CHANGING LOLLYWOOD

As the year 2009 draws to its close, Instep raises the curtain on the few good men and women who are going to take the big-screen plunge - at a time when Lollywood isn't exactly considered a wise career move. But these film-firsts have their reasons. They are the kind of stuff cinema is made of: they are great-lookers, they boast the right attitude and, if that is not enough, have the native intelligence to pick and choose the best from the available lot. Some of them are stars already, while others have stars in their eyes. Over to this fresh crop of actors that has the promise to change the face of Lollywood – for the better.

Mahira Khan Askari

Her endearing, girl-next-door looks, a warm smile and a sophisticated demeanour have won alabaster-skinned Mahira Khan a huge fan following, especially among the youth. But this former MTV VJ didn't know one of her fans was Shoaib Mansoor, her own favourite film maker. Today, she is part of Mansoor's underproduction movie as one of the main leads. It should be interesting to see her act and, of course, sing songs on the big screen.
Role model: Many, but if I had to name one - Guru Dutt!

The kind of film role(s) I'd be best suited to: Not really sure what roles I'd be best suited for, but I'd like to be able to do diverse ones. InshAllah!

One film role I feel I could perform better: Oh man! I don't even know if I can perform well yet. But there are so many roles that I look at and think wow - such as the one played by Marion Cotillard in La Vie En Rose. I think she was brilliant!

One actor I am dying to work with: Woody Harrelson

One director I'd give an arm and a leg to work with: There are many I admire - Shoaib Mansoor, Anwer Maqsood, Woody Allen and so many more. Of course, I wish Guru Dutt was alive

One actor I think I'd make the best onscreen pair with, and why? Johnny Depp! Do I need to explain why?!

My best feature, according to me: How can anyone really answer this?!

Humaima Abbasi

For a 21-year-old (her official age!) married Pakistani TV actress to have bagged a big-banner Bollywood film, opposite one of the top five Khans, is a potential headline-grabber. But this isn't exactly why Humaima Abbasi makes it to our list of film debutants. There is more dope on this petite and pretty girl who is now signed on by our very own cinematic genius, Shoaib Mansoor, for his next, due to be released in June 2010. Trust Humaima not to spill any beans just yet, but we know for a fact that it's going to be a dream role for her - she plays a tawaif and, incidentally, one of her all-time favourite screen characters is Devdas's Chandramukhi!

Role model: I admire Madhuri for being extremely beautiful and a complete film heroine. I also love Kajol for being such a natural, and Angelina Jolie for being so gorgeous and sexy
The kind of film role(s) I'd be best suited to: Roles that are dance-based and also have a lot of margin for performance. Also young, bubbly characters

One film role I feel I could perform better: Kareena's in Jab We Met

One actor I am dying to work with: Amitabh Bachhan. I don't know if I'd ever get a chance to work with him

One director I'd give an arm and a leg to work with: Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He makes such grand films and his leading ladies look out-of-this-world

One actor I think I'd make the best onscreen pair with, and why? Shahid Kapoor! He'd look my age. Also, Akshay Kumar; he's very hot! (From among the locals) Shamoon and I share a great chemistry onscreen; we'd be a perfect pair for a romantic flick. Azzfar Rehman's young appeal and comic timing matches mine, so we'd be a great couple in a comedy. Lastly, I must mention Humayun Saeed; people have loved us together onscreen
My best feature, according to me: My smile, definitely! It gets me big, fat paycheques! (laughs)

Juggan Kazim

If there was something that forced Saeeda Mehrbano to rechristen herself as Jay and consider Lollywood after a Pink Ladoos in North America, it was her passion to try different kinds of cinema. While an offer from Yash Raj camp also fell in her kitty, Juggan (Hence J!) savvily put it aside post-26/11 in favour of local fare. A well-known TV show host and actress, today she is committed to Shaan's next home production as the leading lady.
Role model: Meryl Streep, Shabana Azmi and Babra Sharif

The kind of film role(s) I'd be best suited to: As an actor one should be able to play any kind of role. That's my belief

One film role I feel I could perform better: Angelina Jolie's in Gia
One actor I am dying to work with: Meryl Streep

One director I'd give an arm and a leg to work with: Bilal Lashari. In fact, I've worked with him already and simply loved it

One actor I think I'd make the best onscreen pair with, and why? Shaan. He is the king of our film industry. It's like if you're in India, you'd want to be paired with Shahrukh Khan
My best feature, according to me: My personality

