IT raids reveal Priyanka and Katrina's real (estate) secrets

If the sudden and 'unintimated' Income Tax raids at Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif's residences came as a shock to you, then, digest this one. On one hand, while the IT tax officials must have been themselves shocked to see Shahid Kapoor in shorts at Priyanka's residence during the raid, on the other, the raid threw open some starling facts like Priyanka Chopra was reportedly seeming to have invested in properties galore! She reportedly owns 10 flats in Mumbai alone, of which 5 are at Raj Classic where she has converted three flats into one and the other two have been clubbed into another flat!

On the other side, the officials who raided Katrina's residence found out that the actress has unaccounted wealth of around Rs. 6 crore in the form of jewellery, property and business ventures.

Reports have it that, there were as many as 75 IT officials who sealed at least one dozen lockers and documents that belonged to Priyanka and Katrina from their residences and also offices.

Kajol, Tabu, Irrfan Khan honoured with Padma Shri

The super talented actors Kajol, Tabu and Irrfan Khan and singer Usha Uthup have been named for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour on the eve of Republic Day, today. Kajol started her career with Bekhudi and then went on to become one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood with films like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and so on. Tabu, on the other hand, has been known for creating a niche for herself with films like Chandni Bar, Astitva, Maqbool, The Namesake and Cheeni Kum. Irrfan Khan can undoubtedly be called as the international Indian face with films like The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Slumdog Millionaire to his credit. Usha Uthup started as a famous pop singer in Bollywood in the 70s and became a rage for her unique heavy voice and singing style. Her songs like 'Ek Do Cha Cha Cha', 'Shaan Se', 'Hari Om Hari','Rambha Ho' and 'Dum Maaro Dum' are evergreen classics. Veteran actors Shashi Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman have been honoured with Padma Bhushan. Shashi Kapoor's films likeJab Jab Phool Khile, Waqt, Silsila, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Satyam Shivam Sundaram and many more have appealed to the audiences of all generations. He also featured in international projects titled The Householder, Shakespearewallah and Heat and Dust. Unfortunately, this senior actor has not been keeping well for a while now. Waheeda Rehman is known as one of the most beautiful women seen on the silver screen. She started her career with Man Ki Jeet in 1944 and then went on to feature in cult classics like Pyasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Saheb Bibi Aur Gulam, Guide, Reshma Aur Shera and many more. Legendary music composer Khayyam will also be honoured with Padma Bhushan.

Sonam donates 'Kind Kites' to help prevent injuries from glass-coated manja

On the eve of Maker Sankranti, Sonam Kapoor sent a letter to Mitali Rudra, the principal of Arya Vidya Mandir School (of which, she too was a student) on behalf of PETA, to encourage the children to never use cruel and deadly glass-coated manja. In the letter, Kapoor pointed out that thousands of birds - as well as many people, including children - have been injured and killed by glass-coated manja. On this occasion, Sonam said "The kites send a positive message to children, encouraging them to prevent the suffering of birds by using only string which has not been coated with glass. I would also like to relay this message to all your students: study hard, be goal-oriented and be compassionate. You can start by showing compassion and not using glass-coated string." 

As many are aware that the manja used in kite-flying competitions is often gummed and coated with powdered and finely crushed glass, making it lethal for pigeons, crows, kites, owls and other birds who become entangled after the strings get caught in trees or on poles. Thousands of birds are killed by glass-coated manja every year, and many people have been killed by it as well.

Akshay, Sonam shoot chase sequence on luxury cruiser for Thank You

Films on board an international cruise have not proved too lucky for Ajay Devgn (his directorial debut U Me Aur Hum whose first-half was shot on a luxury cruiser, bombed) and Aamir Khan (one of his rare failures in recent times Indra Kumar's Mann was shot on an oceanic trip).

But Akshay Kumar thinks cruisers are too cool. His Ajnabee was shot on a luxury cruiser. Now there's a cruise interlude in Anees Bazmee's

Says a source, "An entire chase sequence on a luxury cruiser was devised. A chase conventionally meant to be on the road was shifted to the sea. And the entire team left for the cruise. Because of the shift from land to sea there were endless hitches, glitches and obstacles." 

Director Anees Bazmee who's just back from the ocean-liner nightmare doesn't deny the problems. "Yes, it was very tough. We shot for four days on a cruise from Bangkok to Phuket. The unit was stationed on board the ship. We were on the ship and shooting in the water like a proper location. The situation was that Akshay and Sonam were on board and they were being chased on a motorboat by Bobby Deol, Irrfan Khan and Suneil Shetty. So we had to get both the ocean-liner and the motorboat in camera range." 

