CELEBS FACTORY

Raaz 3 released last week to packed houses and since then, the appreciation that the film has received from the audiences has been unanimous.

The film has delivered what it has promised - thrills, scares and a bit of sleaze too. Single screens and the 3D version at multiplexes have been seeing huge footfalls.

The first weekend alone raked in about 35 crores nett as expected, which is huge. This will turn out to be Emraan Hashmi's biggest hit even though this film would be credited more for its horror quotient and Bipasha Basu's stunning show.

The film also managed to breach the elite club of films which crossed 10 crores nett on the first day by reaching 10.25 crores on Friday.

Bipasha Basu’s dusky beauty and oomph factor have always been a draw for filmmakers and audiences alike. But for the poster of her upcoming film Raaz 3, the sultry actor has raised the bar even higher with a risqué photo shoot.

Incidentally, producers Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt, who worked with Bipasha 10 years ago in Raaz (2002), didn’t want her to do the shoot.

An insider reveals, “The Bhatts felt the pose and outfit were too bold and didn’t want Bipasha to do it, thinking she might be uncomfortable. Also, they felt they might have to tone down the concept eventually. So they planned to get a body double and morph Bipasha’s face onto the model’s body later. But when she found out, the actor insisted on doing it herself.”

Bipasha says, “When I learnt about the concept, I decided to do it. I had no qualms. It’s my movie and I should be shooting for the poster. I understand that it was required to show the film’s theme in the right light. I have always been comfortable in my skin and never been conscious of my body. It was the right decision.”
 

The trailer of Raaz 3, the Vikram Bhatt directed sequel to Mohit Suri's 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues (2009)' is all set to be unveiled with Sunny Leone's Bollywood debut 'Jism 2' that is slated to release on 3rd August,2012.

Pooja believes that she has chosen a safe release date for her maiden erotic thriller that also features Randeep Hooda and Arunoday Singh romancing Sunny like Bollywood Cinema has never seen before.

"Yes, It was a decision taken together to release the trailer of 'Raaz 3' with 'Jism 2'. You all will see Bipasha and Sunny together this August 3rd," said actor-turned-director Pooja Bhatt, who has helmed the sequel of the film 'Jism (2003)'.

"We have a clean week as 'Ek Tha Tiger' is coming on Aug 15 and the release of 'Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum' has preponed to July 27," she added.

'Raaz 3' featuring Bipasha Basu along with Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta boasts of the most spine chilling moments in stereoscopic 3D and is reported to be a direct sequel to the 2009 horror-thriller 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues' that had Emraan and Kangna in the lead.

The secret unveils 7th September.

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has confessed of his fondness towards his 3G co-star Sonal Chauhan.

Neil and Sonal were in full bloom and were reportedly inseparable during their 45day shooting in Fiji for the upcoming psychological thriller '3G' directed by Sheershak Anand and Shantanu Ray Chibber. The duo however remained tightlipped about talking about their relationship.

In a recent interview, Neil confessed of his feelings waxing eloquent about being in love with Sonal and claimed that she has met his parents, He even mentioned of their wedding that would soon be on cards.

The actor hinted having proposed Sonal on the socio-microblogging website Twitter.

"The chemistry between the duo is evident. They are not trying to hide anything and the comfort level they share is very obvious. Sonal in fact has even put a picture on her messenger of them holding hands leaving very little to the imagination," said a source from the unit.

"They are making no efforts to keep their relationship under wraps. It as if they want everyone to know they are in love. On the sets they have been shooting for some tough and draining scenes and both have been lending tremendous support to each other while shooting," added the source.

While Neil awaits a response from his love hoping a positive reply, lets wish him the very best of best things to come.

Newcomer Esha Gupta, who was recently seen in Jannat 2, has been shooting for Prakash Jha’s drama in Panchmarhi and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The model turned actor had to juggle her dates between this project as well as another – Vikram Bhatt’s thriller.

Just before Bhatt’s film wrapped up recently, the makers decided to include a belly dancing song filmed on her.

