February 4, 2008

I won’t Fall Into the Controversy Trap: Rekha

Rekha, one of the most reclusive Bollywood actresses, is in no mood to talk about the various controversies surrounding her film Yatra, releasing Friday, which have been created – she says – as people want her to retaliate. “Why this film? I never speak about my films. By talking about an issue, we tend to trivialise it,” Rekha told IANS in an interview. “However, I’ve my own take on the publicity of a film. Every time a film comes along, the people behind it talk about how different it is from run-of-the-mill films,” she added. She terms it as “hamburger culture” from the West. “But I don’t believe movies are a product. You aren’t selling emotions; you’re sharing emotions. Our Indian way of looking at emotions is different. I don’t think I need to stand on a podium and say what kind of performance I’ve given in Yatra or any other film.” The film, which also has Nana Patekar and Deepti Naval in main leads, is about a writer’s journey and has been selected for the Montreal film festival. But it made more news for alleged differences between director Goutam Ghose and Rekha. Apparently, the film’s crew was upset with the diva’s constant interference. “I won’t waste a single moment justifying my behaviour or defending myself. Other people can say and do what they like. All I can say is, empty vessels make the most noise. And I’m anything but empty. “But I won’t let people fire their guns from my shoulder. Yatra definitely isn’t one of those films where everyone needs to scream at the top of one’s voice to make an impact. Every film I do is mine,” she said. “These controversies are being created for me to retaliate. I won’t fall into the trap. Since Nana Patekar won’t talk, I won’t talk, news has to be created somehow. I truly believe a film should speak for itself. I won’t talk,” she added. Rekha says she has a small role in Yatra. “I hope I was not an uninvited guest,” she said. “I always believe every film and every unit I work in is my baby and my family. I’ve no complaints.” So is Rekha trying to enhance her mystical image by refraining from coming out for publicity? “Do you really think one can create an enigmatic aura by staying away from the limelight. What about Nargis Dutt? She was visible everywhere from cinema to politics. And yet what mystique she conveyed! To this day she’s an enigma to everyone, including her own children. “Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) remembers her only for the love that she showered on him and that he gave back to her unconditionally. Beyond that he knows nothing about her. I am certainly not out to create an image by not talking about my film.” What if people perceive her to be eccentric? “What’s wrong with that? If a few eccentric people find me eccentric I don’t mind,” shrugs Rekha.

Britney Seen Chatting in Mirror With Ledger February 4, 2008

Pop diva Britney Spears was reported seen talking with the mirror believing that she was talking to late actor Heath Ledger, just moments before her father was given the charge of her life as well as her estate. Sources have revealed that upon examination by psychiatrists why she had been talking to her own reflection for more than two hours, Britney said that she was talking to the Hollywood star. “It was really distressing to see. Brit had been babbling on for hours to the mirror. She was very emotional and she was convinced she was talking to Heath, News Of The World quoted a source as saying. When the singer came to know that her father Jamie Spears was legally given the charge of her life and her estate, she went ballistic and started screaming at the hospital staff. “I’m so sick of all this. They can have the god damn house and stick it up their f*****g a***s. Actually, no they can’t. Nobody’s taking my house. Who are my family?” she screamed with a British accent. Meanwhile, Britney has been going through a torturous detox in a psych ward, which might get extended for another 14 days.

February 4, 2008

I don’t Mind Shedding Off My Clothes: Neha

Actress Neha Dhupia, who is playing the role of a underworld don’s muse in her upcoming movie ‘Mithya’, says she is open to ’shedding off’ her clothes if the role demands so. “I don’t mind shedding off my clothes, if a character demands me to do so. If the role justifies it, definitely I am going to take it off.” Neha, off late, has been playing a lot of de-glamorised roles but that doesn’t damper her spirit to be bold. “I don’t know how people have perceived it in India, but in places like Brazil or US, it is relative. Skin show or even the slightest exposure, if not portrayed with heart, may send the wrong signal,” she adds. The actress, who is popularly known as ‘Chhotu’ among her friends, is all upbeat about her soon to be released movie ‘Mithya’ also starring actors Naseeruddin Shah, Ranveer Shorey and Vinay Pathak and is in all praise for their acting. “It was a great experience working with such wonderful actors from whom I have learned a lot. They have all given a power packed performance in the movie in which I am playing a muse ‘Sonam’ of the underworld don Ranvir Shorey.” Neha, who came into limelight with her controversial statement that “Only sex and Shahrukh sell in Bollywood’ still abides by it though she feels that good script and acting also make head turns. “Today, good script and acting sells and not just sex alone. I still abide by my earlier statement. After Julie’s success, several other sex-based films were made but none of them did well because audience was fed up with it,” says the young actress.

Jolie Collects Award for `Mighty Heart’ February 4, 2008

Angelina Jolie traveled up the California coast to receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s “Performance of the Year” award. The 32-year-old actress was honored Saturday for her portrayal of Mariane Pearl, wife of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, in the film “A Mighty Heart.” It’s one of numerous awards Jolie has received for the role, but among the few she’s personally collected. “To be honest, I just heard that it was a beautiful festival, and one to take seriously,” Jolie told Associated Press Television News. The award was presented by Clint Eastwood, director of Jolie’s upcoming drama “The Changeling.” “Clint Eastwood? Ahttp://wwww! Don’t get me started,” Jolie said. “I could talk forever about him. I could turn the whole evening into a Clint Eastwood evening. … I think he’s just a genuinely great guy. He’s nice to everybody on set.” Jolie arrived with her partner, Brad Pitt, who did not speak to the media but briefly posed with Jolie for photos. She said dealing with the insanity of Hollywood is much easier with Pitt and their children at her side. “I think it’s the only way to juggle it,” she said. Besides her film career, Jolie, who won an Oscar for her part in the 1999 film “Girl, Interrupted,” keeps busy with humanitarian efforts at home and abroad, including work with the United Nations as a goodwill ambassador. Her friend George Clooney was recently named U.N. messenger of peace, but Jolie said she didn’t have a clue what he should expect from the gig. “I’m not sure exactly what his position is and what he’s gonna do,” she said. “But I know his heart is in the right place, and he’s truly committed.” Jolie, who wore a black blouse and loose-fitting floor-length skirt, looked lean and not obviously pregnant. Publicists asked the media not to question her about reports that she may be with child again. Jolie and Pitt have been tabloid staples since they began shooting “Mr. And Mrs. Smith” in 2004, when Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston but a romance with Jolie was blooming on the set. What does Jolie think it will take for the press to move beyond their off-screen life and onto more significant things? “I think it’s going to take, partly, people wanting to learn those things,” she said. “I mean, I know, that’s what I look for when I wake up in the morning — when I go online or when I get the paper. And you can find it if you’re looking for it. And you can avoid silliness if you want to. So it’s a personal choice of each individual.”

Kirsten Dunst On the Verge of a Breakdown? February 4, 2008

Speculations are rife that Spiderman beauty Kirsten Dunst is on the verge of a breakdown, as she has reportedly been seen showing strange behaviour. Sources have revealed that the 25-year-old star came late, left early, and “acted erratic” during a recent event at Sundance. Dunsts behaviour even compelled her friends to make apologies on her behalf, add sources. “Kirsten is not in a good place right now, The New York Post quoted a source as telling of what Dunsts friends said. The Golden Globe nominated actress has not been spotted out or photographed in recent weeks. Her representative, however, insists that “Kirsten is fine. Dunst had split with Razorlight rocker boyfriend Johnny Borell last year.