A peek at Dabbo Ratnani’s 2009 calendar

New Year calendars with Bollywood celebrities adding glaour and glitter to it are the most awaited part of any oncoming year. Among the most awaited ones is the calendar of Dabboo Ratnani. This time Dabboo has come up with his calendar featuring the brightest Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Kangna Ranaut, Sushmita Sen, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kajol, Riteish Deshmukh and Deepika Padukone.

The calendar has Kajol in her ‘bindaas’ self atop a Mumbai taxi in a flaming red dress. Deepika Padukone is an all different look with her warrior queen avatar with a designer sword. Riteish Deshmukh looks awesomely striking with his Beatles-inspired sixties’ black and white look. Sajnay Dutt looks deadly behind the wheels of the gleaming red Ferrari.

Says Dabboo about his work, “I have not restricted myself to any dramatic theme for 2009. Some are in black and white, some are in reds while the rest are in vivid colors,” says Dabboo who begins work on his annual ritual in September every year. “Initially, I used to collect snaps of the stars I had shot and put them together for the calendar. But later, I began shooting them exclusively for it.”

The tinsel town gives a quiet welcome to 2009

This time New Year saw a quiet celebration from Bollywood stars as the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and the ongoing recessionary phase led to cancellation of events and tightened security everywhere. The Taj, Oberoi and Trident hotels opted out of hosting their annual New Year parties.

Amitabh Bachchan spent a low key evening at home with wife Jaya Bachchan. Abhishek and Ash were in Ooty in the state of Tamil Nadu busy shooting for their next. Preity Zinta is vacating overseas. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor went for a pre-planned holiday break after Saif was released from the hospital a few days ago. Ajay Devgan continued his annual celebrations at his farm house at Karjat on the outskirts of Mumbai.

Ameesha Patel and Raima Sen set the stage afire with their performances at the Country Club for New Year celebrations. Also, Sanjay Dutt hosted a party at home to welcome the oncoming year.

 

Saif Ali Khan recovers & plans for a holiday with Kareena

Saif Ali Khan had been hospitalized in Leelavati hospital on Christmas eve owing to a stomach upset, but now he is well on the way to recovery.

Speaking from his hospital bed at Leelavati hospital on Dec 26, Saif said, “I’m almost recovered now. I’m going home today (27 Jan). It was nothing, really.

I returned from Philadelphia from the shooting of Rensil d’Silva’s film on 23rd night. And since I was missing all the Mumbai ka khana, I gorged indiscriminately on local junk food, sev puri bhelpuri, paani puri….puri ki puri fauj went into my stomach.”

Saif claims it was nothing serious and he is going for a holiday with Kareena as pre-planned. She said, “It was gastroenteritis. Yes, I’ve been in hospital twice in the recent past. Once it was just an appendicitis. And the other time it was far more serious. After going through what I did the last time I’m hardly going to get scared by a little stomach infection.”

He added, “Actually it’s much less scary than it looks. I’ve got a drip coming out of my hand, so that makes it look kind of serious. But it’s nothing. I’m fine. Just a little sleepy. In fact Kareena and I are going on our holiday to the mountains as planned.”

Saif is alright now; ready for a Holiday

A single plate of Bhelpuri was enough to give the entire film industry a hiccup as Saif Ali Khan got admitted into hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Actor’s mom Sharmila Tagore Pataudi confirmed that Saif had a plate of Bhelpuri and that gave him a stomach infection. .

Girlfriend Kareena Kapoor says, “He is all right. He got a stomach infection due to some thing he ate that didn’t suit him. He’ll be discharged from hospital in 2-3 days.”

Saif and Kareena were planning to leave for a month long vacation soon after Christmas. Saif is said to have recovered almost and rearing to go on his holiday.

Saif fine now and ready to zoom off for a holiday

Saif Ali Khan is fine now and is on his way to a very soon recovery.

He says from his bed at Leelavati Hospital, “I’m almost recovered now. I’m going home today (27 Jan). It was nothing, really.

I returned from Philadelphia from the shooting of Rensil d’Silva’s film on 23rd night. And since I was missing all the Mumbai ka khana, I gorged indiscriminately on local junk food, sev puri bhelpuri, paani puri….puri ki puri fauj went into my stomach.”

