Bobby is Samir Karnik's hero

The man who once directed Bobby Deol in Nanhe Jaisalmer, Samir Karnik appears to have developed a special regard for the actor's professional skills. Even as he has just wrapped the shoot for 'Heroes', a film that stars not only Bobby, but also Salman, Preity and Sunny Deol, the director has yet another release lined up with the junior Deol.

Titled 'Roshan', this one has been in the making even before 'Heroes' and stars the 'Nanhe Jaisalmer' child actor Dwij Yadav along with Bobby Deol. And playing his romantic interest in the film will be Kangana Ranaut. Meanwhile, the multi-starrer 'Heroes' that was earlier titled 'Mera Bharat Mahaan' is now scheduled to release in November later this year.

Bachchan goes all out for Drona

“It is not because the film is being directed by my best friend. I believe in Drona and I have worked extremely hard for this film. The film will be a first for Indian audiences and I will work equally hard to promote it,” opening words of Abhishek Bachchan.

In between a hectic world schedule of the Unforgettable Tour, Bachchan flew down to Mumbai for a day to shoot the promos for MTV’s various shows like The Big Picture, Hot Seat, as well as slipped in time for an interview with Bombay Times. Recounts the actor as he sits in the airport lounge on his way to Delhi, “If I did not shoot these promos, I would have missed the deadline for the programming scheduled for September. Its important to allot dates for marketing so that people know what your film is all about.”

Reveals President of Eros International India, Sunil Lulla,“Abhishek is very committed to the project. He was here for less than a day and he shot for us for more than 12 hours. That is dedication.”

And this certainly brings a smile on the producer’s face. Shrishti Behl Arya confirms, “AB is actively involved with Drona. He has sat on all the meetings when we have discussed the strategy and marketing of the film”.

Drona’s promos are already out and the response has been extremely positive. This has certainly egged the team to go an extra mile to promote it. And leading the pack is Abhishek Bachchan.

Akshay ki pathshaala

Akshay Kumar is all set to build a school in Ranjitpura, a village close to Chandigarh. Akshay Kumar's association with the people of Ranjitpura started during the shooting of Namastey London when Vipul Shah and Akshay shot the film for almost 20 days in and around the village.

A source close to Akshay said, "The village doesn't have a school to accommodate all the children, especially the girls. Akshay Kumar has told the village authorities that he wants to fund a school for the children of the village."

When contacted, Vipul Shah, a close fried of Akshay, confirmed the news and said, "Yes, it's true. It has been Akshay's long cherished dream to start a school for the children of Ranjitpura. We have been in talks with the village authorities and things are being worked out."

Vipul elaborated on how Akshay thought of this wonderful idea. He said, "It all started when we were shooting for Namastey London in Ranjitpura. We found that a lot of kids were working in the fields, instead of going to school. Moreover, the village didn't have a well-structured school.

In between one of the shots, as we were relaxing, we heard one of the kids telling his father that he didn't want to go to school. The farmer seemed quite okay with his decision. Akshay was horrified and we ended up having a long discussion over the issue. I thought it had ended there, but I was wrong. I was surprised when recently he mentioned that he wanted to build a school in Ranjitpura."

Vipul Shah
According to our source, when they decided to shoot the Namastey London wedding sequence in the same village, the village people not only participated in the shoot, they also made sure that it looked like a real wedding. Our source added, "Once Akshay is back in the country, we have planned to return to the village and go ahead with the project."

When we contacted Akshay, he confirmed the news and said, "It is my desire to do something special for the villagers and I have been closely working with the authorities. The people of Ranjitpura were extremely warm and helpful when we were shooting there."

Is a struggling actress responsible for Rahul's divorce?

Payal Rohatgi's acting career may not be going great guns but her personal life is on a high. Sources say that her closeness with Rahul Mahajan may have been the reason for the break-up of his marriage.

Rahul, son of the late Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former union minister Pramod Mahajan, formally parted ways from his wife Shweta Friday after a Gurgaon court passed a decree on their mutual divorce petition.

