ChatDD Blog

The contingent of Pakistani models in Indian films is growing. First there were Meera Khan and Sana Nawaz . Now there’s model Mehreen Syed, who will feature in Sanjay Chauhan’s (who had penned the dialogue for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara) period film set in Rajasthan in the 1940s, followed by Shashi Ranjan’s romantic drama.

Dear mom She says, people have mistaken perceptions about Pakistan. Models and actresses there are as talented as those in India, it’s just that we don’t have the right platform. Besides Muscat, where she’s walked the ramp for designer Hassan Shehryar , Syed has also worked in Paris and Milan. She says, I m a Syed. Humare yahan agar ladki kaam karna chaahe toh maarne-kaatne ki naubat aa jaati hai. Not many Indian directors know how to present a girl in the right manner. Why can’t Indian directors make films with Pakistani girls, which are not just about kissing and wearing skimpy clothes? - Mehreen Syed But Syed found a confidante in her mother, who is a lawyer. “I was abandoned by my family. Only my mother stood by me”, she says. Now, she has a toe-hold in Bollywood.

Beyond the kiss It’s an industry of dreams, it’s fascinating, she says. In the same breath, she explains the downsides.

The contingent of Pakistani models in Indian films is growing. First there were Meera Khan and Sana Nawaz . Now there’s model Mehreen Syed, who will feature in Sanjay Chauhan’s (who had penned the dialogue for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara) period film set in Rajasthan in the 1940s, followed by Shashi Ranjan’s romantic drama.

Dear mom
She says, people have mistaken perceptions about Pakistan.Models and actresses there are as talented as those in India, it’s just that we don’t have the right platform.

Besides Muscat, where she’s walked the ramp for designer Hassan Shehryar , Syed has also worked in Paris and Milan. She says, I m a Syed. Humare yahan agar ladki kaam karna chaahe toh maarne-kaatne ki naubat aa jaati hai. Not many Indian directors know how to present a girl in the right manner. Why can’t Indian directors make films with Pakistani girls, which are not just about kissing and wearing skimpy clothes? - Mehreen Syed

But Syed found a confidante in her mother, who is a lawyer. “I was abandoned by my family. Only my mother stood by me”, she says. Now, she has a toe-hold in Bollywood.

Beyond the kiss
It’s an industry of dreams, it’s fascinating, she says. In the same breath, she explains the downsides.

Not many Indian directors know how to present a girl in the right manner. I often get offers asking me to shed my clothes before the narration of the script, she says. Why can’t Indian directors make films with Pakistani girls, which are not just about kissing and wearing skimpy clothes? she asks.

Playing favourites
Syed says she’s been cautious about choosing both her films, I was supposed to work with Sanjay Chauhan in his film, Lahore , but I fell ill. Now I’m going to make up for that. This is an arty film, and I am really excited about it.

Details about Ranjan’s film are yet to be finalised. Ask her about Bollywood’s men and Syed says, I love Shah Rukh Khan as an actor.John Ibrahim is smart, but if there’s one actor I’d like to work with, it’s Aamir khan , she gushes.

Depicting the difficult situation in which Pakistanis - and the Muslims in general - found themselves in after 9/11, registering its outright success in Pakistan, Dubai and London, Pakistani film KHUDA KE LIYE is the first film from that country to invade into the Indian theatres from March 28.

The interesting thing about the film, produced and directed by Shoaib Mansoor, is how it connects the happenings in three continents. Unlike the usual Indian and Pakistani films based on romantic sagas, dances and songs, this film is based on some very serious issues, raising a lot of controversial questions engaging the Muslim minds these days. It helps the Muslim youth find a direction… the right direction, for which all are looking towards.

The film’s themes include the role of Muslim in Islam and the balance of Muslim values with moderate Western enlightenment.

KHUDA KE LIYE (In The Name of God) has Pakistani actors Shaan and Iman Ali in the male and female leads, while India’s Naseeruddin Shah appears in a prominent role of a Muslim cleric.

