Insider gossip: Bollywood

Asin: I want to play a man...
Most starlets want to capitalise on their sexiness in the early flush of success, but not Asin (right). The Ghajini star revealed one of her top ambitions is to play a man. It may be in the pipeline as she’s just allegedly rejected a chance to star in a film funded by Disney Pictures.

It’s still frosty with the Khans
Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan have finally been seen at the same party after their falling-out last year – at fellow actress Amrita Arora’s pre-wedding do in Bandra, Mumbai. But the frost hasn’t thawed, as they avoided each other like the plague.

Love is in the Million-air for Dev and Freida

THE SMOULDERING on-screen romance between Slumdog Millionaire stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto has spilled over into real life, their co-star has revealed.

Bollywood legend Anil Kapoor let slip on a radio interview in the United States that the pair have begun dating.

Kapoor said: “I think this is the beginning of something exciting. They definitely make a great pair and look very good together.”

Londoner Patel, 18, has spent several months travelling the world with glamorous ex-model Pinto, 24, while promoting the movie.

The pair have been romantically linked since it emerged that Pinto had split from her fiancée Rohan Antao last month.

Brand is Back - and has his eye on the ladies!

RUSSELL Brand was back with a vengeance last night as he got back to what he does best – wooing the ladies.

The lanky funnyman spent the night surrounded by pretty girls as he partied at Mayfair’s Vendome, leaving with not one, but three women.

Holding court in the club’s Dom Perignon VIP suite, the actor and comedian, 33, was flanked by security, as he took his pick of the eye candy.

An onlooker said: “His booth was crowded with attractive girls, but Russell spent most of his time chatting to a striking brunette. They were huddled up close and he was whispering in her ear.”

And could Hollywood be going to Russell’s mop-topped head? It seems the star’s security team were so protective they felt the need to escort Mr Brand to the toilet…

We’re told: “It actually looked like Russell was holding the hand of his huge, burly, bald minder. While Brand went in, this guy stood outside and kept watch.

Top goss: Bollywood

Bond gives Shilpa the nod
Shilpa Shetty could realise her dream of becoming a Bond girl. Daniel Craig, 007 himself, said:  “I haven’t met any Indian film actors except Shilpa Shetty. She is beautiful and very talented. She looks great and has a killing figure, just right for a Bond girl.”

Bum rap for John
Members of the John Abraham Fan Club join young. Talking about the eagerly awaited bum-baring scene in his latest film Dostana, he said: “It is very strange – a young girl, about 10 years old, came up to me and said she wanted to bite my bum. I was totally shocked.”

Sachin shows his soft side
Metrosexuality is alive and well in Bolly town. Sachin Tendulkar admired Aamir Khan’s hubba-hubba physique so much that he rang and told him. A source says: “He saw one of Aamir’s posters for Ghajini and rang him up to say he couldn’t help but admire his body. He couldn’t believe it wasn’t digitally enhanced.” We’re pleased to say that it’s authentic man flesh.

Bollywood gossip

• Salman and SRK square up at bash

The biggest event of the Bollywood week was undoubtedly Katrina Kaif's birthday, with a party at the lush Olive restaurant in Mumbai. But things didn't exactly go smoothly. Towards the end of the night, her boyfriend Salman Khan allegedly had a row with Shah Rukh Khan.

According to party-goers, they both bickered about whose TV show was better. Apparently SRK came out on top, after making a snide remark about Salman's ex, Aishwarya Rai. Ouch!

• Poor Amitabh loses it (again) with BA

It's one thing losing the average pleb's luggage but BA has courted the wrath of Bollygod Amitabh Bachchan for misplacing his bags after he boarded a flight for Toronto from London. He (perhaps justifiably) ranted on his blog: This is the 18th time British Airways has done this to me!"

Makes you sympathise with Naomi Campbell.