As it was a last-minute decision, there was no way Esha could rehearse for the track for a few days before the filming. She essays an actor in the film and the makers wanted a hot number picturised on her and co-star Emraan Hashmi.

With little time at her disposal, Esha rehearsed for the steps for 10 hours followed by the shoot, so that the schedule of her other project did not get disrupted. As the track did not have Emraan dancing with her but just be present in the song, she managed to rehearse alone.

“I have learnt a bit of belly dancing earlier, it was easier for me to pick up the steps in a limited time period. I rehearsed for the track non-stop before the shoot. I was happy that I could pull it off in such a limited period,” Said Esha.

At the end of the shoot, she felt that she was a thorough belly dancer who knew how to shimmy just perfectly.

British model Scarlett Mellish Wilson, who has done item number Imported Kamariya in the forthcoming film Shanghai, says she relates the Hindi film industry to Aishwarya Rai.

"I love her (Aishwarya Rai), she defines Bollywood for me. She is the definition of Bollywood. Her acting, her beauty, she is such an amazing dancer. I think she is the ultimate, I love her," Scarlett told reporters.

Scarlett is also a big fan of Aamir Khan.

"I like Aamir Khan, I have seen a few of his movies. I saw Taare Zameen Par and I loved that. There's another movie I watched, I can't remember the name," she said adding that she also "loved other Hindi films like Housefull and Dostana."

Composers Vishal-Shekhar have composed music for Shanghai and it hits theatres June 8. The film stars Emraan Hashmi, Kalki Koechlin, Abhay Deol and Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee.

Bhavana, one of most desired actors of the South Indian Film Industry recently got an opportunity to join the elite club of south Indian actresses who have gone to Bollywood.

Yes, Bhavana was offered the lead role in an untitled Bollywood film opposite 'Serial Kisser' Emraan Hashmi in the lead.

The demure darling who initially gave her nod to the film’s producer had to pull off from the project later for creative differences and unavailability of dates.

Reports are abuzz that the producer had disclosed Bhavana that she would have to do an intense lip lock scene with Emraan. The pretty actor, being wary of Emraan Hashmi’s ‘serial kisser’ title for his films with intimate lip locks and lovemaking scenes is said to have rejected the offer.

The actress now has two Kannada films and two Malayalam films in her kitty.

The upcoming Bhatt film Jannat 2 starring Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta has run into legal trouble, with a Mumbai based writer Kapil Chopra filing a case of plagiarism against the filmmakers.

The complaint filed states that the Bhatts apparently stole his story to make their forthcoming film Jannat 2.

The hearing of the case took place last evening where Kapil claimed that he had registered his story with the Film Writers Association in 2007. As he knew director, Kunal Deshmukh very well he had narrated the script to him and had also left a bound copy at Bhatts office.

However, when Kapil saw the promos of the film, he realized that it was his story, with characters, plot and the dialogues that were strikingly similar to his script. Post this realization Kapil met Kunal and Mukesh Bhatt but they denied his allegation. Since the denial, Kapil filed his case against the producers.

The law firm Krishnamurthy and Co is representing Kapil, and have demanded an injunction on the release of the film and have also demanded due credit for him.

Esha Gupta, the gorgeous model from Delhi is one lucky girl.

The model turned actor, who will be making her Bollywood debut with ‘Jannat 2’ opposite Emraan Hashmi is making waves even before the film has hit the theatres. She has not signed up for Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Raaz 3’ and Prakash Jha’s ‘Chakravyuh’ but has also found a fan in filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.

Bhatt, who is also the producer of ‘Jannat 2’, is all praise for Esha.

Speaking to a daily, the veteran filmmaker said, "Esha`s ethos is very Indian. She looks like Angelina Jolie but she has the flavour of India still in her. She knows that sensuality is an essential attribute of the female animal. However the mystique needs to be retained as a survival tool. Esha celebrates her feminine body and yet her ambition is rooted in real India. She has taken a quantum leap from Jannat-2 to Raaz-3 and she has a high emotional quotient and the ability to respond when she is challenged. She came back the other day from an outdoor shoot and I asked her `how did your schedule go?` She replied, `They thought I look like Angelina Jolie but they also commented that I act like Smita Patil.` That reveals her. That is the way she wants the world to perceive her."

