My character in 'Ishqiya' oozes sensuality: Vidya Balan

After playing an ideal mother in "Paa", Vidya Balan says she is ready to surprise audiences with a completely different avatar in forthcoming movie "Ishqiya". She will be seen as a conniving, scheming woman in Vishal Bharadwaj's dark drama.

"For the first time I'll be playing a woman who is conniving, scheming and in whom there is a sexual aggression," Vidya told IANS in an interview.

"She is an aggressive person. She is someone who is unapologetic about her own choices. Bold is the word I'll use for the lack of a better word. In the Indian context, she would be Rambha, Durga or Kali. She is someone who is dressed from top to toe but oozes sensuality," the actress said.

Set in eastern Uttar Pradesh, "Ishqiya" is a tale of romance between individuals caught in a web of crime, suspense, passion and deceit. Made by first time director Abhishek Chaubey and produced by Bharadwaj, the film also stars Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah in pivotal roles.

In the film, Vidya sports a deglamourised look and mouths expletives.

Asked if Bharadwaj was the reason she signed "Ishqiya", she said: "It's always very reassuring when the producer is an established guy because when you take a film, you want to know that no compromises will be made while making the film and even after it gets released.

"Of course Vishal comes with a certain brand and credibility...but more importantly I loved the role offered to me. I wouldn't have given it up. Along with that I loved Abhishek's passion and sensibility. So it was a combination of all these things when I made my decision."

The 31-year-old is also looking forward to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Chenaab Gandhi" in which she plays Amitabh Bachchan's daughter.

After receiving flak for doing glamorous roles, Vidya has moved to author-backed characters in "Paa", "Chenaab Gandhi" and "Ishqiya". But she says her choice of roles is not a conscious effort to change her image.

"It's not a conscious decision to try and stay away from a particular kind of roles. There is no effort for an image change. It's just that I'm just being offered a lot of exciting work and I've tried to pick and choose different things to keep it very exciting for me," she said.

"Of course, candyfloss is still welcome if it comes with substance, but the very fact that it's candyfloss takes away the substance. So I don't do that much candyfloss because it compromises on substance," added the actress.

Vidya has earlier been seen in films like "Parineeta", "Heyy Babyy", "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" and "Kismat Konnection".

Katrina again voted as Asian sexiest women

Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif has once again topped as the list of world's 50 sexiest Asian women.

The British Bollywood babe beat off tough competition from other actresses (like Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu), former beauty queens, models and pop stars to hold on to the Eastern Eye crown she won last year and she retained the top spot in an annual list of the World’s 50 Sexiest Asian Women published by the newspaper Eastern Eye.

Freida Pinto came third on the list, while Aishwarya Rai took the eighth spot. British television star Laila Rouass and Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat are the only two non-Indians in the list.

The Eastern Eye 50’s top ten includes Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Freida Pinto, Laila Rouass, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mehwish Hayat and Deepika Padukone.

Recently, Handsome and Sexy Bollywood Actors Ranbir Kapoor has been voted as the sexiest man alive by the popular magazine ‘People’ this year.

When Anupam Kher met celebrated Israeli actor Topol

It was a dream come true for actor Anupam Kher to have met "Fiddler On The Roof" legend Topol recently.

There were two international cine-persons that Anupam Kher wanted to meet or work with.

"And by some quirk of faith I managed to work with Woody Allen and meet Topol within one year," says the satiated actor Anupam, just back in Mumbai after an exciting visit to Israel attending the international film festival where his film "A Wednesday" was screened.

"'A Wednesday' was the opening film on December 6. It made a huge impact. The Israelis totally empathized with the theme of terrorism. And that's where I met Topol, the Israeli super-actor from 'Fiddler On The Roof' and 'Galileo'. He was a delight. We spent a good four hours discussing world cinema and Bollywood."

Anupam was delighted to know that Topol was a very close friend of the late and great Raj Kapoor.

"They were very close friends. They met on several occasions and Topol saw a lot of himself in Raj Saab. Topol also knew about Mr Amitabh Bachchan and asked quite a few questions about him," he said.

As far as Anupam's work is concerned, Topol had seen Gurinder Chadha's "Bend It Like Beckham".

"We actually had something very unique in common. We both played old men in our most celebrated works when we were very young. I did 'Saraansh' when I was just 28. And Topol was 36 when he did 'Fiddler On The Roof'."

More unique occurrences in Isreal. Anupam met the celebrated comic actress Hannah Lazslo who had won the best actress award at Cannes in 2005 for "Free Zone".

"We didn't know one another's work at all. But to our surprise we discovered we had both been doing a one-character autobiographical play for years. Her play Life Of Lazslo has had numerous shows all over the world. Luckily so has my one-actor play 'Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai'. We promised to watch each other's play in the near future."

