Kajol to ring the NASDAQ bell

Bollywood stars Sharh Rukh Khan and Kajol are all set to ring the NASDAQ bell as the American stock exchange opens for business on Monday morning.
This is the first time that Indian stars have been invited to ring the opening bell for the exchange as an act of promotion for their upcoming film ‘My Name Is Khan’.
SRK and Kajol would be ringing the bell on behalf of Fox Searchlight Pictures which is distributing the film in the US market, a NASDAQ spokesman said.
With over 3,700 companies listed, the NASDAQ has more trading volume than any other stock market in the world.
“This prestigious event is usually reserved for CEOs of major corporations and is broadcast live on many television networks across the globe,” Indian promoters of the movie in the US said.
Khan and Kajol have starred together in many successful films over the years including ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ which are both modern classics in Hindi cinema.
The Karan Johar directed film, which releases on February 12, will see the most sought after onscreen pair in Bollywood re-unite after eight years.
Shot across much of the United States, ‘My Name Is Khan’ will also have a star-studded premiere at the 60th annual Berlin International Film Festival during the week of its release.

Actress Deepshikha Nagpal Directs her first film “Ye Dooriyan”

It seems Deepshikha Nagpal after her successful stint in films like (Koyla, Baadshah, Life Partner, Dhoom Dhadaka, etc.) is towards fulfilling her dream of direction. But this actress has gone a step ahead and has also decided to write love story titled, “Yeh Dooriyan” which also stars Chitrashi Rawat (Chak De girl), K K Menon and a new comer.

“It was not tough juggling some many roles, as things fell into place. When I first suggested my friends about a script, they said write it yourself. I then decided to produce and direct the film on my own, for I did not want to explain anything to anybody, it’s my baby,” says Deepshika.

On the reasons for casting herself as a lead, she says, “The story demanded my inclusion, its not that I wanted to launch myself, she said defensively.” Deepshikha further refused to talk much about her character or the film saying, “Its better you wait for August when it will release. All I will say is that it’s a pretty today’s kind of woman’s oriented metropolitan story. At the same time it is also a classy masala entertainer with good songs. We have already recorded two chirpy numbers with Meet Brothers. The shooting will begin in Feb 2010 with the first schedule in Goa”, she added.
 
Deepshikha admitted that it’s not going to be easy handling all departments in Yeh Dooriyan, “But I am a go getter and always believe in trying my luck. I have even attempted to be different in my films where I have played a negative, item girl, etc.”

She also accepted the fact that, “I always wanted to be behind the camera and acting happened by chance, when Dev Anand offered me Gangster. I was also young and did not have proper guidance. But I am happy with my over all journey for you can only put in your best. Success and failure are not in our hands. All said and done, I am quite popular compared to many others, who remain oblivious to the world”.

Few know that Deepshikha comes from a filmy family, “My nana Vithaldas Panchotia (Better known as Master Vithal) hailed from the silent era and had given a break to Dada Muni, Ashok Kumar. My mother was a Guajarati film producer and an actress, my father was also a film maker, so I have eaten, drank and slept cinema. In this view, my turning to film making is but a natural conclusion”.
 
Deepshikha further revealed that she has got a very hot look in the film. “My appearance has always been appreciated. I believe that real beauty goes beyond just looks and hinges a lot on having a positive outlook to life.” Deepshikha says “Well times have changed and today audiences don’t only want 17/18 year heroines”.
 
Besides films, Deepshika has also done television. “I really liked my character Kuki in Kitty Party, it was so me! The Colors reality show, Dancing Queen was also great”, ends this trained dancer.

Bollywood's hottest with Dabboo Ratnani

This year get ready to see some of Bollywood's hottest actors in a shade you have never seen before. Having shot his glamourous models in colour all through the year, ace lensman Dabboo Ratnani decided to do something radically different for his own calendar. "All the stars are comfortable with whatever I decide. They never question me, because we have faith in each other. So whenever I discuss a concept with them, they are happy to go along. I usually share three or four different ideas with the actor. If they are not convinced, we work on it. It is important to be confident about each other; only when the model is able to relate to the picture will he or she be able to give 100 per cent to it," says Ratnani, speaking exclusively to Sarika Sharma, NDTVMovies.com.

Ratnani's calendar, which has become somewhat of a Bollywood tradition and every bit as iconic as a Pirelli, is a labour of love for the man who recently topped the list of the 10 most influential people in Asian photography.

"I have been doing the calendar for many years now. It makes me push myself to the next level. Way back in 2000 when I first shot the calendar, I gave away just a few to my close friends and people I worked with. But the response was so encouraging that I felt it was something I had to do on a regular basis. Every year the calendar pushes me to outdo my last year's work. This also helps me evolve as a photographer. All through the year I am shooting for agencies, magazines and movies but the calendar is my creative outlet," says Ratnani.

While he had shot with 48 stars in 2009 to celebrate 10 years of his calendar, this year Ratnani is back to his usual quota of 24 beautiful people from the silver screen.