Quiz him whether he was frightened about the stomach pain, he says, Not at all. It was gastroenteritis. Yes, I’ve been in hospital twice in the recent past. Once it was just an appendicitis. And the other time it was far more serious. After going through what I did the last time I’m hardly going to get scared by a little stomach infection.”

“Actually it’s much less scary than it looks. I’ve got a drip coming out of my hand, so that makes it look kind of serious. But it’s nothing. I’m fine. Just a little sleepy. In fact Kareena and I are going on our holiday to the mountains as planned.”

Well we hope you get well soon Saifoo.

What 2009 holds for our Bolly stars

Numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani predicts what 2009 holds for our top Bollywood stars and how their movies will work at the box-office.Check what he has to say about them:

Shah Rukh Khan
The Badshah of Bollywood may not have a great year health-wise. He’s in his 44th year, which adds up to 8, representing Saturn (Shani). Unfortunately, it doesn’t augur well for King Khan as 8 has not worked well for him in the past.

Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik is in his 35th year and will soon be 36. However, 9 is not one of his best numbers. In fact, 9 of Mars can make a person impulsive and accident-prone, so he better watch out instead of playing superhero! A very potent combination rules him, so he should avoid multi-starrers and take up work that has him in the lead. He and his father should make more films together as all their three films were huge hits.

Salman Khan
He is governed by number 9, the fiery Mars (Mangal), the planet of energy, which makes a person impetuous, accident-prone, stubborn and inflexible. His comeback vehicles – Tere Naam and Partner – add up to 9. His girlfriend Katrina’s destiny number is 9. She’s a water sign (Cancerian) and he’s an Earth sign, and these signs usually go well together. So, he should lie low this year as he could be subject to defamation, scandal and false accusations. In 2010, he’ll be 45, one of his best years, and marriage could be on the cards. But if he marries Katrina, she should brace against his fiery outbursts.

Saif Ali Khan
Saif is in his 39th year, adding to 3, which is Jupiter, planet of wealth. Though his girlfriend Kareena (a number 3) hasn’t married him yet, Saif can still expect to have a fortunate year, especially after his 40th birthday as 4 is one of his luckier numbers.

Akshay Kumar
The Khiladi will remain in his 42nd year till September 9 next year and it will be an eventful year. His name as well as the year 2008 adds to 28, which was also why it was so good for him. Chandni Chowk To China is expected to do well too, along with 8+10, which gives us 9 again.

Abhishek Bachchan
Junior AB is currently in his 33rd year and 6 is among his favoured numbers. However, on February 5, he’ll enter his 34th year (7), which is neither good nor bad for him. Delhi 6 is spelt so instead of Dilli 6 on our behest and adds to 6 too, so it should do him well. We’d always maintained that ABCL won’t do well under Big B as his numbers are not conducive to business; however, it stands a better chance under Abhishek.

Katrina Kaif
Katrina is a number 7, ruled by Neptune and the Moon, planets that endow imagination and creativity. She is doubly influenced by these planets as they govern Cancerians. The flipside is they can make her restless and moody. She’s now in her 25th year (7). So, this could be one of her best years.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Her name adds to 50 or 5, which is the same as AB Baby’s. So, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that she rules him! In Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, she can expect to get rave reviews, and maybe even outdo Abhishek. She can make a good brand ambassador for India. After she turns 37, her entry into politics could also not be ruled out. Aishwarya should try to focus on doing foreign films; Hollywood is a good option too.

What do you predicts for our stars folks?

My best phase started with Saif's entry: Kareena Kapoor

Mumbai, Kareena Kapoor is on a high. She is getting one film offer every day and receives more than 300 SMSes daily. The actress says her career has started looking up ever since Saif Ali Khan entered her life."Saif is extremely loving and supportive. In fact, the best phase of my career started when Saif came into my life. Now he's enjoying this phase in my life along with me. That makes this phase even more special," Kareena told IANS.
Many people gave her relationship with Saif no more than six months. Reacting to that, Kareena said: "There's absolutely no room for such negativity in my life. I only have place for people who are positive and who make me happy by sharing in my happiness.
"This is the best phase in my life. And I feel I'm in a place where I've never been before."
Commenting upon her career, she said: "I'm a lucky girl. I'm being offered one film every day. Normally a Bollywood actress does about 40 days' work. My directors are taking about 100 days with me. I've already given Karan (Johar) 100 days for his film directed by Rensil D'Silva."
Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What are you doing in this guy-oriented cast of Rajkumar Hirani's "Three Idiots"?