The chase sequence had to be shot aerially. Says Anees, "We had to shoot the entire sequence from a helicopter. It was complicated and costly." 

Is Mansoor Khan planning comeback to direction?

Spotted having a great time at  this week was his reclusive uncle Mansoor Khan who had flown in especially from Coonoor to be present at the happy occasion. Is the reclusive, Mansoor Khan finally ready to relinquish his hermetic life in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu and return to Mumbai to direct a film?

Mansoor, who voluntarily withdrew from the rat race after directing Josh 11 years ago, made a rare appearance in the glitz-midst on Sunday evening when he showed up for the and wedding of his nephew Imran Khan. Those present at the vibrant venue say Mansoor was locked in earnest discussion with Aamir. 

And now the buzz is, Mansoor is being persuaded to give film direction another try. 

Abbas Tyrewala who was present at the sangeet ceremony and the party that followed on Sunday evening confirms Mansoor's presence at the Sangeet. 

"But I don't know if Mansoor is ready to direct another film. I don't think he's against filmmaking. He just couldn't take the Mumbai bustle. He did come back to help me and Aamir with Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. Since then Aamir has been urging Mansoor to direct another film. He has even put me on to the job of persuading Mansoor. Let's see." 

Abbas doesn't rule out Mansoor's return. "He seemed to be very much at home enjoying himself at Imran's sangeet. When he left Mumbai and settled in Coonoor, his biggest concern was how to keep elephants out of his farmland. Who wouldn't want a life like that? I don't rule out the possibility of my moving out of Mumbai after directing a few more films. Maybe Mansoor and I will swap places."

Is Mansoor Khan planning comeback to direction?

Spotted having a great time at Imran Khan's wedding this week was his reclusive uncle Mansoor Khan who had flown in especially from Coonoor to be present at the happy occasion. Is the reclusive, Mansoor Khan finally ready to relinquish his hermetic life in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu and return to Mumbai to direct a film?

Mansoor, who voluntarily withdrew from the rat race after directing Josh 11 years ago, made a rare appearance in the glitz-midst on Sunday evening when he showed up for the sangeet and wedding of his nephew Imran Khan. Those present at the vibrant venue say Mansoor was locked in earnest discussion with Aamir. 

mansoorkhan1.jpgAnd now the buzz is, Mansoor is being persuaded to give film direction another try. 

Abbas Tyrewala who was present at the sangeet ceremony and the party that followed on Sunday evening confirms Mansoor's presence at the Sangeet. 

"But I don't know if Mansoor is ready to direct another film. I don't think he's against filmmaking. He just couldn't take the Mumbai bustle. He did come back to help me and Aamir with Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. Since then Aamir has been urging Mansoor to direct another film. He has even put me on to the job of persuading Mansoor. Let's see." 

Abbas doesn't rule out Mansoor's return. "He seemed to be very much at home enjoying himself at Imran's sangeet. When he left Mumbai and settled in Coonoor, his biggest concern was how to keep elephants out of his farmland. Who wouldn't want a life like that? I don't rule out the possibility of my moving out of Mumbai after directing a few more films. Maybe Mansoor and I will swap places."

I had to rush to LA for some serious damage control" - Gulshan Grover

Apparently, it was a call from Salma Hayek, asking about the premature reports of her proposed film with Gulshan Grover that compelled Grover to fly down to LA this week to sort out matters with the film's director Bill Duke.

Now all is well and the film starts shooting in summer this year.

Speaking from Los Angeles Gulshan Grover said, "Yes I had to rush to LA for some serious damage control. Everyone from my leading lady Salma Hayek to my director Bill Duke wanted to know, 'Gulshan what's going on?' .The film's makers were miffed with me because I had broken their breach of trust. Now it's all sorted out."

Apparently, even Salma Hayek rang up Gulshan to ask him about the rush of information about their project. Not that Gulshan regrets it.

Says the actor, "I've signed a film with Salma Hayek and that too in a leading man's role. Why should I not shout about it from rooftops? Though I'd now have to be more discreet, no damage was done. The director loves me too much to take offence. When he came to sign me I told him I am not the Tom Cruise in India and that I specialize in villainous roles. They still wanted me. I think that says something."