Ali Zafar sings with co-star in London Paris New York

MUMBAI: Actor-singer Ali Zafar, who has turned composer for his upcoming Bollywood movie London Paris New York, has not only given playback for the film himself, but also got co-star Aditi Rao to sing with him. “Normally it’s either the hero or heroine who lend his or her voice to a song. But in this case, I decided we’d both sing because Aditi has a nice, soothing voice,” he reasons.

Ali admits that giving the score was tough because he was simultaneously shooting the rom-com produced by Fox Star Studio and Goldie Behl’s Rose Movies.

“The project took off suddenly and in a month’s time, we were rolling,” he reminisces.

“And since it took me to three of the most romantic cities across the world (London, Paris and New York), I used Skype to jam with my arranger back home before returning to my studio in Lahore for the recording and then mixing the tracks at Mumbai’s Yashraj Studio. Even with Aditi, I rehearsed the song on Skype since she was here in India and I was in Pakistan.”

The Pakistani star singer admits he’s been to all three culturally rich cities before, even performing live gigs there, but this time it was different because he was shooting his first reel-life love story in real time.

“The idea was for Aditi and me to be as naturally convincing as possible in our roles of two young people, Nikhil and Lalitha, connecting at different points in their lives and finding love through heartbreak and angst despite their obvious differences,” he points out.

London is Ali’s favourite city in the word, along with Mumbai and New York. But during the shoot it was in a bit of a turmoil following the riots. Paris, on the other hand, was chilly.

“I’ve never been so cold in my life before,” he admits.

“At least I could have a jacket on but Aditi, poor girl, was in a short dress and after every shot, the assistants would come running to wrap her up in a thick blanket.

Fortunately, New York was warmer and we had a great time running around the city, exploring all the places you wouldn’t usually visit as a tourist.”

The film, written and directed by debutant Anu Menon has six tracks composed by Ali. It is eyeing a February 2012 release.

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Ranveer Singh's multiple-look campaign dropped

MUMBAI: If marketing bosses for Yash Raj Films' Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl had their way, actor Ranveer Singh, who plays multiple characters in the the movie, would have gone out in different get-ups during the multi-city promotion tour. But the plans were dropped due to the stress he went through while essaying the characters in the film.

The film, which also features Anushka Sharma, portrays Ranveer as a conman.

According to a source, Ranveer was so much into his role that his friends and family often feel he is into an identity crisis.

"Ranveer threw himself into playing the title character Ricky Bahl and his various avatars to the point that he would converse in the given accent with colleagues, family and friends in the way alloted to his character at any specific time during the shooting of his film.

"If after Band Baaja Baaraat, he couldn't snap out of his Delhi character's accent and body language, after Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, Ranveer had his colleagues, friends and family worried with his quixotic changes in accent and character. We would often ask, 'Ranveer, tu hai kahan? (Ranveer, where are you lost?).' It got really scary," said the source.

So, it was thought best to drop the idea of getting Ranveer to don the multitude characters during the promotion of the film, which released Friday.

"Yes, I was planning to go out in various get-ups to different cities. But we've dropped those plans. Very frankly, this role has been nerve-wracking .And I need a break before I start another film," said Ranveer.

The young actor feels the need to spend some time alone during nights to bring back his creative energy and talent.

"Yes it's just me in my boxer shorts. That time with myself is mandatory now. I do need to break out of the spell. But I am grateful to Yash Raj Films for giving me two such contrasting roles one after the other.

"In Band Baaja Baaraat, I was a rough and tough, uncouth Delhi guy. In Ricky Bahl, I am a suave ladies' man, who assumes a new identity for courting every woman. After my first film everyone expected me to be like my character in real life, so much so that they were shocked when they discovered me to be a regular Mumbai guy. Now after the second film I don't know which character I am expected to be. There are so many," he added.

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I don't consider myself a role model: SRK

MUMBAI: With shouts of I Love You Shah Rukh emanating from a thousand strong crowd, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan unveiled the look of his upcoming action thriller Don 2 at the ongoing Dubai International Film Festival.

The ever charmer, the actor said he has made bad look really good in the movie.

The 46-year-old actor, who enjoys a huge fan-following in United Arab Emirates, said he enjoyed making the Don sequel, which hits theatres in 2D and 3D on December 23.

"When I am good, I am good but when I am bad, I am better. I have a dark soul and I am very proud of the film because I could be as bad as I wanted and there is no justification. Of course, we are not glorifying the bad things but in my 70 films odd career I have never enjoyed playing a part like I do in Don 2," said Shah Rukh.

