Katrina Kaif rules Bollywood as monarch bumblebee

Katrina Kaif rules Bollywood as monarch bumblebee: A listers like Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu came up short to lure crowds this year, while woman luck's favourite Katrina Kaif and item youngster Malaika Arora Khan plus some newcomers maintained to keep the ticker ticking for Bollywood brave women.

Katrina Kaif: Ramp to rampage - this model-turned-actress has taken Bollywood by storm. Continuing her habit of turning a movie into a hit, the gorgeous face with a stiff upper lip that has now gone desi rocked the box office with her chaste Hindi volleys in Prakash Jha's political thriller Raajneeti. And if that wasn't it, she stood out to wipe out mankind with her pelvic thrusts in the item number Sheila ki jawani from her latest outing Tees Maar Khan. Katrina is leaving no stone unturned to enchant the public with her best.

Malaika Arora Khan: She has the look, the moves and knows how to groove. If Bollywood is synonymous with 'jhatkas' and 'matkas', it doesn't get bigger than this as Malaika left audiences gawking with her hump...her hump, her hump in the item number Munni badnaam hui from Dabangg. Have feet, will dance but won't act. And did one notice, this one's got a surname too to hang on to - Khan.

Vidya Balan: If the leading ladies in B-Town hit the gym with a vengeance to shed the extra kilos, Vidya hogged until she turned herself into a deglam, voluptuous and conniving woman for Ishqiya. Mouthing expletives soaked in chemical derivatives, this Parineeta girl turned femme fatale and left men scratching their brains.

Kajol: There is nothing that she can't do. Daughter, actress, wife, mother - Kajol's dormant comings and goings on the big screen took a surprise turn when the dusky beauty returned with three outings this year, My Name is Khan, We Are Family and Toonpur Ka Superhero. No matter the box office fate, she is one performer the audience would give anything to watch. However, leaving them wanting for more, the mother of two is now headed for a three-year sabbatical.

Konkona Sen Sharma: She already has to her credit powerful movies, the scripts of which some actresses wouldn't even dare read. And Konkona, as she is fondly called, surprised the masses with her metro wifey avatar in the comedy Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? before enacting a lawyer in Right Yaaa Wrong and a sexually aggressive woman in Mirch. Talk about her acting prowess, if one had a parameter to judge, this one deserves nothing but a 10 on 10.

Neetu Singh: As calm as a river and still sporting the fresh glow of the morning sunshine, yesteryear heroine Neetu Singh made a full-fledged comeback in Do Dooni Char 27 years after bidding adieu to celluloid. Bringing a smile on one's face with her acting nuances and immaculate chemistry with actor hubby Rishi Kapoor, she just proved she still has it in her to win people's hearts.

Kangana Ranaut: Perhaps the most unfortunate of talents this year, she was almost jostling for space in multi-starrers like Kites, Knock Out and No Problem but believe you or not, this golden gem did make her presence felt with her glitter in Milan Luthria's retro underworld saga Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.

Shalini Vatsa: Ever thought Dhaniya from Peepli Live would have an M. Phil degree? No one did, but this full time theatre actress left audiences applauding at her rants in the satire with her splendid portrayal of a rustic, illiterate, short-tempered mother of three with zeal.

Malaika Shenoy: Model, actress and voice-over artiste, this Mumbai-based girl got her due with Peepli Live. Her experience as a TV presenter in reality came handy to bring out the poise, panache and perfection of a star reporter in the black comedy which she edgily used to cast a dig at one real female scribe. Thanks to her involvement in the vibrant English theatre movement in Mumbai, her performance simply couldn't go unnoticed.

Sonakshi Sinha: What would you do if your debut project was with none other than Salman The Khan? Hit the metal and cut down flab! Perhaps the perfect example of fat to fab, Shatru Shotgun's daughter made a Dabangg debut in the year's highest grosser. Getting into the star mode day by day, this one's sure a dark horse.

Anushka Sharma: Petite, pretty and now pricey. This 22-year-old couldn't have asked for more. In two outings with the Yash Raj banner in the year - Badmaash Company and Band Baaja Baaraat - she managed to persuade audiences of her potential with her Delhi 'kudi' role in the latter.

