Here's competition for Hrithik

Watch out. Bollywood is turning super-athletic. Not only are we being treated to a series of sport-centric films like Shimit Amin's Chak De (hockey), Vivek Agnihotri's Goal (football) amd Nisha Chainani's forthcoming Mumbai Marathon, our heroes are constantly searching out new adventure-sports for Hindi films.

In Dhoom 2 we had Hrithik practising water and ice sports that Indian audiences had never seen. In Anubhav Sinha's forthcoming Cash Riteish Deshmukh did Street Luge which is actually about lying down on a skateboard and chasing cars.

It looks like Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan and all other super-atheletes of Bollywood have stiff competition.

By practicing the bracing outdoor sports called Parkour Harman Baweja has just become Indian cinema's first certifiable Traceur.

Explains Harman, "Parkour is actually urban free –running. What it requires you to do is run across streets, building precipices, skyscrapers in one linear movement without breaking the momentum and without being mindful of the hurdles. That's precisely what I've done in Love Story 2050."

Apparently Harman was severely bruised and battered in doing the unprecedented. "It wasn't easy. But nothing challenging is easy. And I love challenges.

Our audiences are bored of watching the same supposedly heart-in-the-mouth stunts. They want to see new stunts. They got it in Dhoom and Krissh. Hopefully what I've done in Love Story 2050 will also be a new experience.

Jumping from skyscrapers is passé. Jumping over them is the new high," Harman ends tongue-in-cheek.

SAIF - KAREENA MARRIAGE AFTER 'TASHAN' RELEASE?

One of the Bollywood's hottest couples - Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor - is anxiously awaiting for their first release 'Tashan' post their affair. Incidentally, their love blossomed during the making of this movie and might result in their marriage after its release. Though Kareena is quite outspoken, her producer Aditya Chopra has warned her not to talk about the film. It seems Yash Raj believes in keeping things under wrap. Needless to say that the couple has turned out to be a unique selling proposition of the film and Yash Raj is using this hot couple for the promotion of their film. This is enough to create curiosity among Saif and Bebo's fans.

Though the couple has always denied their early marriage report; it seems the buzz will certainly help their first film 'Tashan'. However, the release of the movie depends on the decision either to include or do way with a particular scene of the bikini-clad Kareena Kapoor (who shed huge weight to look ultra-thin in the film). There is a mystery about this scene if it's there or it's not there. On the one hand, it is said that Kareena asked everyone in the unit to leave the sets when she shot for the scene recently excepting the director, the cameraman and Saif. Another view is that Kareena refused to shoot the scene to maintain her girl-next-door image as the bikini scene may spoil her new image. We hope the producer as well as Kareena will decide among themselves about it sooner than late lest it loses sheen.

Kareena: I can't wait to marry Saif

It seems like Bebo and Chhote Nawab, who made their relationship public last year, can't wait to any longer to get together and their wedding could take place after the release of Tashan on April 25.

“Yes, I am going to get married very soon. Initially, Saif and I thought of giving our relationship some time before we get married. But now I don’t think either of us can wait any longer. So may be, post the release of Tashan this month, you all can see us wedded,” she told the press.

Bebo also refuted the rumours of their secret marriage saying, "Geeting married secretly was just a silly rumour. Why would I hide if I had gotten married? That would be the day for me. Only I know how I’m looking forward to it.”

Incidentally, it was on the sets of Tashan that the two fell in love. To prove his prove Saif even got her name tattooed on his arm.

"It's true, we came closer on sets of Tashan and that's the reason it will always be close to my heart. It was during this time that, Saif took me out for a candlelit dinner and proposed to me. By then I was too much in love with him to have said no,” told Kareena.

So will she continue working in films or take a long sabbatical like her contemporaries?

"Why would I stop working after marriage," she asks. "Today I’ve already reached the Rs 3.5 crore package and I hope to work and earn more in the coming years. In fact I already have some big projects in hand which are slated to release by the year-end."

But will Bebo keep her words this time? Let's wait and watch.

A New man in Amisha life?

Bollywood actress Amisha Patel, who recently broke off with her director-boyfriend Vikram Bhatt, was spotted with a tall, young man, rumoured to be her new boyfriend, on the first day of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) here.

The actress attended style guru Namrata Joshipura's and designer duo Gauri and Nainika Karan's show Wednesday.

The actress, flaunting a bright orange knee-length dress, wasn't present at the WIFW for any specific designer or fashion show.

'I think all designers are equally good and I am not here for any particular designer,' she said.

However, before she could complete her sentence, her new escort pulled her away.

The couple was seen cosying up during the show.

