I’m still the same, says Kangna

                                                                 Kangna Ranaut is shooting 24/7 these days. In between shooting for a song for her Sanjay Dutt’s maiden production Rascals, the actor says that she is enjoying the comic phase in her life. “No Problem just came, Rascals is looking great and I can assure everyone that Tanu Weds Manu is the most beautiful story you’ve seen on screen,” she says. "

kangnaRemind her that No Problem didn’t quite get the right response from critics and she says quickly, “The thing is that critics will have a problem with a film like No Problem. They should understand that films like these may not entertain them but the audience loves them. No Problem was planned similarly. I don’t mean that critics’ opinion doesn’t matter. What they say matters and they do pull crowds to theatres.”

The actor’s look and change in accent has been a topic of discussion lately. She seems to be impersonating Hollywood diva Marilyn Monroe these days with the 60s hairstyle and dark lips but Kangna is surprised at the question. “I don’t know why but a lot of people have been saying this to me these days. I am generally inspired by 60s actors like Audrey Hepburn, you know the dark eyes and all.” So it’s all International inspiration? “No, no. Look at me in my last film Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, I am heavily inspired by Mumtaz and Zeenat Aman. In my next film Tanu Weds Manu, I am a big wannabe Sridevi.”

As for her clearer accent, she says, “I have been working on it for a long time now.” The actor also dismisses buzz on fashion blogs that she has gone completely off desi designers. “It depends on the occasion. I wear both International labels and Indian designers,” she says adding that she styles herself. She also confirms the news that she was approached to be the Asia ambassador for Parish Hilton’s fashion brand. “They had approached me a few months back but they haven’t got back with details,” she says.

The actor who faced flak from actor Sonam Kapoor on chat show Koffee with Karan for her “English language skills” says that she cannot be rude to anyone ever even on the controversial chat show. “People may not have found me that entertaining because I didn’t criticise anyone on the show. I cannot make fun of people because being an artiste, I know that it’s not easy being in the place that we are.”

I wish Preity’s team well: Yuvraj Singh

                                                                         Yuvraj Singh has just stepped into his 30th year and admits he feels “old” even though he brought in his birthday with a cruise party that reportedly went on all night. “It was my birthday, I don’t have to give explanations. Why can’t people talk about my game instead of selling masala stories?” he grouses.

There have been plenty of speculations on that front too. “Yeah, I’ve been hit by injuries in the last one year and the media hasn’t been kind. First, they got me dropped from the team, then insisted that I be brought back,” he retorts. “I’m back in the One-Day side, and hoping to return to Tests too. We’re playing a lot of cricket, it’s difficult to perform in all three forms. Fortunately, our bench strength is good,” Singh says.

Yuvraj singhIPL Season 4 auction comes up in two weeks. And though Preity Zinta was at his birthday bash, it’s unlikely that he will don Kings XI Punjab’s colours again. “Preity is a friend. She’s a genuine person and I wish her team well. But the retention dates have passed, so now I’ll play for whichever team picks me up,” says Singh, who is now in the A-list at a bidding price of Rs 1.84 crore. “Right now, IPL is not on my mind, it’s the South Africa series and the 2011 World Cup.” IPL 3 drew criticism for the packed itinerary and after-parties that left the players too drained for the T20 World Cup. Singh says the only time they didn’t face criticism was when they won the 2007 World Cup. “I think IPL is a great concept, you get to play with players from different countries and improve your game,” he reasons.

Singh’s new manager, Kedhar Gawde, is a fashion choreographer who’s done shows for international brands like Armani. Is Singh planning to start a fashion line, do a TV reality show or walk the ramp, as he did for Salman Khan?

“Initially Kedhar, like many others, thought I was a brash boy and hated me. But he loves me now and is helping me build my brand. I like fashion, I’ve been a guest on TV shows and Salman is a friend whose Being Human charity is doing good work. But right now, the focus is cricket,” he asserts.

“No one has ever praised my singing, dancing or dialogue delivery. Jab tak balla chalti hai, thaat hai. Beech mein band ho gayi thi, ab chal rahi hai, hopefully, next year, thaat hogi. (As long as my bat talks, things are great. It had stopped in between, but has started again, so hopefully 2011 will be good)

Head-turner SRK steals Farah's thunder!