The actor was accompanied by co-star Priyanka Chopra, director Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani but the evening clearly belonged to him as he charmed his way through the crowd with his quick repartees.

The film faced some trouble in India because of its smoking scenes and responding to a question from a young audience member, Shah Rukh said he never considered himself a role model.

"I don't consider myself a role model. I have little kids of my own and I make movies for them. But honestly I think they should be exposed to all kind of stories so they can give vent to whatever is in their system and grow up to be cool like me. We are not justifying anything here," he said.

One of the best loved stars in India, Shah Rukh said hetries to do different things Within The Parameters Of Commercial Cinema.

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Celebs react to Kolkata hospital fire

MUMBAI: Over 70 people lost their lives and many are still stuck inside as a massive fire broke out in AMRI hosiptal, Kolkata on Friday. Celebs express their grief for the victims on Twitter.

Bipasha Basu: Sad news! Watching reports on the major fire tht broke at Amri hospital in kolkata!Prayers fr all the ppl who r still stuck inside.

RITEISH DESHMUKH: Shocked to see the visuals of FIRE at AMRI hospital in KOKATA- Prayers for the well-being all trapped inside.

Rahul Bose: horrified about AMRI fire in calcutta. genuinely caring about human lives requires enormous energy & compassion. do we as a country have it?

Abhishek Bachchan: “@sourabhgoho: @juniorbachchan Helpline for #AMRI: 9831225067,9932215296,9831225067 .. PLEASE UPDATE THIS
ON YOUR WALL. thank you..

Celina Jaitly: Devastated by the news of the hospital fire in my city kolkata.. we have serious delusional issues of handling 'any' situation..

Taslima Nasreen: Hospital fire in Kolkata.73 dead. FIR against owners! The rich tycoons Goenka & Todi will have fun & high tea at the police station.

Khushbu Sundar: AMRI hospital,Kolkata,fire accident is very shocking n saddening..heart goes out to the families n loves ones who have lost someone.

Harsha Bhogle: terrible. 73 killed in a fire in a hospital in kolkata! patients trapped. what is this a punishment for?

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur in a series of tweets has reacted on the tragedy:

"Over 40 patients suffocate 2 death in Kolkata hospital. No fire safety in place. Y? R v becoming a nation immune 2 loss of life?"

"Indian cities r dangerously overflowing w/out infrastructural support as primary motive is to make quick bucks frm growing pop."

"Over half patients now confirmed suffocated 2 death in Kolkuta hospital fire with prev history of fire n still no smoke alarm."

"AMRI hired Ernst n Young n Kotak Mahindra 2 make Rs 5 billion bid for Sterling Hospitals bt cld nt install fire alarms. Shame"

"Website of AMRI hospital, promoted by Eamami Group potrays itself 1 of best equipped hospitals in India, Shame amrihospital.com"

"THE WEEK/Hansa 2011 ranked AMRI Hospital as d best in Kolkata for emergency care. On what basis?"

"Suddenly list of Board of Directors of AMRI Hospitals hve bn taken off all websites. Directors r criminally liable under Indian law"

"Indian corporate sector looking for valuations n personal wealth in Medicare ignoring realities on ground #AMRI" "List of Board of Directors of #AMRI Hospitals tht need 2 cum out publicly n take responsibility for wht happened."

"Owners of #AMTI missing reported by HT? How? AMRI is owned by Emami 1 of Indias biggest cosmetics brand"

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Milan Luthria ill, The Dirty Picture success party postpones

MUMBAI: At the premiere of The Dirty Picture and later, during the press conference announcing its success, director Milan Luthria and film’s scriptwriter Rajat Aroraa were conspicuous by their absence.

When asked why the Heroes of the film were not present, producer Ekta Kapoor and actor Vidya Balan said, “Milan is down with typhoid since the release of the film and Rajat has gone to Shirdi. Naseeruddin Shah and Emraan Hashmi too are not in town and Tusshar (Kapoor) is shooting for another film.”

Though both have been given their due every time Ekta Kapoor or Vidya Balan have spoken about the film, rumours reveal that all is not well in the happy team. A source suggests that the director, who has worked with Ekta before on their 2010 hit Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, has had differences over the film’s Profit Sharing.

However, Tanuj Garg, Chief Executive Officer(CEO), of Balaji Motion Pictures, says, “Rumours of a fight between Milan and Ekta are completely untrue.”

In fact, apparently, since Milan is on drip and not in shape to attend the success party of the film, which was to be held this Saturday, the party will now take place on December 13.

Garg also points out that if there was a fight, Milan wouldn’t be working on the sequel of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, under Ekta’s banner.

Work on the film is slated to begin in March.

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