Inspired by Friends

Director Siddharth Anand says his new film Anjaana Anjaani, which stars Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, is inspired by the hit American sitcom Friends.

"I remember when I watched Friends I wanted to meet and know every character. That's how I want audiences to feel about Ranbir and Priyanka in Anjaana Anjaani. When Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge came out, you wanted to feel and touch Raj and Simran. That's how I want audiences to feel about Ranbir and Priyanka...everyone in the team has given his or her best to this film," Anand said.

Anjaana Anjaani has been scripted by author Advaita Kala.

"She wrote a chick-lit novel called Almost Single. I asked her to develop a story by my wife Mamta. Ranbir and Priyanka had no reference points in any film for their performance...These are characters going through extraordinary, not easily relatable circumstances. It's about few days that two strangers spend together."

Siddharth shot in Central Park's skating rink. "We shot in iconic New York. We had the skating rink shut down for our shoot for three days. Then we shot with Ranbir and Priyanka in New York's Caf Lalo where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks met in When Harry Met Sally."

And they also needed to shoot on a bridge and they finally headed to Kuala Lampur to do that.

"We needed to take over a bridge completely for three-four days. Because of 26/11, we couldn't get the necessary permission. We finally got the bridge in Kuala Lumpur. They made it as easy for us as shooting in Goregaon. Thanks to our producer Sajid Nadiadwala, we could shoot anywhere I wanted," said Anand, who has made films like Salaam Namaste and Bachna Ae Haseeno. 

The whole film was shot in live sound and is set to release on Oct 1.

Contrary to expectations, Ranbir's singing debut won't be part of the film's CD.

"Ranbir has sung a one-and-half minute track. But it is part of a comic scene. So he will only be singing in the film. We needed Ranbir's character, not Ranbir, to sing. So those who want to watch him sing will have to wait for the film," Anand said.

"I did my first film Salaam Namaste in 2005. If I'm doing another romantic film it better be even cooler and more contemporary. Anjaana Anjaani is the riskiest film ever. I've experimented with the style and performances.

"If audiences believe in the couple, they'll come back repeatedly to watch them. If they don't they'll reject them completely. It's so character-driven. If their performances don't work, the film doesn't," he added.

Cat Fight

Reports reveal that Lara has been cast alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Rampal — all three who have been retained from the film’s prequel ‘Don’.

However, it’s being believed that she would have a meatier role than just be seen vying for SRK’s attention alongside Priyanka in the story. “Lara’s not replacing Eesha (Koppikhar). She’s a completely new addition to the cast with an entirely new part written for her. But yes, the role will require Lara to learn some form of martial arts and she is very kicked about doing an action role,” said a source.

Beauty pageant winners Lara and Priyanka had made their Bollywood debut together in 2003, with blockbuster flick ‘Andaz’. While for Priyanka, there’s been no looking back since then, Lara apparently is yet to make it to the top spot in the industry. 

Short is Hot

Javed Habib, one of the most prominent hair stylists in India, believes that very short is very hot! He expressed his thoughts saying that shorter hair can make you look better and younger. In fact he thinks the shorter it is the better!

And various people including our much adored Bolly-town celebs have also been seen catching onto this new trend.

So many of our gorgeous beauties like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta et al, who have lovely long manes of hair have cut them short this season – making the trend so popular!

Gul Panang is the Bollywood actress who is, most known for sporting a Bob cut! But recently, even Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra have joined her by cutting their hair short and they're definitely looking splendid and glamorous as ever.

Most hair stylists are of the opinion that, during summers people want a desperate relief from the scorching heat! Plus it gets difficult to handle long hair during this time of the year and so gals are more than willing to say a bye to their lovely long tresses.

However many girls are not all that comfortable parting with their long hair, as they think it would make their face look too huge.

But experts like Habib state the trick lies in the hands of a hair stylist! If s/he is any good and has enough experience, then s/he would instinctively know where to add volume so that your face doesn't look broad! 

Controversies, Yet Again

All the Priyanka Chopra fans who were dying hard to watch her hosting the Television show would be really disappointed to know that the actress’ much-awaited TV debut show ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ is expected to get delayed. The sizzling B-town actress is the recent victim of the IPL controversy.

The diva is not directly in the picture but the current IPL fascia has brought this delay in the shooting of the show where a single cricketer has not yet signed for this show.

The format of the show that was revealed earlier said that Priyanka’s show would have the cricketers as contestants but as of now due to Lalit Modi scandal and Dhoni’s frustration after T20 World Cup, the plans are becoming blurred.

Asource reveals, “The slow movement is due to the turmoil in the country’s cricket scenario after the Indian Premier League-Lalit Modi episode. Couple this with M S Dhoni`s recent comment that the extensive traveling and partying has taken a toll on the Indian players.”

It added, “Talks have been on with cricketers. Ever since Priyanka was announced as the show’s new host two months ago, negotiations have been on, but no player is on board yet.”

However Priyanka had been signed to finish the shoot till July and the producers have not yet short listed the contestants.

Picture of the Day

Picture of the Day.

Disconnected

Priyanka Chopra is one lucky actress to be away from the maddening hustle bustle of Mumbai. The gorgeous lady is in the peaceful locales of Coorg shooting for Vishal Bharadwaj’s ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’.

Apparently, Piggy Chops is having net connection troubles and therefore missing out on updating her social networking status. But little does she complain. Strangely, Priyanka’s enjoying this disconnection. “Coorg is gorgeous, it’s serene. I am loving each bit of my shoot here,” said an excited Priyanka.

But doesn’t she miss talking to her fans? “I am in a low connection area but I am strangely loving it. Being disconnected is giving me so much focus which I so needed in ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’. It’s also given me time to find myself,” she said. Now that’s some way to look positively at things. Isn’t it?

The actress will be away for two months shooting with an eclectic mix of personalities comprising Neil Nitin Mukesh, Irrfan Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Anu Kapoor and more.