Ekta is a very bold filmmaker: Sunny Leone

She's certainly 'raised some bars'. No pun intended. But ask her about meeting great (s)expectations and Sunny Leone doesn't want to unveil anything, not just yet. "Keep your fingers crossed", she says to Madhureeta Mukherjee, while discussing bold cinema, the adult entertainment industry and (un)censored masala in B-town. Read on...

Your debut was acclaimed, but as far as hotness-quotient goes, some felt it was a bit of a downer...
Well, maybe people compared this film with my earlier films and expected more bold scenes. You gotta draw the line somewhere when it comes to Bollywood — there are censor limitations and different sensitivities out there. But hopefully, if my fans are lucky, we'll raise the bar next time.

Is it true you asked for your co-stars' medical certificates?
In the work-culture I come from, we're tested every 3 weeks and if these tests are not negative, we're not allowed to work. That's just how it works back in the West... In USA, the adult entertainment industry is extremely organised. Every adult entertainer is on a database — on record. You can't just shoot films wherever you feel like, there are areas allocated for the purpose. Safety comes first.

Do you see adult entertainment making its way to India as a mainstream business?
Not at all! Even though people here have been watching adult entertainment since centuries, I don't see it coming to India as an organised business.

Are you going to push the envelope further with Ragini MMS 2?
I think Ekta is a very bold filmmaker. I watched The Dirty Picture and was mesmerised. I just got a full narration of the story. I think some scenes in the film are going to leave the entire country shell-shocked!

Sherlyn Chopra says you might be an adult entertainer, but you aren't the 'ultimate fantasy'...
I don't know how to react to that, but I have seen her photo shoot for the adult magazine. That magazine is mainstream in USA, and it's good to be on its cover. Even I haven't been on that cover yet, so great going! Maybe she can sign me a copy.

Who are the hottest female and male stars in Bollywood?
I love the way Vidya Balan carries herself. And as for the men, I think all of them must be working out 30 hours a day; they're all so well-built and beefy.

You recently said you want to work with Salman, but you know, he doesn't even kiss on screen...
Who doesn't want to work with Salman? It's okay if he doesn't kiss, I'll give him a high-five or something.

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Randeep Hooda wants to become a sex symbol with 'Jism 2'

Randeep Hooda is the man of the moment. The actor has been seen in a lot of films lately including ‘Cocktail’ and ‘Jannat 2’. His new film ‘Jism 2’, in which he plays a dreaded assassin, is scheduled to be released on August 3. Randeep Hooda talks to IBNLive about ‘Jism 2’ and difficulties he faced while shooting for the film.

Q: The poster of ‘Jism 2’ features you in a sexy avatar.


A: I am glad; it’s probably my sexiest picture. We just shot that picture without knowing that it would become the poster for ‘Jism 2’. I am happy that I am at least wearing something.

Q: Any particular reason behind such an image makeover.


A: We were in Pooja Bhatt’s kitchen, making our drinks, after the script was narrated to me. I said to Pooja that I have been doing action in theater, films, here and there but with ‘Jism 2’, I want to become an iconic sex symbol. She said, “I promise that you’ll be,” and she has kept that promise in the film.

Q: Do you enjoy the ‘sexy’ tag?

A: It’s not for me to enjoy, it’s for people. Sorry, I don’t look at myself and masturbate, I don’t in the mirror and say ‘O you sexy thing.’ It’s good for business; you get more work, more money.

Q: You have done lip syncing in ‘Jism 2’.

A: Lip syncing in ‘Jism 2’ was really difficult for me. I used to have this in my contract that I would never lip-sync but I have done so in this film. I learnt a new music instrument for ‘Jism 2’, I can at least play the ‘Maula’ song on it.

Q: Your critics feel that you’re doing the same kind of roles, aggressive and straightforward, in every film.

A: I don’t give a damn about being stereotypes. People might say that all these roles are the same but I know all of them are different from each other. Even my cop roles are different from each other. People who think that I am going to be stereotyped are not the people I am catering to.

Q: You are also very active in the theatre world.

A: I have written a play ‘A walk in the Woods’, Naseeruddin Shah is action in it, Ratna has directed it. I do theatres; I have just done a play ‘Alms and the man’.
Is 'Jism 2' going to change Randeep Hooda's image? 
Yes or No send me your comment Please...

We are not real-life couple: Salman-Katrina Interview

The wait is over. Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif’s hit pairing is back with Kabir Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger. Sreya Basu catches up with the actors in Mumbai

The first song from Ek Tha Tiger - Mashallah – is just out and people are saying you gave a tough competition to Katrina with your moves…
Salman: What do you mean? That I gave a tough competition to Katrina in the song at this age! Well, almost. Katrina is damn good in the song. I am getting there. Just think what will happen the next time we come together, if it happens.

