Karan Johar to adopt a baby girl?

We hear that the 40-year-old filmmaker wants to start a family soon

Karan Johar , the match-maker of Bollywood, does not want to take the marital plunge. But he wants to extend his family and he may soon adopt a little baby girl, if sources are to be believed.

The 40-year-old director, who has been tremendously successful with his films, may now look at taking his personal life to the next level. Karan is reportedly not into marriage, but he does want a little cherub around to light up his life. And apparently, he is in talks with friends as well as his mother Hiroo Johar on what would be the best way to go about adopting a baby girl. And although Karan denied when asked about it, there is a strong rumour that the filmmaker is keeping it under wraps until he has everything planned.

Well, for starters, he could probably take tips from Sushmita Sen on adopting a kid

John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri’s film Madras Cafe completes South India schedule

Th first schedule of Madras Cafe – earlier titled Jaffna – was shot in various parts of South India

The first schedule of filmmaker Shoojit Sircar’s new movie Madras Cafe, featuring John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri, is over. It has been shot extensively in South India.

“We have finished shooting the first schedule, it was shot in various parts of South India. It was great shooting for the film,” said Shoojit. “The second schedule will be shot in Mumbai, abroad and again in a few parts of South India,” he added.

Produced by John, the film was earlier titled Jaffna . Asked about the film, Sircar said, “It is a spy thriller, a simple story of a spy. It is a thriller set in India and Sri Lanka.” Sircar’s last film Vicky Donornot only won critical accolades, but went on to rake in the moolah at the box office too.

Asin Thottumkal welcomes New Year in Las Vegas

The Khiladi 786 actor has had a very eventful and busy 2012 and is planning to ring in 2013 in style

Asin Thottumkal is welcoming the New Year in Las Vegas with her best friend. While we do not know who this friend is, looks like the actor has planned a rocking party for December 31. It’s New Year’s Eve and Asin who is in Vegas with her friend said, “It is going to be a fun-filled New Year this time.”

She further added, “After back to back shooting schedules, I finally got a few days break. And without wasting time, I took a flight to New York to be with my best friend. From there, we left for Vegas and will be welcoming the New Year here. I am very happy and hope 2013 will be great for me.” We hope so too babe!

The star who is a well established name in the Tamil and Telugu film industry, stepped into Bollywood with Ghajini a few years ago. She is now enjoying all her free time until work beckons her back home.

Priyanka Chopra to play the lead opposite Imran Khan in Milan Talkies!

Ekta Kapoor ends all the confusion surrounding the casting of her upcoming film. It’s not Sonakshi or Parineeti but Pee Cee who will be playing the lead

There was quite a bit of confusion over who would play the female lead in Ekta Kapoor’s forthcoming production Milan Talkies. The small town love story, which will be directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia ofPaan Singh Tomar fame, has been in the news over the casting of its leading lady. Initially, it was reported that Sonakshi Sinha could play the role of a girl from a small town since it was similar to her character in Dabangg. Later, rumours were abuzz that Priyanka Chopra would be playing the lead role.

However, when Imran Khan pushed his dates from March to August, speculations were rife that Priyanka would not be able to do the film, and her cousin Parineeti Chopra would play the lead instead. There was so much confusion about the project that Priyanka herself came out and tweeted that she was doing the film despite her hectic schedule, but later she deleted the tweet.

And now the film’s producer has finally released a statement confirming Pee Cee for the role. “I can confirm that Milan Talkies will go into production in August and there is no doubt that Priyanka will feature opposite Imran ,” said an irate Ekta Kapoor. So finally, we wait for the film to take off with Piggy Chops and Imran on board.

Vidya Balan, happy 35th birthday!

On the actor’s 35th birthday, we take a look at the many twists and turns that the babe’s career has navigated

Vidya Balan was born on January 1, 1978. The actor created quite a stir in year 2012 with her strong performances and bold style statements. But the babe had to go through her share of trials and tribulations in her professional life before she reached this stage. VB’s career was fluctuating – at times fiercely hitting the skids and occasionally striking gold. But after a series of hard knocks, Balan tightened the dupatta around her width and hit back with vengeance. It was as if all the transitions and turbulences that VB went through initially were worth it after all, and if she hadn’t dropped the ball, we might not have seen the intense actor in Kahaani or The Dirty Picture!

Nana Patekar, happy 61st birthday!

The veteran actor of Hindi and Marathi cinema celebrates his birthday today

Born on January 1, 1951, Nana Patekar turns 61 today. While the entire nation is bringing in the New Year with great gusto, there will be double celebrations at the Patekar house. Nana started his film career with his powerful roles and hatke performances in films such as Ankush, Pratighaat and Salaam Bombay, but it was his portrayal of the gangster Anna in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda that made him a household name, and brought him appreciation from the audiences and critics alike. It even won him the National Film Award for the Best Supporting Actor and the Filmfare Award for the Best Supporting Actor.

After essaying prominent characters onscreen like the hot-tempered cop in Tirangaa, the wife-beating over-possessive husband in Agnisakshi and the differently-abled father in Khamoshi, Nana tried his hand at direction with Prahaar – a movie based on the Indian Army.

