I had to leave the house. My stay was pretty okay – but I didn’t have an option. I had to leave for Shilpa’s wedding.’

She is also happy about getting three ‘really good friends’ in the form of Tanaaz Currim, Bakhtiyaar Irani and Aditi Govitrikar. But when asked to name the most conniving contestant, she said diplomatically: ‘I won’t take any names and I don’t want to be judgmental.’

‘Bigg Boss’ has 13 celebrities locked up inside a secluded house for 84 days and kept under constant camera surveillance without any contact with the outside world.

Who does not know Shahrukh Khan. He is the heart throb of all the Indian girls. Fans or distributors all trust Shahrukh Khan. For if its Shahrukh the movie is worth watching.

Shahrukh Khan was born on 2nd november 1965. He was brought up in Delhi. He had done his schooling from 'St. Columba's school' and from 'Jamia Millia Islamia' he had done Mass Communication.

Shahrukh started his career on a TV serial called "Fauji" which has given him instant recognition. He also acted in another TV soap called "Circus". His debut film was Deewana which open the doors of film industry for him. He was playing a second hero in it but his work was appreciated. After that there was no looking back. Shah Rukh Khan has won several awards for his outstanding performance in Darr (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Baadshah (1999) ...etc. He also formed a popular screen couple with Kajol.

He's now a successful producer too with Chalte Chalte. His production company "Dreamz Unlimited" is shared with other two people... one is actress, friend, co-star Juhi Chawla and another is director and friend Aziz Mirza.

He is being called 'King Khan' and 'Badshah of Bollywood'. his films are like ISI mark. He has reached to the position of choice where his films flops or hits their release is an awaited affair. Things which makes him apart from other actors are his average looks, fast speech, soulful eyes, dimples on checks, thick lips and most imp is his saying 'I'm the best'. He feels acting is making unbelievable believable. He feels he become a better actor after acting in his two films which are also close to his heart... Dil Se and Kal Ho Naa Ho.

While studying he fell in love with Gauri Chibba who was then studying in Loreto Delhi. He later married her before coming into films. The most talented and hard working actor known to have an inflated ego, for which he works hard to keep it floating. He is having two children a son "Aryaan" and a daughter. He loves his children very much.These day he had started reading books on science as he dont want to be sound like a stupid dad, when they'll ask him which is bigger, Uranus or Saturn. He teaches them one new thing everyday. it could be names of Fidel Castro, Michael Schumacher, Osama Bin Laden or a place a name. He is planning to read maths in another two/three years.

He feels for the younger generation that should follow his zest for life and love of doing the best they can. They should believes that there is a purpose in life that you supposed to fulfill follows it wholeheartedly. And never give up when you stumble and not taken seriously.

Maxim HOT 100 is one of the most globally-sought-after and celebrated franchise properties of the world’s largest Men’s magazine Maxim. Deepika Padukone has been announced winner of this HOT 100 title from Maxim magazine. She joins the likes of previous no 1’s Lindsay Lohan, Eva Longoria, Marissa Miller.

She becomes numero uno babe that features several of the Indian Film Industry’s top celebrities like Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor. Really a topper or one more publicity stunt to promote Bachna Aae Hasino - Deepika for sure look hot on Maxim mag cover, checkout.

Mallika Sherawat unarguably has one of the best figures in Bollywood. The actress however, makes a conscious effort to maintain her svelte figure that has her male fan following drooling over her. And on the other hand each female desires to have the same figure that Mallika possesses.

Finally, Mallika Sherawat's secret to her fabulous figure has been revealed. The actress, our source close to the luscious beauty reveals, "Lives off on low fat food most of the time to remain slim."

The source adds, "Mallika survives on low fat Japanes food most of the time and her favorite dish is the Japanese Sushi. The actress makes it a point to inform the producers to order for Sushi whenever she is shooting.

Not only that Mallika keeps advising about the advantages of low fat and oil free food and tells them to go on a Japanese food diet since it is oil free whereas, Indian food contains ghee. The actress is always considerate on the sets about her co-stars and everyone around her."

"That apart, Mallika never misses a single day without going to the gym in her Versova apartment complex. Actor-anchor turned director Rohit Roy also stays in the same complex and is seen regularly in this gym," the source concludes.

We can just only imagine the chaos Mallika's gym work out sessions might be resulting on the rest males in this unisex gym!!

Everybody knows about Salman Khan’s passion for cycling. Being a fitness freak, he cycles all the way from his home in Bandra to Film City in Goregaon! However, this time he chose a different ride, for himself and lady love Katrina Kaif.



