Asin graces the Verve magazine. She is wearing diamante-embellished white shift by Monisha Jaising.

Asin graces the Verve magazine. She is wearing diamante-embellished white shift by Monisha Jaising.

This is what Verve says in it’s The Enchantress of Kochi article

Sultry as sin, she brings a whiff of the beautiful south to tinsel town. After a scintillating debut opposite Aamir ‘eight-pack’ Khan in Ghajini, Asin is being hailed as the next big import from Kollywood into Bollywood, inviting comparisons with the legendary Sridevi.

'Hollywood's sexiest woman' poll - 'Slumdog Millionaire', actress Freida Pinto is one of the most sought-after celebrities

'Slumdog Millionaire', actress Freida Pinto is one of the most sought-after celebrities around the world. Now she joins a bevy of sexiest Hollywood beauties according to a recent poll. Who were the others?

Actress, model and TV star, the glamourous Kim Kardashian came fifth in the race to Hollywood's sexiest woman. Kim Kardashian is most famous for her workout video titled 'Workout with Kim Kardashian'.

Sultry Freida Pinto of 'Slumdog Millionaire' fame has come fourth in the list of Hollywood's sexiest women. Over the last few months she's been attending award ceremonies and TV shows, she's also graced covers of fashion mags and walked the ramp, impressing all with her poise and elegance.

Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bundchen has come third on the list of Hollywood's sexiest woman. Gisele Bundchen had also been voted by Forbes magazine as the highest-paid model in the world.

Actress and TV star, the stunning Megan Fox came second in the poll of Hollywood's sexiest woman. This comes a few weeks after she was voted as the 'Sexiest Sci-Fi Babe', for her role in 'Transformers'.

Even at 40, Jennifer Aniston looks dazzling. This gorgeous woman has been voted as Hollywood's sexiest woman. Aniston shot to fame with character 'Rachael' in the popular TV series 'Friends', a role for which she won an Emmy and a Golden Globe award.

Upcoming Actress Saranya Mohan rised her salary three times

The new Mallu girl who is in demand in Kollywood is Saranya Mohan. After the success of Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, she is demanding three times her salary!

Saranya with her girl next door looks and average height has become hot among small film makers, doing films on the Rs 3 to Rs 5 Crore budget. The girl who was paid Rs 3 lakhs earlier is now demanding Rs 9 lakhs as her salary!

A producer and director of small budget movies said in lighter vein – "She is hardly 4feet 5 inches, but is asking twice her height in lakhs as her salary, in these days of cost cutting".

Sarnya should be careful that the market that she has created should not disappear. Sarnya beware top actresses who are finding it difficult to get work have slashed their salaries by half and are charging only Rs 15 lakhs these days!

Shriya's bollywood future in Ek- The Power of One film - coming soon

Friday (March 27), Shriya's bollywood film Ek- The Power of One will be released.

Shriya has done 35 odd films mainly in Telugu and Tamil and only four films in Hindi. But all her Hindi releases including the last Mission Istanbul were colossal flops.

Now everything is riding on Ek- The Power of One, the remake of Mahesh Babu’s Telugu Athudu. The film has Nana Patekar, Bobby Deol and Shriya in the lead and is directed by Sangeet Sivan, the younger brother of Santosh Sivan. It looks like a slick action film with some romance and music of Pritam.

This is the Punjabi girl’s last and final chance in Bollywood. So let us hope the film clicks and she makes it big in her home state. Shriya need not be worried as she has the pick of films in Kollywood- Kanthasamy, Jaggubhai, Kutty, Thoranai, Chikku Bukku, and is all set to be the number one in 2009!

Bollywood Actress Deepika Padukone has had a dream-run in Bollywood

Deepika Padukone has had a dream-run in Bollywood with just three releases, but the model-turned-actress says her dream is to play the elegant Audrey Hepburn, her style icon.

'I would like to play Audrey Hepburn, my style icon, in movies like 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' or 'Roman Holiday',' Deepika told IANS on the sidelines of the Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW) Saturday, where she walked the ramp for Ranna Gill and Rina Dhaka's collections sponsored by luxury brand Fiama Di Wills.

After debuting opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2007 hit 'Om Shanti Om' and doing 'Chandni Chowk To China' with Akshay Kumar, Deepika's next is 'Love Aaj Kal' alongside Saif Ali Khan. And she is all praise for filmmaker Imtiaz Ali of 'Jab We Met' fame.