A: I've an effective role. And no power on this earth would've made me miss the chance of working with Hirani. I'm a lucky girl. I'm being offered one film every day. I don't have time to read scripts. I'll do so in March 2009 after I finish my current lot of films which includes Karan Johar's film with Saif. Normally a Bollywood actress does about 40 days' work. My directors are taking about 100 days with me. I've already given Karan 100 days for his film directed by Rensil D'Silva.

Q: Looking back, has it been a turbulent year for you?

A: I wouldn't call it turbulent. It was an exciting phase in my life when so many things rushed down on me at the same time. The last year was a turning-point in my life. But the end result is happy. Both, professionally and emotionally, I think I've come out a winner. I've tried to be as dignified about my personal life as possible. As for my work, god has been kind.

Q: Do you think you're lucky?

A: It's not just luck. I've worked really hard to get here. It's my perseverance that has got me where I am. And I owe my success to no one else but myself.

Q: Perseverance? You've begun to sound like Saif.

A: Yes, my vocabulary has increased. He makes me memorise some pages of the Oxford dictionary every day, ha ha. That's a joke. But seriously, he does speak very well. So I'm trying to catch up.

Q: Who's your favourite Khan?

A: Ah-ha. Do I have to spell it out?

Q: Is there anything you want?

A: I have it all. For me, the journey as an actress has just begun. And I'm not going to shift focus from it for four-five years.

Q: No marriage for four-five years?

A: I know, I definitely want to. But not at least for three years. The work I'm doing is giving me so much satisfaction. No 28-year-old can ask for more.

Q: People gave your relationship with Saif no more than six months?

A: There's absolutely no room for such negativity in my life. I only have place for people who are positive and who make me happy by sharing in my happiness. This is the best phase in my life. And I feel I'm in a place where I've never been before. As an actress I feel everyone and that includes me, expects things from me that are not generally expected from Bollywood actresses except maybe Kajol. Or my sister Karisma.

Q: Do you get enough time with Saif?

A: He's extremely loving and supportive. He knows how long it's taken me to get the work that I'm getting now. In fact, the best phase of my career started when Saif came into my life. Now he's enjoying this phase in my life along with me. That makes this phase even more special. The only thing I miss is time with my family and Saif. When I finish this schedule I head straight to Venice for Sajid Nadiadwala's "Kambakht Ishq".

Q: Are you and Saif doing a lot of endorsements together?

A: We're offered a lot of endorsements. But we are not doing any except a shampoo brand (Head & Shoulders). But we'll soon be signing on for endorsements. And we're doing another film for Asthvinayak. That starts in April 2009. We want it to be a fast and furious action film. Something larger-than-life. Saif is working very closely with the producers. He's trying to lock in on the script and director.

Q: You've changed so much in appearance and behaviour.

A: Ha, that's what you think. I'm still the same. It's just that I'm so busy. I've been working constantly. On top of that my house is being done up. There're a dozen things demanding my attention. I get 300 SMSes a day. I can't answer them personally.

Saifeena upset with the terror strike in Mumbai

Both Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor were out of the country busy shooting for their upcoming films when the unfortunate incident took place in Mumabi. The duo have expressed their anger, grief and bitterness through letters. Have a look at what they have to say:-

Kareena Kapoor writes:

7000 miles away and very, very angry.

On Wednesday, 26th November, when the terrorists attacked Mumbai, I was getting ready to start my day 7000 miles away in Philadelphia. I got a call from my sister saying there are bomb blasts in Mumbai. It was an eerie feeling. Seven years ago, we were in India following the news coverage of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York. Today, I was in the US, following the news coverage of the 26/11 attack on India’s financial capital. CNN was carrying live coverage of the attacks.

