No more drama, Karan Johar to switch to comedy

Of the younger crop of Bollywood filmmakers, Karan Johar is undoubtedly the most flamboyant. Director, producer, anchor, screenplay writer – he is a man of many talents. He is known for his brand of cinema, replete with family values, culture et al. Barring Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, which was based on adultery.

Yet all his directorial ventures like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and My Name is Khan have been heavy-duty, intense dramas. He is all set to direct a comedy next.

The world has seen his witty, quirky side in his show Koffee with Karan and as an anchor at the Filmfare Awards. He certainly has a wacky sense of humour.

The affable Karan can genially grill celebs and get them to reveal their secrets without crossing the line.

So it will be interesting to see how he directs a comedy. His production house Dharma Productions has produced light-hearted film like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Dostana and Wake Up Sid but Karan has never wielded the baton on a comic caper.

Of course, the film will star his best buddy Shah Rukh Khan. A source told us that Karan reportedly said that he would never make a film without SRK and that he wanted to make a fresh, funny film. Well, it can be safely said that Karan's next will be highly anticipated!

Katrina Kaif is Ranbir's Madhubala

If Kareena Kapoor considers doing a film on Hollywood legend, Marilyn Monroe, can Katrina Kaif be left behind?

The buzz is that Katz is set to play tragic Bollywood beauty Madhubala in Anurag Basu's next. The filmmaker will be making a biopic on celebrated singer Kishore Kumar's life. He hopes to bring the Madhubala-Kishore romance to the screen. And playing Kishore is the suave Ranbir Kapoor!

Katrina-Ranbir created magic in their first film Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani. Their Jodi was a hit was audiences. The two were supposed to star in Anurag's Silence until Priyanka Chopra stepped in.

Reportedly Katz didn't want to share the frame or Ranbir for that matter with Priyanka, so she opted out. Anurag however was keen to work with her and has cast her as the legendary actress.

Madhubala is regarded as one the most beautiful and talented actresses of India. She has been immortalized by her performance as the doomed courtesan in Mughal-e-Azam.

She has also done films like Mahal, Howrah Bridge and Sharabi. Her most memorable role has been in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi with Kishore Kumar.

Katrina, will her angelic looks will reprise the iconic star on screen. She has already begun her homework by watching Madhubala's films. As for Kishore, the dashing Ranbir too is preparing to do justice to the role.

A source told us that the famous number Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi will be recreated in Anurag's film. After Rajneeti, the Ranbir, -Katrina Jodi will appear in a retro Kishore-Madhubala avtar.

The 25-year-old actress feels that it was her destiny that she came into the Hindi film industry and succeeded. She has many people to thank for her soaring career here.

"There are too many people whom I can call my godfather. I am grateful and indebted to them. Even Akshay Kumar took a risk in working with me initially, " she said. "He did not know me at all. He was at crossroads of his career. When he did Namastey London, people thought he had gone insane.

Nobody is going to damage or destroy himself to help somebody else. Salman and Akshay believed in me and that is my good fortune and destiny. Apart from guiding me, Salman had confidence in me. He is not the person to say that because he is friendly with you. He will say it genuinely" Katrina added.

Shazahn Padamsee loves pregnant Heidi Klum

One of the world's most renowned supermodels Heidi Klum has found another huge fan in the lovely Shazahn Padamsee.

When Shazahn was in New York doing what she loves best – shopping -she happened to notice a gorgeous pregnant lady sans make-up and it turned out to be German Supermodel Heidi Klum!

Recounts Shazahn “When I was shopping in New York recently I noticed Heidi Klum standing in the shopping queue behind me. I was completely zapped as I love her. She was pregnant.

Completely without makeup and standing very patiently... I admired her non-starry airs” Shazahn is also a big fan of Heidi's show Project Runway and makes sure she catches all its episodes!

Well, we love it when one pretty lady flatters another, isn't it?

Want to download pirated Housefull? First read this

Thinking of downloading "Housefull" from the internet for a free view? Beware! Director Sajid Khan says he has used an anti-piracy software to make sure there are no illegal downloads of the film.

Sajid said that "Housefull" has used an anti-piracy and corruption software called Republique to avoid illegal downloading on the Internet.

"If anyone tries downloading it, not only will the files get corrupted but their IP address too will pop up and they will be prosecuted with all charges against them as per the anti-piracy law, " he said.

"We even have a call centre in Mumbai with 35 people on board monitoring the illegal downloading of the film. We've tested the process too and it worked wonders in five seconds, " he added.

Sajid Khan also feels he is not a good actor and will never face the camera in his own film unlike Subhash Ghai, Aamir Khan or Anurag Kashyap.

"I don't think I'm a good actor... hats off to people who can write their own film, direct it, act in it and then the film also comes out a hit. When I start working on my film, I get into it, " said Sajid.

"My weight starts increasing, I smoke a lot and I say no to all other projects because I just don't direct a film, I make a film. So, for that matter probably I'll never act in my own film, " added the 38-year-old.

Sajid debuted as a director with a story in Ram Goapl Varma's anthology "Darna Zaroori Hai" (2006) before graduating to his first full-fledged outing "Heyy Babyy" in 2007.

He was here at the DT Cinemas, DLF Promenade Tuesday evening to promote his latest directorial venture "Housefull" - releasing Friday. Also present with him was the star cast of the movie including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Deepika Padukone and Jiah Khan.

