Snippets From:-

While his recent release Hulchul creating quite a Hungama at the box-office registers, Priyadarshan has found a name for his next film starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor. However it does not start with 'H' as in case of Hera Pheri, Hungama and Hulchul. The director has gone for a tentative title Rang.

Let's see what color of cinema does Priyadarshan display in this film.

Salman Khan at the marriage of late Gulshan Kumar's daughter Khushali
with Nishant Arora on 21 November night in New Delhi.

If all goes well, Salman Khan will be in the august company of well-known Hollywood actors. Okay, let me explain!

Percept Picture Company and Sahara One's new project, to be directed by Puneet Issar [GARV], will have a mix of Indian and Hollywood actors, with Salman Khan heading the cast of the enterprise.

�I am writing the script with Salman in mind,� Puneet, who is shooting in Varanasi for BABLI AUR BUNTY [he's playing Rani Mukerji's father in the film], informs me, �It's a brand new concept that I am working on currently.�

Will the project be on the lines of GARV, which had violence in generous doses. �This film is more of an emotional fare. Salman got hooked on to the idea the moment I narrated it to him. I am still working on the script and the balance cast, including finalizing the actors from the U.S., will be embarked upon after a few months.�

Incidentally, Percept and Sahara have signed Puneet for three projects at a go. Way to go!

Actor Salman Khan with children of Khushii organisation arriving to witness of a play Zen Katha , the story of Bodhidharma,
at British High Commissioners residence, in New Delhi on Thursday .

Former British prime minister John Major and Bollywood star Salman Khan joined hands for the cause of orphaned and underprivileged children at an art auction here Thursday night. Fifty paintings were auctioned at the event, held at the residence of the British High Commissioner to India. "I always like doing things for children. They are the only selfless people in the world," said Khan. "I am here to lend my support and to get people to buy paintings. The money will be used to help underprivileged children. "Lillete Dubey performed her new play Zen Katha at the event. The event was organised by Khushii, a social work organisation headed by former Indian cricket star Kapil Dev.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala , whose �Mujhse Shaadi Karogi� turned out to be the biggest hit of the second half of 2004 , crossing 30 crores just from India , is all set to launch his next , once again with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar .
The project is to be directed by Farah Khan�s fiance and editor , Shirish Kundar . The formal anouncement will come during the second week of November , when�Mujhse Shaadi Karogi� completes its 100 days run in many parts of India .

"Never have I known anyone in the film industry to call the cast, crew and distributors, two weeks after the film's release, and pay them. Especially when the film has not earned much money at the box-office,� declared Salman Khan. He was talking about the producers of Phir Milenge, Sahara Manoranjan and Percept Picture Company, who, in a first-time move, handed out cheques of Rs 15 lakh each to the film's stars after the movie's release. (All the stars Salman, Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan had worked for free since it was a film about AIDS.)

Salman joked, �My colleague Shilpa Shetty has plenty of money and Abhishek Bachchan doesn't need the money. But I was so looking forward to receiving this cheque and buying myself a watch with the money.

�However I have been shamed by Shailendra Singh (Babloo), CEO Percept, who, despite his personal losses as producer, is not only paying the artistes and technicians their remuneration, he is also returning some money to the distributors from all over the country, who have incurred losses. I think everyone should take a lesson from him.�

Having said that, Salman Khan promptly donated his pay cheque to charity.

And then kept the audience engaged with some of his observations. He recalled a childhood incident: �I remember I was traveling in a bus and I saw a boy get up to give an old lady a seat. The moment he did it, some of his friends laughed at him, saying, �Yeh tu kya kar raha hai?' So the boy actually looked embarrassed about his good deed.�

Salman added, �When you see a man-hole or boulder on the road, which may endanger someone's life, no one ever stops to either close the man-hole or push the boulder off the path. Nine out of 10 people have no inclination to do good, or be good. I wonder why?�

This Hollywood project made a lot of noise when it was announced. In fact, the film, starring a top Indian actor and a Hollywood actress, made Page 1 news for quite some time.

Unfortunately, there were whispers that the project had fizzled out. Reportedly, the project seemed non-viable to the foreign investors. But no official statement was issued to that effect.

The Indian actor also maintained that the project was happening, but the date of its launch seemed unclear. But here's some good news�

The project has finally found an investor, who's very much part of the Hindi film industry. The investor, currently involved in production and exhibition, has almost signed the deal. So, yes, the actor is all set to take his first step in Hollywood.

Will he make it in Beverly Hills, unlike his ex [her first Hollywood project didn't quite fare well], only time will tell!

Salman Khan's presence in Ravi Chopra's Babul seems akin to his occurrence in Chopra's last film Baghban. Salman who played Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini's adopted son in Baghban appeared in the first few reels of the film and then resurfaced back only in the climax. In Babul too, he plays Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini's son (real, this time) married to Rani Mukherjee and dies before interval.

But Salman fans need not be disappointed, as this is not his end in Babul. He will be seen in flashback sequences post-interval. Now does that remind you of Aishwarya Rai in Mohabbatein?

Rumi Jafry, who has penned a number of films for David Dhawan, has now turned director. And the writer turned director has assembled an exciting star cast for his directorial debut, which will be produced by Afzal Khan [HUM KISISE KUM NAHIN].

Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan [Salman and Ajay have been teamed after HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM] in lead roles, the film is expected to roll in March next year. Will it be on the lines of a David Dhawan film? �Let's say, it'll be an entertainer with drama and romance aplenty,� Rumi divulges, adding that the film is neither a remake of a South film nor a rehashed version of a Hollywood flick. �It's an original idea absolutely,� he declares.

Rumi had been nursing the desire of getting into film direction for quite some time. �I could've taken the plunge two years ago, but I decided to wait and learn the ropes thoroughly,� he smiles.

The film, not titled yet, will star just one heroine. �One of the USPs of ANDAAZ and even MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI was the fresh casting. I may even settle for a new face if she pairs off well with the two heroes. I can't let go of their dates [the actors have given bulk dates from March 2005 onwards],� Rumi adds.

Let's hope Rumi scales dizzier heights in direction as well

David Dhawan is in a dilemma! The badshaah of non-stop entertainers is yet to find a suitable title for his in-the-making Salman-Sushmita-Katrina starrer. Though David has never had problems getting a fitting title for his films, he's in a quandary this time around.

�I am confused, I am not getting an appropriate title,� David tells me. What kind of a title is he looking for the film? �It has to be bizarre. Something that would evoke instant reactions from the viewers when they first hear it,� he elaborates.

After a pause, the prolific film-maker adds, �I am pondering over something like SORRY, MAIN SHAADI SHUDA HOON. Sounds different� But I am still hunting for that right title.� So, after MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, expect another 'Shaadi' in the title. This time, the guy is not proposing, but informing that's already married!

Flush with the success of MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, Sajid Nadiadwala is already planning his next venture. After having made a place amongst the most successful entrepreneurs in the industry, producing four hits in succession - JEET, JUDWAA, HAR DIL JO PYAAR KAREGA and MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI - Sajid is all set to embark on his new project.

Within the industry circles, Sajid has been the only producer who has been able to deliver hits consistently, besides the Chopras and Johars. A publicity-shy person, who lets his work speak for itself, Sajid has attained an enviable position due to sheer hard work and perseverance. Naturally, his new film is keenly anticipated by one and all.

In the recent past, if there was any other film that made so much noise [besides VEER-ZAARA], it was MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI. And now, the media is agog with the speculation about his next film.

The latest news doing the rounds is that the enterprising producer has signed a topnotch director to handle the reins of his next project. Rumour goes that he is in talks with the two mighty Khans - Shah Rukh and Salman - to essay the lead roles in his film. The duo might bury the hatchet and come together in Sajid's new film, there are whispers.

However, Sajid is tightlipped when we call to enquire. �Give me some time. You'll be the first to know,� he promises. We are waiting!

