Imran Khan and Avantika Malik

The young heartthrob of Bollywood Imran Khan 
will break the hearts of millions of ladies round the globe as he 
engaged to long time girl friend Avantika Malik. 

Jay Bhanushali admires Salman's style, Aamir's professionalism

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Television actor Jay Bhanushali admires Bollywood star Salman Khan for his style of anchoring and follows Aamir Khan's when it comes to taking up new assignments.

'I am a big fan of Salman bhai. He's the one whom I look up to for inspiration. He's great. What I really like about him is that when he's hosting a show, he's just like a common man. He does everything like a common man and this what connects him to the audiences,' Jay told IANS.

Salman is currently hosting the fourth season of reality show 'Bigg Boss'.

'I also try incorporate that aspect in my anchoring. I like his casual attitude. Moreover, when I started my career, I wanted to be like Salman Khan,' said Jay who will be seen as a host of 'Dance India Dance Doubles'. He was here for the auditions of the Zee TV's upcoming reality show.

The actor made his television debut with Ekta Kapoor's 'Kayamath' and later participated in the reality show 'Jhalak Dikhala Ja'. He has hosted two seasons of 'Dance India Dance'.

Jay recently played a small part in Star One's show 'Geet....Hui Sab Se Parayi' and hosted Imagine TV's 'Meethi Choori No.1'.

The 26-year-old actor admits he is very choosy about his work and tries to follow Aamir's work ethics.

'I like what Aamir Khan does. I wouldn't take up any show for the sake of just appearing on TV. I am very choosy about my work. I don't want my fans to get bored of me. I always see to it that if I am coming with something it should be different,' he said.

'Rather than being a part of a flop show, I would prefer to stay away from the small screen for some time. The tag of a flop show hurts a lot. I have reached where I am today after a lot of struggle and hard work. I have miles to go with the same struggle and passion towards work,' he added.

It is often seen that the lead actors of any particular show fade out once their show ends. Actors like Smriti Z. Irani, Cezanne Khan and Sakshi Tanwar are some of the examples.

But Jay disagrees.

'It depends. It is true that when you are constantly seen on television, you get over-exposed. But its up to you how to maintain your image and keep succeeding. Actors like Ronit Roy are still very active on small screen,' he said.

All set for some Toon fun

Aditya Chopra pioneered this trend of mixing real characters with animated cartoons in a song in his super-successful Hum Tum (2004). 

Six years later, director Kireet Khurana has made India's first live action animation feature-Toonpur Ka Superhero (TKS) for Krishkika Lulla of Eros International and Kumar Mangat Pathak of Big Screen Entertainment.

Kireet, who is an animation expert, feels that this Christmas Eve (December 24) will be extra special for children because his film is exactly what Santa Claus would order for children in Bollywood. He's proud that for the first time Bollywood has made a live action animation full-length feature with two superstars-Ajay Devgn and Kajol in the thick of it. The story-line is cute. There is trouble brewing in the sprawling city of toons just below the surface of the earth. And, yes you guessed right; apna Bollywood couple get in there to resolve issues.

Says Kajol, who plays a doting mother in the film, "I thought I had done it all, but honestly, the temptation to do a feature film that actually brings together real and animated characters in a full on confrontation had me super-charged. I have had a great time working on it. And I'm sure my daughter Nysa and all the other children are bound to go gaga over it.''

Ajay is equally charged. "Remember Who Framed Roger Rabbit? It was a cult offering fromHollywood. If you have loved that one, you are bound to enjoy Toonpur Ka Superhero. Indian animation has reached stellar heights and the whole idea of getting live and animated characters together in one film is mind-boggling." Krishika feels Indian cinema will be proud of this movie because it is technically sound; and something children and adults will enjoy.

And, of course, the man who should get the maximum kudos for this venture is Kireet, who is a very popular name in the world of animation. "Besides getting mainstream Bollywood support for this film, I'm also doubly excited to have Jack Gill, who worked on films like Terminator to direct the action sequences. With this one, India will see a new genre of live action and animation," says Kireet. 

Working class malady - Bollywood's on-screen illnesses!

