37 year old Canadian actress and former model, Tricia Helfer has revealed exactly what it is that she likes to do to relax when she gets some rare spare time. Tricia admits that she is not your everyday girlie girl and finds it difficult to sit still for too long. Tricia also admitted that she is driven by the fact that she is somewhat of a workaholic.

Helfer explained, “I just want to be challenged. I want to be proud of what I do, and I want to learn new things and keep growing. I’m not very good at resting on my laurels. I am a bit of a workaholic, and I like to keep busy and active, so I think that’s what drives me.” She added, “ I do like to treat myself, I just don’t do it very often. For me, relaxing is going on a 10-mile hike. When I have time off, I like to be at home and spend time with my animals, and things like that.”
 
Tricia continued, “I’m not the girl that goes out for facials, and manicures and pedicures, all the time. I wish I did. It would be better for me, but I get annoyed. I don’t like sitting still too much. So, treating myself is more about just going out and having a great hike, or going on a long motorbike ride.” Tricia Helfer is set to star alongside Summer Glau in Scent of the Missing, which is set to film this month.

Read the rest of this entry »

English actor Martin Freeman is set to become one of the biggest names in Hollywood, once the Peter Jackson movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is released next year. Most of the filming for The Hobbit took place in New Zealand and Martin took his wife, actress Amanda Abbington and their two children along with him. Now, Amanda has opened up about how much of a family The Hobbit cast have become.

Abbington explained, "It was sacred ground, so before they could start filming we had this thing called a 'powhiri' where the Maoris accept you into their family. Ian McKellen made a wonderful speech about how actors are a tribe of people as well, who don't recognise colour, creed or religion. They're just thrown together. That's what it's like over here. You've got loads of people from all over the world coming in and it's like a lovely family. We came back a few weeks ago and it's just like coming home."
 
She then discussed the attention that Martin and their family are likely to experience, "I think that's inevitable, he's got to be prepared for that, and we'll be there supporting him, making sure he doesn't fly off. I know I'm biased because I'm in love with him, but I do think he's doing a pretty excellent job, I'm really proud of him." The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is set to be released on December 14, 2012.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bollywood has joined Vidya Balan's legion of fans after The Dirty Picture released last weekend. Filmi folks are going gagag over her acting prowess. Shruti Seth even named her the 'bravest hero' of the film industry.

Here's what stars had to say about the film: Minissha Lamba was impressed. 'Standing ovation 2 VIDYA BALAN! History is made by those who dare 2b different.. Congrats Tusshar, Emraan, Milan Luthria n Ekta Kapoor!!!' she wrote.

Shabana Azmi tweeted: 'Its difficult to believe that d actor who played in NKJ is d same as d 1 in TDP.What a brave unabashed performance.more power 2 Vidya Balan.'Shruti Seth tweeted: 'Just saw Dirty Picture. Kudos to Vidya Balan for being the bravest hero of the film industry. Great performance. Must watch.'

Sameera Reddy thanked Vidya for bringing back the oomph factor in films. 'so glad Vidya Balan had bought the OOOmph factor back! was so sick of this Size Zero bullshit! im sure the boys dont like skinny chicks!' she updated.

Payal Rohtagi tweeted: 'Vidya vidya vidya. Omg. I love her in the dirty picture. There were whistles and whistles even with multiplex crowd. I could see the pain. Love u vidya. U have guts and hats off to you. Mwah. Vidya balan rocks. Period. And I cried when silk died. Yes our industry is so lonely. I have felt it. And that's why I begged my nani to with me. Here there are no friends. Its just success and money that matters. Only u can trust your blood with your emotions.'

Gul Panag also went all gaga about her. 'And it is fantastic!! Vidya Balan ROCKS! What a performance and what a film! Kudos to Milan Luthria. And Vidya is outstanding- head and shoulders above her contemporaries,' she wrote.

Neetu Chandra tweeted: 'Saw Dirty Picture yesterday... Vidya Balan is fab. An Inspiration for all the actors.. Great going Ekta..'