Anushka Sharma Hit flop score: A bright begin of a lifework

Anushka Sharma Hit flop score: A bright begin of a lifework: Shahrukh Khan starrer ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ was the introduction vehicle of the feisty performing artist Anushka Sharma. Notwithstanding ‘Rab Ne…’ did for her what ‘Om Shanti Om’ did for Deepika or ‘Dabang’ did for Sonakshi.Anushka got off to a flying start in her very first film that had the stamp of Yash Raj banner and the omnipresence of the King Khan. Anushka, as per reports, had a 3 film contract with the Yash Rajs and even though she may deny this piece of news, there is no denying the fact that her next two releases have come from the same factory.

After the super hit ‘Rab Ne…’ which gave Anushka the platform she needed, she tried to conjure up something special with ‘Badmaash Company’. The film, however, sank and the only thing that got noticed was her yellow sarong and her bed scene with Shahid Kapoor.

But just when the critics were about to write her off, ‘Band Baaja Baraat’ happened and the equations changed. A refreshing take on wedding and romance, Anushka was the only well-known face in the low-hyped film. But despite being a slow-starrer, BBB picked up momentum after being given rave reviews. Anushka’s performance earned her many brownie points.

So, with 2 hits out of 3, her score is pretty impressive at the moment and it is to be seen how the future augurs for her. She shall be next seen in the February release of ‘Patiala House’ opposite actor Akshay Kumar.

SRK to be mark envoy of XXX Energy Drinks by following year

SRK to be mark envoy of XXX Energy Drinks by following year: JMJ Group firm XXX Energy Drinks Limited today said it plans to rope in Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan as the brand ambassador of its products as it embarks on a Rs 100 crore expansion plan by next year. The company, which is looking to garner a sales of Rs 100 crore from the brand by 2015, said it is looking to set up its first production facility for which it is scouting for location.

"We are in talks to get Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador... We will officially announce in March or April next year," JMJ Group Vice Chairman Sachin Joshi said. Earlier this year, the brand has been associated with Khan's IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as its principal sponsor. He, however, did not give further financial details on the contract and the time frame of it.

The company said it is looking at setting up its first facility, planning to introduce more brands in the near future, besides expanding its presence in the overseas markets by next year. "To set up a manufacturing facility, we need to do a substantial business first. By 2012, hopefully we would start setting up a plant, which could entail an investment of USD 10 million (Rs 45 crore)," he said, adding that the capacity of the plant will be around three million cans a month. It could be either in Pune or Dubai , where it currently manufactures its products through third party, he added.

Besides, the company is also introducing products at price points between Rs 25-30 as part of its plan to tap into the mass market and expand its presence into the smaller cities. "We will be launching one more brand soon. One of the main reason for the slow growth of energy drinks in India is the high price. So we are looking at introducing an brand which could cost around Rs 25-30," he said.

At present, the firm sells four brands -- XXX, Rejuve, Nicofix and Minus in India and abroad. On expanding its international presence the company said it is looking at taking to products to around 14 countries across the globe, including UK, African countries and Singapore by the end of 2010. "We will also be increasing our marketing spend to USD 10 million (Rs 45 crore) from USD 8 (Rs 36 crore) million by next year. We are tying up with a lot of events as part of our marketing activities," he said.

Katrina Kaif & Akshay Kumar perform togather in UK

Katrina Kaif & Akshay Kumar perform togather in UK: Bollywood’s much awaited Christmas release Tees Maar Khan seems to have received good response at the UK box office as the film is approaching a staggering100,000 pounds (Rs 7 crore approx) declaring it to be one of the highest yielding Bollywood films in the UK so far.

For a few shows scheduled on December 21 and 22 at selectedtheatres the film, directed by Farah Khan and starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif has already grossed 71,623 pounds (Rs 5 crore approx). “This makes the film already one of the highest previews ever for an Indian film in the UK,” the producer said. Akshay’s role in the film is inspired by English folk lore hero Robin Hood.

Veena Malik on her fellowship with Ashmit Patel

Veena Malik on her fellowship with Ashmit Patel: Performing artist Veena Malik caused a buzz with her moves and alleged ‘friendships' and closeness with her male competitors in particular Ashmit Patel in a reality TV show.Commenting on her ‘friendship’ with co-contestant and actor Ashmit, she says, “Ashmit and my friendship started when I came to know that he is a Thalassemia patient.

