Interviews

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  Film Industry reacts to the Health Ministry's 'No Drinking' stance

  Health Ministry seems to be at it again. According to Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, actors drinking on screen will encourage youngsters to take up the habit. Hence, scenes depicting alcohol consumption in films need to immediately stop. The industry reacts

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  "Bollywood is just one part of Indian cinema" - Nandita Das

  Nandita Das has been called a filmstar 'with a social conscience, more keen to talk about women's empowerment and human rights than participate in the glamour of Bollywood. CNN's Anjali Rao catches up with Das, for the show CNN Talk Asia, in a sound studio as she is post-producing her directorial movie debut In Such Times.

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  Jiah's new avatar!

  Spunky Jiah Khan, who wasn't seen much after her debut in the controversial "Nishabd", says she was waiting for "Ghajini" to roll out. In it, co-star Aamir Khan presents her in a different avatar.

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  We will win the trophy, says Shah Rukh

  Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, says he is confident that his team will win the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 trophy.

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  We thought everyone has forgotten my father: Raveena Tandon

  Former actres Raveena Tadnon is happy that her father Ravi Tandon is being honoured by Dadasaheb Phalke Academy for his excellent work as a director in films like "Anhonee", "Khel Khel Mein" and "Khuddar" in the 70s.

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  "I joined Raj Kapoor Saab as an assistant" - Aditya Raj Kapoor

  He belongs to the first family of the Hindi film industry- 'The Kapoor Khandaan' and is the son of one of Hindi cinema's finest actors Shammi Kapoor. With such an illustrious legacy, films had to happen to him one day or the other. He has already directed 3 English cross-over films but the thing that is getting him all excited these days is his acting debut.

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  I lured Mansoor out of his hiding place: Aamir Khan

  Aamir Khan is readying for his next release "Jaane Tu", which is the launch pad of his nephew Imran, and says the biggest news about the film is that it marks the return of his cousin Mansoor Khan.

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  "My cowboy boots is my Tashan" - Saif Ali Khan

  A few important dates in history: 1st January-New Year, 15th August- India got independence, 26th January- India got its Republic Day, 2nd October- Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, and in that same breath….16th August - Bollywood got its 'Prince' Charming in the form of Saif Ali Khan!

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  Returning to films was natural, says Padmini Kolhapure

  Padmini Kolhapure, who entered films as a child actor and later went on to give quite a few hits, is all set for a comeback of sorts with "Daughter" and the actress says returning to movies was a natural choice.

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  Akshay Kumar speaks on Tashan

  He started out as an action hero in a series of Khiladi films. Before you thought he could do only maar-dhaad kind of roles, he shifted gears and ticked your funny bone in some hilarious films like Hera Pheri, Garam Masala and Bhagam Bhag.

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  Only hard work pays in Bollywood: Neha Oberoi

  Director Sanjay Gupta's niece and budding actress Neha Oberoi, who features in the upcoming film "Woodstock Villa", does not believe that having connections in Bollywood helps in the long run.

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  Cricket has become a full time entertainer: Anupam Kher

  Noted actor Anupam Kher, who is fascinated by the idea of movie stars buying Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, says the combination of cricket and Bollywood is a welcome change.

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  Celebrity Interview: Kareena Kapoor

  Kareena Kapoor's next release is Yashraj Films' Tashan this week. "We've all worked really hard on the film. Let's hope it works. After Jab We Met, another hit wouldn't hurt." Kareena is looking forward to another film with Saif after Omkara and Tashan. "We're doing Renzil D'Silva's film together. But it's very important to keep the personal and professional lives apart," she says with a new-found wisdom.

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  FX in 'Krazzy 4' song done in SRK's studio: Hrithik

  A lot has been written about Hrithik Roshan's item song in his home production "Krazzy 4", but very few know that the FX in the track has been done at Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies.

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  We are the winners: Shah Rukh Khan

  Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders play their first match here Sunday and the superstar says that his team "are the declared winners".

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  Let my films speak for me: Govinda

  Rumours of Govinda's reportedly strange behaviour on the sets of Rajnish Thakur's "Loot" in Bangkok have perturbed the actor, but he refuses to give any clarification saying his forthcoming releases will prove the naysayers wrong.

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  Anil Kapoor ka Tashan!

  It's amazing how age has failed to wither Anil Kapoor. Not only has he been a major star for over 25 years, but he's somehow held onto the status of action-hero and sex symbol (from Jaanbaaz to Musafir to Race), even into his almost fifties.

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  Some people trying to ruin my reputation: Upen Patel

  Britain-born Upen Patel has been courting controversy lately and the three-film-old model-turned-actor feels there's a definite design to demolish his reputation. But he is determined to strike gold without any backing from the industry.

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  I want to direct films, but later: Manisha Koirala

  After staying away from the arclights for a couple of years, Nepali beauty Manisha Koirala returns with "Sirf - Life Looks Greener On The Other Side". The actress also plans to take up direction in a year or two.

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  Classics cannot be remade: Ravi Chopra

  Bollywood producer-director Ravi Chopra feels that remakes of classics are bound to lack the essence of the original and says he will never remake any films of his legendary father, B.R. Chopra.

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  After a long time I'm at peace: Govinda

  Actor Govinda, who has made a comeback following several ups and downs in life, says he's "finally at peace". He has cleared off most of his debts, got a second lease of life in Bollywood and has just begun to "understand politics" though he is an MP.

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  In India, quiet performances take time to register: Rahul Bose

  Talented actor Rahul Bose says aggressive roles get recognition easily and that is why his more subtle performance in "Shaurya" is taking time to register.

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  Who'll direct 'Krrish 2'?

  So what's the truth on KRRISH 2? Is Rakesh Roshan directing the sequel to the blockbuster hit or has Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra been entrusted the directorial reins of the film? Everyone's busy speculating since neither Roshan Sr. nor Mehra have issued an official statement so far. KRRISH being a Filmkraft [Roshan's banner] property/brand, a clarification from Roshan Sr. would be utmost important at this juncture.

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  Films with Aamir, SRK?

  Another news doing the rounds is that Kajol has given an affirmative nod to Rajkumar Hirani's new film IDIOT. "I loved his [Hirani's] earlier films [MUNNABHAI MBBS, LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI] and I would love to work with him, but when I heard the role in IDIOT, I felt I wouldn't suit the character. I look forward to working with him some day if he comes up with the right role that suits me," the supremely talented actress informs me.

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  I want to be known as an Indian, not a Muslim: Samar Khan

  It comes as a shock to know that "Shaurya" director Samar Khan's hard-hitting look at the discrimination faced by Muslims in India comes from personal anguish.