The producers of TERE NAAM and DIL NE JISE APNA KAHAA have teamed Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Rimi Sen in their new film.
Orion & Mad Productions' new venture [its not titled yet] will go on the floors on September 20 with a 35-day schedule in Romania. In this stint, major scenes will be filmed, including three songs. After this schedule, the film will be 45% complete. Music director Himesh Reshammiya has already recorded six songs.
Presented by Gautam Kumar, produced by Mukesh Talreja and Sunil Manchanda and directed by Priyadarshan, the film co-stars Om Puri.

Very few actors are prepared to face facts! Coming to terms with the fact that their film hasn't worked at the box-office could prove to be a thorny task for a majority of actors, especially since most of them are surrounded by the 'yes sir' types. Besides, if the film happens to be a home-production or is directed by their kin, facing failures could prove to be a frustrating experience.

Though it must've been tough for him to come to terms, Salman Khan has graciously accepted the fact that DIL NE JISE APNA KAHAA, directed by brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri and distributed in Mumbai by brother Sohail Khan [along with Bharat Shah], hasn't worked magic at the box-office.

Most actors do have the standard quote when they discuss the box-office performance of their movies: �Oh, it's been immensely appreciated.� Appreciated, may be, but where is the moolah?

At the PHIR MILENGE bash, Salman [there's a sea-change in his attitude these days; he's radiating extremely positive vibes!] admitted to this writer that the film hasn't worked. �I am feeling bad for Atul. He'd invested so much into this film. Do you think it'll affect him?� he asks me with child-like innocence.

My answer is a blunt yes, but I add that more than financially, it's emotionally going to pinch him. The Fridays in the industry are the most dreaded days and everyone associated with movies knows it too well by now.

Salman agrees that the film would've met with a better fate had it been released after a substantial gap. �It's not a bad film at all,� he defends, �Anyways, there's always the next time.� True, optimism rules!

Phir Milenge was not the last concern Salman showed towards AIDS. The Bollywood star along with the team of Phir Milenge is donating as much as Rs 1.5 crores for treatment of AIDS patients across the country. A major portion of the amount will be given to 'Ashray', an organization in Bandra that works for AIDS victims. Salman and his mother Salma have been visiting this institution for almost five years now.

Incidentally everyone from Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty to Abhishek Bachchan has reportedly not charged any fee for the movie Phir Milenge.

There's no denying that the Overseas territory is amongst the most fruitful territory today, provided a film works at the box-office. There has been many an instance of a film recovering more than half the investment or even more from this territory itself. That explains why every producer is targeting the film at the global audience today.

Sometime back, this writer broke the news of Subhash Ghai making KISNA in two versions. And now comes the news that Salman Khan's home-production LUCKY has also been made in two versions - Hindi and English.

Shot entirely in Russia, the producers of LUCKY [Sohail Khan Productions, Super Cassettes Industries Ltd.] have shot the film in two versions simultaneously - Hindi and English. However, the makers have yet to arrive at a decision whether or not to incorporate songs in the English version and also whether the length of the two versions would be the same or different.

Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru are the directors of LUCKY.

On July 13, exactly a month and a half ago, this writer broke the news of Nikhil Advani's new project. The talented director, who was responsible for one of the biggest hits in 2003 [KAL HO NAA HO], had turned independent and had approached Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan for his forthcoming project.

Nikhil had denied it then. But he confirms it now. �I have narrated the script to Salman and he has agreed to do the film. He has liked the concept of the film immensely. We're presently working on the dates,� Nikhil informs me.

A 2-hero, 2-heroine project, Nikhil had reportedly approached Saif for the other principal role. �If I had my way, I would never make a film without Saif,� Nikhil states, �Saif and I got along very well during the making of KAL HO NAA HO. And I would like Saif to be a part of every film that I make. But it's premature to talk about the second role since I haven't spoken to him yet.�

�By mid-October, I should be ready with the entire cast,� Nikhil adds. Till then, let's keep our fingers crossed!

But the news doesn't end here. Here's the big, big scoop�

There are rumours that Nikhil has decided to cast Aishwarya Rai in this project. Opposite Salman Khan. So far, Salman and Ash had been teamed in two movies - HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM and HUM TUMHARE HAIN SANAM [Ash made a special appearance in the film] - and both proved hits.

�Mujhe picture banani hain,� Nikhil jokes, but gets serious after a hearty laugh, �Are people really under the impression that Ash is a part of the project? Let me clarify, it's not true. I haven't even thought of casting the heroines simply because I don't have the dates of the two actors on my hand.�

As for the leading lady opposite Saif, is it Rani Mukerji? After all, the chemistry between Saif and Rani was electrifying in HUM TUM. �I would love to cast Rani in my film. But she's an extremely busy actress and there's a possibility that her dates won't match with the dates of the actors.�

A thriller, the film will be partly shot in London and partly in Mumbai.

Excerpt:
Salman Khan: (Torso)
The ubiquitous Salman torso was a staple ingredient in his films until Sallu decided to cover up for some serious acting.
How does he maintain it?
Salman cycles to wherever he is shooting in the mornings and works out in the evening for an hour and a half. He does weight training for his arms and legs and push-ups, pull-ups and free hands exercises.

Salman Khan has a heart of gold - isn't that well-known by now? That Salman is very much into charity is also no secret anymore. But here's something you didn't know and the actor wouldn't like to shout from rooftops about it.
Not many are aware that Salman hasn't charged a single penny yet to the producers of PHIR MILENGE. In fact, he has left it to the makers' discretion to decide upon the amount that he deserves for the film. Now something like this is unheard of in today's times.
But that's not the end of the story. The actor has decided that whatever money may be forthcoming from the makers of PHIR MILENGE will be quickly donated to a municipal school near the actor's residence in Bandra.
Salman was caught unaware when I called to confirm. �Yes, it's for a charitable cause,� Salman informs me. That's another benevolent side of the actor - doing charity, but keeping mum!

Wherever there is Salman Khan, there is always some gossip. But there is also a huge fan following. And it is not just the crowd who watch him on-screen and swear by him. A lot of those who believe that the �sun' rises and sets with Sallu bhai are members of his own family and his coterie of close friends. And look at his track record in that context � not only has he starred in every film that his brother Sohail has made, but he will also be a major part of his brother-in-law, Atul Agnihotri's first directorial project. We hear the actor is forever willing and ready to do films for his near and dear ones. And we are sure he will also star in future movies that anyone from his family will make! After all, dil jisse apna keh sakta hai, woh hai Salman! Right Atul?

Hungama maker Priyadarshan is moving away from comedy and into a romantic drama mode. His next project is inspired by the Milos Forman classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo�s Nest and will star the first time coupling of Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor. The Untitled drama will be shot in Spain from October.
Says Priyadarshan, �Unlike my other Hindi films, this one isn�t a remake.� But much like the Jack Nicholson character in One Flew�, Salman plays a mentally disturbed person in here. Priyadarshan has just completed Hulchul with Kareena. �She and Akshaye (Khanna) were a joy to work with. Though I had worked with others in the cast (Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal) those two were first-timers for me. Hulchul is a love story set amidst two warring familes � a mixture of my Viraasat and Hungama.� After the Salman-Kareena drama, Priyadarshan will go into another Hindi comedy called Garam Masala (Akshay Kumar). �That would be a remake of my 1985 Malayalam comedy Boeing Boeing featuring Mohanlal. It was inspired by the 1960s� Tony Curtis comedy Boeing Boeing about a man who keeps various airhostesses dangling in his life.�

One Flew Over the Cuckoo�s Nest
Actor James Caan was also originally offered the lead role of McMurphy, and Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman were considered as well. Eventually Jack Nicholson was chosen. The role of the sexually-repressed, domineering Nurse Ratched was turned down by five actresses - Anne Bancroft, Colleen Dewhurst, Geraldine Page, Ellen Burstyn, and Angela Lansbury.
The film surprised everyone by becoming enormously profitable - the seventh-highest-grossing film ever (at its time), bringing in almost $300 million worldwide in those days. It was also the first film then to take all the major awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress) since Frank Capra�s It Happened One Night (1934).