Lara Dutta who also plays a pivotal role in the movie did not make it to the event. The movie has been produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

I'm waiting for right script to unite SRK, Akshay: Sajid

Bollywood presenter-turned-director Sajid Khan doesn't deny his dream project is to get Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar together in the lead for a film but only when he has the right script.

"The day I have a script that can carry both Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan (in the lead), I'll come out with it. Both are superstars and who wouldn't like to work with both of them in their film, " said Sajid.

"I adore Shah Rukh as a fan and Akshay is my brother. But it will take a lot of time as I will write my next script in six months and then approach them... so it's a lengthy process as of now, " he added.

Akshay also said the same.

"These things take time. He will first write the script that will take time and then approach us and then we'll give out the dates. So it's at least more than a year-and-half away even if everything falls in place, " said the actor.

Shah Rukh and Akshay have been seen earlier in "Dil Toh Pagal Hai" and "Heyy Babyy" but never as parallel leads. While the former had Akshay in a cameo, the latter saw Shah Rukh in a special appearance only for a song.

Sajid and Akshay were here at the DT Cinemas, DLF Promenade Tuesday evening to promote "Housefull". Also present with them was the other star cast of the movie including Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Deepika Padukone and Jiah Khan.

Lara Dutta who also plays a pivotal role in the movie did not make it to the event. Releasing Friday, the movie has been produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

Unhappy Akshaye refuses to pose with Bipasha

Akshaye Khanna has an image of the brooding, thinking actor. That he is a recluse is a known fact.

The actor keeps to himself on the sets and hardly mixes with co-stars or crew members. This pattern has not changed in the many years that Akshaye has been a part of the industry. But the Dil Chahta Hai star took this habit a bit too far lately.

Recently, Akshaye kept the unit of a shoot waiting as he had some issues with the producers.

The man was shooting with co-stars Ajay Devgn and Bipasha Basu for Priyadarshan's Aakrosh. The movie is about the forbidden inter caste marriages in Bihar and intense caste issues.

Akshaye was supposed to pose for a photo shoot with Ajay and Bipasha but flatly refused as was unhappy with the producers. Apparently some of his dues were yet to be cleared by the producers.

A source told us that a miffed Akshaye refused to relent until his payment issues were clear. The people present on the sets were shocked by this display of unprofessionalism.

Akshay has always been cordial, is not friendly, to his co-stars. He has worked with both Ajay and Bipasha in the past in Deewangee and Race respectively.

Such behavior was certainly not expected by an actor of Akshaye's status and caliber. Keeping your co-stars waiting because of your private hassles is so not done! Perhaps Akshaye should take a few tips on professional behavior? We're sure his co-stars will be grateful for it.

Neha Dhupia takes 'Dacoity' training from Shabana Subhash Kapoor's film, With Love to Obama, will see Neha Dhupia playing a frightening UP dacoit. Seeing as she has never played a role of this sort before, Neha needed some help and reference to prepare for it. Luckily for her, she decided to meet the best possible person, Shabana Azmi. Shabana is remembered for her perfect portrayal of a gangster in the film, Godmother. According to sources, With Love to Obama is about the subject of recession and its result on the underworld. It's a comic take on jobless dacoits. Neha and Shabana met at an event recently where the former told her about the film and asked for some reference points. Shabana asked her to watch Godmother and promised to give her more tips so that she could play the character with ease and perfection. The director of the film, Subhash Kapoor confirmed that Neha and Shabana met at a recent event where they discussed the film. Neha then watched Godmother and loved it so much that she watched it five times. She also spoke about the shades of her character with Shabana who then gave her advice about how to get into character. Neha is pleased with the advice and tips she got thanks to Shabana.

Shahid chooses IPL over Dad's film and loving it

Shahid Kapoor is in acute pain. Some days back he sprained his neck severely. Rather than rest it out, as suggested by the doctors Shahid performed impromptu at the IPL finals in Mumbai on Sunday.

And the fact that he danced his way through the acute pain made his condition worse.

Interestingly he was a last-minute addition among the other performers namely A R Rahman and Bipasha Basu. Shahid wasn't really supposed to be performing at the IPL finals.

Says the actor, “My Dad and I were supposed to head to Europe for a short shooting stint of his film (Mausam). Then that volcano eruption happened in Iceland. So all flights got cancelled. In any case were only supposed to shoot for a few days and I was supposed to come back to Mumbai. So we decided to cancel the stint in Europe. ”

It was then that Shahid decided he would dance at the IPL after all. “I contacted the organizers the Moranis. And they let me perform. I had never performed in a stadium before. I loved the experience. I interacted with the live cricket crowd, went into the crowds sang with them. Great fun. ”

Usually Shahid prepares for at least a week for any of his live performances. “But for the IPL finals I was ready in a day. It was a great platform. Dancing to a live cricket crowd and that too a crowd cheering for the Mumbai team, was an experience I wouldn't have liked to miss. So yes, I guess the cancellation of our shooting in Europe isn't something I regret. ”

Shahid also doesn't regret dancing when he already had a sprained neck. It aggravated his condition manifold.

Trying to play down the pain Shahid says, “I guess there's a downside to being spontaneous. I was in a bad condition. "

Shahid was on painkiller injections. “But I don't mind my condition being worsened. I am just glad I performed in front of that live excited audience. People accuse me of not being spontaneous enough. So here I was actually doing something without much though or rehearsals. And I loved it!”