Katrina, what do you have to say?
Katrina: What takes us five days’ rehearsals to do, Salman does it in one minute. So I had to work extra, extra, extra hard.

Salman, do you agree?
Salman: That is a fact. Katrina is very hard-working. She rehearses for five-seven days for every song and also works hard on every scene. So that success rate and appreciation she enjoys today is actually due to her hard work. I have the talent side and hence don’t have to work very hard. That’s why at times I look so bad on screen.

Name a Bollywood actor whom you really find Mashallah (Wow!).
Salman: Katrina.

Katrina: Salman.

Salman, for the first time you are working with Yash Chopra camp (they being the producers). How was the experience?
Salman: It felt damn good working with them. I felt as if I was working with them for ages. My father (screenwriter Salim Khan) used to work with them and what has been his experience is mine too after working in this film, and that is, very good.

With Ek Tha Tiger trailer banned in Pakistan, are you planning to visit the country to try to set things right?
Salman: I read it in the newspapers that I am visiting Pakistan. If it is needed, then I will definitely go there.

The film is being promoted as a romantic action thriller. Can action and romance be put together?
Salman: See, the action does not work if the emotion does not work. If the emotion is there, you are doing something for somebody, for the country, your girlfriend or for something that is important to you, then only the action has a meaning. There is no point in just fighting with fighters.

Katrina, how was it to fall in love with a spy on screen?
Katrina: I had heard the script quite some time back. At the end of the film you would know nobody else could have done it like the way Salman has done it. It’s a character you have never seen before.

Salman: See, what you asked her and what she answered!

Katrina, after giving two hit item numbers (Sheila Ki Jawani and Chikni Chameli), is there a chance of being typecast as an item girl?
Katrina: I don’t feel that; don’t know if someone else feels like that.

Salman: She is not doing item songs. She is doing favours to her friends. Karan Johar (filmmaker) is her friend and he requested her to do the song (Chikni Chameli in Agneepath) and so she did the song.

Like we requested her that Katrinaji please do that small bit in the title song of Bodyguard. And she did us a great favour and did the song. So these are not item songs but songs that become hugely popular and it’s her large heartedness that she is obliging us. Else who helps friends in today’s date? All have become selfish.


Salman, do you consider yourself as the ‘tiger’ of Bollywood?
Salman: How does it matter what I feel. My name is Salman Khan and I like my name very much which has been given to me by my parents. What fans gave me, ‘Sallu’, I don’t know how it became accepted by all. I think Jackie (Shroff, actor) started it.

Fans name you going by the flow of the Friday-Saturday (when a film releases) and the feel the promos give them. So you have Radhe (from Wanted), Chulbul Pandey (from Dabangg), Lovely Singh (from Bodyguard) and now Tiger (from Ek Tha Tiger). So these names will keep changing till the films become superhits.

There is a dialogue in Ek Tha Tiger where Katrina says you now don’t have the age to have an affair and that you should get married. So will you get married in real life only when Katrina asks you to?
Salman: Ask Katrina about it.

Katrina: I think it’s nobody’s decision but Salman’s about when he should get married. He has to decide.

Aamir Khan has said Ek Tha Tiger will be a superhit. What do you have to say?
Salman: Ji, unke muh mein ghee-sakkar. I also spoke to him. He said he has liked the trailer very much and that the film, as per his opinion, will run successfully.

Katrina has a huge male fan-following. Do you think she is easy to fall in love with on screen?
Salman: Ya, definitely… on screen, off screen.

Katrina, you are considered as one of the most gorgeous actors in Bollywood. So what’s your beauty secret?
Katrina: I just follow a good diet. And also I work out when I can…yoga, meditation, even if it’s for a short time. And using good (beauty) products also necessary.

Do you believe in eating or dieting?
Katrina: I believe if you eat too much of anything, it will show on your skin. Like, if I eat too much fish, it will show on my face and hair. I keep it simple…fresh fruits, vegetables, protein. I don’t believe in a strict diet. You can have pasta but then, hit the gym after having it.

Do you think a clash between established actors and newcomers is unavoidable in Bollywood?
Katrina: I feel all newcomers should be given a fair chance…I was given a fair chance.

Who do you consider as your biggest competitor?
Katrina: I believe at the end of the day you have to compete with your self. Of course, you have to be aware of what people are doing around you. I mean, if someone has done four author-backed or female dominated roles, then I ask myself to keep a check on the kind of films I am doing.

Are you happy the way your career has shaped up or you expected more?
Katrina: I am happy with the direction I am going right now. I am just trying to better myself than my last…whether it’s dancing, performing or doing slightly more complex characters.

Salman, you once said in an interview that real-life couples can’t necessarily create on-screen magic...
Salman: (Interrupts) I still maintain that.