Heartthrob Salman Khan does an impromptu performance at "Kambhakt Piracy" an anti-piracy initiative taken by the Cinema Peoples Academy to bring about an awareness of the losses to the film industry due to piracy in Mumbai on Saturday night

STAR STRUCK

Rumor mills are going into overdrive about Salman Khan's participation in one of the most awaited film of the year - Fida. According to one section, Salmanbhai is the trump card for the film that already boasts of aces like Kareena Kapoor, Fardeen Khan and Shahid Kapoor. The buzz is that it is Salman Khan who plays the bad guy and so the tag line of the film - Not all love stories have perfect endings. But another section of the industry insists that Salman Khan is not a part of the film. They insist that the whole rumor started when Salman Khan joked about it to a journalist, who took it too seriously. Well, we now have one more reason to check out the film on the coming Friday. After all, we need to know which version is true, right?!

Dress designer Vikram Phadnis is going to direct a film. He is giving finishing touches to his story. He reveals, "My film will have one hero and two heroines. But both heroines will have great roles. That's because there are two love stories in it. I know a lot of
people think I will be casting Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, especially since Salman is a mentor and father figure to me and I design his clothes. But I will be able to decide only once I have completed the story and have spoken to the actors and actresses concern. I am sure Salman will look at the role positively."

With Salman Khan going through a great phase, what with GARV [doing fantastic at smaller centres] and MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI [hit] proving profitable ventures, Salman has set his sights on the next two releases - PHIR MILENGE and DIL NE JISE APNA KAHAA. �Both are exceptional films,� Salman confides.
He's currently shooting for David Dhawan's new project, which co-stars Sushmita Sen and Katrina Kaif. �I am glad MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI has clicked. And I am glad that the second weekend is equally strong,� he sounds visibly pleased.
If PHIR MILENGE is directed by his co-star of LOVE, Revathy, DIL NE JISE APNA KAHAA has been directed by Salman's real-life jeeja Atul Agnihotri. �Atul is an extremely capable director. He knows his job well. I have a gut feeling that DIL NE JISE APNA KAHAA will prove to be a very big hit,� the actor flashes his by-now-famous smile.
Incidentally, it's the second time Salman has been teamed with his TERE NAAM co-star Bhumika Chawla. Will the duo recreate magic yet again, we'll know after September 10.

When it comes to his close friends (and he's very choosy about those), Salman Khan is a man who can lay down his life for them. After the recent tragedy that claimed actor Monish Behl's father in a fire, the one friend who was with him throughout was Salman. It was the same night that Salman's sister, Arpita was celebrating her 16th birthday with the entire Khan clan at a South Mumbai night-spot. But when Salman got the news of the fire on his cell phone, he immediately wrapped up the celebration; and five cars full of the Khan family headed straight for Behl's Colaba residence at 2 am, while the fire was still raging. And they stayed there consoling Mohnish, Ekta and family till the wee hours, showing that friendship rates above celebration in their books. That's what they call true dosti

Not only is Salman Khan a health freak, he also loves to initiate people who aren't as health-conscious as himself into workouts and other physical activities.  During the first schedule of Boney Kapoor's No Entry last year, Salman forced co-star Anil Kapoor to work out at the gymnasium every day and even accompanied him to the gym every day. Now, Salman is �training' Boney Kapoor's son, Arjun.
He ensures that Arjun, who is presently looking after the production of his dad's multi-starrer, frequents the gym with him, goes cycling with him and generally takes care of his physique. A roly-poly Arjun can't conceal his excitement when you ask him about the secret behind his weight loss. �Salman Khan,� comes the immediate reply. With Arjun having lost eight kilos in three months, Boney Kapoor might be next in line.

Salman and Sohail Khan were the first of Mohnish's friends to arrive at Colaba.
The moment Salman heard of the fire at his friend's flat he rushed over from his residence in Bandra. A close friend of Salman, who was with him, adds, �Salman has always been very fond of Mohnish right from his modelling days.
After reaching Sagar Sangeet, Salman met Monia (his nickname for Mohnish) and they both decided to go look for Mohnish's dad who was still trapped inside the flat.�
But the firemen did not allow Salman and Mohnish to go beyond the 12th floor as soot and water was pouring down.
Salman refuses to discuss the incident. All he says is, �I wanted to be beside my friend (Mohnish) at his time of need. That's all.�

Get ready for this week's scoop! Kajol -- who is 30 today -- will not make a comeback in Ravi Chopra's next film, even as the film industry buzzes with such speculation. While Chopra did approach the talented actress for a pivotal role in Babul , the deal fell through. "Kajol has not made up her mind about when she wants to come back [to films]," explains Chopra.
Kajol's loss is her cousin Rani Mukerji's gain! Preity Zinta had also been approached for the role. Chopra, who directed the hit Baghban last year, repeats Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Salman Khan in his next film.
Babul tells the tale of a man (Bachchan) who tries to bring happiness back into his daughter-in-law (Mukerji)'s life after his son (Salman)'s death. Salman does not have a guest appearance in the film, like he did in Baghban.
The film includes another actor, who has not been cast yet. Chopra is discussing the role with Akshay Kumar. If he signs on, Akshay will play the man whom Bachchan's character hopes his daughter-in-law will remarry. Babul, which means the father of the bride, will go on the floors in September. It will be shot in Delhi and Mumbai. "We will also shoot in either London or Russia," says Chopra. The film is expected to be completed by May and will release next July.

Is Salman Khan the main villain in FIDA? Thanks to a statement the star made in one of his recent interviews, the speculation has gathered momentum that the Khan, whose identity is concealed in the film's promotions, is enacting the main negative role in FIDA.

Is it true? �I am not saying anything,� FIDA director Ken Ghosh smiles as I broach the topic, �We've been maintaining in our promos that the love story is being written by someone else. Now, who this person is will be unveiled only on August 20, when the film releases worldwide. So, wait until then.�

FIDA producer Ramesh Taurani was also caught unaware when this writer called him next. �No comments,� he smiled, �At this stage, I wouldn't like to comment on this issue.� Sources close to Salman also appeared non-committal.
Meanwhile, the music as well as the eye-catching promos of FIDA have caught on in a very big way and from the looks of it, the film should take an electrifying start when it opens.

There's still a lot of confusion about when the Salman Khan starrer �Marigold' will actually go on the floors, but already there's news that the macho actor could soon be signing another international project � an Indo-American film this time. Apparently, the makers plan to sign Indian, American and Afghani actors for the film. Besides Salman, another actor who will probably be pulled into the project is Arshad �Circuit' Warsi. Rumour has it that the bilingual (English and Hindi) is to be shot entirely in Afghanistan and will be made by Kabir Khan. Arshad says, �It's a very different film with more conversations than action. It's about some journalists who land up in Afghanistan to cover a story. We're still at the concept stage and nothing has been finalized. I don't even know who the American actor is, but Salman might be signed on,� he told us when we asked about the project. If it does come through, it will be one more international feather in Salman's cap! Not to forget our Circuit bhai!

Big B and Salman Khan will come together for the third in a film to be directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Called To Sirji With Love, the film will have Amitabh Bachchan playing a college professor. The film's lead actress is yet to be decided. Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan will also come together for Ravi Chopra's Babul that reportedly will have Kajol playing the role of a daughter-in-law.

Just yesterday we informed you about Salman Khan's real life heroic act wherein he helped out three brothers who crashed into an accident just near his building in the wee hours of Thursday morning. And though unfortunately one of the three boys lost his life in the ill-fated accident, their family members have expressed gratitude towards Salman for his timely help that saved the lives of the other two.
Salman smashed the window of the car to rescue the boys and carried one of the injured boys on his shoulders. He also paid the deposit at Lilavati hospital to get the boys admitted.