Considering that bold and sexy roles are the norm these days, would we see Esha doing a ‘Jism’ ever in her career?

“I can`t shake of the image of Bipasha walking out of the water in a white dress with a soaked chiselled body. But you`ll have to wait for a sexy me, till someone offers something sexy," said the actor without waiting a while.

Considering that many already compare you to the sexy Jolie, the sexy roles will be coming your way very soon, Esha!

Here's the first look of Abhay Deol and Emraan Hashmi starrer Shanghai.

Shanghai is an upcoming Hindi political thriller film directed by Dibakar Banerjee of Khosla Ka Ghosla and Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! fame.

Starring Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi, Kalki Koechlin, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Pitobash, Shanghai is currently being shot in Maharashtra based on the life of Politicians and their greed.

The film is slated to release on June 8, 2012.

Riding high on the success of The Dirty Picture, actress Vidya Balan, who has taken everyone by surprise with her bold portrayal of the role, inspired by late South sex siren 'Silk Smitha', says the reigning Khans of Bollywood can now use 'Balan' as a suffix to their names.

"I feel blessed for so much of appreciation and gratitude. I am happy that I got the chance to work with good directors and I should not take credit for it. I have never been part of any race for the number one position or anything of that sort," Vidya told reporters here.

"It feels good that people are saying that The Dirty Picture is not dirty. The film is a huge landmark for me," she said.

On being asked is she is the new female Khan in the industry, Vidya chuckled, "Well, the Khans can now add Balan at the end of their names, instead of me adding Khan to my name."

Reportedly, Kareena Kapoor also intends to get 'dirty' with her upcoming film, Heroine, to which Vidya says, "I don't think anyone can get dirty like this."

On whether she is the female version of Bollywood's serial kisser Emraan Hashmi, Vidya says, "The idea is not bad. If girls are trying to outdo boys in all areas then why not in this way."

A day before the release of Vidya Balan’s The Dirty Picture, the pictures of her next movie was released. We got to see another side of the actress in Sujoy Ghosh’s thriller, Kahaani.

After The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan is now playing a pregnant woman in her next movie Kahaani. Unlike her sensuous character with oomph in The Dirty Picture, Vidya plays the role of a pregnant woman in search of her missing husband.

The film is scheduled to release in March 2012 and is reportedly inspired by the Hollywood action thriller Kill Bill starring Uma Thurman.

Kahaani is the story of a pregnant woman who is searching for her lost husband. Vidya Balan takes the role of a pregnant woman who comes down from London in search of her husband. The film has been shot in Kolkata at real locations and if the director is to be believed, this will be one of Vidya’s most memorable performances. The surprise package in Kahaani is a song sung by Amitabh Bachchan.

Director Sujoy Ghosh wrote the script of the film keeping Vidya in mind. “The moment I started writing it, I knew I was going to cast her,” he said.

“KAHAANI was shot in all real locations. No budget to build set. In Kolkata it’s totally impossible to shoot real but we did it:),” tweeted Sujoy Ghosh after the shooting of the film was over.

Vidya Balan would always joke with her friends about how differently women walk when they are pregnant. Now, she is playing the same role and had also tried to copy the way they take deep breaths in between.

On the poster, Vidya’s character is portrayed as Goddess Durga. Not only does the poster have a connection to the Goddess Durga, we also have a heavily pregnant Vidya looking bewildered in the chaos.

The thriller is set to release on March 9, 2012.

Vidya Balan's dare bare act in her upcoming film 'The Dirty Picture' is the talk of the town. The actress confesses that in the beginning, it was not easy for her to play the ultra-sensuous role.

"There was a certain amount of mental preparation about being uninhibited and being unapologetic about being uninhibited...But I have enjoyed it," said Vidya during the promotion of her film, which depicts the rise and fall of a sex-siren in the 1980s and 1990s.