'I enjoyed working with Imtiaz Ali in his movie 'Love Aaj Kal', where he cast me opposite Saif. It was a dream working for a sensitive director like him. Imtiaz just seemed to know the kind of person we were and brought out the best in us. He guided all through the movie,' said the leggy beauty who was dressed in a simple black halter-neck.

Deepika is now looking forward to begin work for newcomer Vijay Lalwani's 'Kartik Calling Kartik', which also stars actor-director Farhan Akhtar and Boman Irani.

'It is an offbeat movie, a psychological thriller. But I am not going to talk much about it,' she said.

The actress admits she has a soft corner for action movies, though all genres appeal to her.

'An action movie is something I have always wanted to do, but I cannot specify any real genre that appeals to me. Cinema today is changing. And as an actor, I will never throw my hands up... will never be happy saying this is the best character I have portrayed. I am critical of myself, rarely happy,' said Deepika.

As Indian cinema changes to adapt new formats and contents, Deepika feels the role of women in cinema is also changing.

'It is becoming more challenging. Even in the past, there were movies where women did not have to run around trees. An actress could opt to show off her talent.'

People, she explained, have this strange notion that if a woman wears make-up, she cannot be taken seriously.

'Take off your make-up and only then you can do serious cinema. But glamorous roles and a glamorous screen presence do not make one a non-actor. The content of cinema is also changing, evolving... it is no longer the regular boy meets girl,' the actress said.

Deepika usually decides on the projects she takes up after reading the scripts.

'The movies are my call though I run my parents through what I am doing. But they are new to movies, hence unfamiliar. But after 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Bachna Aai Haseeno', I have matured,' she said.

The actress confesses that she is not much of a bookworm. 'But I am reading the 'Kite Runner' now and it might turn out to be the best book I have ever read. I have grown up listening to all kinds of music - from Kishore da to Mohammed Rafi,' she said.

Deepika, who is former badminton player Prakash Padukone's daughter, says she was good in other sports besides badminton as well.

'Apart from badminton, I played state-level basketball, baseball and was an athlete,' she said.

Aishwarya Rai has signed movies with filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj, Rituparno Ghosh, Abhinay Deo and Vipul Shah

Aishwarya Rai sure has a crowded year ahead, having signed movies with filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj, Rituparno Ghosh, Abhinay Deo and Vipul Shah. And the actress says each of these films is equally challenging and 'special' to her.

The former Miss World has something unique to say about each movie and filmmaker.

'Ritu-da and I have agreed to work together again after 'Chokher Bali' and 'Raincoat' in Bengali and Hindi respectively. Our next film together is a bilingual. And very challenging,' said Aishwarya.

'As for Abhinay Deo's film it's got me and Abhishek (Bachchan) in it. But it covers a territory very different from what audiences have seen in 'Guru', 'Dhoom 2' and 'Sarkar Raj'. Abhinay's film is also very different from Mani Ratnam's 'Raavan'. It's a special challenge to work with my husband because we've to make sure we don't repeat ourselves,' the Bachchan daughter-in-law added.

The 'super-busy' star is also looking forward to working with Akshay Kumar after a long time in Vipul Shah's next movie.

'It's something that Vipul, Akshay and I haven't done before. The last time Akshay and I came together in 'Khakee' we played almost antagonists. This time we'll hopefully play a more compatible couple,' Aishwarya laughed.

Bollywood Actress Deepika Padukone Stills in Kelvinator Awards

Telugu hits of 2009, Anushka’s Kollywood film Arundhati in Tamil and Arundhati Anushka Gallery

One of the biggest Telugu hits of 2009, Anushka’s Arundhati, dealing with reincarnation and the occult, is all set to explode on Tamil screens worldwide this Friday (March 20).

Rama Narayanan’s Sri Thenandal Films has dubbed the film which has awesome special effects into Tamil. The film has Anushka in a never-before-seen role, along with Sayaji Shinde, Manorama and Sonu Sood. This movie is a departure for Anushka from her previous glamour avataars.

For Anshu this is her second Tamil film after the Madhavan starrer Rendu. Anushka will be soon seen with Ilaiyathalapathy Vijay in AVM Balasubramaniyam’s Vettaikaaran In a movie that is filled with superlative graphics and SFX, Anushka has given an amazing performance, one of her best till date.