                                                              Just as you thought Shah Rukh Khan was going to apologise to Farah Khan for souring their relationship, the actor has gone ahead and stolen his ex-best friend's thunder. But despite the fact that Shah Rukh admitted on Koffee with Karan that his soured relationships with Farah and Salman were probably his fault, it seems like the actor is in no hurry to mend fences anytime soon.

SRK FarahWhile other stars like Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor seemed to have buried the hatchet at the Mumbai Police Mela, SRK still seems bent on stealing Farah's thunder.

The actor apparently decided to make his grand entry to the show just as the promotion for Tees Maar Khan (TMK) was going on and as a result crowd's attention was diverted from Farah's film, reported Mumbai Mirror. Talk about timing!

An eyewitness told the tabloid that SRK suddenly walked into the audience while Farah, Akshay and Katrina were performing, following which the audience only glanced at the TMK crew.

"Surely, SRK knew what he was doing. If a person of his stature walks into the audience, whose head wouldn't turn?" the eyewitness added.

The spat, which began after Farah Khan did not cast SRK in her film Tees Maar Khan, has now escalated into a big bitter war between the two.

Shah Rukh has had fallouts and patch ups with many celebrities including Aamir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and even Aishwarya Rai.

Lara, Mahesh go for 'Koffee With Karan'!

                                                                       Former beauty queen and actress Lara Dutta teamed up with her fiance Mahesh Bhupathi for a tete-a-tete with filmmaker Karan Johar on his celebrity chat show "Koffee With Karan".

"It was fun being on 'Koffee w/ Karan' w/ my fiance! After teeming up w/ Bips (Bipasha) and Katrina the last 2 times, it was gd 2 pair off w/ a man! (sic)," Lara posted on her Twitter page.

Lara and Mahesh publicly accepted their engagement in September this year.


Shabana invites Konkona for biryani!

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has extended a casual invitation to Konkona Sen Sharma for a yummy biryani treat at her place, and the latter happily accepted it.

"Why don't u come and hve biryani at my place instead after 27th when my cook is back (sic)," Shabana posted to Konkona on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Konkona, who is called KoKo by near and dear ones, replied: "done done! Tell when? 28th?"



Shreya wants to sing in Bengali now!

It's been too much of Hindi for singer Shreya Ghoshal and now she wants to sing in her native language Bengali.

"Composed a song... Will get it written in bong. Have bin yearning to do a bong album for a long time (sic)," Shreya posted on Twitter.

The melodious singer has been off the microblogging site for a while.

"Back on Twitter after a long hiatus... Wasn't well. Now much better n recharged after a forced vacation at home (sic)," she added.

Madhuri shoots for ad!

                                                          Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit is back in the thick of things shooting not only for the dance reality show "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" that brought her back to India this time, but also an endorsement for which she has apparently been paid an unheard-of price.

According to reliable sources, Madhuri and her old business manager Rakesh Nath (Rikku) have finalised at least three other endorsements that would keep the actress busy for a good part of January.

When contacted Rikku, who has looked after Madhuri's career from the start, admits Madhuri's endorsement plans.

"She is at this very moment shooting for an endorsement campaign for Hindustan Lever product. Other endorsements are being finalised. Meetings are on," he said.

The buzz in the film industry is that Madhuri is determined to make a comeback in movies.

Apparently Yash Raj Films, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Karan Johar and UTV have come up with tempting offers. Madhuri is on the verge of signing one of these.

"You're right. She has got four-five very good offers. She will definitely do another film soon. But this time we have to be very careful. I've worked with other actresses, but Madhuriji is Madhuriji," said Nath.

The diva seems more than happy keeping busy at home away from her adopted home.

"I'm having a ball. I am so glad people have liked me on 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'. I am enjoying this busy phase before the camera," said Madhuri who is married to US-based doctor Sriram Nene and has two sons with him.

Her children are expected to join her this week for Christmas holidays.

"I can't wait to see them," said Madhuri happily before rushing for her next shot.