Nabeel Khan

It took this 24-year-old, light-eyed handsome hunk a couple of years in modeling before he was picked up by Reema for her second directorial venture, Kitni Haseen Hai Zindagi. Though he always wanted to do films, Nabeel was savvy enough not to jump the gun. Kitni… was a project where Reema had an author-backed role and Moammar Rana as her leading man; so, where would he fit in? Nabeel says he sought the advice of a lot of his friends in the industry, till he was game for it. Later, he was so motivated that he even quit his job at a local bank and started preparing for the film assignment. He took dance classes and also worked on his diction and acting skills before he was ready to face the camera. 2010 shall see him romance the queen bee as well as Araida, another newcomer in Lollywood from Kazakhistan. He is especially excited about the the film's title song which is picturised on Reema and himself.

Role model: Salman Khan and Al Pacino
The kind of film role(s) I'd be best suited to: All kinds. I believe I am quite a versatile performer!

One film role I feel I could perform better: Salman Khan in Wanted

One actor I am dying to work with: Lots of them

One director I'd give an arm and a leg to work with: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

One actress I think I'd make the best onscreen pair with, and why? Sonam Kapoor. She's stylish and sophisticated

My best feature, according to me: My eyes and my lips

Ali Saleem

After wooing TV audiences on both sides of the border with his 'Begum' avatar, Ali Saleem is now tipped to wow his fans in his first big-screen outing - Reema's Kitni Haseen Hai Zindagi - though it could have been a film opposite Konkana Sen Sharma that Ali came close to signing prior to Mumbai's 26/11. But he has no regrets. A self-confessed film buff, Ali promises his act in Kitni… is going to be worth a dekho. For starters, he is cleverly pitched opposite the comedian from the other side of the border, Johnny Lever, and our very own Afzal Khan (Rambo). Catch him lipsynch and shake a leg on a brand-new Abrar ul Haq ditty!

Role model: So many actually. To say only one name would be unjustified, because I've watched the great works of some of the great film people around the world
The kind of film role(s) I'd be best suited to: This is something I'd like my audiences to decide. I've just done my first film. But, obviously, as an actor I'd like to experiment as much as I can

One film role I feel I could perform better: Nathan Lane's role in Birdcage
One actor I am dying to work with: Sridevi. I've been a great fan of hers all my life!
One director I'd give an arm and a leg to work with: Karan Johar, Yash Chopra and a lot of other mainstream film makers

One actress I think I'd make the best onscreen pair with, and why? I was looking forward to working with Konkana Sen Sharma, because she's a great actress. But the project was shelved

My best feature, according to me: My eyes

Naveed Raza

One of the three winners of this year's popular reality TV show, Hero Bannay Ki Tarang, Naveed Raza alone has the spunk to declare that he is Mills & Boon material. Decidedly the best bet on the show, this passionate actor found instant takers in Lollywood, chiefly Syed Noor - Tarang's main judge who is committed to casting the three boys in his next home production. As part of the deal, the boys will get an all-expenses-paid training at Noor's freshly built performing arts academy in Lahore before they move on to shoot their first scenes in March 2010. Naveed is also due on a short, "international film" (to quote his words), titled The Face of Prophet. "It's a BBC Asia project," he says, gushingly.
Role model: Waheed Murad

The kind of film role(s) I'd be best suited to: Light, romantic. Also villainous characters as well as stark tragic roles

One film role I feel I could perform better: Shahrukh Khan in Devdas
One actor I am dying to work with: Kareena Kapoor. From among the locals, it'd be Resham
One director I'd give an arm and a leg to work with: Yash Chopra. Also Syed Noor
One actress I think I'd make the best onscreen pair with, and why? Saadia Khan who's a model and also a friend (winks)

My best feature, according to me: My eyes and my smile

Shamoon Abbasi

Undoubtedly one of the most stylish - as well as handsome – actors on our television, Shamoon Abbasi is now going to give silver screen a try in Syed Faisal Bokhari's Bhai Log, where he has an action-laden role. The transition, he says, wasn't difficult, especially since he has often played such characters on TV. But it would definitely be interesting to watch Shamoon share screen space with stalwarts like Momi Rana, Jawed Sheikh, Nadeem, Babar Ali and Saima and yet leave an impact.