Vidya best Known for her poise and grace in Parineeta and Paa is eagerly waiting for the Milan Luthria directed film, which also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor and Emran Hashmi.

"Everyone knows about Dirty Picture and are excited about the film. I feel very happy about this. I cannot wait for it to release. I just hope everyone reaches the theatre," said the sex bomb about the movie that is releasing in December.

Vidya starrer No One Killed Jessica, based on ramp model Jessica Lall's murder, started the year on a positive note as the film earned both commercial success and critical acclaim. She also made guest appearances in Thank You and Dum Maaro Dum.

Now, expectations are high from 'The Dirty Picture', and people are hoping when the film comes out next month, it sets the cash registers ringing and spells good business for the industry.

The Dirty Picture may have managed to excite the movie buffs but it now looks like troubled times are coming up for the makers of the film.

Silk Smitha's brother V Naga Vara Prasad has accused Ekta Kapoor and Milan Luthria, the makers of The Dirty Picture, of making a film on Silk Smitha's life without her family's consent. They have also called the film 'obscene' and have sent a legal notice to the team.

Team Dirty Picture is yet to respond to the notice.

Vidya Balan has been the subject of much prurient curiosity lately.

If her eye-popping makeover in The Dirty Picture wasn’t much to go by, the new siren of B-Town is all geared up for a live performance of her raunchy song “Ooh La La”.

Yup, Vidya Balan is ready for her first live gig.

The lady has so far steered clear of performances at award shows, but now she’s ready for a bump and grind routine at the music launch of The Dirty Picture on November 4.

The film’s music will be launched on Friday at Inorbit Mall in Malad. It’s not going to be a typical music launch. How?

For one, the event is open to public. Anyone can walk in and attend the music launch. Secondly, the event will see on-stage performances by the film’s cast, including Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, besides Vidya Balan. Thirdly, the stage will be decorated with bright colours and lots of props reminiscent of the cinema of the 80s.

Moreover, Vidya Balan will be dressed as her character from the film. So expect to see the lady in a sexy outfit, capering around on the thumping beats of “Ooh La La”.

The Dirty Picture has caused Vidya Balan to be a hot topic in the media with an avatar that has never been seen on Vidya before. As the pictures began to surface of the star playing Silk Smitha in the biopic, fans began to gasp in interest. The hype only increased further with the releases of the trailer and song ‘Ooh La La’ and continues to rise as the films release date of December 2nd creeps ever closer. While Vidya is impressing her audiences with new roles, her level of professionalism remains unchanged, which has not gone unnoticed by director Milan Luthria.

The Dirty Picture director, who also directed Once Upon A Time in Mumbai says, “I am blown over by Vidya’s professionalism. Honestly in my 20 odd years in Bollywood I am yet to come across someone as dedicated as Vidya. She does one film at a time, gets beneath the skin of the character and gives a performance so nuanced that she blows your mind. Making a biopic is very hard but if your protagonist shows the levels of commitment that Vidya does, then you can attain the heights you seek.”

At the beginning of the month it appeared that all the effort had taken its toll on the South Indian actress who checked into hospital after complaints of headaches and lack of appetite. Unknown to many at that time, Vidya had been advised by doctors to take a prolonged leave of absence which was supported by her family. Vidya appears to have other plans as Tanuj Garg co-producer at Balaji Films confirms, “Vidya just gave herself a few days off and is back on the sets of The Dirty Picture. We are currently shooting a song with her and Emraan. Vidya knows that The Dirty Picture is to release on December 2 and she is shooting and dubbing simultaneously to help us meet the deadline.”

Vidya’s work ethic has kept the team worrying about her recent health scare as Tanuj says, “Even we didn’t want Vidya to start work without feeling better. For us, our actor’s health is of paramount importance.” The team however have taken no chances and taken all precautionary steps to ensure that their star is as comfortable as possible. “We have instructed the production unit to make sure that a doctor is on the sets. Even when Vidya does the multi-city promotional tour (mid-November onwards), we will make sure that a doctor from the particular city is on call,” adds Tanuj but stresses there is nothing to worry about as Vidya is being very co-operative and taking the team’s advice.

