Both her mother Dimple Kapadia and hubby Akshay Kumar have sashayed down the ramp numerous times but Bollywood actress Twinkle Khanna says that she is too shy to do it.

"I am too shy to walk the ramp. I am not at all interested. All I like is to sit back and watch Akshay, my mom or my friends doing the honour. You will never see me walking the ramp," Twinkle told IANS at the inaugural show of HDIL India Couture Week that started here Monday.

"I am happy as an interior designer and that is something I am best at. I would like to stick to it," she added.

Dressed in a fuchsia short dress, Twinkle looked gorgeous. Her presence at the event was due to her jewellery designer friend Farah Khan.

"I am here to cheer for her. She is a friend and an excellent jewellery designer as well," Twinkle said.

Action, drama, thrills and comedy, Rohit Shetty’s ‘All The Best’ has it all. After ‘Golmaal Returns’, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty have joined hands again to come up with another rib-tickling comedy.

Ajay is happy about the movie being rolled out on Diwali. He says, “The movie is surely going to be a Diwali bash for the audience. It's clean with actual humour and can be full-time entertainment for any age group. The movie is funny, without any double-meaning dialogues.”

Bipasha Basu, adding spunk to the event in a short dress spoke about her co-star Ajay Devgn and director Rohit Shetty, “ I have earlier acted opposite Ajay only in serious cinema. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the comedy flick opposite him. And it was also all laughs working with Rohit. When Rohit narrated the script I laughed continuously for two hours. So you can imagine how crackling it’s going to be if it’s so funny at the narrative level.”

Besides stars like Bipasha, Mugdha, Fardeen and Sanjay Dutt, the movie also promises stunts. Rohit Shetty, who created the larger-than-life song ‘Tha Kar Ke’ has tried to recreated the magic with “All The Best”. “ It took a lot of preparation and time to do all the stunts and action sequences. It was really hard work but fun."

Ajay Devgn has no inhibitions on taking the risk while doing a perfect balancing act where a car turns upside down and Ajay proposes to Bipasha.. Wasn’t it scary, Ajay? “It was, but action sequences earlier were a bit tougher. But now with equipments and latest technologies, it's getting easier. I would request people not to try these, however.”

We guess the movie packs it all, from non-stop comedy to mistaken identities and goof-ups!

He was bright and perky as always, but what was clearly noticeable was that Zayed Khan looked fitter than ever before.

The actor who was here in the city recently spoke about himself, his upcoming film and more. But this time he was cautious and weighed his words before he spoke. “Most of the times I am misquoted, so I wanted to ensure that I make every point very clear to the media,” said Zayed.

“There are many things being said about my role in my forthcoming film. Some people are even saying that I had some problem with my role, but that’s not true. I am excited about the film and there are no problems,” clarified the actor. Though he has always been known for his passion for fitness, but for his upcoming release, he followed a special fitness regimen that he says was quite difficult in the beginning, but later it was all fun.

“Directors want me today in their movies because of my physique and it’s extremely important for me to be fit. I follow a strict fitness regimen but for this water action film, I practiced a special workout with lots of scuba diving – something I have been doing since I was 15 – besides other water sports and I really enjoyed it,” smiled Zayed.

As for his passion for action films he said, “I have loved action movies since my childhood and it was my dream to do these flicks. I know what I am good at and action is something close to my heart, therefore I often opt for action films. As for how these films fared, I’ll say I did my best and I am really satisfied with my journey in Bollywood so far. It has been a great learning experience and it is now, after five years in Bollywood, that I feel, that I would be able to do a single hero film.”

About his favourite actors, Zayed revealed, “It is really great that I have shared screen space with actors like Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. As an action hero, I have always admired Sanjay Dutt, and it took me two films to be normal while I acted with him. I learnt a lot from Shah Rukh and Salman Khan is a wonderful human being, sadly misunderstood most of the times.”

As for Rajasthan, the actor became nostalgic and said, “This place has always been close to my heart as it brings back memories of my accompanying my father here during the shooting of the serial, Tipu Sultan. This place will always remain special to me because of the warmth and love of its people.”

Actor-producer Ajay Devgan, who promises an entertaining Diwali package with his home production “All The Best – Fun Begins”, says a sequel to the laugh riot is not yet on the cards and that a decision would be taken only after its release Friday.