Salman Khan is having the time of his life as far as his career is concerned. After �Garv' has opened to packed advance booking, and with a series of big releases lined up, the Khan is going for the kill. And guess what? After his current assignments in Bollywood are complete, it's finally going to be destination Hollywood for the star with the much delayed �Marigold'. Like he told us, After I finish shooting for my brother Sohail Khan's film, I will be occupied with 'Marigold'. The film will be shot non-stop in locations in the US, Rajasthan, Goa and Mumbai." That's a rock star, our Sallu.

Not much was heard or said about Kajol making a comeback to the silverscreen. All we heard was that the talented actress was busy with motherhood. But Kajol may just be ready to return to the world of glitterati and set the theatre screens asizzle all over again. The lady is being considered to play the lead role in the Ravi Chopra (of 'Baghban' fame)-directed film called 'Babul'. "Nothing is confirmed as yet. But yes, we are considering several actresses and Kajol is one of them. It'll be a week, before we know who is going to play Amitabh's daughter-in-law in 'Babul'," says director Ravi Chopra. The only cast finalised as of now is the 'Baghban' family - Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Salman Khan. Will Kajol fit into Babul's bagh and make a comeback to the silerscreen? We'll just have to wait and watch.

Producers of last year hit 'Tere Naam', Sunil Manchanda, Mukesh Talreja and Gautam Kumar seems to have developed a special attachment with Salman Khan. With 'Tere Naam' hitting the bull's eye last year, they repeated Salman Khan for their next, 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha' along with Preity Zinta and Bhoomika Chawla. With DNJAK nearing completion and being readied for an early release, the trio has signed Salman Khan again for third time. Their third film with Sallu will be a comedy one and Priyadarshan will direct it.

The man, who has been favourite whip boy of media and who has gone through lot of trauma in his life. To say, he has been most controversial actor in history of bollywood.
Salman Khan at the age of thirty-eight is considered most sexy actor in bollywood. In recent poll survey by Sify, 38% of people had voted him as most sexy male in Bollywood. John Abraham was far second with only 19% vote. Nobody will disagree, this man has great charisma and is superstar in his own right.
A year back, Salman was going through worst phase of his life. His films were not doing well in Box Office. His famous love story with beauty queen Aishwariya Rai ended in sad note and his problem with Vivek oberai over the phone. There was one accident in which he was involved, where one person died. Media shut him down and there was criticism from every corner and some even declared his career is over in bollywood.
There came 'Tere Naam', one of most memorable performance from him turned into big hit. His acting was appreciated in the film as violent lover. He was nominated as best actor in all the award ceremonies. To his bad luck, Hrithik roshan came with a performance of his life in 'Koi Mil Gaya' and won the best actor award everywhere. Later in the year, another film of him 'Baghbaan' with Amitabh Bachan and Hema Malini was also hit. This proved his fans are still with him and his popularity has not diminished. He as done mistakes in life but everybody does some mistake but one has to learn from it.
Recently Salman khan has been improving his relations with media. And there is also calmness in his personal life with famous supermodel Katrina Kaif nurturing his heart.
Next month his movie 'Garv - Pride and Honour' is releasing. Salman is playing a tough cop in this action entertainer. In the past, he has shown his versatility as Actor. Be it his romantic roles in 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hai Koun', 'Sanam Bewafa', ' Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' & 'Tere Naam'. He has also flair for comedy and shown his excellent comedy timing in 'Andaz Apna Apna', 'Judwaa', 'Pyar Kiya Tho Darna Kiya', 'Hello Brother', 'Chal Mere Bhai' etc. Salman has also played action roles in 'Karan Arjun', 'Bandhan', 'Tumko Naa Bhool Payenge' etc. Salman Khan has done all genres of films and all kid of roles. Just remember his mature character in 'Chori Chori chupke Chupke' or Shy character in 'Hum Saath Saath hain' or sensitive character in 'Khamoshi' or violent character I 'Tere Naam'. Salman khan has also been most famous playboy onscreen. ; Be it his 'Saajan', 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai' and 'Janam Samjha Karo'. People and Media have never looked beyond his looks, Body and personal life, otherwise there are only few actors in bollywood, who have shown versatility like him and also been successful in that. Media needs to change its view on him.
Presently he has some promising films like 'Mujhse Shaadi Karoge', 'Phir Milenge', 'Marigold', 'Lucky', 'Ateet', 'No Entry', 'My Punjabi Nikaah', 'Bajirao Mastani' etc. Now you will be seeing salman khan playing different kind of character roles suiting his age. This is new innings of his career. His first innings of his career had lot of up and downs but he still managed to be in top. With Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan ruled the bollywood in nineties and was Superstar in his own right.

The Bombay High Court has issued an order directing a special court to consider the claim of Bollywood hunk Salman Khan for recovery of dues worth Rs 25 lakh from the film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke .
Last month, Khan had filed a petition in the HC suing film producer Nazim Hassan Khan, court receiver Santosh Singh Jain and the state for non-payment of dues for the said film. The film starring Priety Zinta, Rani Mukherjee was attached by a special court which had tried the case of an alleged nexus between tinsel-town stars and underworld bigwigs. The film was released through the court receiver Santosh Singh Jain in the month of June 2001.
Khan's counsel Majid Memon told media persons that as per the film agreement contract Khan was signed for Rs 1.50 crore. "They have paid Khan Rs 1.25 crore in the form of cheques. But payment of remaining Rs 25 lakh was promised after the release of the film through the court receiver. However, till date Khan has not been paid," Memon said.
Justice D G Deshpande directed designated judge A P Bhangale to consider Khan's claim. Khan told the court that despite several reminders the court receiver had not paid him his due. However, the Singh said that Khan never responded when he had invited claims. "And now when the accounts had been settled, the actor was asking for his claim."

Ever since the Indian immigration and visa authorities decided to get tough with all �foreign' personalities and units coming and working here without work permits, even our own desi stars returning home break into a sweat when they stand in line for the immigration stamp. For instance, the unit of Boney Kapoor's �No Entry', while coming home after a shooting stint in Bangkok, were joking whether they would get �entry' back into their own country. However, in spite of the jokes, one noticed beads of sweaty consternation on the foreheads of Fardeen, Salman, Lara, Anil and Co. as they were grilled by the men in white. Maybe it was just the title of the film that lent fears of rejection to the cast. Thank God they weren't shooting for a film called �Murder'!

If you are seeing too much of Shilpa Shetty and Salman Khan in recent times (they have two films together: Phir Milenge and Garv) then blame it on the close rapport the twosome share off-screen.
And before gossipmongers can start imagining things that aren't there, Salman has been Shilpa's closest friend over the years and the two have stuck to each other through thick and thin. Katrina Kaif needn't worry though, these two are really friends. No pun intended.

Work and fun went side by side when Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar got together to do some onscreen comedy for David Dhawan's Mujhse Shaadi Karogi . The film, starring Priyanka Chopra as heroine, is the story of two guys in love with the same girl.
The two characters played by Salman and Akshay are shown as comical guys who are always trying to outshine each other, using every possible trick to win the girl's love. But comedy did not stop for Salman and Akshay even when the camera was not rolling.
Recalling his experience of working with Akshay, Salman says: �Man� we freaked out together. He (Akshay) is a fine man and does have a good sense of humor. His jokes and my wacky humor entertained many on the sets.�
And caught between their humor was actress Priyanka Chopra, who could not really get to the meaning of some of their �double meaning' jokes.