Arjun Rampal was speechless. 'Dirty Picture super film, everyone is fab,congrats Ekta,Milan,Emraan,Tushar,Naseer Sir,but OMG Vidya Balan just makes u speechless. Bravo,' he updated.

Read the rest of this entry »

Coinciding with her "The X Factor" UK judge duties, Kelly Rowland landed herself the cover of the January 2012 issue of Marie Claire UK. The 30-year-old former Destiny's Child member unleashed her inner sex goddess for the magazine's front page while posing for a spread shot by photographer David Oldham.

Also talking with the publication about topics including her childhood and babies, highlights from Miss Rowland's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to visit Marie Claire UK!

On being a part of the controversial judge panel on "The X Factor": "What I like is that it's very organic. What you see is what you get. Nothing is fake. We'll agree, we'll disagree and sometimes we have to agree to disagree."

On moving with her mom from Atlanta to Houston and away from her dad: "I was just the kind of kid who could get on with anyone - I talked a lot. I still talk a lot. I remeber I'd watch my mom do her job as a nanny and see her bosses with their kids and say, 'OK, this is a nice life. I want that.' Seeing how someone else was living put a drive in me."

On whether she plans to reunite with her dad after 22 years: "I do plan on seeing him over the holidays. I'm nervous as hell. I don't want to think about it. We'll see what happens."

On whether Beyonce's pregnancy has made her broody: "No. I will babysit and change a diaper or two, and then give it back. I do want kids, but every time I think about a little person growing inside of me and getting bigger and bigger and then having to come out.... a watermelon coming out of something the size of a lemon is insane to me."

Read the rest of this entry »

Sunny Leone is still in the Bigg Boss house, but has already been offered a lead role in a Bollywood film by director Mahesh Bhatt.  The porn star received a shock visit in the Bigg Boss house from the director, who offered her the female lead in Jism 2.  The 30-year-old was handpicked for the film because of the 'mystic element to her off-screen image'. Leone, whose real name is Karen Malhotra, has not yet revealed her actual profession to her housemates.

"There is a mystic element to her off screen image, which is about her journey of transformation from a girl-next-door Karen Malhotra to being the porn star Sunny Leone," the Mirror quoted Mahesh Bhatt as saying.  "Her life as a porn star is a complex memoir," he said.  He has reportedly told her that the movie would portray a woman who transcends from 'the body to the soul'.
 
The actress said yes to the film and now her agents are in talks with Fish Eye Network, which is the production house of Mahesh Bhatt's daughter Pooja Bhatt.  "When I first met Sunny, I did not see any flicker of recognition in her eyes and I was glad about that because it allowed me to see different shades of her character and personality," Mahesh Bhatt said.  "During my interaction with her, I have gotten a glimpse of her uninhibited self and I am very impressed by what I have seen," he added.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ask today’s teenagers if they know who Urmila Matondkar is and chances are that they will scratch their heads in an attempt to place this bombshell. So when quizzed about the dearth of opportunities she’ facing, the Rangeela actor says she’s waiting for an exciting script. Oh Really? We think otherwise! The industry has always been abuzz with stories about Urmila Matondkar’s starry tantrums and high-handed attitude. Though a fine actor of her times, she seems to have slowed down thanks to her alleged fallout with director Ram Gopal Varma.

So when we caught up with the 37-year-old actor on the sets of a reality television show she’s currently judging, we asked Urmila what she had to say about the critics who think that reality shows are an easy way out for actors who are not in demand. She immediately retorts, “I have nothing to say. Everybody is allowed to have an opinion, but they can keep it to themselves. Such comments don’t affect me; otherwise I would not have been sitting here.” Oh come on Urmila, we know that the money is great in the television industry these days and it’s the ideal comfort zone for actors who are not doing anything. So why not be frank about it? The actor further adds, “The offer has to be exciting especially for an actor like me who has experimented with every genre and possible roles there are to portray.” Well, we hope that with contemporaries like Karisma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon making a comeback, Urmila too finds her way back into films.