“That (the sequel) depends upon the release…on how the audiences take it and how big a hit it proves to be. Nothing has been decided yet, we’ll think about it only after it is out. Though right now, it’s just ‘Golmaal 3′ that is for sure,” Ajay told IANS in an interview here.

The actor says “All The Best” would be funnier than his previous comic hits “Golmaal” (2006) and “Golmaal Returns” (2008).

” ‘All The Best’ is a laugh riot. It falls in the same genre as ‘Golmaal’ but is a completely different script made on a larger scale and it’s funnier than ‘Golmaal’… The film will work…I am sure people will like it too,” he said.

Throwing light on his character, the 40-year-old actor said: “I play a kind of conman who thinks he is very smart and intelligent and can handle a lot of things but actually he is a fool. Every time he comes up with an idea, he lands everybody else in trouble also.”

Directed by Rohit Shetty, the comedy also stars Bipasha Basu, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan and Mugdha Godse.

Asked how he would rate himself as a producer, Ajay said: “I am a very fabulous producer. I think people should get what they deserve and they should also do what they are paid for. It works both ways. You have to be fair on one side and stern on the other for the job to be done.”

“All The Best” is clashing with two other big-budget movies – “Blue” and “Main Aurr Mrs Khanna”, but Ajay is unperturbed by the competition.

“All three films are from different genres and for me it was always a Diwali release because it (’All The Best’) is all about families and people wanting to be together and having fun…so this Diwali, ‘All The Best’ is the best bet if everyone wants to laugh.

“It is a clean entertainer and has no double-meaning dialogues…it can be enjoyed by all age groups,” the actor said.

Ajay’s musical drama “London Dreams”, which also stars Salman Khan and Asin, is lined up for release Oct 30. Is he worried that two of his movies that belong to different genres are rolling out so close?

“That’s the best part that there are two different genres all together…It’s not really that great that they are coming so close to each other. (But) I am not worried…,” he said.

” ‘London Dreams’ was supposed to release in August, but now it’s coming Oct 30. The strike (between producers and multiplex owners) messed up everything and things got delayed and for almost three months, nothing really released,” Ajay said.

Apart from “All The Best”, “London Dreams” and “Golmaal 3″, Ajay’s future projects include “Rajneeti”, “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai”, Priyadarshan’s next and his second directorial venture.

But apart from his films, the new spelling of his surname has also been talked about. So what made him drop a vowel, making it Devgn instead of the earlier Devgan.

“That (the spell change) was long due…for the past 10 years, I was being asked to change that and I was really apprehensive but finally I have done it. My family believes a lot in these things and I guess every Indian family does. So it’s okay with me,” Ajay said.

ROZA CATALANO tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that she would slap if a person asks her to sleep with him in exchange for a role

Is it true that you are keen on learning the oldest form of martial arts in China shortly?

Yes. I am fit and I want to become fitter as days are passing by. As a kick-boxing freak for the past 4 years and a trained martial arts person, I am now gung ho about trying my hands in the oldest and the best form of martial arts- Wushu Kung-Fu from Anan Henan in China.

How do you feel when complimented with epithets like sexy, hot etc?

Though these epithets are compliments used by men with a sexy connotation. I confess that I am used to passes from men, especially in India. If men do not make a pass at you, who will? But I do not give any man the vibe.

Did you come all the way to India from Africa, just because you fell in love with Saif?

Contrary to the notion that I had an ulterior motive and wanted to pursue my career in Bollywood by latching out to Saif, though I used to do theatre in Switzerland and also walk the ramp, I came to India just in pursuit of my heart, because love for Saif dictated every move of mine. For three years of my life, I did not do anything and just took the back seat by stepping behind Saif.

Is it true that you did two ads as well as anchored a talk show when you were with Saif?

I did two ads with Saif just for a lark when the producers of the ad requested me to be a part of the ad campaign. I also shot for two episodes of a show for Star as an anchor, but the channel decided not to shoot further episodes of the show. It was around the same time that Saif and I split and I was quite crest-fallen and had to get over her trauma and fend for myself. I have always believed that if one door closes, yet another will open for you.

How did get over the trauma?