So it has taken brother Sohail Khan to get Salman and girlfriend Katrina Kaif together. No, the younger Khan has not succeeded in convincing his elder brother about the advantages of marriage. It's just that Sohail Khan is producing a film in partnership with Raj Mehta (producer Agnipankh and Fun2shh), starring Salman and his lady love. Sushmita Sen, who sizzled with Shah Rukh in Main Hoon Na, has moved on to another Khan as she too is paired opposite sexy Salman in the film co-starring Arshad Warsi and Rajpal Yadav. Salman and Sush had come together in David Dhawan's Biwi No. 1 but no filmmaker thought of repeating the team. It is David Dhawan himself who has decided to repeat their magic on the screen. Yes, the Sohail Khan - Raj Mehta film is being directed by comedy king David.

The actor has been seen playing out roles of a sweet lover in most of his films. And this inspite of his phenomenal physique. But when we asked him whether he preferred romance to action he said, �Of course! Action is too tedious and my legs are so short that they don't reach very high. I'd prefer spending time with a girl, than beating up boys any day.� The lad who has been branded for his roguish behavior off-screen is probably not as much a demon as he's made out to be. Either that or his softer side seems to be coming to the fore with time. But still, no one looks as convincing as an angry Sallu on-screen. Ask the makers of �Garv' that. They're smiling loads already. But then so are the gals � huh?

Trust Salman Khan to get another mane makeover even before you can get over his last one.
In Mujhse Shaadi Karogi , Salman's hair flops on his forehead. A style created by Hakim Alim, Khan will flaunt it again in Lucky In Love , directed by Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao. Khan admits that he doesn't mind �experimenting with my looks if the character demands it. For a flamboyant life-guard's role in Mujhse Shaadi ... there has to be a flashy hairstyle.� In Garv , he flaunts the khakee  outfit and a regular haircut. �A police officer with a demanding job has no time to look flashy and cool,� adds Salman.
The first time Salman got a drastic makeover was when he shaved his head for Satish Kaushik's Tere Naam . �It would have looked silly to have worn a wig.
Since I no longer do more than one film at a time, I can experiment a lot.�
Salman, who's just completed a stint of Lucky In Love insists that the only thing that excites him these days are good roles. �Initially I did roles for money or visibility. Now only quality matter to me.� And yes, the made in India Hollywood flick Marigold will see a different Salman with a new look. If only looks could also change the way the industry perceives him. 

Their friendship is one of those rarities in Bollywood. TOUGH LOVE that stands the test of time....In fact, sometimes the bonding between Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan has a strong guru-shishya flavor. Both have had run-ins with the law, both have had their dirty linen washed in public, both have a weakness for strong wine and beautiful women.
Now the unthinkable has happened. Sanjay Dutt has stopped drinking and much to the delight of the lovely Katrina, his shishya Salman Khan has followed suit.

Salman Khan and his girlfriend Katrina Kaif are coming together for the first time on screen.
The film will be produced by Sohail Khan Productions, directed by David Dhawan and will also star Sushmita Sen.
Sohail Khan confirms the star cast. �We have spoken to Sush and bhai (Salman) said we could take Katrina, ghar ki baat hai. We need a second hero and though bhai and David want me to play the character I am not sure. It's a good role. At the moment I am just producing the film,� he smiles.
The USP of the film is that this �romantic comedy is not a love triangle but a quadrangle,� says Sohail. Was the story written by Salman? �No, the story has been inspired by David (Dhawan) himself, who had the idea with him for some time, and scripted by Rumi Jaffrey. In fact, David's son Rohit, who is studying filmmaking at the NYU, sat down on the script and helped us a lot.�
Sohail is quite amused at the rumors circulating about his financial problems. The reason apparently Salman agreed to do the film. �I have heard them too and initially I was a little irritated but then I had a good laugh. I am richer than bhai since I am a producer,� he grins. �I don't have any financial problems. It is because I have got the money to produce another film that I am doing so.�
His next directorial venture, My Punjabi Nikaah, starring Kareena and Salman will go on floor from December 15 this year.
David Dhawan adds, �It's a love story with lots of entertainment in it.�
Arshad Warsi is also part of the cast. Will he play another tapori character like Circuit?
�No, not at all,� laughs Dhawan. �You can't have him playing the same character in all his films.� His next film Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, starring Salman-Akshay-Priyanka is complete and ready for release.
Sohail's as-yet-untitled film will go on floor on June 27 and will be a quickie shot over a month. �We have 35 days to wrap up bhai's talkie portions after which he goes to shoot for Marigold,� adds Sohail.

Sohail Khan's recent releases as a producer has put him in a financial fix and big brother Salman Khan has decided to bail him out. Salman called David Dhawan and narrated an idea to him for a quickie film, with himself in the lead. The film will be wrapped in 45 days flat. The film will have Salman Khan along with Sushmita Sen and Katrina Kaif and will be launched by the end of this month .

Salman Khan it seems has found a new lucky mascot, in the form of music director Himesh Reshammiya. After the super success of 'Tere Naam', whose songs are still a craze amongst listeners and audio still selling at outlets, Himesh has added another feather to his cap. He recently recorded two songs for 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha', which is being made by the same producers of 'Tere Naam'. Here Himesh will share the credits with none other than A.R. Rahman, who has composed the remaining songs. The film stars Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Bhoomika Chawla, and is being directed by Atul Agnihotri who didn't have a successful stint as an actor. Surely the winning combo of Himesh and Salman will once again be ready to work wonders at the box-office.

He is the son of the legendary writer Salim Khan , who alongwith Javed Akhtar penned many superhits in the yesteryears like Sholay , Deewar , Don and many more.
And now Salman Khan is reported to have picked up the pen to write a script for a film that will be produced by his brother Sohail Khan .
Not only that, Salman has also roped in David Dhawan to direct the venture, in which he himself will play the lead role.
Salman plans to complete the entire shooting of the film in 45 days flat and is looking for a heroine for the female lead role.
Sohail, who won't be picking up the megaphone for this venture, has previously directed Salman in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Hello Brother .
Yeh Hai Jalwa was the last film Salman acted in which was directed by David.
Salman and David have teamed up again Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, which will be released in July.

Salman Khan has also decided to concentrate on one project at a time. While GARV, MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI and PHIR MILENGE are slated for release in July, his home-production LUCKY is being shot in a marathon spell in Russia and should hit the screens before the year-end. There's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri's DIL NE JISE APNA KAHA, which is also heading towards the completion post as well as Boney Kapoor's NO ENTRY. As for the new lot, the actor has agreed to work with Priyadarshan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali [BAJIRAO MASTANI].

The premier production house, which produced three hits with this top ranking actor, had signed the same actor for their forthcoming film, which was to be directed by the trendsetting director [also the production house's inhouse director]. But the grapevine is abuzz that the project has been dropped.

Reportedly, the production house and their in-house director have decided to start a film with newcomers instead. There's been no fallout with the actor, nor has there been any difference of opinion. It's just that the trendsetting director has decided to start a film with freshers. Watch this space for further developments!

According to reliable sources the top ranked actor is none other than Salman Khan, the production house is Rajshri Productions and the trendsetting director is Sooraj Barjatya.

After many conflicting stories of �would he, wouldn't he', Salman Khan's English 'Marigold' is finally set to bloom. After a delay, it now seems that everything has fallen into place and the film is finally set to roll later this month in London. Salman Khan, who's just completed a schedule in Russia, will be going to London to shoot for the project. Besides Salman, the makers of 'Marigold' have roped in actress Ali Larter for the title role. She will start shooting once she wraps up the shooting of her current film, 'A Lot Like Love', with Demi Moore's darling, Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. Now that's what we call going truly global. May all of this baghbaan's flowers bloom like this always.

The Khan family is a close knit one. Poke at one brother and the others get ready to club you. And it's the same when any one of them gets into trouble. So when Sohail Khan apparently wanted a little help with his next production, brother Salman Khan obliged and is allegedly all set to put pen to paper while ideating for a project for the first time. Not only that, he is even starring in it (but naturally). Also, we hear the actor recently roped in David Dhawan to direct the film and plans to complete the entire shooting in 45-days flat. Now that's what we call brotherly love!