In the days that have followed the 26th of November, I have felt a surge of mixed emotions. Sadness at the loss of lives and property. Admiration for our police, armed forces and firemen, who did their best and fought bravely despite the limited means at their disposal. Disgust with the so-called political leaders who provide no leadership and ironically surround themselves with so many security guards while doing little or nothing for the security of the people who have voted them to power. And anger at the cowards who kill in the name of religion, and anger at the cowards who support them without owning up.

I am writing this after seeing pictures of the citizens’ rally at the Gateway of India and I am filled with pride. It was wonderful to see so many of us speaking in one voice for our city, our country. I am writing this piece as this is the only way I can reach out to our people from so far away.

I want to applaud the media for being pro active… and for being the force that is trying to unite the nation. We must genuinely unite if real change is to come… there are too many divisions…political and religious in our minds. If we are to be secure and strong we need to fight terror together… without any negotiation.

Saif and I both would like to offer our deepest condolences to all the bereaved families…you are in our thoughts and will stay in our minds…I love my city very much…Mumbai is my home, our home… and is the city that has given us all so much. I pray that we can build a better tomorrow on the rubble of our today.

With all my love,

Kareena Kapoor

Saif Ali Khan writes:-

To my city…

Mumbaikars are resilient!! The spirit of Mumbai! Back on its feet…I am sick and tired of hearing about the spirit of the resilient Mumbaikars …what bloody choice to we have?? I really hope we don’t forget this…

The government has failed us again. The B.J.P. are advertising for your votes while the bodies of the dead are not yet cremated….Mr. Modi has offered a crore to the widow of Mr. Hemant Karkare… everyone as usual gaining their own mileage from a deplorable situation…the Taj in flames…60 people shot dead at the C.S.T. 9/ 11 was not so close to us…terror has come home. Who will protect us from this happening again? Is getting shot in the coffee shop of a 5 star hotel or getting killed in an explosion another legitimate way to die… like getting run over or dying of some disease? In our parents’ time Beirut was called the Paris of the East…will Mumbai succumb to a similar fate?

As an Indian and a Muslim, I feel like expressing my condemnation and outright disgust at any party killing innocent people in the name of God, Allah…or whatever we choose to call him… I am so worried that the whole religion will be judged and condemned. There are strong communal feelings running through all stratas of our society… and I find it hard to defend the fact that there seems to be a Muslim hand behind every detonator…Indians must unite as Indians and not split under any circumstances on any line.

I too want revenge for what has happened. I know the whole city is baying for Pakistani blood… We want to bring back draconian laws like Pota, while I might agree with this…I feel we should all remember that 500,000 Indians are in jail under this law…without a trial… our judicial system is so slow anyway…is it humane to go in this direction without fully understanding the situation…I feel a little scared as a Muslim… I want to urge us to fight the right enemy…this is beyond religion India v/s Pakistan. I do feel that to fight Pakistan or to go to war is to play into the hands of the terrorists… This is what they want. We need to unite as a region against this common enemy. Pakistan is fighting the Al Qaida on the Afghanistan border…the U.S. has pledged support…the Marriott Hotel was destroyed and Mrs. Bhutto was killed…we have the same enemy. I applaud Condoleezza Rice for flying to India and saying that non-state actors sometimes act in the confines of a state and there has to be strong action against them and it is still a matter of Islamabad’s responsibility and Pakistan has to act against them.

I would like to thank the NSG and the Mumbai police who handled the situation so well with so little on their side in terms of equipment and support….

Our government agencies like R.A.W have failed us yet again…since1970 there has been more politicizing of these agencies leading to their inefficiency.

Let’s get it right this time…lets vote for the government that we believe in and then stand by them…let us unite on this issue as Indians.

Shooting cold wintry nights in Philadelphia, in the United States…already miserable with the weather and the hours…making a film on terrorism of all things…both Kareena and I were exposed to the news that has shaken the foundations of our city and destroyed our already shaky belief in our government’s ability to protect us. We feel so terribly sad and depressed for our city… our thoughts and prayers are with you Mumbai.