I felt wounded but at the same time, I realized that it was important for me to understand what is going on around me and stand for what I believe. In the difficult period that ensued, sat back, felt the pain and started re-discovering myself, by setting out to learn more about myself which I did not know at all earlier. Though it took some time, it was not difficult for me to get back on my feet. I think it is because of the way I approach people and life in general. It is my persona. I used to walk in areas which were dangerous. If you have an attitude, where you respect others, others in turn will also respect you.

Have you lost the belief in love?

Just because I had a failed relationship; it does not mean that I have lost my belief in love. I have big respect for love and for myself too. However, I have realized one thing for sure. That is I cannot indulge in something in which I can give 100 percent of myself. At the risk of sounding to be very selfish, I need to give love to myself first. I believe that everything will come at the right time.

What did you learn from your relationship with Saif?

I do not like to talk about my relationship with Saif because I have moved on and that is a closed chapter in my life. You learn from a relationship and move ahead if it does not work for some reason or the other. You should not start hating love, but protect it, because love is what makes living worthwhile. I also do not believe in blaming any one or pointing out fingers. I do not think any woman can take something away from you if you are not giving. I do not like to play the victim.

What is your take on the syndrome of the casting couch in the film industry?

I am of the opinion that every individual has to know what he or she is. I have heard a lot about the syndrome of the casting couch in film industry. I do not believe in barter system. I‘d perhaps slap if some one were to ask me to sleep with him in exchange for a role. I like having my own space. I guess, if you know you are capable, then you know your talent and will have your own self esteem.

Do you feel handicapped as an actor, because of your white skin?

I do not want to get typed as yet another item girl in Bollywood, just because I have white skin. I do not want to be slotted as a foreign bimbette. The reason I did only item numbers mostly is that the roles which I was offered till now were not substantial at all. Music makes me feel closer to God. I am sure after people watch me in films like Nakshatra, Monopoly, Ek Second Jo Zindagi Badal De etc, I will be approached for roles which are written keeping me and my talent in mind. For the last two years, I have been brushing my knowledge of Hindi. Now that I am in India, I am not going to give up easily till I make it in Bollywood, like Katrina Kaif. Kat is amazing. Success stories of women like Kat inspire me, but I am here not to compete with Kat or any other actress but with myself. Kat has proved that movies do not have borders.

Her Bollywood assignments might have forced her to rent an apartment in Mumbai, but actress Chitrangda Singh, who has been in town for a while now,says that Delhi is equally home for her.

“I’ve rented an apartment in Mumbai because I wanted to spend time in that city and also work there. But it’s not as if I’ve moved base permanently. I am as much a part of Delhi as I was before,” said Chitrangda .

Though life for the actress has become way busier, she’s not complaining. “I had been ignoring a lot of things earlier. I wouldn’t do commercials, no magazine cover shoots and wasn’t even interested in doing too many movies. But I guess I’ve wasted too much time and I’m not ready to waste another second. Yes, life is busier, but I’m not complaining,” she explained.

And apart from work, working on her body is also something that’s keeping this actress busy. “I’m not working out to lose weight. It’s just that I need to tone up my body which is why I’ve got a trainer.” And now that she’s in Delhi, is she getting time to spend with hubby Jyoti Randhawa? “Jo has a very busy season and is out of the country for tournaments and will not be back till the next month. So it’s just my son and me right now who are giving each other company,” she said.

Wake Up Sid actor and B'wood's next big Kapoor in an interview to People magazine revealed all about his own 'wake up' moment in life. Here's what he had to say...

Ranbir Kapoor revealed that his big wake-up moment occurred when he was watching his grandfather's mega-hit movie Shree 420.

"It was during my first year in college [HR College, Mumbai] when I first watched the movie and it did something to me. It inspired me to wake up in life, realise what my priorities are and what to do in life. I also for the first time understood the legacy and my family's contribution to Indian cinema."

Ranbir, who shares his first name with his grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor [Ranbir was his first name, but RK never used it], said that he hopes by sharing the name "some of his greatness, talent, passion and love for cinema translates on to me".

According to Ranbir, while his idol is his grandfather, his favourite actor continues to be his dad Rishi Kapoor. Proud as he is of his parents' achievement, he does not turn to them for tips, preferring to make his own journey instead.