Insider gossip: Bollywood

Film options for Anoushka
Anoushka Shankar has escaped a tonguefest with Emraan Hashmi, known as Bollywood’s serial kisser, as she will  now not be starring  with him in the film  Breaking Free. That doesn’t mean she’s going to turn her back on Bollywood though. The musician says: “I’m looking at other scripts. However, I plan to carefully choose something that feels right for me.”

John takes tiger role
John Abraham has upped the stakes in the “Bollywood’s most perfect man” contest. He’s agreed to be the producer for a documentary, Return of the Tigers, about conservation. Mikey Pandey, who shot the film, says: “This is the first time a Bollywood star has supported a cause of nature in such a big way.”

Bollywood goss...

Saif Ali Khan is veering into dangerous bugaboo territory, after reports suggest that Kareena Kapoor is getting a bit fed up with his possessiveness. Apparently he rings up several times a day to check up on her, and recently refused to let her have a girly night out. Considering Khan has just cleared his schedule for four months to be with her 24/7, things can only get more interesting!

Blog bitching against Shah Rukh Khan is catching on fast in Bollywood; first Aamir Khan tittered about his dog being (coincidentally) named Shah Rukh Khan, now Amitabh Bachchan has jumped on board writing about SRK’s latest TV show Paanchvi Pass and its crap ratings, rounding it off with some unfavourable remarks about his ability as a host.

Settle down, blog boys.

We hear that...Goss from bollywood

Eesha, Neha Dhupia, Aamir Khan, Beyo, and Shahid Kapur: We've got all the gossip from Bollywood

We hear that...Goss from bollywood

Kareena: I’m no Posh Spice
Kareena Kapoor has defended herself against accusations that her size-zero frame is making her a bad role model for young girls. Kareena says people have accused her of wanting to look like Posh Spice, but confirms that she’s just proud of her sculpted body. That might be believable, but for her quote in Indian Vogue’s March issue: “I want the best body in the business, I want to look like Victoria Beckham.”

Kam in rush for Jackie
Hollywood action hero Jackie Chan has expressed a “yearning” to act with Kamal Hassan. Kamal reciprocated by saying he would do a film with him “as soon as possible.” Rush Hour 4 anyone?

Shahid and Vidya cosy
Shahid Kapoor was spotted dining cosily with actress Vidya Balan in Mumbai, despite claiming to be “indisposed” from work with neck trouble. It’s not the first time they’ve been seen out – more than just good friends?

Bollywood goss

Shilpa Shetty may have turned down a part in Eastenders last year, but she’s clearly not averse to doing soaps, as she is being lined up for a role in Coronation Street. Bosses want to introduce a wealthy Indian family to Weatherfield, and although they are keeping details firmly hush hush, one of the characters is said to be a ‘former Bollywood actress’ who will embark on an affair with Dev Alahan, played by the lucky Jimmi Harkishin. Rather you than us, Shilpa.

Vipul Shah, who is directing London Dreams, which is about two rock musicians in England, is desperately looking for a newcomer who will be able to play Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan’s love interest.

He’s looking a fresh-faced ‘innocent’ looking girl raised in England. The film is already way over its £5 million budget and was supposed to be released in 2006, so he’d better make it snappy – shooting starts in June.

Work never takes a backseat for the Bachchans – Aishwarya Rai spent her first year wedding anniversary in Miami – where husband Abhishek was shooting for Karan Johar’s film Dostana.

They even took out time to conduct a video conference on Sunday to promote their new film Sarkar Raj, which is due out this June. Who says romance is dead?

If he hadn't watched a crucial footie game in London five years ago whilst in the city for spinal cord surgery, India’s Bolly celeb-studded IPL matches may not have had its most prominent backer – Shah Rukh Khan - on board.

He revealed:"I was watching the English Premier League and thought it’d be great if something like that could be started in India. So when the IPL happened, I decided to join it."

His Kolkata Knight Riders must be breathing a sigh of relief.