We now have three Salman Khan starrers scheduled for release in July. While GARV is slated for release on July 9 and MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI is confirmed for July 30, there's a strong possibility that PHIR MILENGE will also make it in July.
There seems to be a glut of top actors' films in the coming weeks. Will the cinegoers rejoice at the prospect of watching so many films of their fav actors in such a short span, only time will tell!

Sunil Paudwal is the current in-demand painter among Bollywood biggies. We hear Shah Rukh Khan hired him to do a huge painting for his drawing room. The canvas is an amalgamation of verses from the Koran and some Hindu shlokas, representing the Khan household's secular spirit.
We also hear that Salman Khan asked Sunil to paint him a portrait of his beloved dog, My Jaan, for his living room. For those who don't know, Salman's dogs are his first passion.

Salman co-starred with actress-turned-director Revathy quite a few years ago, and now he's being directed by the pretty lady in her forthcoming Hindi film on AIDS. �Yes, I did work with her earlier, but just forget all that� It's true I learnt a lot from Revathy. She has always been good at the South Indian style of dancing � I call it the masala dosa kind of dancing,� remarked Salman mischievously, when questioned about the experience. �Revathy's the equivalent of a Sooraj Barjatya or a Sanjay Leela Bhansali down south,� he insisted. Going by a sneak peak of the promos of the film, must say, the praise seems to be well deserved!

It promises to be a casting coup, as the original 'He Man' has definite plans of producing one film with Salman Khan and another with all three Deols.
It may be recalled that Dharmendra has already starred in Salman Khan's home production 'Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya' and their on-screen chemistry was electric.

While Akshay-Salman�s hot summer release �Mujhse Shaadi Karogi� ,will release in July , it seems like the two will once again be seen along with megastar Amitabh Bachchan , in Ravi Chopra�s �Babul� .
According to the director of last year�s superhit �Baghan� Ravi Chopra , the movie will have an emotional theme but will not be similar to �Baghban�. �Babul� will go on the floors in October and is expected to release , early next year .

Salman Khan is busy shooting in Russia for bro Sohail's home production �Lucky'. But we find that director Revathy (of �Mitr' fame) is one lucky lady, too. The actor actually flew down from Russia especially for the music launch of her film �Phir Milenge', co-starring Abhishek Bachchan and the sexy Shilpa Shetty. Salman graced the occasion for a few minutes, spoke about his role in the film � that of an Aids patient � and caught the next flight back to Russia . �Anything for Revathy,� is what he says. Well, he sure is a true mitr � when he wants to be.

A two-hour long wait was what it took to meet the cast and crew of Phir Milenge. And while the launch of the film's music (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Bhavatha Raja) was the occasion, the headlining act was Salman Khan.
Thank god for him, awakening us from the stupor compare Suchitra Pillai had lulled us into with her tedious questions.
A stretch here, a kick in the air there, no ripping of the tight brown pants and quips about the film had even his co-stars Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty in hysterics. While Salman lamented that he may no longer be able to pull off actions scenes, love he could handle.
For his part Abhishek lamented his one and only black and white lawyer costume. And the media lamented that they didn't get a chance to interact with the actors or to ask director Revathy (Mitr) if her film is indeed a remake, albeit with a female protagonist, of Philadelphia.

Film actor Salman Khan on Wednesday filed a petition in the Bombay High Court urging for a direction to the court receiver to pay him dues of Rs 25 lakh from the proceeds of Hindi film, 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'.
The film was attached by a Special Court which had tried the case of alleged nexus of Bollywood and the underworld.
Salman came to the court personally for filing the petition. He was accompanied by lawyer Majid Memon and Pervez Memon.
The petition will come up for hearing in the first week of June when the court reopens after summer vacation.
Salman's father, Salim Khan, had filed a petition using power of attorney given by the actor. However, the court insisted Salman to appear in person as in criminal proceedings power of attorney is not applicable.
Salman pleaded that he had agreed to act in the main lead role for Rs 1.75 crore of which he was paid Rs 1.5 crore. The balance was outstanding, he said.
The actor said the problem started long ago when he had asked court receiver to pay him outstanding dues of Rs 25 lakh from the proceeds of the film.
However, the court receiver told him that he had delayed in staking his claim. When he (court receiver) had put up notice inviting claims, Salman did not respond, but when the accounts had been settled, the actor was asking for his claim, the court receiver told Salman Khan.
The court receiver had then asked Salman to approach the Special Court for recovery of dues. Accordingly, Salman urged designated judge, A P Bhangale, who asked him to wait till the trial was over.
However, after the trial, the actor was not paid his dues and the matter went to the High Court in appeal filed by the State as well as the accused.
Therefore, Salman had no choice but to move the High Court for recovery of Rs 25 lakh.
The Special Court had attached film 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke' and appointed court receiver, Santosh Jain, to release the film and deposit its sale proceeds in government treasury until the trial was over.
Film financier Bharat Shah, producer Naseem Rizvi and his assistant Abdul Rahim Allahbaksh, who were instrumental in making the film, were accused in the case.
The prosecution alleged that the film was made by Shah and Rizvi at the behest of Pakistan-based gangster, Chhota Shakeel.
Rizvi and Abdul Rahim were convicted by the court. Even Shah was sentenced a year's prison term, but he was let off as he had already spent the period in jail during the trial.

Salman Khan's career was on a roll in 2003.
His emotionally charged performance in Tere Naam translated into good reviews and a good run at the box office.
Even the Amitabh Bachchan-Hema Malini family drama, Baghban , where he had a guest appearance, turned out to be a hit.
Now he is back with Garv - Pride and Honour . Directed by debutant Puneet Issar, the cop drama also features Shilpa Shetty, Arbaaz Khan and Amrish Puri.
After Khakee and Ab Tak Chhappan , Garv , too, revolves around the workings of a police department.
This is not the first time Khan's sporting khaki . He played a young police officer in Anant Balani's Patthar Ke Phool . Shilpa Shetty, who has been keeping a low profile, is back in action with Garv . The promos show the actress shake a leg and show skin in the racy track Dum mast mast . Garv - Pride and Honour is tentatively scheduled for a June 25 release.

There is a fascination for changing hairstyles in Bollywood. All this stems from the fact that everyone wants a differentiator for actors playing their role as opposed to the actor playing their image. With every next movie, one can see Bollywood stars constantly taking risks by changing hairstyles. Hair's a peek-a-boo into their reely cool life!

KHAN YOU BEAT HIM!
People loved the movie. They were all praise for the Khan. Whether he was the confused vagabond or the helpless lunatic, the theatres went housefull. But it was the hunk's hairdo that was the real crowd- puller. Believe it or not, several fans, donning Salman's Tere Naam hairstyle, went for the first show of the movie.
On the success of the movie he said, "I experimented with my hairstyle in Tere Naam and much to my own surprise, it has become a craze among youngsters."
So elated was Sallu with the success of his startling new look in Tere Naam , that he has decided to sport a different coiffure for each of his forthcoming films.
Salman's next venture, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi , again features him the actor with a beach boy kind of look and is contemplating another hairstyle for his forthcoming film, Lucky . He feels that an actor should always experiment with his looks in keeping with the character.

For all those guys who are wondering where Salman has been of late, here�s news from Russia . For that�s where he�s been the past few months, shooting for his home production �Lucky�. He will be back in town by month�s end to gear up for four mega releases. Starting with �Garv�, he will follow it up with Sajid  Nadiadwala �s laugh riot, �Mujhse Shaadi Karoge�, followed by Boney Kapoor�s comedy flick �No Entry�. And coming back to his long stay in the cold climes of Russia , we wonder how he will cope with Mumbai heat. But then as Sallu supporters would say, a Sallu is garam anywhere! Now you know how he gets �lucky� each time?