But you and Katrina look scorching whenever you come together in a film…
Salman: We are not real-life couple.

Jwoww Shows Off New Tattoo In Inked Magazine

Jwoww recently got a new tattoo and she’s already flaunting it in a new photo-spread for Inked Magazine. 

The Jersey Shore star decided to have a giant tiger tattooed along her hip to compliment the dragon that runs along her torso. Jwoww had the tattoo done by Jon Squid at Twin Moon Tattoo in New York.


Jwoww said that she wanted to get something on the side of her body and Squid told her that the tiger would compliment her dragon well. Squid said that the dragon and tiger almost make up a yin and yang, and symbolize good versus evil.

Jwoww said:

“I wanted something on the other side of my body to complement the dragon, and Squid told me that the dragon and tiger symbolize good versus evil, like a yin and yang.”


VH1 notes that the reality star put the tattoos on different sides of her body in order to emphasize the yin and yang symbol. Jennifer Farley said that she also chose to put the new tat on her hip so that she can hide it when she wants too.

Jwoww said:

“Yes, and placement for me is big because I want to be able to show my tattoos off when I want to, and I want to be able to cover them when I don’t want to show them.”


Here’s a photo of Jwoww’s dragon tattoo.

Do you like Jwoww’s tattoos?

Bollywood success bashes are just for effect: Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn says that celebrations are being held for flop films too now 

 

For your latest, Bol Bachchan, how did Ajay Devgn, the actor-producer of the film, agree to the title which is so quintessentially about another person? No insecurities here?

 
None at all; once you see the film you'll understand what I mean. The characters are very well defined and everyone has their place. Bol Bachchan is apt since it is about this one guy who is trying to con everyone and he keeps giving these bol bachchans. That's where it comes from. As part of the movie's team, when we were discussing the name, I agreed that it was perfect.

What kind of movies do you believe in producing?

 
I feel instinctively about the films I should produce, like Son of Sardar. The film has to be commercial and when I say commercial, I just don't mean masala. Even parallel cinema can be commercial. The point is to make the film run in theatres. We are not in the business of teaching art to the world. We have to entertain the audience.

Last year you'd said in an interview that you want to be a commercial hero. Since the first Golmaal (and all its sequels) Singham and now BB, Rohit Shetty and you seem to have hit upon some kind of winning formula. What is making you two click at the box office?

 
It's repetitive, but it's the understanding that we should make entertaining, commercial films. Both Rohit and I believe in commercial cinema. He just wants to entertain his audience and right now I am also in that mode. I'd rather do films that I don't have to worry about. I have done films like Zakhm which have won National Awards, but nobody comes with a script that great anymore.

Even an acclaimed actor like you worries about the box office success of a film?
Of course, you have to worry about the box office numbers. Otherwise, people are ready to run you down at the slightest chance. When you experiment with roles or genre; you have also to worry about its box office fate.

But doesn't your place in the top six actors of the country justify your choices (of roles) lately?
What you are calling success and wise choices comes with experience. I keep telling some of the younger kids, I wouldn't name them, that they should also attempt the kind of cinema we're doing. This cinema, which comprises out-and-out entertainers, has mostly got 1 or 1.5 stars from critics. But, it's the audience that likes these movies. You have to show your art and talent to them.

As a producer, do you feel jittery when your movies are about to release, even if they are "out-and-out" entertainers? How do you react to box office reactions?

 
Right now I am very happy with Bol Bachchan's hype and also with the response the poster of Son of Sardar has generated. Both films have shaped out well and I hope both are commercial successes. But, I am not hyper about the release. Someone asked Abhishek something similar recently, and he said that on Friday, when the movie releases, you wait for the opening collection, then you wait for the weekend collection, then the first week, the second week, etc, and by that time, you've lost all enthusiasm about it. I just move on after my film releases.

You don't believe in celebrating your movie's success?

 
I've never done that. Those bashes are more for other people. A lot of bashes are held even when a film has flopped. These are just for effect. I've heard people stand in these parties with a drink in their hand and say, 'Yaar mera toh paisa toota hai' , and yet they are celebrating.

You've had quite a busy time lately. How do you avoid getting disconnected from your friends and family?

 
It's most important for me to spend time with family. I've been tied up a bit these past couple of months. I don't shoot on Sundays, for instance. But when you shoot movies back-to-back, you do get disconnected from the outside world. When you go home you're preoccupied. And it's not a great thing. You have to reconnect with some people. My friends understand that. So does my family.

Presented by Fox Star Studios, Ajay Devgn Ffilms and Shree Aashtavinayak cinevision Ltd Bol Bachchan releases on July 6.

Garima Sharma, TNN | Jun 29, 2012, 12.00AM IST