No boundaries in dance
Yesteryear actress Hema Malini believes that she can move and groove in every way — be it Indian classical or western forms of dance.
A trained bharatanatyam dancer, she believes she can groove in the western style if she is ever required to, although she hasn't really tried it yet.
"I have never even tried doing western dance. I don't even think I will be able to do it. But whoever learns classical dance, can do any kind of dance. We just have to have the mindset that 'yes, we have to do it'. So, I will also do it," the 64-year-old admits.
She adds that her mother always wanted her to become a classical dancer.
"My mother was not a dancer, but wanted her daughter to learn dance and I am doing that even today. I can boldly say that I am following whatever she told me," explains the actress, whose two daughters — Esha and Ahana — are trained dancers too.
The hottest vegetarians
Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan and actress Vidya Balan have been named PETA's hottest celebrity vegetarians of 2012.
The other names in the running were Neha Dhupia, Shahid Kapoor, Sonu Sood, southern star Dhanush, Kareena Kapoor and veteran actress Hema Malini. Amitabh Bachchan, 70, has been named the hottest vegetarian celebrity three times in the past and even won the crown in PETA Asia's equivalent contest last year.
Vidya, who won the crown in 2010 as well, has often credited her figure to her meat-free diet, saying, "I am a vegetarian. As a result, my metabolism has improved and this is a huge contributor to weight loss."
"More and more of India's hottest stars are choosing to keep meat off their plates and when you look at Amitabh and Vidya, it is easy to see why," says Poorva Joshipura, the CEO of PETA India.
'I am very harsh on myself'
Deepika Padukone might have carved herself a niche in Bollywood — something which many aspiring actresses from non-filmy backgrounds fail to do — but the actress admits that even now, she's rarely happy with her work. The 25-year-old feels that a little self-criticism helps her to better with each film.
"I am very harsh on myself. I am very rarely satisfied with my own work but I am glad that it is like this. I would rather be harsh on myself than be happy with the smallest thing that I do. I compete with myself and challenge myself to do better everyday. It gives me the drive to push myself — otherwise, I would be stuck in the rut," says Deepika.
The 26-year-old proved that she is more than a pretty face with her powerful performance as Veronica in 'Cocktail', her lone release this year. "I am glad that this film happened. I have always believed in my work and myself — but sometimes, you have to wait for the right script and opportunity to come your way. 'Cocktail' did that for me," she adds.
She has already won an award for her performance in the film. Deepika, however, says she is more happy to see that the audiences' perception about her has changed for good. "I think awards are always welcome. But I am more happy about the energy shift that I feel from the audiences, post Veronica. There is nothing in the world that compensates for that feeling," she reflects.
With her latest film, 'Race 2', ready to hit the screens on January 25, Deepika says she is looking forward to 2013. "I could not have asked for more this year. I invested a lot emotionally into the character of Veronica and I am very happy with the result. It has been a great year for me — not only in terms of 'Cocktail's success but also with the kind of films that I signed post that. I have an interesting line-up for 2013," she says, frankly.
All set for release
Yash Raj Films' next venture, Mere Dad Ki Maruti, has finally been scheduled for release — it will hit the theaters on March 15.
The movie, which has been much talked about in tinsel town because of its fresh talent, stars Saqib Saleem, of Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge fame, newcomer Rhea Chakraborty and Ram Kapoor. The film is a comedy, set against the backdrop of a loud Punjabi wedding in Chandigarh and it tells the story of a boy who sneaks his father's fancy new car out to impress a college hottie. Mere Dad Ki Maruti also marks the directorial debut of Ashima Chibber. The film-maker started her career as Shimit Amin's first assistant director on the sets of Ab Tak Chappan and Chak De India, among others. Chibber's last project was as first assistant director to Imtiaz Ali on 'Rockstar'.
Who will replace Ameesha?
After Ameesha Patel walked out of 'Singh Saheb The Great', director Anil Sharma says the team is on the lookout for a replacement. She was to feature opposite actor Sunny Deol.
"We have not finalised the leading lady yet. Right now, we are shooting only Sunny's
major part in Bhopal. Once we are done with his shoot, we will hunt for the leading lady," Anil says.
In mid-December 2012, Ameesha announced that she is stepping out of the project due to what she called "ever-changing schedules".
Anil chooses to approach this topic diplomatically, saying, "Ameesha is a friend. If at all we need her back in the film, I can call her anytime. She will never say no."
Anil last worked with Sunny and Ameesha in the 2001 hit Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
He says Sunny has become more professional over the years, and shooting for 'Singh Saheb The Great' reminds him of shooting for Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
"It's always fun to work with Sunny. He has always been a perfectionist and professional. Now, over the years, he has become more professional. It reminds me of our Gadar days," says Anil.
Sunny plays the role of a collector in the film, which is a satire on corruption.
The first schedule of 'Singh Saheb The Great' will continue in Bhopal till February 15.