Apparently, the couple was spotted enjoying a modest auto ride like commoners in the city yesterday. Though there wasn’t much space, Katrina and Salman both managed to squeeze in. While Katrina seemed to enjoy it, she restricted herself to the back seat. Macho man Salman was so exited, he insisted on driving the auto himself! Feeling the need to connect with the aam aadmi, Sallu bhai? Why do it just before your television debut?

While the whole country has gone cricket crazy (thanks to the ongoing IPL)



Bollywood hunk John Abraham seems to be more inclined towards football. The handsome hunk, who always had a soft corner for soccer, has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the UEFA European Football Championship 2008 to be held next month in Austria and Switzerland.

John, who did play some serious football in his last release Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, was also seen promoting the English Premiere League in the past.

With the craze for soccer growing by leaps and bounds, broadcasters ESPN is expecting impressive ratings for the UEFA Euro 2008 which starts in June 2008. Well….with John promoting the game, we are sure that the game will also see a lot of female fan following.

Akshay Kumar’s the perfect host for Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi.



And he proved that in Bangkok a few days ago, when Viacom18 revealed its upcoming Hindi General Entertainment Channel. The channel to be launched in July is called COLORS and Akshay’s show, planned across 16 episodes, is one of its initial flagship shows, the other being Mohe Rang De, a period drama set in the backdrop of 1942’s Quit India Movement.

At the Bangkok event, when Akshay was asked what ‘fear’ meant to him he came down from the stage and shocked everyone by pulling out a python from underneath one of the tables and wrapping it around his neck. “You have to stand up to your fears,” he declared. And what did he fear most? “I fear investing money, I fear animals. But I like to deal with my fears,” said the actor, who’s known for doing his stunts in films himself.

The term ‘daredevil’ has become synonymous with Akshay (we aren’t just talking about the IPL team). Even at the Bangkok event Akshay made a grand entry on a bike smashing glass and getting on to the stage. But how does his family, especially wife Twinkle, react to the risks he takes? “She has given up,” laughed Mr Khiladi.

Action has always been close to Akshay's heart, but he’d rather not be branded just as an action hero. “I have done everything from action to comedy, haven’t I?” he pointed out. Yes, he’s getting back to doing action films, but there’s a cute reason for that: “My son Aarav’s been asking for that, so I’m doing some action films now. Aarav also inspired me to take up Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi.”

Joining the macho hero on this TV show are 13 hot women from the entertainment world, who will compete with each other. It will be shot over a month in South Africa. “I have always believed that women are stronger than men. Men, who still believe that they are superior and stronger than women, are no better than pigs. Through this show, I’m out to prove these men wrong and establish the fact that women are not only emotionally stronger than men, but can also outdo them in physical strength,” challenged Akshay.

Rajesh Kamat, Chief Executive Officer, COLORS, added, “Keeping in line with our strategy to be differentiated and disruptive, Khatron Ke Khiladi will bring to Indian viewers a scale that has not been seen on the small screen so far. Apart from that, our channel has got a strong line-up of shows that are not only universal in appeal but also extend across genres, thus offering an entire spectrum of emotions to its viewers.”

We’ve already seen Bebo’s hot look in Tashan and credit her hot bod to s crash diet but Kareena’s dietician Rujuta Diwekar has denied that Bebo was crash dieting.



Rujuta Diwekar revealed that Kareena has been working on her body since May 2007 and was able to achieve her super body after a year of hard work.

Rujuta said, “She was never pencil thin so I planned her diet that consisted of healthy nutritious food. And contrary to reports in the media that the actress starved herself and had only orange juice is false. There were also stories that she fainted while doing some scene but it is not true.”

The dietician also added, “What worried Kareena was that her fans, especially the teenage girls who look upon her as their icon, would blindly follow the false articles to emulate her and the results could harm them in some way or the other. Kareena did not want that to happen and thus this clarification.”

“She (Kareena) wants her fans to know that she has achieved her super sexy body, over a period of time by being dedicated and disciplined about her eating and fitness habits. She is massively into a strict exercise regime of yoga which she practices for almost 2 hrs a day.

Wizcraft International Entertainment announced two superstar entrants to their grandest, blockbuster world tour—‘The Unforgettable Tour: Experience the magic…’— led by Amitabh Bachchan. The performers include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh.

This massive tour will have an array of today’s biggest stars descending onto the world stage with their scintillating performances, promising to bring alive the magic of Indian cinema. It will rock fans across 6 continents and 18 countries.

‘The Unforgettable’ world tour will commence in July and will take centre stage in mainstream international venues, promoted in conjunction with international partners and promoters.