The most recent track release, ‘Ishq Sufiyana’, is a love ballad between Vidya’s character Silk Smitha, and co star Emraan Hashmi’s character, which is still to be confirmed but is rumored to be based upon Mahesh Bhatt.

Check out this video of ‘Ishq Sufiyana’!

It's understood that any movie starring actor Emraan Hashmi will have at least one lip lock scene, and his sizzling intimacy with his co-star would be conveyed in the publicity posters.

However, his next film, The Dirty Picture might just change the actor's well-orchestrated image in the industry. The 'serial kisser' won't be seen locking lips with his heroine Vidya Balan in the film's posters.

A source said, "Emraan felt that the kiss or any intimacy between him and Vidya's character would give the idea of The Dirty Picture being a typical Emraan Hashmi film. And most importantly, the character he plays is consumed with hatred for Silk (Vidya's character). As the story progresses, the hatred gradually transforms into love. That's why Emraan pointed out that the lip-lock in the poster would seem out of context."

Needless to say, producer Ekta Kapoor and director Milan Luthria understood the actor's reasoning.

"Eventually, they worked out more suitable publicity posters," the source said, quickly adding, "It seems the filmmakers want to keep the chemistry Emraan and Vidya share for the big screen only."

When contacted, Emraan attributed the decision to his character graph in the biopic on Silk Smitha. "The graph of my relationship with Vidya's character is very different from that of the other men in the film. So I felt that this aspect should come across. I suggested it to Milan and Balaji and they took it on board," he said.

The making of the Dirty Picture poster is becoming very popular on the internet, thanks to Vidya Balan's seductive looks in it.

Co-star Tusshar Kapoor shared the video, and tweeted: 'Hey everyone, have just received 'The Making of the Dirty Picture poster', it's interesting footage from the photo shoot featuring the cast. I hope you all have as much fun watching it as we all did while shooting together.'

We're certainly looking forward to this film!

Fifteen years after suicide, the sultry actress known as Silk Smitha is making a posthumous comeback.

Director Milan Luthria's 'The Dirty Picture' stars award-winning actress Vidya Balan as Silk with veteran film star Naseeruddin Shah along with Tusshar Kapoor and Emraan Hashmi in lead roles.

The film is scheduled to be released nationwide on December 2, 2011 on the birth anniversary of Silk Smitha.

Through the 1980s, South Indian film star Silk Smitha was shorthand for sex. Her fans just couldn't get enough of either her inviting eyes nor her heaving bosom or any part of her body that you could think of. But the fact is that she never made it big in Bollywood despite her racy roles.

As reported earlier on various magazines "The Dirty Picture will not focus on the sleaze but the tragedy behind the mask of the sex symbol who provided titillation to thousands of viewers but died a lonely and tragic death." This would be a non-explicit account of the life of the doomed sex symbol and has been generating a lot of heat, months ahead of its release.

The film's first trailer, which was released this month, has found a huge audience (over 800,000 hits on YouTube) making promises to push the boundaries of what is sexually acceptable in Bollywood.

Vidya Balan, who seems to have mastered the act of seduction in The Dirty Picture says that the film celebrates womanhood in all its glory.

Speaking to The Times of India, Vidya Balan said, “I've never enjoyed being a woman more than in The Dirty Picture. It celebrates a woman like a rainbow in all her colours.”

Vidya Balan was initially very surprised when director Milan Luthria approached her with a character like this.

However, Vidya, who always believed in portraying various shades of human emotions has absolutely no regret in playing such a bold and unusual character in The Dirty Picture.

Vidya said, “Before starting this film, I told Milan that I want you to hold my hands and guide me through the film. I just knew that I had to trust Milan completely. And I can say it is so worth it.”

Vidya Balan is anxiously looking forward to the release of The Dirty Picture in which she has essayed the role of yesteryear sex symbol Silk Smitha.