Is Deepika Padukone ready for a relationship after Ranbir Kapoor?

The Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani star recently admitted that post her break-up with the Besharam actor, she wants to take it easy. This, she insists, is certainly not the time to get into a relationship

Even though Deepika Padukone has spoken about her ex-boyfriend and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani co-star Ranbir Kapoor on numerous occasions at length, and says that she still loves him – though she may not be in love with him – she knows how to take some really uncomfortable questions in her graceful stride.

“This is not the time and I’m not ready for it. But I’m sure it will happen when it has to. I hope it’s not a permanent situation. I’m hoping that that will change at some point. But I’m sure it will happen when it has to. I’m not going to keep talking to the flowers every morning,” maintains Padukone.

Recently the leggy lass and her movie Ram Leela co-star Ranveer Singh have been spending quality time together at Deepika’s plush flat, we hear. Dippy’s neighbors allege that Ranveer frequents her luxurious apartment and they are often seen sharing cozy meals together. Are they friends of ‘good friend’ or what? We want to know!

There’s no denying that the Chennai Express star has reached the pinnacle of success and has raced ahead of her contemporaries, but what has that got to do with her seeing or not seeing anyone? Any answers, Dippy?

The Lunchbox movie review: A lunchbox full of delight and truly wholesome!

Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox is like a breath of fresh air and will certainly leave a big smile on your face by the time you exit the theatres

The Lunchbox (Dabba) starring Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a bittersweet love story about two strangers who have never met and communicate only through notes. Set in the backdrop of Bombay, Irrfan (Saajan Fernandes) is a widowed employee who works for the government of India and is about to retire after 35 years of service. Nimrat (Ila) is a housewife whose life revolves around her daughter Yashvi and husband Rajeev, who has lost all interest in her. So to spice up her dull marriage life, Ila decides to cook a delicious lunch for her hubby which would be delivered at his office by dabbawallahs. Yes, the famous dabbawallahs, whose impeccable working mechanism is synonymous with Mumbai and continues to bemuse one and all.

So the story takes off when the dabba prepared by Ila lands up at Saajan’s desk. The next day Ila sends a note along with the dabba and Saajan reverts with a note too. From discussing food to confessing their innermost feelings, Ila and Saajan keep exchanging notes and end up finding a confidante in each other. And finally they decide to meet. But do they come face-to-face? Well, we aren’t going to give it all away so you need to watch the film for that!

The old-fashioned romance between Ila and Saajan reminds you of the time when there were no mobile phones and people wrote letters to their near and dear ones. Besides the two lead actors, there is Nawazuddin (Aslam Shaikh), who is hired to replace Saajan after he retires. While Saajan doesn’t like Shaikh initially, the two slowly become fond of each other and establish a father-son like relationship, which is very endearing. Nawazuddin’s comic timing is bang on throughout and it’s an absolute delight to watch him and Irrfan share the screen. Then there is Bharati Achrekar (Mrs Deshpande), who lives just above Ila’s home. You don’t get to see her even once, but you hear her voice. Every conversation between Ila and Mrs Deshpande aka Aunty is engaging and funny.

All the characters have been defined nicely by the debutant director. From the train sequences to how the dabbawallahs work and then linking the Hindu Ila with the Christian Fernandes and the Muslim Shaikh, first-time filmmaker Ritesh Batra has captured the real essence of diverse Bombay beautifully in the film.

As far as acting is concerned, Irrfan plays the part of a lonely old man effortlessly. Nimrat and Nawazuddin are flawless in this old-world charm, unconventional love story. Lastly, what kept lingering in the mind even after the movie was long over were these lines: We forget things if we have no one to tell them to, and sometimes, even the wrong train can take you to the right destination.

If you are looking to watch a masala entertainer then The Lunchbox won’t appeal to you. But if meaningful cinema is your craving then this is one film you wouldn’t want to miss. FYI: Every time Ila packs the lunchbox, the oh-so mouth-watering food leaves you hungry!

Rating 4.5 out of 5

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Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 promo: Bharti Singh, Sanaya Irani, Priyanka Chopra kick up a storm!

It’s an action packed weekend filled with special guests, comic dancing and a few surprise acts on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

This week’s theme ‘teen ka tadka’ began with Bharti Singh’s entry as a host with Manish Paul and Kapil Sharma. All eyes darted from Bharti to judge Remo D’souza ‘coz of their obvious…ahem … relationship.

Last week itself the names of the tadkas who were to join the contestants was revealed to us. But we were not told who will be partnering up with whom. Nonetheless we had a clue; Sanaya Irani joined hands with Drashti Dhami, Darsheel Safary with Sonali-Sumanth, Mumaith did the Lungi dance with Sana Saeed, Rithvik Dhanjani who grooved with Lauren Gottileb and Punit did a comic act enacting Madhuri Dixit, Remo and Karan Johar. Hazel Keech joined Shaan’s team while Ragini Khanna did a sizzling act with Mukti Mohan.