To make the movie more appealing to Tamil audiences, it has been re-shot and reworked. It is very rare that dubbing films create an impact among the elite audience in America.

However Arundathi has already created so much buzz in America thanks to its Telugu version, still the Tamil dubbing have been secured at a huge price . The movie is being marketed in USA by Visesh vision and Adlabs USA.

Kollywood Actress Sneha - New face look as Bhavani

"This is going to be a completely novel experience for me. So far I have done only very feminine roles in films like Sri Ramadasu and Radha Gopalam but in Bhavani, I am playing a very tough character," says Sneha about her new film which is being shot in Telugu and Tamil simultaneously.

She will be dressed in khaki for the first time just as Vijayashanti did in Kartavyam. In fact, this film, Bhavani, is based on the lines of Karthvyam. The well-known actor Kota is playing a major role in the film.

Sneha adds, “When the director narrated the script to me, I could not believe it. At first, I asked him if he was serious about making the film with me or if he was teasing me.

After he confirmed that he wanted to do the film with me, I agreed as I thought it would give me a new image. I am eagerly waiting for the movie’s release to see myself in this new role.”

The director has confirmed that the film is almost complete. “We are planning to release the movie in Tamil and Telugu simultaneously, very soon,” he said.

Aishwarya Rai’s CNN IBN exclusive interview - Talking abt superstar Rajinikanth

Here is the Aishwarya Rai’s CNN IBN exclusive interview video. She talks about working with Abhishek(Ravana) and Rajnikanth (Endhiran)

Excited gorgeous Aishwarya Rai says ” She is very excited to see Rajini’s style and his move in real”.

Kollywood Movie Review - Madhavan in Yaavarum Nalam - Baffling Horror on the stroke

Production: Big Pictures
Direction: Vikram Kumar
Star-casts: Madhavan, Neethu Chandra, Saranya, Hari Nair, Ameetha, Sachin Khanderkar and many others.
Music: Shankar-Ehasan-Loy

Here’s something off best endeavors laid by Filmmaker Vikram Kumar who made a bad start-off with ‘Alai’. Perhaps, in these years he has turned to be more brilliant in handling the complicated genre of ‘Horror’. Earlier, there were few filmmakers who touched such sort of films and most of them flunked at box office. ‘Shock’ remake of ‘Bhoot’ and ‘Sivi’ remake of ‘Shutter’ were pretty good illustrations. ‘Yaavarum Nalam’ is a bit inspiration from Hollywood’s ‘Remote Control’ and ‘One Missed Call’. But don’t take it to be an exact replica.

The film has got good script and director has blended the intensifying issue of realism where human kind is so attached with the gadgets. Take it granted with women’s abnormal mania with tele-serials.

Manohar, his wife (Madhavan and Neethu Chandra), his elder brother and wife (Hari Nair and Ameetha), their mom (Saranya) so addicted to mega-serials and beautiful kids; a felicitous family with their happy lives getting through their new house after brothers strive it with loans. Everything is fine and sweet until a new TV series ‘Yaavarum Nalam’ starts off. It is nothing but a happy family entering their new house and the ladies are unaware that it’s nothing but what is happening really amongst them.

Would Manohar take a note of it soon or is it too late for him to handle the entangled situations forms rest of the story.

Madhavan is hunky-dory of his snazzy performance. He’s so matured and in fact proving him to be a versatile actor.

Watch his acting in the scenes where you especially have high-and-low tides floating within you. Neethu Chandra is cool on her looks while rest of the star casts especially Sachin Khanderkar is brilliant.

Background score by Tubbi Parik is excellent that turns the spotlights. Cinematography by P.C. Sriram has its best on the pars. Both these features add on to the tensed ambiences. Shankar-Ehasan-Loy are good on their songs.

Vikram’s good script and top-notching screenplay are extraordinary.

As a whole, ‘Yaavarum Nalam’ is a flick that you shouldn’t miss it at any cost.

There are more sequences that will throw you dreaded.

Freida Pinto reveals that she was engaged, but not married

Asin spoke to the Kerala media for the first time in Thiruvananthapuram - Exclusive

Asin who shot to fame in Bollywood with her debut film Ghajini, is not just a lucky girl. Today this pretty girl from Kochi is looked upon as the next big thing in Bollywood. Asin spoke to the Kerala media for the first time in Thiruvananthapuram

When did you decide to enter Bollywood?
It was not a calculated move. It just happened that when Aamir Khan saw me in Tamil Ghajini and he decided to repeat me in his film.