Role model: I admire and learn from a lot of actors. Tom Hanks is a great inspiration, Al Pacino impresses me with his intensity, K K Menon for making acting look so damn effortless. etc

The kind of film role(s) I'd be best suited to: Action packed roles. I believe they have several shades to them

One film role I feel I could perform better: Most Hollywood films have such perfect casting that I cannot imagine anyone else in an actor's place. But if I must pick one, I'd say Traitor's Omar (played by Saïd Taghmaoui)

One actor I am dying to work with: Again, lots of them. I'd love to be cast with Amitabh Bachhan

One director I'd give an arm and a leg to work with: Not one but two - Ram Gopal Verma and Mani Ratnam

One actress I think I'd make the best onscreen pair with, and why? Priyanka Chopra. She's so smart and versatile; she can look convincing opposite a Shahid Kapoor as well as a Sanjay Dutt

My best feature, according to me: My eyes. I think they are quite expressive and help me emote well

Those who missed it

In 2006, Ali Zafar famously gave cinema a miss when he opted out of Shoaib Mansoor's Khuda Kay Liye, the only movie he had signed and also shot a few reels for. In 2008, he cagily went to Mumbai and completed his first Bollywood film (Ali's closely guarded secret, rumouredly a spoof on Osama bin Laden's life and times) that is yet to see the light of the day. But it could well be his silver screen debut. Lollywood, it seems, can wait.

Imran Abbas has long been twittering about a film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali that eventually went to Hritik Roshan(?). Let's see if his "new project with Kareena Kapoor" will have a different fate. Again, there is no project with him back home.

MOST DESIRABLE WOMEN

Katrina Kaif is not only the numero uno babe of Bollywood but is also number one on the most desirable women list.

In a poll conducted by ZOOM Katrina Kaif secured the first position wheras last year’s winner Priyanka Chopra came at number 2nd.

Talking about the honor, Katrina says, “Wow! That does feel so amazing. And it feels especially good when you are voted by the people – your fans and the media – themselves. After all, ZOOM is the doyen of glamour and their word is the last word. It’s been a good year professionally and now this. I have been winning the ‘Most Searched For on Internet’, and ‘Most Popular’ polls, but to be the ‘Most Desired Woman in India’ – it’s kinda cool. I guess I’ll have to jump on the ZOOM couch again. I’m so excited.”

The other winners of the Top 10 Desirable Women list are:
1 Katrina Kaif
2 Kareena Kapoor
3 Priyanka Chopra
4 Bipasha Basu
5 Deepika Padukone
6 Lara Dutta
7 Aishwarya Rai
8 Malaika Arora Khan
9 Mallika Sherawat
10 Shilpa Shetty

Folks who according to you is the most desirable woman?

BRITNEY MURPHY BURIED IN HOLLYWOOD HILL

Brittany Murphy's family says words can't express the devastation they felt as they laid the 32-year-old actress to rest at a private Christmas Eve funeral.

The service began Thursday afternoon and stretched into the evening as a Christian minister and a rabbi presided and guests sang "Amazing Grace" at the grave site at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.

"A bright light that lit the world is forever dimmed, but will live on in the hearts of those that Brittany touched," her family said in a statement. "Brittany was an incredibly loving and passionate person and an artist to her core."

The intimate gathering was "very nice, very respectful," said longtime family friend Alex Ben Block. He said that Murphy loved Christmas and that it was ironic she was buried on Christmas Eve.

Her husband, Simon Monjack, talked about their relationship and called her his best friend and soul mate. Her closest friends and her cousin also recalled their favorite memories of her.

A small group of reporters and a few news vans waited outside the main gates of the cemetery, where luminaries such as Liberace, Bette Davis, and Lucille Ball are buried.

Murphy died Sunday after collapsing at her Hollywood Hills home.

Authorities continue to investigate the death but do not suspect foul play. An autopsy Monday was inconclusive, and the coroner's office is awaiting results of toxicology and tissue tests before determining an official cause of death.

Murphy moved with her mother, Sharon, to Los Angeles when she was a teenager to pursue an acting career. She started out in sitcoms and commercials in the early 1990s before winning starring roles in several films.

Her breakthrough role came in 1995, as a dowdy high school student (and best friend of star Alicia Silverstone) in "Clueless."

Murphy worked steadily after that. She shared the screen with Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie in 1999's "Girl, Interrupted." She played Eminem's love interest in "8 Mile" and Ashton Kutcher's wife in "Just Married." She starred as a suspicious girlfriend in 2004's "Little Black Book" and a barmaid with an abusive ex-boyfriend in 2005's "Sin City."

Murphy was juggling multiple movie projects in the months before her unexpected death, wrapping two indie thrillers over the summer and preparing to shoot a romantic comedy next month.