Saif Ali Khan Pataudi

Saif Ali Khan on Mumbai attacks

Taking a hint from little sister Soha Ali Khan, actor Saif Ali Khan has also penned his thoughts about the barbaric Mumbai attacks for a leading newspaper.Saif writes, Mumbaikars are resilient! The spirit of Mumbai back on its feet… I am sick and tired of hearing about the spirit of the resilient Mumbaikar. What choice do we have? I really hope we don’t forget this.The government has failed us again. Politicians are advertising for your votes while the bodies of the dead are not yet cremated. Mr Modi has offered a crore to Hemant Karkare’s widow. Everyone, as usual, is gaining his own mileage from a deplorable situation. The Taj in flames… 60 people shot dead at the CST. 9/11 was not so close to us. Terror has come home. Who will protect us from this happening again? Is getting shot in the coffee shop of a 5-star hotel or getting killed in an explosion another legitimate way to die? Like getting run over or dying of some disease? In our parents’ time, Beirut was called the Paris of the East — will Mumbai succumb to a similar fate?I think there’s no voice of liberal Islam anywhere to be heard today, which is why I choose to express my anguish at what’s taking place around us today. We have either the fundamentalist forces or someone blowing up the place. As an Indian and a Muslim, I feel like expressing my condemnation and outright disgust at any party killing innocent people in the name of God, Allah or whatever we choose to call him. I am so worried that the whole religion will be judged and condemned. There are strong communal feelings running through all stratas of our society and I find it hard to defend the fact that there seems to be a Muslim hand behind every detonator. Indians must unite as Indians and not split under any circumstances on any line.I too want revenge for what has happened. I know the whole city is baying for Pakistani blood. We want to bring back draconian laws like POTA. While I might agree with this I feel we should all remember that 500,000 Indians are in jail under this law without a trial. Is it humane to go in this direction without fully understanding the situation? We should get our facts right. Yes, if Pakistan is to blame then we should go to war against them. But till we know what the truth is, we should stop having these knee-jerk reactions like going to war or not paying taxes. If we don’t pay taxes, who will support our brave soldiers who battle such attacks and go to war?I feel a little scared as a Muslim. I want to urge us to fight the right enemy. This is beyond religion. It’s not about India vs. Pakistan. I do feel that to fight Pakistan or to go to war is to play into the hands of the terrorists. This is what they want. We need to unite as a region against this common enemy. Pakistan is fighting the Al-Qaeda on the Afghanistan border. The US has pledged support.The Marriott hotel was destroyed and Mrs Bhutto was killed — we have the same enemy.
I applaud Condoleezza Rice for flying to India and saying that non-state actors sometimes act in the confines of a state and there has to be strong action against them and it is still a matter of Islamabad’s responsibility and Pakistan has to act against them.I would like to thank the NSG and the Mumbai police who handled the situation so well with so little on their side in terms of equipment and support.Some of our government agencies like RAW have failed us yet again. Since 1970, there has been more politicising of these agencies leading to their inefficiency.Let’s get it right this time and vote for the government that we believe in and then stand by them.Let us unite on this issue as Indians.Shooting cold wintry nights in Philadelphia, in the USA and already miserable with the weather and the hours — and making a film on terrorism of all things. Both Kareena and I were exposed to the news that has shaken the foundations of our city and destroyed our already shaky belief in our government’s ability to protect us. We feel so terribly sad and depressed for our city… Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mumbai…Saif Ali Khan Pataudi

Well what do you folks feel about Saif’s views?

Rosa still loves Saif

Saif Ali Khan has dated a string of women in his life and although he leaves them behind in life, the women always love him. Saif’s ex- Italian girlfriend Rosa Catalano insists that she still loves the Nawab Khan.Here is a short part of Rosa’s interview with a leading daily.

While in a relationship with Saif Ali Khan, did you at any point feel overshadowed by him?
Initially, I felt that since I was just a model, my image was being overshadowed. But later, I got used to it.

You seem to have enjoyed the limelight while he was a part of your life?
I was in a relationship with Saif. And that was the only thing I cared about. I still love him and I really enjoyed that limelight.

What was the reason for your break-up with Saif?
As it’s something very personal, I don’t want to comment on it.

Are you dating someone right now?
No, I am not but I would like to be in love. But this time, I will really think twice before falling in love.

How does it feel to see Saif with Kareena?
Love is a beautiful thing. It’s not easy at times, but it’s worth experiencing. I am happy if Saif is happy with her.

Wonder what Kareena has to say about this?