Katrina-SRK, Numero Uno pair

She is the perfect 'Diva', with elegant curves, gorgeous eyes, stunning color and silky hair! Yes, we are talking of the actress who has made it big in the tinsel town and also into the hearts of her fans – Katrina Kaif!

A recent survey held by IMI mobile states that Katrina rules supreme as she is the Numero Uno Queen whose pictures get downloaded the most on net.

Well, what's more, she has left the other Diva, Aishwarya Rai behind!! When it comes to men, hands down, it is the King Khan who gets downloaded most..

Well, here's a big cheer for the Numero Uno pair!!

Akki-Katrina want to beat SRK-Kajol Akshay is hellbent on covering the seven wonders of the world. Even as he prepares to shoot never-before action scenes on the Great Wall Of China, he is getting ready for a stint in in April in Egypt amidst the pyramids. This time, it's for song with Katrina Kaif for Anees Bazmi's Sinngh Is King. "We'll be shooting the introductory song of the lead pair. This would be where Akshay first meets Katrina. After this the film is complete," informs Vipul Shah. The last time a romantic song was shot amidst the blow-dried pyramids of Egypt it was between Shah Rukh and Kajol in Karan Johar in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Says a source, "Not surprising that Akshay wants the song shot in Eypgt. He wants to better Shah Rukh's successs score with Kajol. Most trade pundits see Akshay and Katrina as the next most- successful jodi after Shah Rukh-Kajol. Shooting a song where the hit jodi of the last millennium shot a song isn't just coincidence. After Namaste London and Welcome, Akshay really feels Katrina is his lucky mascot." "But," warns director Anees Bazmi. "We aren't shooting at all the normal places in Egypt. We want to capture parts of the country other than the predictable pyramids."

Is skinny Kareena really Sexy?

The new, revamped Kareena is the hottest thing to have hit Bollywood since Ash's Dhoom avatar. Shehas shed several pounds through a power yoga diet, is looking gorgeous.

For her latest cover shoot in Vogue, she easily slips into Size 0, with vital stats of 31-23-34 inches, dresses, says the accompanying article.

According to some media reports Bebo had to resort to no meat, no carbs and no dairy products diet to acquire this size zero, however, the actress denies ever being on an orange-juice-only diet to attain this figure.

"I am not thin. The media makes me out to be. I don't diet. One look at me and you know I am quite healthy," she states, despite rumours of her collapsing on a film set.

However her dad Randhir Kapoor say, “I have told her to stop the ‘diet business.’ She has become quite thin and must not lose more weight, but Bebo tells me that I should go on a diet because I am terribly overweight. Now what you can you say to that!”

While Daddy is is certainly worried about his younger daughter's health, he is also quite proud of her achievements and says happily, "I was thrilled when Bebo got the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

My brother Rishi got the Lifetime Achievement Award, while my nephew Ranbir got the award for Best Male Debut. Now we are going to launch two films soon under the RK Films Banner with Bebo and Ranbir. Health problems or not, media's loving her new look.

Photographer Daboo Ratnani has been shooting Kareena for more than a decade. "She has never looked better," he says. "The weight loss suits her because her features come out really well, so one gets a stronger pictures with all expressions visible."

We hear that Kareena’s dream body ambition stems from several new high-end endorsements that have come her way, including two which are international.

When asked if her face was radiating because she was in love, Kareena Kapoor answered,” It is the success of my films that’s making my skin glow.”

Hrithik turns item boy with 'Krazzy 4'

Hrithik, who has just returned from two weeks in Singapore, now leaves for Australia for further recuperation. He will return to perform an intricate item number for "Krazzy 4". To be directed by Raja Sen, the film is a comedy and stars Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Suresh Menon and Rajpal Yadav.

"Well, people always wondered how I could make a film without Hrithik. So here he is, all set to do his career's first item song," Rakesh Roshan told IANS.

"My brother Rajesh Roshan has already recorded the song and I'm putting up an elaborate set for the song to be shot in March 2008. However, let me warn Hrithik's fans, if I feel his knee is not up to it, I won't shoot the song," added the concerned father.

In fact, senior Roshan too has decided to take a long sabbatical from direction. But hold on. He is producing a film that is to start in July 2008 and will feature Hrithik in a never-before avatar.

"It's an action thriller with a strong love story at its heart. Anurag Basu, whom both me and Hrithik think very highly of, is directing the film for us," revealed Rakesh.

It's been a time of turmoil for Hrithik. A troublesome injury finally decided to act up seriously.

"The doctors told him he needed to rest the knee completely, and I mean completely; otherwise it would give way. The injury got aggravated from all the stunts in his recent films, including 'Krrish'.

"It got to a point where his knee gave way completely. The doctors said he had to take complete rest for two months or face the consequences," said Rakesh explaining the problem.