Michael Feifer, who directed Murphy in her final role, described the actress as professional, kind and healthy on the set of "Abandoned."



The future of that film and Murphy's other thriller, "Something Wicked," is uncertain. Neither has secured theatrical distribution.

HAILEY GLASSMAN JON GOSSELIN OWES ME RENT

Hailey Glassman: Jon Gosselin Owes Me Rent!

Chalk up another reason for Jon Gosselin to be on suicide watch.

He has few friends and no job, is on the hook for five-figure monthly child support payments, and now his ex says he owes her a small fortune in rent money.

Somebody better take away Jonny Boy's belt and shoelaces ASAP.

Hailey Glassman, Jon's post-Kate rebound piece, says the douchebag pocketed thousands in rent money she paid him. As in he never actually paid the rent.

She and Jon lived in a West Side apartment building in New York City, which she moved out of Wednesday (even though she says they broke up weeks ago).

Why'd she move out? Maybe because someone didn't pay rent.

On Christmas, Hails set the record straight on Twitter:

Hailey Glassman calls Jon Gosselin a liar and thief.

"FYI That apartment everyone calls 'Jon's Apartment' was MY apartment as well," Hailey Twittered. "We split rent! He's been living off my family and I."

"So ... get your facts right before you all assume. My family and I found out a week ago he's been pocketing our rent money 'n not paying the rent!"

Hailey Glassman, who also bashed Jon for his relationship with Kate Major, adds fuel to growing speculation over Jon's financial woes with these Tweets.

Jon and Kate Gosselin's divorce just became final, leaving him responsible for hefty child support payments. The biggest problem with that obligation?

Thanks to TLC's pending lawsuit against him, Jon can no longer earn money with public appearances or interviews that violate his non-compete clause.

So cross out those nightly visits to The Insider. On the plus side, he can probably still get a job in IT like the old days ... well, except for the recession.

PHOTOSHOOT OF ATIF ASLAM AND AMINA SHEIKH FOR NICHE MAGAZINE

MODELS: ATIF ASLAM & AMINA SHEIKH
PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING: 360 DEGREES (GUDDU & SHANI)
MAKEUP: GUDDU @ 360 DEGREES
GROOMING:RIZWAN SALON
COORDINATION: NICHE TEAM, TEAM 360 DEGREES, BARI STUDIOS
Location: BAHRIA TOWN FARM HOUSE

SHOAIB AND ESHA

Renowned Shoaib Akhtar is busy showing his dancing skills rather than cricketing skills in B-Town these days. History has proved time and time again that cricket and film industry go hand in hand.

Shoaib Akhtar was approached by Bollywood and he would soon be seen on the Big Screen. Shoaib was recently called in on Zee TV's Ek Se Badkhar Ek for a special performance with Esha Deol. No they are not going out or maybe. Isn't the pairing a bit too odd???

JENNIFER LOPEZ ON COMING INTO HER OWN AS A SINGER

Jennifer Lopez is in the studio finishing up her new album, but between takes, the superstar told Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos she had a special birthday gift for husband Marc Anthony.

“I sang a song for Marc’s birthday, for his 40th birthday, called ‘My Man,’ which is an old Barbra Streisand song from ‘Funny Girl,’” Jennifer told Maria. “When I sang it, you know, she’s so my idol. I was [like], ‘I cannot believe I am trying to sing a Barbra Streisand song, this is insane! What are you thinking?!’ But I sang and it was almost like I had graduated, you know what I mean? But I needed to get to that point.

“I sang and he was like, you know the tears in his eyes,” Jennifer continued. “And we were both like, ‘What was that?’ I was like, finally, I am a singer. This is what I do. I don’t ever have to doubt that in my mind, nobody can ever make me doubt it again.”

Despite huge hits, Jennifer’s comments reveal that even the brightest stars question their luminance.

But nowadays, Jennifer’s confidence has never been higher as she puts the final touches on her upcoming album, “Love?” with producer Kuk Harrell, who is currently nominated for three Grammys and a Golden Globe.

Jennifer plans to tour her new album, still bringing it on stage, but keeping twins Max and Emme her top priority.

They are going to have to go with me,” Jennifer told Maria of bringing the tots on tour. “Sometimes we have them in studio, sometimes I’m just like, ‘Let me go in really quick and get back home really quick, but it’s always with them in mind.

“For anybody who has children, you know, your priorities change as a mom,” Jennifer continued. “You just have to… always work everything around their happiness… and their well being.”