Speaking on the occasion, Akshay Kumar said, “I am elated to be on ‘The Unforgettable Tour’ that will reach out to millions of Indian cinema fans across the world. Touring with Wizcraft and Amitji, I believe that fans will be in store for a great journey full of energy and excitement.” Audiences will also get to witness Akshay perform songs from his forthcoming film, Singh is Kinng.

Preity Zinta shared the same sentiments. “It’s indeed an honour to be a part of a show of such a great scale and calibre and to be onstage with the Bachchans and others,” she said. “It is always a delight to reach out to our fans and be a part of the tour, I intend on doing just that.”

These days in Bollywood, it has become a trend of sorts of 'suing' of the filmmaker/s just before the movie releases. This time, it's the Roshans who are literally 'facing the music'. The reason being, Ram Sampath, a 32 year old music composer, has dragged director Rakesh Roshan, his musician brother Rajesh Roshan, their film company Filmkraft Productions Pvt Ltd, Super Cassettes Industries, Sony Ericsson and the ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi to the court, alleging that they have directly lifted 'his' music for their album Krazzy 4.

Ram, who has composed music for over 3200 commercials, the music soundtracks of films like Khakee and Let's Talk, a remix for pop singer Justin Timberlake, had just received the prestigious advertising award 'Abby'. He claims that the four tracks (the title track, 'Break Free', and their remix versions) have been lifted directly from his 'The Thump Is Here' jingle that he had created for Sony Ericsson mobile in 2007.

Ram has now sent a legal notice to the Roshans stating that there were no credits given to him for the music, and that its Rajesh Roshan's name that figures in the credits list. While he has now sought a damage of Rs. 2 crores from the Roshans, the judge said that he will hear both the music (the Sony Mobile commercial and Krazzzy 4) before taking up the hearing again on Wednesday.

Kareena Kapoor did it. Even John Abraham has also has done it. Then, how can his gal Bipasha Basu be left behind? Well she is also doing it and yes! She is doing it her way and in style! We are indeed talking about launching their own labels!

Bipasha gave out her fashion dreams recently by saying that she is all set to launch her fashion label within a year, as she wants to extend her signature brand in accordance with her impeccable sense of dressing and style.

With Bips having her hands full with product endorsements films, one need not be a rocket scientist to say that Bips is surely leading the 'Race'.

After stunning the audience with an 'outrageous' performance, the spunky lass Sherlyn is now doing a Naomi Campbell in an itsy bitsy golden and diamond draped outfit for her latest video 'Dard'.

She'll be seen wearing a 30-carat, diamond encrusted outfit made out of real gold thread spun specially for the purpose, which costs a cool Rs 25 lakh. According to the choreographer of Sherlyn's video Remo D'souza - the outfit has been specially made by craftsmen from Rajasthan and Udaipur.

Sherlyn got her track specially remade to give it a high-voltage club remix feel. The music is re arranged and remixed by DJ Akbar Sami who spent considerable time and effort on the project.

'Dard' will be shot in exotic locations and will feature complex choreography, sets, lighting and sound effects. A group of technicians and laser light experts have been working on the computerized effects that will compare with the best in the world. Sherlyn said that she didn't want to divulge any details at this stage. 'You can see me in action when the shooting begins'. I will definitely invite all of you guys...

We hope Sherlyn extends this invitation to her fans as well.

After the thriller Race, comes another suspense film, Bhram. Only this film does not brag of a stellar cast like Race. Despite that, Bhram holds its own.

Bhram is Pawan Kaul's second directorial venture after his first thriller, Sssshh..., and stars Dino Morea, Milind Soman, Sheetal Menon and Simone Singh.



Shantanu (played by Dino) is on a mission to locate the mysterious Indra, a man from his sweetheart Antara's (played by debutante Sheetal Menon) past to find out what crime he had committed that almost ruined her life.

The film keeps shifting between the present and flashback scenes. We see the tortured damsel in distress Antara, and Shantanu, her knight in shining armour. Everything seems to be going well until the intermission. And that's where we see the first threads of suspense.

The second half is faster and works better than the first. Secrets are revealed, illusions are shattered, and we begin to see people for what they really are.



Dino MoreaDino and Sheetal do a good job. Milind, who plays Shantanu's brother, does not have much screen time. Simone, playing Milind's wife, has great screen presence and turns in a natural performance.

Her scenes with Dino in the first half -- the lovable bhabhi-dewar banter -- is like a breath of fresh air.

Music has been composed by Siddharth-Suhas and Pritam Chakraborty. Jaane kyun tanha ho gaye and Meri Akhiya are good numbers, the rest don't match up.

Director Pawan Kaul has put in a lot of effort, and it shows.