The year 2007 has been a quiet year for Rakesh as a director.

"And so it will remain in 2008. I'm not directing any film. As I said Anurag Basu will direct my son in our next production. I've spent 40 years in the movie business and enjoyed every second of it, but now I need to devote time to my family, and to myself.

"I want to watch my grandson grow up. My hands are as full with production work as I want it to be."

He promises "Krazzy 4" will be unlike the avalanche of comedies that have hit us in recent times.

"It's a funny film. But it's neither slapstick nor vulgar. Very frankly, I am very confused by the kind of films that are doing well. Audiences don't want us to make anything that pushes the envelope. I'd rather not direct films than make the kind of films that click these days."

Priyanka mocks Dhoni affair!

Though the Nambia shooting for Drona is nearly done Priyanka isn't coming back yet.

She's off for two days to Singapore for a Carnival there on 20th and 21st.

"It's the Zee Carnival and I had no choice but to attend it because I love to interact with people who see my films. I can't call them fans because I don't have any.

Just want to go there Last year they had it in London and it was a big success. It's basically a chance for Indians to come together, put up stalls, and have fun like they do at a mela."

Back home the good news is that her father who has been very well recently has been recovering fast. "It could be because he's feeling so much more relaxed now.

Thank God our problems have been finally settled. We're all very happy about it," she sighs in relief referring to the financial settlement with her former secretary.

On a more amusing note Priyanka hasn't stopped laughing ever since she was linked with cricketer Dhoni. Though she refuses to comment on it, her friend laughs her head off.

"Would you believe it, Priyanka has never met Dhoni in her life. She has never spoken to him. Nor had any interaction with him. Who thinks up these things?"

I kissed Konkona well: Kunal Kapoor

The term chilled-out could've been invented for Kunal kapoor, who knows! It's great fun sparring with this sassy spontaneous offspring of caprice who's determined to do his own thing even if it means staying home without work for months.

In a strictly tongue-in-cheek tete-a-te Kunal speaks about his first kiss and his last assignment for quite some time.

You do a lot of dancing in Laaga Chunri Mein Daag (LCMD)
I love dancing. But I'm not very good at it. I was intimidated by who I was dancing with. Abhishek and Rani are damn good dancers. Finally they made it easier for me. But you know what? You don't necessarily have to be a pro at dancing to enjoy it. You've to be shameless before the camera.

I believe you and Abhishek went to the gym together?
I didn't get that privilege. But we had super-fun on the sets. The minute he entered we knew he'd up to some mischief. I was relatively the well -behaved guy around.

Abhishek Bachchan wants to be as scrawny as you
He's a mad hatter. Scrawny is in. Every kid says, 'Main gym jaa ke scrawny banoonga.'

Like Kunal
Then we'll change it to lean. I've remained as lean as I was when I came in.

You have a kissing scene with Konkona in LCMD?
My first on-screen kiss. Konkona and I did it well, considering we did it in below-zero temperature in Switzerland with fifty people gawking.

Are you making excuses for bad kissing?
Ha ! No. Actually I got good reactions to it.

You are a huge fan of Jaya Bachchan?
Oh yes, and I couldn't believe it when I got to work with her. When you grow up watching and admiring someone and then you get to work with her, the feeling is unbelievable.

I got the same feeling when I worked with Aamir Khan. When we worked with him we became friends. But even today when I look at the posters of Rang De Basanti I can't believe that's me with him.

Jayaji fed us the best lunches on the sets. She used to bring lunch for fifteen people. I eat enough for five people.

LCMD is your first family film.
Yeah I guess my films so far have been unorthodox with me cast as loners. But you know what?I'm a very family-oriented person. I've grown up watching the family films of Sooraj Barjartya and Mr Yash Chopra.

LCMD is my first taste of a family film. I haven't done a conventional family film before. Here the sharp editing and other technique add rather than take away from the main drama.

Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) brings in a lot of technique without taking away from the main drama. I feel a film like LCMD hasn't come in a long time.

Good boy, that's you what you are supposed to say.
No seriously. I wouldn't endorse a product I didn't believe in. If I don't like one of my films I'd keep quiet.

Like Hat Trick?
I don't know why this belief went around. I liked Hat Trick and so did some people.

You're paired with Konkona again in Aaja Nachle
Yeah, again we're paired together, though there's a bunch of us this time. A third film with Konkona? I don't know…Konkona makes me feel like Salieri while she's Mozart.

You mean, like Bobby Deol and Upen Patel in Shaka Laka Boom Boom?
That I haven't seen. So I'll stick to Mozart and Salieri.

