SRK-Shirish slapgate forces celebs to become party punctual!

By Hindustan Times

When Shah Rukh Khan slapped Shirish Kunder at the Agneepath success bash in January, the tremors were felt all across the city. The police reacted in their trademark heavy-handed fashion, coming down heavily on clubs and pushing for a 1.30am deadline for all party animals.

Funnily enough it’s SRK’s own colleagues who’re now leading by example. Actor Kangana Ranaut, who is throwing a birthday bash on March 23, has asked all invitees to come in by 9pm.

“Kangana sent me a message earlier this week, asking us to come early,” reveals Farah Khan Ali, jewellery designer.

“I guess it’s now becoming a trend for hosts to ask their guests to adhere to deadlines.”

Paparazzo Viral Bhayani, who’s usually posted outside every star-struck party in the city, admits that the ubiquitous cop presence has led to celebrities mending their ways.

“These days, the police is catching everybody, and it’s too embarrassing for these stars to be caught because it’ll be all over the news the next day,” he opines, adding, “They’re also being stopped for drunken driving checks. I was walking past the Juhu Circle next to hotel Tulip Star, and I noticed that the cops had pulled over an A-list movie star. I couldn’t take a picture because that would have led to bad blood between us, but the police immediately alerts the media when they catch a celebrity.”

Puneet Gidwani, of Red Om event organisers, adds, “I don’t even really see celebrities going out partying to clubs anymore. They prefer to have private bashes at their homes instead.”

Ask Raman Macker, whose Aurus was the epicentre of the most recent controversy, if their star bashes are now winding up early, and he says, “We have always honoured and respected rules, and encouraged celebrity guests to arrive on time. Now, they do.”

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Don’t spoil Bollywood’s name, say celebs!

By Hindustan Times

Bollywood is tired of taking the blame for every other controversy. This time, it was dragged in a recent Sunday Times (UK) report alleging that a Bollywood actor played honeytrap in a match-fixing scam spanning Test matches, Twenty20s, IPL and county matches in England. The actor’s picture was splashed across the paper’s front page with her face blurred and identity withheld due to legal reasons. The fraternity feels it’s unfair to show the industry in a bad light due to one such unproved allegation.

“These things are based on assumptions. One needs to have concrete evidence, else these are baseless conversations. Bollywood is too big to be tarnished by one person,” says actor Neha Dhupia. “Any association of this sort is not good for the industry’s image. Before Bollywood, there is a need to clean up the game first,” says director Rohan Sippy.

Others feel the girl in question may be a small-time starlet. “I’m sure this is not a top actor. Stars don’t need to do this stuff. This could be a struggler who met someone (a bookie or player) sometime, but you can’t point a finger without revealing the identity of the girl in the picture,” says filmmaker Kumar Mangat. Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar adds, “We need to know whether the female involved is actually an actor, an aspiring actor, a starlet or someone who just has given an audition somewhere. It is wrong to generalise.”

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, too, is miffed with the international media for maligning the industry’s image, since the follow up reports to the Sunday Times’ operation has led to a spate of online stories recalling the reported naming of actors such as Neetu Chandra and Veena Malik in past match fixing allegations. The allegations were never proved.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, however, holds a different opinion: “I won’t be surprised if this girl actually belongs to Bollywood. There is nothing unusual about it. Cricket is a multi-million dollar industry and people with vested interests can use Bollywood connections.” The picture of the actor used by The Sunday Times resembles an online wallpaper of an actor whose claim to fame is a box office flop with Sunny Deol.

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Bollywood celebs share their Holi plans!

By Hindustan Times

While Nargis Fakhri is all set to celebrate her first Holi in India, Veena Malik is in love with the concept of the festival. Here's what Bollywood celebs are planning to do on Holi.

Nargis Fakhri

I have never played Holi in my life, but now that I am here (in India), I think I’ll surely attend a Holi party. The enthusiasm around the festival is quite exciting. I have heard that people are bombarded with colours on this day and there are water balloon fights too. Sounds fun! But I need to protect myself and will apply lots of coconut oil in my hair and maybe, on my face too.

Veena Malik

I have always lived in Pakistan and had only heard about Holi. For the first time, I played Holi last year and really enjoyed it, so I’m going to celebrate it this year too. I really like the concept of the festival since I am a very colourful person. I’ll eat, play and have a good time with my friends here in Mumbai.

Anushka Sharma

I love Holi but this time, I’m going to be out of Mumbai to shoot for my upcoming film, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. My most memorable Holi is the one which was my brother’s first Holi. He was very scared and I was like a protective elder sister, who didn’t let him get hurt. In the subsequent years however, he became sabka baap in playing Holi tricks.

Kunal Kapoor

I really enjoy Holi and have some wonderful memories attached to it. It’s one of my favourite festivals. I love celebrating it with close friends and family. But this year, unfortunately, I am travelling, so I am going to miss out on celebrating it with my my loved ones. I would like to wish everyone a happy Holi.

Kajal Agarwal

As a kid, I always went to Maker Towers (Cuffe Parade, Mumbai) and played Holi with friends and cousins. We played with water balloons, eggs, water guns, and I remember swimming in a pool of colour. At times, we even used cement on each other. This year, I will celebrate Holi in Delhi with friends and family.

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