On the surface, Bhram has a lot going for it -- plenty of steamy scenes, sexy women and gorgeous men -- but there's only so much that you can take of them. The film has many plots and twists, but does not grip you as it should.

Namastey London, Partner and now a box office Welcome that's put Katrina Kaif ahead in the Race to the top.

At least as far as her market price goes, Katrina is being paid Rs six crores for a two-film deal by production house Studio 18. That's Rs three crore per film.
She is getting over a crore for a item number song in the Akshay Kumar starrer Blue. And now even a Yash Raj flick with John Abraham is reportedly paying her Rs three crores.

All this makes Katreena Kaif one of Bollywood's highest paid actresses alongside Kareena Kapoor.



Kareena, who also reportedly charges about Rs three crores a film, has a two-film deal with Studio18 and another three film deal with Ashtavinayak Films that produced Jab We Met.

The Katrina deal according to reports seems to have rattled Kareena and she's raised her price tag to Rs six crore for her next film. But Ashtavinayak Films that's producing the film has denied any such demand. So maybe no one is willing to sign Kareena as yet for that kind of money.

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken strong exception to allegations of "indecent behaviour" levelled against Bollywood actor Nana Patekar by upcoming star Tanushree Datta.



The MNS has written letters to different associations of cine producers to 'blacklist' Tanushree for accusing a senior actor like Nana of bad behaviour during the shooting of an item number for the movie Horn OK Pleassse on Wednesday.

The organisation, which was recently in the news for its violence against the north Indians living in Mumbai, has threatened to agitate against the actress if she does not give an unconditional apology to the actor, whom it describes as the "pride of Maharashtra".

Meanwhile, producer of Horn OK Pleassse, Sami Siddiqui, filed a complaint Saturday with the Association of Motion Picture and TV Programme Producers (AMPTPP) against Tanushree.

He alleged that his production firm, Sunshine Pictures Pvt. Ltd, incurred a heavy loss because the actress failed to complete shooting for the item song being filmed on her and Nana.

In his complaint, Siddiqui also stated that the goodwill of his production firm was tarnished because Tanushree went to the media saying that she was "coerced" by director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya to do steps in the item song she did not feel comfortable doing.

Acting quickly on the complaint, the AMPTPP dashed off a letter to the actress, asking her to pay a compensation of Rs 65 million. This would include Rs 15 million to Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Rs 50 million for defaming it in public.

Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. had signed Tanushree for Rs 1.5 million for the item number to be shot over four days. She had been paid an advance of Rs 500,000.

According to Siddiqui, he as well as Sarang and Acharya had explained to Tanushree what her steps would be in the dance number.

"She had agreed to it," Siddiqui said.

"They [Sarang and Acharya] also agreed when she requested them not to compel her to wear a costume she would not be comfortable with. So we were surprised when she walked out of the sets on the last day of the shooting [March 26] after taking part in it for two days," Siddiqui said on Saturday.

On Friday, Tanushree shot off a letter to the Cine and Television Artistes' Association (CINTAA) explaining the sequence of events that led to her stomping out of the sets and the scuffle that subsequently took place between media persons present on the sets and her secretary.

In her letter, the actress also referred to the "unbecoming" manner in which Nana Patekar behaved with her during shooting of the item number on the first day and why she felt the need to ask her parents and her secretary to be present during the shoots later.

CINTAA is yet to act on her letter, but it is likely to ask Patekar for his explanation.

It is rarely that a member of a cine association complains against a fellow member. In this case, what makes it unique is that an upcoming star has lodged a serious complaint against a senior member at the risk of her budding career.

The lead actors and actresses of a film not getting along with each other is not uncommon. But what took this issue to another level altogether is the spat which happened yesterday, between Tanushree Datta and Nana Patekar on the sets of Rakesh Sarang’s Horn Ok Pleassss.



The incident occurred during the picturisation of an item number with choreographer Ganesh Acharya. Tanushree, allegedly, reasoned that instead of the chorographer, it was Nana who started showing her the steps and in the bargain, he came too close and made her feel uncomfortable. After which she immediately ran into her vanity van and shoot was stalled for quite a while. Tanushree then called it a day and got into her car along with her mother. Her car was then allegedly ‘attacked’ by hoards of journalists, who just wanted a video ‘byte’ from her over the issue.

Tanushree’s family, in the meanwhile, has filed a FIR against those who attacked their car.

On the other hand, it’s the perpetual hot favourite Rakhi Sawant, who has replaced Tanushree Datta. With the kind of item number that our laadli Maharashtrian mulgi is doing, she will surely create a world record in item numbers, Rakhi isshtyle!