"My parents would rather that I learn from my own mistakes than theirs," he says candidly. What he has undoubtedly picked from them however is the grace with which to cope with failure. Says he, "You know how much of a man a man is when he goes through failure and how he comes out of it."

While the young actor is prepared for the demands of success, he also makes time for his loved ones, especially for girlfriend Deepika Padukone. "It is hard [making time]," he says, "but every relationship is hard. You have to work at it."

"The greed to become the biggest actor and the biggest filmmaker in the world keeps me going. Hopefully in the next two years I can make the transition to becoming a director and still be a successful actor," confesses Ranbir.

The edition also talks about the lessons of success and stardom that Ranbir has learnt from his illustrious family. It also has exclusive pictures from the Kapoor family album including never-seen-before childhood photos with his star cousins Karisma and Kareena.

Let the talks of battle of supremacy at the box office be on hold for the time being at least. Even as the large segment of media has gone ahead and filled in pages around Shah Rukh Khan v/s Akshay Kumar, the latter has no qualms in admitting that he found 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' to be an excellent film. He made this statement in the context of family films coming from Bollywood continuing to find an audience globally.

"Such stories will always run. It's like old wine and all that you have to do is get a new bottle to package it all well. Our sentiments will never go away and this is the reason why when I saw 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', I really loved it", says Akshay Kumar in an honest tone.

"Hamaare hindustan mein bhaichaara kabhi kahin nahi jaane waala (In India, the feeling of brotherhood and togetherness will never go away), whether in real life or reel life. This could be about relationship between two friends or the one between a husband and wife, we will always find audiences giving it a green flag if the story is told interestingly", declares Akshay.

He goes on to add, "Dosti-yaari, mian-biwi, bachche, janam-janam ka saath, yeh sab aise rishtein hai jo hamesha zinda rahenge (these are the kind of relationships that will always be alive). Look at all the TV serials, for e.g. 'Balika Vadhu'. It is obvious that people are interested in such stuff."

In that case, doesn't he too strive to do something like that for the big screen. Why is he seen in comedies in dozens? After all he has seen huge success in his last few family outings like 'Waqt- Race Against Time' or 'Ek Rishta- The Bond of Love'?

Akshay describes, "I started off as an action hero and then moved on to do family films as well as comedies. Then when some felt that I was doing too many comedies, I just did a 'Blue'. Now I have comedies like 'De Dana Dan' and 'Housefull' coming up. Between these two films, I would also have an 'Action Replay' which is a complete family film that you are talking about. It's a very emotional film. I keep exploring different genres at different points in time."

 When Ashutosh Gowariker read a book based on the 1930s Chittagong uprising against the British, he made two decisions – to make a film and to cast Abhishek Bachchan in it because of the actor’s “strong and towering personality”.

Gowariker has set about accomplishing both with his latest venture, “Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se”.

“I had a very faint idea of the Chittagong uprising (the area is now in Bangladesh) because I remember reading just a line about it in school. I didn’t know much at all,” Ashutosh told IANS over phone from Goa where he was working on the sets of the film.

“So when I was reading Manini Chatterjee’s book ‘Do and Die’, I realised the many facets of that revolution and decided instantly to make a film on it.”

This will be Gowariker’s second movie to be inspired by a book, the first being his recently released “What’s Your Rashee?”.

“It’s not just about books. It’s about books that influence me. ‘Kimball Ravenswood’ by Madhu Rye left a strong impact on me and that is why I decided to make ‘What’s Your Rashee?’ and that is the same reason why I am making one on ‘Do and Die’,” he said.

He refused to divulge any details about the film, but said his decision to cast Abhishek as freedom fighter Surya Sen, the chief architect of the anti-British freedom movement in Chittagong, didn’t take any time at all.

“I decided on Abhishek right away. I could think of Abhishek even while reading the book because of his strong and towering personality,” said Gowariker.

The female lead will be played by southern beauty Asin Thottumkal who made her Bollywood debut opposite Aamir Khan in “Ghajini”.

Asked if he had roped in historians to capture the nitty-gritty of the revolution to avoid any factual controversies like the ones he faced over historical epic “Jodhaa Akbar”, Gowariker said: “I worked on the smallest of details in ‘What’s Your Rashee?’ also.

“As filmmakers, we always check facts but regardless of any amount of research, there will always be a section of society that will raise concerns – that’s just our nation and we can’t really do anything about it.