How do you rate your performance in Ghajini?
I am the worst critic of my own acting. I am never satisfied.

What does Asin mean?
It means ‘pure’ or ‘without blemish’, is a confluence of Eastern and Western culture. The word ‘A’ is from Sanskrit and ‘Sin’ is Western. It symbolises the modern Indian, she explained. In fact, my name is so unique that I am yet to have come across anyone with a similar name. Thanks to my parents. They did not want me to be segregated on the basis of any caste or religion when they gave me such a unique name.

Will you do women centric roles in future?
There is an acute shortage of women-centric scripts. Everyone knows that our industry is hero dominated.

What excites you to take up a film?
It is the script, my character in the movie, the production house, the director and finally my hero.

The grapevine has it that you have competition from Nayanthara. Please comment?
I don’t compete with anyone else. I am my own competitor and I strive hard to better my performance and believe that I have a long way to go.

What is your biggest strength?
My flair for learning languages has helped me a lot. When I came to Chennai the only word I knew was Aaama(yes) but soon I learned how to read, write and converse fluently and started dubbing in my own voice. I have dubbed for my Telugu films and now done sync sound for Hindi Ghajini.

You have bagged almost five prestigious awards this year. What do awards mean to you?
Awards are like additional bonus. A sort of energizer for more inspired performances. But I consider audience acceptability as the biggest award for any actor.

Will you be doing another Malayalam film?
Why not? (Smiles) I will do a Malayalam film if the script and character are good

Your next film?
After completing Vipul Shah’s London Dreams with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan I will be doing a trilingual international project titled 19 Steps directed by Bharat Bala. The film is being produced by Walt Disney and a good portion will be shot in Kerala.

Kamal Haasan plays an important role in the film which also has popular Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano. It is scripted by M.T.Vasudevan Nair, and tells the tale of a Samurai warrior trying to conquer the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu.

Can you talk about your experience of working with Resul Pookutty?
Resul and Rahman have made all Indians proud..

I have been fortunate to be associated with the best of the best in my debut film in Hindi, be it Aamir, Rahman or Resul. Normally, a boom mike is used for sync sound, but Resul wanted to experiment and he literally wired me up with lapel mikes which I had to hide under my costumes.

Everything went off well, though I was a bit uncomfortable. Later when I saw the rushes I realized the trouble Resul took to get it perfectly right. He is an amazing technician.

Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s son Sanjay (7) is making a special appearance with dad in a song for his new film Vettaikaran

Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s son Sanjay (7) is making a special appearance with dad in a song for his new film Vettaikaran, produced by AVM Balasubramaniam!

Sources close to the unit confirmed that Sanjay has done a dance number with Vijay shot by cameraman Gopinath and directed by Babu Shivam in Rajahmundry. Shobhi, who excels in mass songs, choreographed it in front of an Ayyanar temple set.

Those on the sets said Sanjay a chip of the old block, as he danced well to his dad’s steps and impressed everybody.

The old timers on the sets says that it was coincidental that Kamal Hassan too made his debut like Sanjay, as a child artist in a film produced by AVM (Kalathur Kannamma)!

The song tuned by Vijay Antony is a high energy peppy fast number with lyrics by Kapilan. Says Vijay Antony: “It is a real fast number, better than my Nakku Mukka or Aathichudi. It is the introduction song of Vijay sir and has been composed to suit his style and dance.”

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto may become the new Bond girl

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto may become the new Bond girl in the next spy adventure. According to sources, the 24-year-old stunner was invited to a screen test for the 007 movie.

The actress was first spotted by producers during the casting for Quantum of Solace. And following Danny Boyle's Slumdog's awards success she has become the hottest property in Hollywood. Freida could follow in the footsteps of other Bond babes.

"Freida came to the attention of the Bond team when they were casting Quantum of Solace. She was too young at the time to have a part as a love interest for a secret agent," The 'Sun' quoted a source, as saying.

"But she has blossomed into an incredibly stunning young woman and would look perfect on Daniel Craig's arm.

"Danny Boyle is favourite to take the helm of the next movie, which would increase Freida's chances of a starring role," the source added. Here is a look at other Bond girls...