This low-budget film, covering a vast canvas, stresses on the fact that it is more important to be a true Muslim at heart.

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Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan might be moving away from Mumbai and back to his childhood city of New Delhi. It has been reported in the Indian press that Shah Rukh is building himself a bungalow in New Delhi, near the posh Jor Bagh area, fuelling rumors that he could well be thinking of retiring from movies and settling to a quite life - back in his hometown.

The house is being built exactly opposite from where his late mother used to run a restaurant during his school days. Many top names currently reside in this area, including Mahindras, Mittals, and Nandas.

If this is true

He boldly tattooed his lady love’s name on his hand, when playfully provoked by her friends to display the depth of his love he slashed his palm, and lately the object of his affection has been sporting a whopper on her finger.

Three months into the relationship, buzz is Saif Ali Khan, 37, and Kareena Kapoor, 27, have tied the knot. Curiously, quite akin to his first marriage with Amrita Singh, Saif again went at it the second time under the shroud of secrecy.

It has been reliably learnt that a quiet nikah ceremony took place in the presence of a maulvi in Saif’s new house Laview Patni, in Bandra on Wednesday. Says Saif’s astrologer Pandit Suvashitraj, “Yes, I have heard that Saif and Kareena solemnised their relationship with a formal exchange of rings in the presence of a maulavi on Wednesday. The ceremony took place at 12.30 p.m. This is what is known as vachan vivaah.”

A source from the industry who is close to Kareena confirmed the nikah and said that Saif has gifted Kareena a BMW.
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When Aishwarya Rai got married to Abhishek Bachchan, there were speculations that actor Salman Khan just might marry his long-time girlfriend Katrina Kaif soon - implying that he couldn’t get Aishwarya back anymore. Now that the actor has crossed 40, his family members are more than eager to watch him settle down.

Girlfriend Katrina Kaifs mom flew down from London recently and had a nice conversation with Salman Khans family. This had only increased the rumors of a marriage that was soon going to happen. (more…)

Abhishek and Vivek had worked together in Shootout At Lookhandwala, but they did not do any role together. Now the two will be sharing the screen together in Apoorva Lakhia next Mission Istanbul. The movie is been directed by Suniel Shetty. When asked Suniel about these two he said that they will be working together and neither Abhishek nor Vivek has any problems with each other. Talking about the movie Suniel said that Mission Istanbul is being made on an international scale.
The theme requires an international vision. My director is browsing for F-X team from the outside. It will be top-of-the-line technicians from abroad. The movie hooting will be in Turkey and they have been provided with the infrastructure they require for their project.

Sounds like an interesting project isnt it? Well after Ash getting married to Abhishek I dont think Vivek or anyone else will have any problem with them, and its really nice to see Vivek and Abhishek working together. Suniel will have a real tough time to produce a movie with such a powerful subject. Recently movies like Cash and Dhoom 2 were a huge hit and future action packed movies have good competition from these movies.

Dia Mirza has been lying low for quite some time. Apart from Dus Kahaniyan one hasnt heard much about her these days. Question her about it and the actress says, “I do an average of four to five films a year. How much do you want me to do? I have Alibaug and Fruit and Nut to my credit. For me it is important to hold on to different films. After my films flopped in the beginning, I needed to do different films. Now that I have done different films and made a place for myself, I need to be the centre of attraction. I think I have said no to more films now than ever before. When I am old and grey, tottering with a stick, my grandchildren should say, Wow, what films have you done! I will do films I want to be a part of.”

How does the actress spend her time otherwise? “I have so many things to do. I am happy doing pottery painting and horseriding. Horseriding has been a childhood hobby and I didnt know they had riding classes in Mumbai until Lara (Dutta) joined it. Ive joined the Amateur Riding Club (AMC) at the Mahalaxmi race course. Its such a large place. I never knew that such a large space existed in the heart of the city. People come to jog and ride. There are children and old people around. I paint, I write poetry and love photography,” she says.
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