I was the ambassador of such an organisation in Pakistan, that worked for thalassemic patients. I started interacting with him often and gradually realised that he is a very fine human being and now we are very close. I love him (Ashmit) but I also want to add that the fact is we are just very good friends.”When asked about the fact that the Pakistani media reported about how they felt Malik’s behaviour on the show was disgraceful, she quickly replies, “I am an individual who loves to play and have fun and that is what I have been doing in my life and on the show.

So was her conduct on the show fake as claimed by some other contestants on the show? “I don’t understand why my fellow contestants said so about me. I am just a normal girl and I am sure all young girls behave like this. I didn’t do anything that will bring shame to me, my family or my nation.”

Ask her if Bollywood is on her mind and she says, “Yes, if I get offers I will be honoured to do films in Bollywood. I had never planned this but if it happens, nothing like it. I’d love to do an action-comedy film.” When asked if she would do an item song, she says, “Yes, definitely! I love dancing and people have seen a glimpse of that. So if I get to dance I will. But I will be most happy if I get to dance with (actor) Salman Khan.”

Why did Jaya Bachan get angry?

It has for long been reported that the Bachchans and Salman normally skip each other by a whisker when they have to attend the very same occasion. It has been also said that whenever Salman and Big B have met, they have been very cordial to each other, Jaya and Salman Khan do not share the same vibe though.Not only Salman, even the reports of writer Salim Khan accusing Amitabh Bachchan for not acknowledging his efforts in making Big B the angry young man of Bollywood.

This has got some attention from the media. So, when they confronted her with the question, she threw the mike and even criticised the reporters for asking such questions. Evidently upset, Jaya was in no mood to let folks probe her personal space.

Salman Khan to host a Bigg Boss bash

Trust Salman Khan to do strange things. Since he has been hosting Bigg Boss for the past 3 months or so, Salman has also been watching the show regularly. Now with the show is coming to an end in the first week of January, the actor has decided to have a large party with all the contestants at his Bandra residence.Our source said, “Salman Khan is in contact with all those who were evicted from the house including Hrishant Goswami who has been seen partying at Salman Khan’s residence.

Although Salman Khan is not pleased with the remarks made by Manoj Tiwari after his eviction, where he blamed Salman Khan for his ouster from the show, he will invite him for the party as well. Past attempts to get all contestants of the show collectively after eviction have failed. Will Salman Khan succeed?

Shahrukh Khan will promote Energy Drinks

JMJ Group firm XXX Energy Drinks Limited today said it programs to rope in Bollywood celebrity Shahrukh Khan as the brand ambassador of its items as it embarks on a Rs 100 crore growth strategy by the coming year.The firm, which is looking to garner a sales of Rs 100 crore from the brand by 2015, said it is searching to set up its first generation ability for which it is scouting for location.“We are in talks to get Shahrukh Khan as brand ambassador… We will formally announce in March or April next year,” JMJ Group Vice Chairman Sachin Joshi told PTI.

Earlier this year, the brand has been connected with Shahrukh Khan’s IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as its main sponsor. He, however, did not give further economic details on the agreement and the time period of it.

Aishwarya paid a big cost to expose all in her biography

Aishwarya Rai has been booked or so it seems as the sassy actress has been offered a whopping amount to reveal all about her life in her autobiography. Contacted by a top international publishing house, the gorgeous beauty was handed out a blank cheque by the publishing house asking her to quote her price for the project. However, even though Ash in not sure about the project she hasn`t rejected the offer yet.

Confirming the reports a source told a daily, “Ash remains a worldwide icon who has managed to be at the leading of the game for years despite constant good work from younger actors like Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. Though the industry feels that Kareena is the numero uno celebrity in B-town, in terms of worldwide presence Ash wins over them all. Publishers want to explore the possibility of an autobiography of her journey from modeling to movies and her connections to wedding.

They feel here is a fantastic real-life story to be told.”“Ash is uncertain whether it is the right time to write a book. She respects her privacy and this is the major roadblock in closing the offer,” adds the source. What’s more is that Aishwarya too verified that she got the offer but rejected to give a definite comment by saying, “There is a right time for everything to happen”.