New Delhi: Progeria, paraplegia, anterograde amnesia - Bollywood's current portrayal of unusual ailments might be drawing applause from the elite, but it is leaving front benchers baffled.

If Hrithik Roshan's recent portrayal of a paraplegic who appeals for euthanasia in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish is any indication, the working class audience is ending up somewhat enlightened but also somewhat afraid.

"If someone is really facing trouble due to health issues, we often say she or he should better die for relief but I was not aware that such things can be a point of discussion in high society circles too as shown inGuzaarish. And the paraplegic part too was something new for me," Ramakant Mohanty, who works as a chauffeur, told.

"Ab jab bhi gaadi chalata hoon, zyaada dhyaan deta hoon kyunki darr lagta hai. (Now whenever I drive, I'm more cautious because that fear lurks in the back of my mind)," he added.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan stunned people with his National Award-winning stint as a progeria-affected 12-year-old in Paa and Aamir Khan brought to the shore anterograde amnesia in Hindi cinema's biggest grosser Ghajini.

Sanjay Singh, a house painter from Uttar Pradesh, who watched Paa while whitewashing a house, still scratches his head when asked to explain progeria.

"I was aware of a disease where people age rapidly but I had no idea that they would look like an 80-year-old when they were 16 or 17. I still haven't understood how that is possible and it leaves goosebumps whenever I discuss such diseases with my friends," said Singh, who tried hard but couldn't pronounce progeria.

Hrithik also tried putting forth the problems faced by a developmentally disabled individual in Koi...Mil Gaya. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan tried highlighting Asperger Syndrome in My Name Is Khan while Aamir created an impact by portraying the problems faced by dyslexic children in his directorial debut Taare Zameen Par.

Apart from raising awareness about lesser known ailments among the oblivious lot, the A-list starrer medical dramas do end up injecting fear in many minds.

"Such portrayal of diseases in Hindi movies can have a positive or a negative effect on people like us who don't know much about such maladies," Kanhaiya Lal, a paan seller from Kanpur, told.

"It can be positive in the way that viewers become aware of the disease and its effects and become cautious, and negative in the sense that it may create a fear about such health disorders in uneducated and orthodox households like ours," he added.

Arshad Warsi and Konkona Sen Sharma introduced audiences to schizophrenia in Krazzy 4 and 15 Park Avenue respectively, while Kajol and Big B brought to the screen Alzheimer's disease in U Me Aur Hum and Black respectively. In Luck, heartthrob Imran Khan had dextrocardia, a rare medical condition in which a person is born with his heart on the right side.

Meeta Mahar, an associate professor with the Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI), says movies help in raising awareness.

"Films on diseases definitely create an awareness among the labour class. If these films are viewed by them, it helps in the diagnosis, support and treatment of such cases. However, owing to their 'masala' seeking taste, it is unlikely that such films would be viewed by them, unless a special screening is held for them," Mahar told.

Samir Parikh, consultant psychiatrist at Max Healthcare, said: "Cinema has a very good reach in society; it has the power to educate people and make them sensitive to medical issues; and when done with good research and presented with facts and sensitivity, it is a welcome step. Films also help in reducing stigma."

Bijay Pyakurel, a domestic help of Nepali origin, however, pointed out that the medical terms are a major hurdle in their understanding of such diseases.

"We are really fond of Bollywood movies but most of them are so much in new Hindi (Hinglish) that we find it difficult to understand. Sab bimari ka naam samajh mein nahi aata hai (We don't understand the medical terms). But, yes, the acting does make us realise about the disease," said Pyakurel.

Medical issues in films is Bollywood’s new flavour

The one aspect that’s radically making a trend in Bollywood is the new theme of depicting rare kinds of diseases in films.

There is no denying fact that Hrithik’s portrayal of a paraplegic in his latest outing, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Guzaarish’, and Amitabh’s striking performance of a 13-year-old struck by progeria in ‘Paa’ did bring awareness among the working class audience in a positive and negative manner, but certainly did instill some trepidation in their minds.

Apart from showing diseases like paraplegia and progeria in films, Bollywood had earlier highlighted health disorders like Asperger Syndrome, Schizophrenia and Alzheimer with complete facts about the diseases.