Anupam was also in Israel for the 6-D film India In Motion in which he's the narrator. "It will soon be screen at international airports in India and two shopping malls in Delhi," says Anupam happily.

It's impossible to remake 'Awara': Randhir Kapoor

Randhir Kapoor says he is not interested in remaking his father Raj Kapoor's 1951 classic "Awara" as it would be impossible to find actors of the same calibre that the film's original cast had.

"Many people came to me and my brothers (Rishi and Rajiv) and asked why don't we remake 'Awara'. I told them that it is absolutely impossible to imitate the classic 'Awara' which is loved so much till today," Randhir told reporters at the launch of the book "The Dialogue of Awara; Raj Kapoor's Immortal Classic".

Written by author-documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, the book was released Saturday, two days before the 85th birth anniversary of legendary Raj Kapoor.

"Where will I get Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Nargisji and where will I get that innocent looking Shashi Kapoor? I would be making a fool of myself by trying to imitate the film because I won't have actors of that calibre again, even if I copy it frame by frame," he added.

Raj Kapoor was only 27 when he made "Awara". Released in 1951, it became one of the most successful films in his career.

"The Dialogue of Awara..." has the original story, dialogues and screenplay along with the screen shots of the movie.

"When Nasreen Munni Kabir approached me with the idea to transform this great film into a book, I got very excited as it's one of my favourite films ever. I discussed it with my brothers and they were also very keen to bring this film in book form for today's generation to see, read and understand what 'Awara' was all about," said Randhir.

Thanking the Kapoor family, Kabir said: "I'm extremely thankful to the Kapoor family. Without their support this wouldn't have been possible. It's by continuously finding new ways to talk about iconic films, we can keep them alive. A book is a way of keeping record of a film in a different way."

Rishi Kapoor was also present at the event.

I don't get commercial films: Raima Sen

Actress Raima Sen says that she is not seen in commercial films because she doesn't get offers to do such movies.

"I don't get commercial films. But I'm happy doing the kind of films I get to do and the directors I work with," said Raima, who was the showstopper at the Gitanjali Lifestyle bridal fashion show here Sunday.

Her forthcoming releases include Aparna Sen's "Japanese Wife", Rituparno Ghosh's "Nouka Dubi", Vinay Shukla's "Mirch" and Leena Yadav's "Teen Patti" -- all would get released soon.

"I'm offered only these kind of films. If a good commercial film will come my way, I would love to do it. As of now, I'm going back to Kolkata to shoot for another Bengali film," she added.

At the fashion show, Raima walked the ramp in a lace lehenga designed by Pria Kataria Puri.

"I really loved the lehenga I was wearing and the other gowns were equally nice," said Raima.

At the show 14 models walked the ramp displaying bridal creations by designer Varija Bajaj, Monica and Karishma, Puri and Prriya and Chintan.

Adding glamour to the show was a power packed performance by Manasi Scott.

Bipasha to perform at New Year eve bash

Actress Bipasha Basu and singer Sudesh Bhosle will add glitz to the New Year eve celebrations at the Sahara Star Hotel here, says an official.

"Bipasha Basu will perform in our hotel on New Year eve," Vivek Kumar, CEO of hotel, told IANS.

He, however, refused to reveal how much Bipasha was charging for her performance.

"She is priceless. We do not attach any price to art, but yes, there are certain commitments that will be fulfilled," said Kumar, and added that Sudesh Bhonsle would also perform.

Asked about other performers, he said: "We are in very advanced talks with some other celebrities and I think it will be confirmed very soon who else are going to be there."

Kumar informed that they have designed various packages and priced them differently for those who want to enjoy the New Year eve extravaganza.

"There are different packages. The food and beverage package will cost Rs.11,500 per head. There are other packages for those who book a room in the hotel for that night."

Bipasha's manager confirmed the news to IANS, saying: "Yes, it's true (that she is performing)."

I'm selective while choosing movies: Giselle Monteiro

Brazilian model Giselle Monteiro, who played Saif Ali Khan's love interest in "Love Aaj Kal", says she is getting movie offers but she is being selective while choosing them.

"I'm living in Mumbai, doing some modelling here and there and also going for auditions. I'm happy with the offers I'm getting, but haven't signed any as yet. I'm kind of selective about the movies," Giselle told IANS at the Gitanjali Lifestyle Bridal Fashion show.

She walked the ramp Sunday for Monica and Karishma's Jade Collection. "This is not the first time I'm doing this, I have done it for Ritu Kumar also," she said.

Praising the designers' clothes, Giselle, who wore a green lehenga-choli at the show, said: "The colours are lovely. They (outfits) are not heavy at all. I feel very beautiful in these clothes."