To make the dance reality show more special and to promote their upcoming movie Zanjeer,Priyanka Chopra and South sensation Ram Charan Teja made an appearance. While PC was as usual her bubbly self, Ram Charan kept his speech to the minimum.

Why did Amitabh Bachchan congratulate Salman Khan?

No, the Dabangg actor is not getting married though we would love to see him take the plunge

Salman Khan who entered the world of films in 1988 recently completed 25 glorious years in Bollywood. And that’s the reason why megastar Amitabh Bachcancongratulated the bhai of Bollywood. Mr Bachchan and Salman have worked together in films like Baghban, Baabul and were last seen together onscreen five years ago inGod Tussi Great Ho. While the two stars have not shared screen space as often as their fans would like, they have always maintained cordial relationship.

So when we caught up with the Shehenshah of Bollywood at the Kaun Banega Crorepati press conference, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging Sallu’s achievement. “My best wishes to him (Salman). 25 years is Bollywood is not a small thing. Today he is one of the top male actors in the industry. So congratulations to him” said the KBC host and superstar.

We are sure Salman is happy to have received good wishes from the iconic actor of Indian cinema.

Shahid Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha’s Rambo Rajkumar to get new name…again?

Instead of Namak, the makers of the Shahid Kapoor-Sonakshi Sinha starrer opted for Rambo Rajkumar just about six months ago, so why are they looking to change it?

Following up on popular film titles, Shahid Kapoor, Prabhu Deva and the producers ofRambo Rajkumar have decided to go for a name change for their new film. The action comedy that was initially being made under the working title of Namak was then calledRambo Rajkumar…until now. Why? because for the Shahid Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha starrer, which will be an out-and-out masala entertainer, the makers apparently wanted a more catchy title, since they felt Namak wasn’t spicy enough.

But don’t forget that the producers of this Prabhu Deva directorial have registered optional titles such as Macho Rajkumar, Raja Rajkumar and Rowdy Rajkumar. “We registered these titles to give an Indian touch and might use it for a prequel or a sequel. But as of now, we’ve sent a few more titles for registration and keeping our options open to block suitable titles for the prequel/sequel,” explained producer Viki Rajan.

We prefer Rambo Rajkumar rather than any of these new titles – Macho (which one can’t really associate Shahid with), Raja (maybe) or Rowdy (ew!) or something else (hmmmm). Well, we hope that for Shahid’s sake the luck of Rajkumar rubs off on him and his film, since the Kaminey star badly needs a hit. As far as Prabhu Deva is concerned, wethinks he will do fine, especially considering the fact that he has his lucky mascot Sonakshi on board. What say, peeps?

Anil Kapoor to make a special appearance on Balika Vadhu and Madhubala

Colors recently launched the trailer of the west inspired TV series24 and Anil will soon start promoting it on other shows

Anil Kapoor has negotiated and given his all to get the television series 24 to India and has worked even harder to shoot and finally get a channel to support him with the show.While most believe that the series will not be able to match up to the international series, Anil Kapoor says he is not worried about it. “I am not tensed, nervous or worried about 24. I have given it my all and I know for sure it will be appreciated ‘coz such a show has never been made before. We all are hopeful, fingers crossed and the audience should decide once it comes on TV. If you think I am nervous, then no, I am not nervous at all. In my career, whenever I have done something out-of-the-box, I have never been nervous.”

So will 24 give a tough competition to Balika Vadhu and Madhubala? “24 is in a league of its own. Moreover I will soon be seen on Balika Vadhu, Madhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Bigg Boss 7 promoting my show,” added Anil.

Directed by Abhinay Deo, the 24 series has Bollywood as well as Tellywood actors like Shabana Azmi, Tisca Chopra, Rahul Khanna, Mandira Bedi, Anita Raj, Neil Boopalam amongst others.

Madhuri Dixit, Jaya Bachchan to be honoured with Lacchu Maharaj Award

Previous recipients of the honour include Asha Parekh, Kumkum, Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Rekha

Film actor and Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan, along with actor Madhuri Dixit, will be getting the prestigious Lacchu Maharaj Award this year. An announcement to this effect was made by the organisers, Shakuntala Neeruj Sansthan. Director of the institute, Kumkum Adarsh, said that while Bachchan would be awarded for 2012, Dixit will be given the honour for 2013.

The award was constituted in memory of Kathak exponent Lacchu Maharaj, who died in 1978. In the past, Asha Parekh, Kumkum, Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Rekha have won it.

Pandit Birju Maharaj, who represents the Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance, and is also the nephew of Lacchu Maharaj, has previously been honoured with the award. Lacchu Maharaj had choreographed Bachchan in the film Ek Nazar (1972).

Sitara Devi, an exponent of classical Kathak whom Rabindranath Tagore named Nritya Samragini – empress of dance – has also received the award in recognition of her contribution to dance.

In the past, the awards were given away September 1, to coincide with the birth anniversary of the late dance exponent. This year, however, officials said the availability of the actors was being ascertained to finalise the award distribution programme.