Celebs get-together for Charity Calenda

We are just a smooching distance away from biding good-bye to the old year and embracing the New Year. And for all you die hard Bollywood fans, what better can it be that to start your New Year simply ogling at the stars (as never seen before) in a mind blowing star-studded calendar and that too, the launch of the country’s first ever charity celebrity calendar featuring some of the top names in tinsel town.

‘In the Pink’ is an initiative aimed at raising finances for breast cancer awareness. Dalbir Bains along with Vicki Treadell - the British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai, are the brainchild behind this noble cause.

The calendar would not only feature stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, Neil Mukesh, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal, and Kunal Kapoor but would also feature well-known director Karan Johar, for whom, this is a first time experience. The photos have been shot by renowned photographer Subi Samuel, who when asked about his experience said, “It always is a wonderful feeling when you shoot with your friends and when the cause is something as noble as this one, it makes the whole experience all the more special. Shooting each picture was a complete pleasure.”

The calendar, which was unveiled yesterday by Neil Mukesh at a function in Mumbai, would be available for sale at Rs. 500 from December 15, 2007.

Deepal Shaw bags a role in Right Ya Wrong

Baby Doll, Deepal Shaw has been signed in Neeraj Pathak’s film Right Ya Wrong. The film also has Sunny Deol, Konkana Sen Sharma, Irfaan Khan, Isha Koppikar, Kirron Kher, Aryan Vaid and Anjan Srivastava.

As far as the new entry, Deepal Shaw’s role is concerned Neeraj Pathak without divulging in to many details says, “Deepal Shaw’s role is a surprise package in the film. The audience will be astonished with her.”

Surprise or not well that time will tell.

Samir Kochhar plays a reel-life cop

Samir Kochhar, an anchor turned actor is all geared up to play the central character in the film called Jannat, which will have debutant Kunal Deshmukh donning the hat of the director. Samir Kochhar is excited about his new venture as he will be playing the character of a cop. He is leaving no stones unturned to get into the skin of the character. Samir is busy taking tips from the real life cops at the C.B.I branch. To which Samir says, "I m looking forward for this film. I'm having a great time performing this role, especially after having interacted with real-life cops, which has now made me very confident about the whole film". The film, Jannat is being made under the banner of Vishesh Films.

Sanjay Dutt to promote an NGO for children

The fact the Sanjay Dutt is very closely involved with many charitable causes is known to one and all. Adding yet another feather to his already impressive cap of social work, Sanjay Dutt would now be seen as the face of ‘Save the Children’ – an NGO founded by the late Vipula Kadri, mother of Mana (Sunil) Shetty.

‘Save The Children’ has started an innovative concept along with Future Group (of Pantaloon, Big Bazaar fame) wherein Kishore Biyani, (Future Group founder), will double every Re.1 spent towards the foundation by the customer.

Apparently, Sanju Baba, who is extremely fond of children, immediately agreed to be a part of this noble cause and took time out to shoot for a campaign when Sunil and Mana Shetty approached him.

"Khoya Khoya Chand is not Guru Dutt's story" - Sudhir Mishra

Heading towards his 60’s, Sudhir Mishra is now getting mellow in his work. For now, Sudhir Mishra has had enough hard-hitting political dramas. "Khoya Khoya Chand is my most intensely romantic film to date. I've tried to put aside the dark brooding political parable of Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi. My biggest problem here was how do I enter the film industry as it existed in the 1950’s?"

Contrary to the myth being propagated in a section of the media, Khoya Khoya isn't a film about Guru Dutt's life. "I've incidents of people and films from the 1950’s in the background. I've captured the essence of the times by using my characters as an entry point into that era."

Sudhir says the film is lavish by his standards. "The producers Adlabs have left no stone unturned to give me the financial freedom to recreate that era gone- by. Also, Shantanu Moitra's music really helps in recreating the aura of the era." He raves about his leading lady Soha Ali Khan. "Soha has evolved into such a wonderful actress. She's been an amazing revelation. Soha has worked very hard."

After Khoya Khoya Chand Sudhir is all set to do one more romantic film. This time it would be Devdas. "I'm trying to challenge myself into a state of intense romanticism. Not get bogged down in a predictable pattern. I don't want my filmmaking to convey reflexes that have become second nature to me. I enjoyed going down an unexpected route in Khoya Khoya Chand. It's a bit more like my Chameli than Hazaaron Khwaishein…."