Read the rest of this entry »

What does it feel like to wear a $2.5 million bra? Why does Orlando Bloom need silk boxers? And why won't Australian bars serve drunks? In her charming interview with Chelsea Handler, Miranda Kerr provides the answer to all these questions, and more:

Read the rest of this entry »

Age no bar, marital status no bar and kids no bar either. Seems like this is what senior B-Town actresses are set to prove in the coming year, as the once reigning queens of the 80s and 90s are all set to romance the big screens once again. The coming year will witness a deluge of these actresses make a comeback to the silver screen. And even the ones who’ve attempted a comeback of sorts earlier are readying for another shot at films. And it’s not the mother-sister kind of roles that these ladies are settling for, instead it’s nothing less than the lead roles for these actresses.

Sridevi is currently shooting for English Vinglish, while Karisma Kapoor is busy with Dangerous Ishq. Buzz is that Madhuri Dixit-Nene is being wooed for the sequel of Ishqiya. Shilpa Shirodkar too is said to be knocking on Bollywood doors. Raveena Tandon who made a comeback of sorts early this year, is readying for another round of films more suited to her new svelte figure.

While industrywallahs give them a thumbs up, they admit that the reception to their comebacks by the audience will depend on the kind of roles they come back with. “There’s no doubt that they are a super-talented bunch and there’s a high curiosity and interest in their comebacks, but ultimately how they fare at the BO will depend on the roles and the film in totatilty,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Trade analyst Bharti Pradhan agrees. “They are all some of the best performers of their times, and they are looking in their best forms too, so why not?” she quips. “It’s not aping the Hollywood here, but a natural and gradual progression, and a good performance is what matters, not the marital status or age of the actor,” she adds.

A senior distributor adds that the actresses have all known to be complete performers, but they will have to be careful in the roles they select. “They were high on glam, were good dancers, but were known for their acting prowess too and by the time they called it quits, temporarily, they had gravitated towards more serious kind of roles. So, in those kind of performance-oriented roles, I’m sure they would be loved and accepted. If they can pull off hot numbers then that’s an added,” says the veteran insider.
Raveena however feels that it’s unfair to call it a comeback.

“Where had we gone to call it a comeback. We had only taken a small break,” she insists. Comeback or not, talking about what lures them back to Tinsel Town, Madhuri says that it all depends on getting a role that would make you want to sign on the dotted line. “Acting has always been a passion, so it’s only about prioritising things,” explains Madhuri.

Optimistic about the response they will garner at the BO, actor Kareena Kapoor feels that the fans will definitely be excited about seeing their favourites on screen again. “We have grown up watching and loving their movies. So, of course, it’s exciting to see them set the screen on fire again,” says the current Bollywood hottie.

Read the rest of this entry »

‘The Dirty Picture’ is yet to be released but the stars of the movie are already flying high on the pre-success of the movie. Vidya Balan who is the protagonist of the film has been highly proclaimed for her role as Silk.

Praises for the lady is pouring from all corners and Vidya wants to make optimum use of the situation. Reportedly Vidya has now demanded more money for her next movie. More than the lead actor Farhan Akhtar. Both actors have been approached for the movie ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effect’ which is a sequel to ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’. Vidya and Farhan will be playing the lead roles and have given their consent to the movie verbally.

Farhan’s dates and remuneration have still to be worked out. But now that Vidya is asking for more money than Farhan it remains to be seen what will be the actors reaction. If everything works out fine, Farhan and Vidya will be working together for the first time.

Read the rest of this entry »

A decade ago, Mumbai was the undisputed ground zero of Bollywood. All the action, the glitzy premieres and press conferences were hosted by this bustling metropolis. But lately, there's been a shift with all the glamorous players gravitating towards the UAE — mostly Dubai and, more and more, its capital Abu Dhabi.

If there's a biggie up for release, then a premiere in Dubai or a perfectly timed press junket prior to its release with stars in attendance is an inevitable development. Clearly, UAE's love affair with Bollywood and its stars has only intensified in the last four decades.