The actor has also explored Marathi cinema and his film Deool which released last year, co-starring Naseeruddin Shah, broke several records. He took up rifle shooting a few years back and excelled in that too. With movies like The Attacks of 26/11 and Ab Tak Chhappan 2 this year, we wish him a happy birthday and hope he has a rocking 2013.

Deepika Padukone will be the busiest actor of 2013!

With four new films in her kitty, the leggy lass will be working round the clock in the New Year. Are B-town’s workaholic stars like Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan listening?

We know that Shahrukh Khan can work non-stop thanks to the tremendous energy the superstar is born with. Amitabh Bachchan, at 70, amazes us with his solid work ethics and his dedication that can easily put a twenty-something to shame. And Aamir Khan is known for giving his 100 percent to his craft and can go to any lengths to achieve that enviable perfection. And now joining the league of these super-busy stars is none other than our leggy lass Deepika Padukone.

Dippy is doing four films in the New Year. She will be seen opposite Ranveer Singh in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next Ram Leela. She will be playing the lady love of Shahrukh Khan in Rohit Shetty’s Chennai Express. These two projects with meaty roles will keep Dips on her toes in 2013. The leggy beauty will also start working on Ayan Mukerji’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani opposite her ex-flame Ranbir Kapoor, and she will be seen opposite none other than Rajinikanth in one of the most awaited releasesKochadaiyaan.

If that’s not enough, Dips is gearing up to promote her first action dhamaka of the New Year-Race 2. Phew! Looks like 2013 is all set to give us copious amounts of sizzle, glitz and an endless treat in terms of that dazzling smile and those never-ending gorgeous legs! Dips, we are confident that your hard work will pay off and we are going to appreciate your efforts to the hilt, babe!

Paresh Rawal: I don’t need to go door to door and ask people to watch me

The versatile actor, who is gearing up for his upcoming release Table No 21  doesn’t believe in door to door marketing

Paresh Rawal feels film stars have lost their charm owing to extensive marketing and promotions.

“If I call myself a star, then I don’t need to go door to door and ask the audience to come and watch me in theatres. There is no need for that. Does Rajinikant do that? Does any Southern star do that? Only we do it,” said Paresh. “We have blown this marketing gimmick way out of proportion as, if we don’t do this, then we will die. Do aggressive marketing through TV and media. What is the need to go to Nagpur and wave your hands. People come because they like you. This is a very childish way of looking at marketing,” he added.

Paresh has witnessed the film industry very closely in the last two decades of his career, he says now the stars in Bollywood want to play characters and don’t want to sacrifice it for the sake of their stardom. “The star system will always be there, every film will need a star. Even if there is no star, you want to make somebody a star. Now fortunately, actors like Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, have started playing characters,” said the 62-year-old. “Now all of them want to play character roles. They don’t want to sacrifice the character for stardom and that is a very positive sign,” he added.

Paresh recently turned producer with Akshay Kumar-starrer OMG! Oh My God, which not only won critical appreciation, but also raked in moolah at the box-office. But the actor says he doesn’t associate himself with figures. “I don’t associate myself with any kind of figures. Rs 100 crore, Rs 200 crore – they are just mere numbers. I feel the best film will stay with you. Few films will stay with me for ages like 3 Idiots, Kahaani, Vicky Donor, OMG! Oh My God,” said the actor. “These are healthy cinema which will entertain you with a message. It is good entertainment. Films like Teesri Manzil, Johnny Mera Naamwere also good entertainment,” he added.

The actor, who has pulled off all his roles to the best of his ability, feels his best is yet to come. “I would still say my best is yet to come because there are new writers, new directors, and new ideas coming. The work culture has changed because of the multiplexes. Small budget films like Vicky Donor,Kahaani, OMG! Oh My God among others have got an audience who are ready to watch these kind of films. At this point of time, I would enjoy working more and I feel my best is yet to come,” he added

Nawazuddin Siddiqui to meet Phoolan Devi murder accused in Tihar Jail

The Talaash actor will play Sher Singh Rana, who allegedly killed Phoolan Devi, in the biopic End of Bandit Queen

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is gearing up to work on a second biopic - End of Bandit Queen – based on the life of Sher Singh Rana, prime accused in the murder of bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi in 2001. “I will start shooting for this biopic film in March 2013. It is a biopic on Sher Singh Rana. The film is tentatively titled End of Bandit Queen. We will be shooting in India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan,” said Nawazuddin.

Sher Singh Rana is currently lodged at Delhi’s Tihar Jail, and Nawazuddin says he will meet him soon. “I will be meeting Rana who is in Tihar Jail right now. Then I will get a clear picture about my character. So this is the only research that I will have to do to fit the bill,” said the actor, who has received critical acclaim for his work in movies like Kahaani and Gangs of Wasseypur.

End of Bandit Queen will be directed by the theatre director Barry John.

Nawazuddin recently shot for a biopic Mountain Man, on the life of Dashrath Manjhi, a Bihar-based labourer, who made a 360-foot-long road by physically cutting down a mountain.