“Other than that, for ‘Khelein Hum…’ I have the strongest person for the story on my side – the author herself, Manini Chatterjee.”

The movie, which is Gowariker’s next period film after the Oscar entry “Lagaan”, will go on the floors next month.

Preity Zinta’s bubbly nature has always been a talking point in tinseltown and Bollywood star Salman Khan confesses he is smitten by her demeanour.

“I love her (Preity’s) bluntness, jovial nature, positive thinking. I like her happy personality,” Salman said on his show “Dus Ka Dum 2″.

Salman spoke of Preity when actors Shehnaz Treasurywala and Sonal Sehgal pinned him down to name his favourite heroine, said a source from the channel.

Both Shehnaz and Sonal had come on the show to promote their upcoming film “Radio”, which also stars Himesh Reshammiya. The film will release Dec 3.

SANJAY GUPTA tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that though Bipasha Basu was the original choice for the role of Dia Mirza in Acid Factory, Dia will be the surprise packet of the film

How would you describe yourself as a film maker?

I have never set any boundary as a producer till date. Today making any film is per se a big risk but then at the end of the day, the fact remains that I just cannot sell anything else for a living. The current scenario as far as the film industry is concerned is such that the risks inherent in film making are quite high. However, all said and done what actually matters here is how passionate you are as a filmmaker, nothing else.

Why are you keen on introducing new directors through your production house?

I have always believed in encouraging newcomers to direct films for my production house, because besides the fact that they come with innovative ideas and are raring to go and ready to push the envelope because they want to prove their worth. I cannot sit in an ivory tower and be unapproachable. I am different from a producer who is just a producer because as a director, I know the hardships of another director. As a producer, I feel that I can always lend more support to a new director because I know what he is going through, because at one time, even I had gone through that same phase as a struggling newcomer after I had assisted Pankaj Parashar in direction.

Is it true that Bipasha was your first choice for Acid Factory?

We actually had Bipasha in our minds when the script was being written by Milind. Bipasha would have been an obvious choice, but I wanted to surprise the audiences. However, Dia Mirza will prove to be the biggest surprise packet of Acid Factory in a kind of role in which you would have never seen the dainty damsel any time before. I would even go to the extent of stating that Dia is actually one of the gangsters in the film.

You have not really cast happening stars in Acid Factory. Why?

When I was asked why I cast Vivek Oberoi in Mission Istanbul, John Abraham in Zinda or for that matter Amitabh Bachchan in Kaante when they were down and out, I told people that I do not see my actors as lesser stars than the other super stars, because as a producer, I do not believe in selling stars. I am very confident that Acid Factory will help every actor who has worked in the film to go to the next level. Each and every actor who I approached for Acid Factory was excited when he or she read the script. You can smell whether a film is good or not only when the actor sees it objectively. If the film that you make turns out to be bad, the stars will automatically become unavailable to you, even if you happen to be the biggest of the producers.

What is the reason that you strive to make something different every time you set out to make a film?

When I was just an assistant to Pankaj Parasher, there were eminent makers like Mani Ratnam, J.P. Dutta and Mukul Anand who ruled the rostrum. I used to wait eagerly to see their films because they always used to do something new in each and every film of theirs. It has stayed with me and that is one of the main reasons why I try to break some new ground with every film that I set out to make, whether as a producer or for that matter as a director. I would say that this is my way of repaying the film industry.

Which are the films you are now producing?

Pankh starring Bipasha and Maradona and The Great Indian Butterflies are being readied for release. The Great Indian Butterflies is a simple, but elegant story directed by Sartakdas Gupta, who was brought to me by Parth Arora, who is the co-producer of the film. Besides these two films, I am also now producing Sonagachi in digital format, with Sudipto who had directed Pankh as the director once again. Mahesh Manjrekar and Manoj Bajpayee are acting in the film, which is not in Bengali, but in Hindi. I am also all set to make Milte Hai with Meghna Gulzar as the director. It is a romantic comedy.

Considering the fact you are known sarcastically as the DVD director, are you planning to move towards the West?

I am not at all desperate to go to Hollywood. I would rather bring Hollywood here. I would rather be a King in India than a struggler outside India. Whether you make a film in Hindi or English, what is important is that you enjoy the process.