The first Dubai Indian Film Awards (DIFA) will be held there on January 20, 2005. The DIFA awards will be open to all Hindi films released between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004. The show will be hosted by Johnny Lever and Paresh Rawal. Some of the slated performers on the night will be Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji. The show is being managed by Global Events, with Popcorn Entertainment and Foursome Production involved in the scripting, coordination and direction of the event.

After BANDHAN and KAHIN PYAAR NA HO JAAYE, Salman Khan and Jackie Shroff have been teamed yet again in Priyadarshan's next venture, to be produced by Sunil Manchanda. Like all Priyadarshan films, this will be a light comedy with strong social comment and will be completed within two months' time.

�We are planning to complete the film in one schedule. But the shooting will take some time to happen, as we need to finalize the heroines opposite Salman and Jackie,� says Manchanda. Hopefully, the film should roll in October.

Just when you thought that Sohail Khan was busy pursuing his career as an actor [while MAINE DIL TUJHKO DIYA, I - PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN and KRISHNA COTTAGE have released, LAKEER is due for release shortly and ARYAN and TEAM are in under-production stages!], Sohail has done a somersault yet again.
Come October and you'll see the director [AUZAAR, PYAAR KIYA TO DARNA KYA, HELLO BROTHER, MAINE DIL TUJHKO DIYA] turned actor turned producer [for I - PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN and LUCKY, Sohail handed the directorial reins to outsiders!] directing a film once again.
Currently in Russia [LUCKY is being shot there], Sohail has decided to wield the megaphone of his next venture. The film, titled MY PUNJABI NIKAAH, will star big brother Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor essaying the main leads [did Sohail opt for a different title like MY PUNJABI NIKAAH after the Hollywood blockbuster MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING?].
Though Sohail revealed the gist of the story to this writer, it would be unfair to reveal it at this juncture - even before the film has taken off. But we'd like to reveal in brief the character sketches of the protagonists: Salman is the son of a Nawab in the film, while Kareena plays the daughter of a judge.
�It's a love story with plenty of light moments,� Sohail reveals, �I was hooked on to the script the moment I heard it.� That explains why Sohail didn't want to let go of the opportunity of directing the film.
So what happens to KISAAN, the project he was to start with Salman, to be directed by Puneet Sira? �That's on hold for the time being. We'll start the film next year,� he enlightens.
Meanwhile, the controversy pertaining to Jeetendra's remarks in a section of the press [vis-�-vis Sohail's attitude during the making of KRISHNA COTTAGE] has been put to rest. �Jeetu-ji called me the very next morning after the article appeared to clarify his stand, stating that perhaps the journalist misconstrued what he was trying to state� I trust him [Jeetendra] completely,� Sohail states.
Continuing in the same breath, Sohail states that the veteran also informed him that �I [Sohail] was like Tusshar� and the fact that it was he who suggested Sohail for the film �was proof enough of his confidence in my abilities.� Sohail adds that the controversy has ended from his side!

Beefcake Salman Khan may not have a wife to oversee interior design issues in his home, but in the absence of one spouse, he�s hired two women (celebrities in their own right) to decorate his apartment.
If you want to know how big his closet is or how many mirrors he has in his room, the ladies who know are Twinkle Khanna and Gurlein Manchanda.
Together they�re responsible for the �new look� Salman ghar. We can�t wait for a sneak-peek.

Priyadarshan is a stickler for one auspicious coconut broken before every shoot and that the first shot of the day goes well. �But at the end of it all, I know the moment I�m editing whether the film will be a hit or a flop. I can decide the fate of my film at the table and I�ve never been wrong,� he says. Considering his next is an ambitious adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo�s Nest with Salman Khan, we�re hoping his instincts hold.

Next time when Salman Khan rips off his shirt, you will notice that his perfect wash board abs is being adorned by a glinting naval 'ring'. The actor has recently got his naval pierced and is quite excited about it.
Salman doesn�t usually indulges himself in body accessories, but this time round when he went along with sisters Arpita and Alvira, who intended to get their naval pierced, he to on the spur of the moment decided to get his naval pierced.
Bollywood is seriously getting into the fad of body sculpting. Recently, Sanjay Dutt got his back tattooed in Goa and even his forearm showcases a classy dragon tattoo and now its Salman�s turn to make a new style statement.
Well good for them, at least now they have enough reasons to forget their shirts on the screen.

Believe it or not, while the Bachchans collect watches, beefy baba Salman Khan collects soap! Apparently his bathroom is like a soap museum, with colorful soaps and herbal blends aplenty to choose from.
It is no wonder then that we also hear the actor loves to bathe and spends ages in the bath. Guess he needs to scrub clean, considering his bare chest is on view for half the world most of the time!

Salman Khan deserves a pat on the back. The unpredictable Khan went out of his way to allot bulk dates for Revathi's new film, co-starring Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan.
Not only that Salman, who's never been particularly friendly with his Love co-star Revathi, was co-operation personified when the script was offered to him and he even went on to complete his schedule in just one month much to the delight of Revathy.
Salman has also found another friend in Akshay Kumar. The two reportedly struck great vibes during the shoot of Mujhse Shaadi Karoge in Mauritius

The Bandra court recently directed film maker K C Bokadia to pay by mid-May the loan amount he had borrowed from actor Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan for producing a Hindi film.
In a complaint filed before the court, Salim Khan had stated that he had advanced a loan of Rs 1.25 crore in 1999 to Bokadia and his firm, BMB productions, for the making of the film Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam.
In response to the complaint, Bokadia appeared before magistrate S Y Shishode on Friday and sought three months� time to pay off the loan. However, the court granted him 45 days� time and adjourned the matter to May 17.

For Zee TV, this has been a godsend. After a 26-year-old Indian failed to pay up after stunning spectators at the glitzy seventh Zee Cine Awards extravaganza here last month by successfully bidding nearly half a million dirham (about Rs 55 lakh) for a gold trophy from Bollywood star Salman Khan, another businessman came to the rescue of the channel.
Zee Television Network has now handed over the auctioned Zee Cine Awards Trophy to the Dubai-based businessman Anoop Singh who came forward to contribute 450,000 dirhams to St. Anthony's Home for the Aged, Mumbai, supported by Salman Khan. The total cheque amount is for 500,000 dirhams (Rs 60 lakh) as it also includes the 50,000 dirhams contributed by the channel.
The cheque was handed over earlier this month to the cine star at a function held in Dubai by Anoop Singh who received the trophy in the presence of Special Projects Manager - ZEE Network Yogesh Radhakrishnan.
The 500-mm high 100-mm wide trophy is designed by Australian Gold Mine's Citigold Corp, one of the sponsors of the awards function.
When the young Indian from a jeweler's family who had bid for the trophy auctioned by Salman Khan at the awards ceremony on February 26 later expressed his inability to pay, the channel announced that three other Indians based in Dubai had come forward with similar bids though no decision had been taken about them. In any case, the channel announced it was committed to paying an additional sum of 50,000 dirham in addition to the sum of 450,000 dirham bid by the youth. The auction had begun with an initial bid of 10,000 dirham.

Blame it on a hangover or just a not particularly talkative mood, but Gattu Kapoor tells us little about his revelry into the wee hours of Wednesday night at the Provogue Lounge.
Fortunately, we already know a fair bit of what went on at the midtown party place. For one, Gattu came with a power-packed and six-pack-heavy gang, headed by Sohail and Salman Khan. Also packing a wallop, but not with muscle, was Katrina Kaif.
Not surprisingly, the group attracted a lot of attention � and not just because of their celebrity quotient. Having a blast, Katrina got behind the bar, while �good friend� Salman got on it!
What is it about this lounge that encourages people to dance on the bar? We don't have the answer to that question, but we can tell you this � this Wednesday wildness was not one in a series of pre-wedding celebrations for Gattu, who hasn�t really planned his nuptials yet. Was there a reason for the outing then? �No, just,� comes a pat response.