Audience don’t understand medical terminologies
Exploring medical issues in films might primarily educate individuals after giving facts on the issue, however, dashing pell-mell into it can be confusing for front benchers, who do not understand the medical terminologies of unusual diseases.

Bollywood films taking an initiative to present this kind of theme in films have witnessed a lot of appreciation from audience, but most were able to understand the diseases only after watching the actor’s performances.

Hrithik to launch a fitness book
The actor, who’s known to be a fitness freak, has considerably lost weight in a couple of weeks after adding on weight for his last film ‘Guzaarish’.

It’s learnt that actor’s fitness techniques have attracted few publishers, who are offering an astronomical amount to write a book on fitness.

Talking about Hrithik’s new job, his fitness trainer Satyajit Chaurasia stated, “Hrithik is known to promote good health. And he works religiously to maintain it too.”

Satyajit, who will also be seen guiding the actor for writing the book has openly, revealed that the book will be launched sometime next year. Meanwhile, the trainer has also opened up on the concept that they are planning to introduce in the book.

“It’s not necessary to spend hours working out. Even four-to-ten minutes of exercise can help. That’s the concept we’ll be introducing in our book,” stated Satyajit

Piggy Chops refuses to dance on New Year's Eve

Latest reports from the B-town reveal that Bollywood hottie Priyanka Chopra, who was offered a whopping amount of 3 crore by a high-end five star hotel for their New Year celebrations, rejected the offer and refused to dance at the event.

Priyanka is uncomfortable to dance in hotels
Unlike every other Bollywood actress who likes to make a quick buck by shaking a leg at such events, buzz has it that Priyanka refused the offer even after being offered double the amount of what she is getting in her acting profession.

Confirming this, sources close to the actress stated, "A 5-star hotel in Andheri came up with an offer to Priyanka asking her to gyrate at the forthcoming New Year's Eve. Priyanka turned them down politely."

It’s heard that the actress had courteously turned down the offer and made it clear that she is quite uncomfortable to gyrate in front of live audience.

“Priyanka is very uncomfortable dancing in hotels in front of a live audience.She doesn’t get a very good feeling in doing such performances. Yes, Rs 3 crore is a very tempting amount. But despite the hotel officials coaxing her, Priyanka was adamant that she wouldn’t toe the line,” further stated the source.

Priyanka and Shahid to appear in 'Koffee With Karan'?
Scuttlebutt has it that ex-flames, Priyanka and Shahid are ready to come together for KJo's chat show ‘Koffee With Karan’.

The couple has agreed to come on the show after much coaxing by Karan Johar, who wanted them to appear together.

Buzz had it that the duo broke-up as Shahid was quite upset with Priyanka's budding friendship with Ranbir Kapoor.

In order to put an end to such speculations, the couple has decided to come together on the show.

Kareena Kapoor's Marriage Plans

Now that Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor's best gal pal Amrita Arora has tied the knot, it seems like everyone is buzzing about when Kareena herself will walk down the aisle with her beau Saif Ali Khan. With rumors of marriage flying around ever since the couple first hooked up, Kareena Kapoor recently spoke out on her plans for marriage and from the sounds of it, Saifeena won't be taking any vows anytime soon.
Kareena Kapoor was recently quoted as saying, "It won't happen for the next two years for sure. Am I crazy to get married now when so many wonderful things are happening to my career? Saif himself is ultra-busy trying to set up his production house. Marriage can wait. I'm just happy to have him by my side. I've got the best guy any girl can ever have." Awww... now isn't that sweet?
She's also talking about winning four awards recently, stating, "My mother gets exasperated each time I bring home another trophy. Saif wants to know where I'm going to keep all of them. I've set aside a whole enclave for trophies and awards. I love looking at them. One day my children are going to look at them and be proud of me." Wow, way to be modest Kareena! But then again, when have we ever known Kareena to be modest?
Back to Miss Kapoor's marriage plans - what do you guys think of Kareena Kapoor possibly tying the knot with Saif Ali Khan? If they did get married, that would of course mean she would play step-mother to Saif's two children from his previous marriage to Amrita Singh. Can you see Kareena as a mother? Do you think Kareena and Saif have what it takes to last? Drop us a comment with your thoughts on the matter!