According to sources, Payal who has been denying any link with Rahul off late, recently hosted a party for him at a five-star hotel here. The party, which was a personal affair, was attended by select guests and the media was not invited.

When asked about the party, Payal was not willing to disclose any details.

"It was a personal affair. I would not like to say anything about it," Payal told IANS Friday.

However, one of the invitees at the party said: "Both of them played the perfect hosts and looked like a couple."

Reports say Rahul and Payal have been friends for more than six years.

But their closeness increased ever since Rahul's relations with his wife took an ugly turn.

However, a few common friends now blame Payal for the strained relations between Rahul and his wife.

"I don't want to discuss personal life. It is completely my personal affair and I would not like to comment on it," said Payal, who was seen in films like "Corporate", "36 China Town", "Dhol".

Sources say in recent times, Rahul and Payal have been spotted in various places together and he is even planning to cast her in the lead in the first film under his production company Cine Vision.

There were also reports that Rahul gifted Payal an imported car when her car was completely damaged in an accident.

Rahul married his old time friend Shweta Aug 29, 2006, months after Pramod Mahajan was shot dead by his own brother in his Mumbai home.

Later Rahul hit the headlines when he was hospitalised after an alleged incident of drug abuse. Pramod's secretary Viveik Moitra died of drug overdose.

Akshay declines Sallu's olive branch

Salman Khan has brought star cricketers on board for his game show 'Dus Ka Dum', but when Salman extended an invitation to actor Akshay Kumar, it was turned down on the pretext of Akshay hosting a show for a rival channel.

Every move that Salman makes hits headlines, be it his relationship with Katrina, his recent spat with srk or the rumours of his breakup with Kats. Sallu has constantly been under the scanner.

This time though it is Salman attempt to mend his ways that has got him back under the spot light.

Salman Khan invited none other than Akshay kumar to be on his show Dus Ka Dum. But that is just the tip of the iceberg; the invite was for Akshay and Katrina

So while that may have been a brow raising act. It is Akki's refusal that doesnt come as as a surprise. Akshay Kumar declined the invitation to appear on 'Dus Ka Dum' citing the fact that he's already hosting another show for another channel.

Whether that is the real reason for not appearing on Sallu's show we do not know for now. But one can't help but wonder whether the scene at Katrina's birthday bash a couple of weeks ago had something to do with it.

Katrina Kaif opposite Ranbir Kapoor in 'Rajniti'

'World’s sexiest woman', Katrina Kaif has been signed to play the role opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Prakash Jha ’s forthcoming political thriller Rajniti .

The movie, on the lines of the great epic Mahabharat, also stars Ajay Devgan , Manoj Bajpai , Vivek Oberoi and Nana Patekar .



Talking about Katrina, Jha said, “I needed an actress who'd look convincing as an intelligent, modern, cultured girl of today. Katrina fit the bill perfectly. She also looks perfectly matched with Ranbir.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Katrina was supposed to star as the fourth heroine opposite Ranbir in the forthcoming Bachna Ae Haseeno , but her role was chopped out because the film was getting too long.

Katrina would not mind that one bit because in 'Rajniti', she’ll have Ranbir all for herself.

'Rajniti' that blends contemporary Indian politics with chapters from Mahabharat, will have Ajay playing a modern day Karna and Nana Patekar has been cast as Lord Krishna. Manoj Bajpai will play a modern day Duryodhan, while Ranbir is in the pivotal role of Arjun.

Salman lets out his secrets!

All of Salman's family and friends and even foes had better watch Dus Ka Dum to find out what skeletons are tumbling out of the closet! Salman is endearingly candid on the show... particularly when it comes to letting out family secrets and even little known nuggets about his friends.

Recenlty he revealed that his father Salim Khan throws utensils at home sometimes to annoy his mother! Or that his kid sister Arpita 's skimpy clothes annoy him and he has to ask her to change them before she steps out!