Are you admitting Konkona is superior to you.
That's an understatement. You know I'd come on the sets,do my rehearsals get my lines right, be fully prepared. She'd just come on the sets, casually inquire about the scene then read a book, and give a perfect shot.

That's exactly what Hrithik used to say about Kareena during Yaadein.
Did he? I really like to work on my shots, to make up for my lack of talent, though I feel I don't work hard enough.

What are you working on now?
Nothing after Aaja Nachle. I go by my instincts. It took me just a couple of minutes to say yes to LCMD and Aaja Nachle. If I've to convince myself to do a film then it's not worth doing.Maybe I'm being naïve. But I really see no point in doing a film just to be busy.

What will you do in the coming months?
I was supposed to do a play Baghdad Ka Ghulam with Barry John. I had worked with Barry earlier and this play had Rahuvir Yadav in it. Unfortunately it got postponed. I was excited about it because it was my first play after Rang De Basanti.

I'm hearing lots of scripts….I write poetry and I like to jot down my thoughts. They never seem to end, though. And I'm a passionately inquisitive person. So there's never a dull moment in my life.

No films at all?
It's in the pipeline. Whoever invented that term is a genius. Lack of work doesn't make me nervous.

What are you looking for?
I'll know when I get the next good offer. But whatever the role, lead or otherwise, it has to help me grow as an actor.

Ash's Abhi Prem takes new turn!!!

It's an open secret that John Abraham is very keen to be cast opposite Aishwarya Rai. He believes they'd make a very handsome screen pair.

And when their first celluloid coupling in Sriram Raghavan's Happy Birthday fell apart, John was bitterly disappointed to lose out on an eminently viable co-star.

Things worked out pretty smoothly after the Birthday fiasco. Director Sriram who has just released a fascinating noire film Johnny Gaddaar was quickly convinced by John to launch another project with Ash.

This is an intense love story for Abhishek's childhood buddy producer Rohan Sippy to commence shooting in November.

However Aishwarya currently shooting in Boston for Pink Panther 2 has serious second thoughts.

Says a source, "Ash opted out of Karan Johar's film because she didn't want to play a woman who has a multiplicity of men in her life. Now in Sriram's film she'd rather not do an intense romance with John.

After marriage Aishwarya's personal and professional priorities have changed completely. She was always conscious of her image. Now she'll do nothing that would even remotely compromise her position as the Bachchan Bahu."

Producer Rohan Sippy remains convinced Ash is the right choice for Sriram's film.

He flies to the US this week and then to Boston for an emergency meeting with Aishwarya, hoping to convince her of the project's urgent need of her presence.

Says the film's director Sriram Raghavan, "The project is an untitled love story which I need to go into right away in the first week of November. John's dates are in place. He can't give us dates after January 2008. Ash is shooting in Boston.

And Rohan is flying to meet her. Hopefully things will be in place once he returns. Ramu showed me a promo of Sarkar Raj. Ash's performance just blew my mind. I really want to work with her."

Until the producer's return, everyone on the project has fingers crossed.

Ash or Bipasha with Sir Ben Kinsley?

Aishwarya Rai has successfully made a big splash asserting her position globally as the face of India. Now there is a bigger buzz doing rounds. Sir Ben Kingsley, one of the world's most honoured actors with four Academy Award nominations for his memorable role of Gandhi, might just consider either Aishwarya or Bengali sizzler, Bipasha Basu, or maybe both the Indian beauties for one of his forthcoming films.

The Academy Award winning actor who was born as Krishna Bhanji to model and actress Ann Goodman, and Rahimtulla Harji Bhanji, a doctor has recently launched his first production house SBK Pictures which will make this film, starring these two girls. The film will be shot in India. There has been a buzz that Sir Ben was coming to India to visit the Taj. Now it is learnt that, his purpose of visit wasn't just sight seeing, but also to hunt for ideal locations and start the shoot in India. The film will be co-produced by Valerie Hoffman and Simone Sheffield.

Though they are tight lipped about the project, Valerie Hoffman, one of the producers of Sir Ben Kinsley Pictures confirms the latest development. "Yes we shall be shooting the movie in India entirely," he says. He has known Aishwarya Rai, because of her global presence in the world map, but he recently met Bipasha while hosting the 7 wonders in Lisbon. So is it true that they may star in the film? "Sir Ben is aware of both the pretty Indian actors and has attached both Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha to the project. But more than that we can't comment on any other details until our script is complete." he officially informs through an email.

Presently, Sir Ben is busy with Christopher Rush's historical novel Will, which chronicles the death bed meeting between William Shakespeare and his lawyer, as they lay out his final will and testament. Sir Ben and his company managed to clinch the six-figure deal after a heated bidding war for the project and he will play the lead role as well as co-produce the film.