After making two films with Salman Khan - SANAM BEWAFA and CHAAND KA TUKDAA - Saawan Kumar is all set to start his third film with the actor.
After making CHAAND KA TUKDAA [Salman, Sridevi], the veteran film-maker tried his hand at a number of films, including DIL PARDESI HO GAYAA, which was released a few months ago.
The director and actor team have decided to join hands yet again. �Salman has been gracious enough to agree to work in my new project,� Saawan tells me, �However, we've yet to work out the modalities, which includes the dates and the other formalities.�
Will it be a Muslim social, like Saawan and Salman's smash hit SANAM BEWAFA? �No, it's not,� Saawan is quick to clarify, �It's a present-day love story. It tells the story of a man who can go to extremes to win the love of his beloved.�
How did the idea originate? And was it Salman's suggestion to make a love story? �Well, the idea was God sent, you can say. It just occurred to me one fine morning. And now that I am discussing the genre of the film, I'd wish to add that it would be amongst the greatest love stories of all times,� Saawan sounds more than optimistic.
Who'd play Salman's beloved in the film? �That is to be finalized. I am not sure whether we'd cast a new face or an established actress. A decision will be arrived at after I discuss it with Salman,� Saawan divulges.
Here's hoping that the two recreate the magic of SANAM BEWAFA.

We all know about Salman Khan and his fixation for fitness. But if you thought the Sallu brat worked out for hours every day, you�re wrong. Apparently he does not follow any fixed exercise regime. Routine is hardly his kind of thing.
�Sometimes I work out for two hours and sometimes not at all for weeks,� he says. Whenever in Mumbai, he cycles to the sets with a car following him. And when he is shooting elsewhere in the country, he buys a cycle or borrows one.
Cycling, not walking, is his mantra for fitness, says this brawny star.

He may have been featured as the bad guy of the industry several times over. But many-a-common-man claims that this macho hunk has a heart made of pure gold. Never mind the bucks, Salman Khan is known for supporting good causes as well - be it charity to old age homes or helping the needy. And while many actors support the cause of AIDS, Salman has gone to the extent of playing the role of an AIDS patient in Revathy�s (of �Mitr� fame) next film, also starring Abhishek Bachchan and the sexy Shilpa Shetty. The Khan was heard to have said that if one can portray cancer patients and people suffering from several other diseases, why not AIDS? Guess this is what they mean when they say that action speaks louder than words.

On the sets of Black Salman Khan is a hot favorite. No, he's not in the film but has taken to frequently dropping in on the sets to meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali to discuss their soon-to-go-on-the-floors Bajirao Mastani. And those who've grown to know Salman better through these unplanned meetings can't stop talking about how sensitive a person he is. His enfant terrible image is a cloak for a more intense, philosophical side. At the same time Salman has the ability to smile away his problems and get out of any crisis. No wonder Sanjay, Amitabh, Rani, in fact, the whole Black unit adore him so.

A special Cathay Pacific flight flew in to Dubai a range of heavyduty film folk for the Zee Cine Awards on Wednesday night. Most noteworthy were Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif walking in arm in arm with a smile of contentment on their faces. Salman was even seen ordering Katrina, though not in a negative sense. He was just being overprotective! Lets hope this Khan settle down once and for all.

Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor are on cloud nine these days. The two have just returned from Dubai where they presented a stage show that had the locals asking for more. Salman, who came back to India from Mauritius where he was shooting for No Entry, and got just a day to rehearse for the Dubai show, danced to the tunes of his old films like Hello Brother and Yeh Hai Jalwa and then to the hit songs of Tere Naam so that he had the audience eating out of his palm. Kareena Kapoor�s gyrations saw the crowds going berserk.
Accompanying the duo were Tusshar Kapoor, Amrita Arora and Ishaa Koppikar, all of whom are smiling from ear to ear ever since they came back from the West Asian country where the Dubai shopping festival is on. Revealed Bunty Walia, who organized the show, �The grand finale was by the Pakistani band �Strings�.�

Sohail Khan tells you that if his star sibling Salman Khan called him right now, he�d stand up to receive his call. He attributes this to the respect he has for his elder brother. �We are a close knit family but we also give each other space,� he explains.
Staying fit is one of the Khan family�s passions. While Salman is an avid swimmer, Arbaaz is an ace diver. Sohail was a football player in school and even today the three brothers would hit a sports store before a designer store. �We are a family of fitness freaks. Even today, my father (Salim Khan) religiously goes for his 5-km walk every morning,� he says.

Salman Khan brightened a group of handicapped children from APEIM of Century day care center and Islamic day care center. The meeting was organized by Cader Hossenally, chairman of Anglo-Mauritian Disability Link.

Shamreen from Mauritius writes:
Yesterday we were invited to a function where Salman Khan had come to visit the handicapped children. We went there and he took photos with every child and with us too. Salman was caring and loving towards these handicapped children. It brought tears to our eyes. These children really like him. They are used to him by now coz every time he comes to Mauritius he always visits them.

�This is my last movie with Akshay Kumar. I am never ever going to work with him again� declared the perpetually short tempered Salman.
Don�t panic there are not going to be any bashing rounds and also it�s not because Akshay was philandering with Katrina or Ash but the reason is that Salman is scared that one more film with Akshay would definitely steal his peace.
Akshay Kumar use to wake up Salman, who use to sleep on the sets early in the morning as he uses to be the first to reach the sets. So our couch potato, Salman who love his sleep is afraid that one more film with Akshay will drive his peace away and would make him an early riser. Otherwise they are still best pals. Sssshhh the sleepypuss might hear us.

Ravi Chopra's much-talked-about MITTI, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, has been put on hold. �We wanted to shoot in Rajasthan. But it's not possible at this time of the year. Besides, Aamir Khan's film, based on the 1857 uprising [THE RISING], also looks at the same period. It doesn't make sense to start shooting MITTI now. We will delay it for some time at least,� he reveals.

Instead, Chopra is getting ready to make yet another family saga, post-BAGHBAN. Titled BABUL, the film will feature heavyweights like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Hema Malini. One more actor and actress are yet to be finalized. The scripting will be over by the end of January and the shooting will commence from February-end or early March. Chopra is hoping for a Diwali release.

�The story deals with the rehabilitation of a daughter-in-law by her father-in-law, after she becomes a widow. We are trying to put across the message that one should not expect a woman to die along with her husband,� he remarks. However, Chopra clarifies that the film will not be a social comment on the Sati system; it will be more contemporary in nature.

Chopra continues, �After Amit-ji, her role [the daughter-in-law] will be the most important in the film. Preity or Rani would be ideal for the role. I haven't approached them yet since I'm waiting for the script to get over,� he shares.

A thriller is also on the cards. Essentially a love triangle with two boys and one girl, it will be a small-budget experimental subject to be made within two months. The story, penned by Ram Govind, will be partly based in a jail.

While on I - PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN and Puneet Sira, the director is all set to start work on two more projects.

The first, titled KISAAN, has a rural theme. �It's a violent, hard-hitting film on the lines of BANDIT QUEEN,� Puneet informs. A film on dacoits, it will star Salman Khan, Sohail Khan and one more hero in stellar roles. Sohail Khan's production outfit, Sohail Khan Productions, will produce the film.

�The script of the film is very close to Salim uncle's [Salim Khan, father of Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail] heart,� Puneet adds.

The second film, Puneet says, will be a home-production, to be produced by Vikram Dhillon and Puneet jointly. It is tentatively titled HAATH.

Sajid Nadiadwala is flying down 150 dancers from London for a song picturisation for his forthcoming movie  Mujhse Shaadi Karogi which stars Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles.

The song picturisation will take place on sets erected by Sharmishta Roy on the beach lines of Mauritius. The movie is directed by David Dhawan is expected to be complete by March 2004 and will be released in June 2004.

BEGINNING OF YEAR 2004