In 2011 alone, 12 films peddled by Bollywood stars have premiered here, including the world premieres of  Salman Khan-starrer Ready and Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One. Bollywood heavyweight Shah Rukh Khan, in an interview before jetting to Dubai for the first screening of his sci-fi film, explained the throbbing UAE-Bollywood dynamics.

"The UAE has been very kind towards my movies. Apart from that, it is an essential market for Indian movies. Business-wise it makes sense to me and my partners to do the world premiere of Ra.One here," said Khan, the leading man and the producer of the superhero flick.

The local event management companies who make it all happen couldn't agree more. According to Sameer Khan, managing director of Times Square Events, he gets around 10 Bollywood-centric business proposals a month, out of which two events materialise.

"What works in the UAE's favour is the distance between Mumbai and Dubai and the infrastructure that's available. The airport staff, the immigration officers, the local police — they are always so helpful when we stage these Bollywood premieres," said Sameer Khan. As a token of appreciation and goodwill earned, he organised a star-studded cricket match between the local police and a Salman Khan-captained team in 2005.
Arab fans

"The appeal of Bollywood is no longer limited to Indians alone. In my premieres, I keep passes specifically for my local Arab clients who like Bollywood," he added. One such candidate who has been bitten by the Bollywood bug is 30-year-old Emirati Rasheed Al Ketbi. Prior to Bollywood's sci-fi magnum-opus Ra.One rolling into town, Al Ketbi's Facebook status was Ra.One-centric for over a month.

"I love the music and the way the films tell their stories. They take their time but the colour and the characters are so likeable. In my eyes, Shah Rukh, Salman and Hrithik Roshan are the real heroes," said Al Ketbi, a Dubai-based marketing analyst. He even rattles off a few lines from Khan's iconic blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge to prove his allegiance.

"When I went to Mumbai for a friend's wedding in 2006, I went to the theatre which was playing this film for the past 10 years. It was unbelievable — the theatre was full and I am pretty sure that it's not their first time watching the film," said Al Ketbi. While the lavish musicals are a definite draw for Emiratis, it's the UAE's film-friendly nature that draws producers to the UAE. Sohail Khan, who has funded films including Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya and Partner, considers UAE a must-stop while scouting for shooting locations.

"I have shot a part of all my movies here. And I think it's one of the world's most film-friendly countries. In terms of hotels and shooting locations, the options are plenty. Look at the various hotels fitting a range of budgets that are there — the stars are comfortable and the crew too are comfortable," said Khan.
"Also, a scene taken on Shaikh Zayed road is like shooting in Manhattan," explained Sohail Khan, who adds that he's in the process of convincing his brother Arbaaz Khan to shoot a small segment of Dabangg 2 in Dubai. In the original blockbuster Dabangg, an iconic song shot in the Dubai Metro proved to be very auspicious.

"Dubai is a lucky mascot for me," says Sohail Khan. Others in his fraternity couldn't agree more. Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor, who's heading to Dubai for the world premiere of his latest film The Dirty Picture this Thursday, says UAE is now featuring prominently in the list of countries to promote his projects.

"It has become a must-stop market for filmmakers now. The best part about the UAE is that all kinds of films are widely accepted. For instance, my Golmaal — an out and out comedy film — did amazing business in the UAE. And The Dirty Picture, which is not your usual comedy, is heading there because we are confident that the Indians there will give our film a chance," said Kapoor. Mahi Golchin Depala, a partner in local distribution company Phars Films, says that Bollywood cinema, with its vibrant song and dance culture, has gradually caught the collective imagination of Indians and the Emirati population alike.

"The interest and the number of people heading to cinemas from different nationalities has seen a huge surge. Shah Rukh's looks are extremely appealing to Arab men and women. They like to watch him perform on screen and  It's not just the movie they enjoy. They love to imbibe the culture, clothes etc," said Golchin Depala. As she puts it, this is one cultural exchange that's not going to end any time soon.

Read the rest of this entry »