Vidya Balan prefers strong roles in offers

The murmurs coming out from the tinsel town that the 'Dirty' girl Vidya Balan has gone beyond producers reach when it comes to prices.

The actress has now tuned choosy for her roles and is demanding more prominent characters from producers.

The biggest achievement she earned-is her first-ever world tour where she will perform in different countries.

Sources confirms that her fan following has increased manifold and she is valuable these days after hits like “The Dirty Picture” and “Kahaani”.

Shoots, promotion keep Sonakshi busy

Actress Sonakshi Sinha has no time these days to unwind herself. the Dabangg actress is busy with her upcoming projects as she has almost completed shooting of the film Lootera, and working in sequel of Salman Khan-starrer Dabangg2 along with Ajay Devgn's Son Of Sardar simultaneously.

On the above, she is promoting her upcoming movie- Rowdy Rathore, in which she is paired opposite Akshay Kumar which is going to be released in June.

A Barbie doll on Amy Jackson?

After Katrina Kaif it's "Ek Deewana Tha" actress Amy Jackson's turn to be crafted into a Barbie doll.
Jackson has reportedly been approached by a leading doll company, who also made Kaif's lookalike doll, to design a collection inspired by her.

"Amy was modelling before Bollywood happened to her. She has always wanted to act and it was a stroke of luck that she got a break in Bollywood.

"The company approached her recently, after they saw some pictures of her and thought that she fit the bill. Katrina was a very well known name when the company approached her but expressing interest in Amy was a surprise to us. She is a tall, petite girl with delicate features and they thought she was the right fit for a doll to be designed on her," said a source close to Jackson.

Born to a British family, Jackson made her debut in Bollywood this year opposite Prateik in box office flop "Ek Deewana Tha".

The 21-year-old is currently in the US to judge a teen beauty pageant competition. The brand will have a US special edition of dolls and an Indian edition as well.

"Regret saying no to couple of Bollywood films"

Actress Kajal Agarwal, who was last seen opposite Ajay Devgn in "Singham", says she regrets having rejected many Hindi film offers due to her prior commitments down south.

The 26-year-old actress made her Bollywood debut in 2004 with "Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na" and moved to Telugu film industry. There she hit the bull's eye with films like "Chandamama", "Magadheera" and "Darling".

"I was not being too choosy about Bollywood. I had commitments down south that kept me engaged. In the process I did miss out on a couple of films due to date issues and honestly, I do regret that.

"Still, I couldn't help it since it was difficult to accommodate them all, especially when I was told that the films were to begin at a very short notice. I decided to wait before something good came my way," she told PTI.

Kajal is currently busy shooting her third Bollywood project "Special Chabbis", where she plays the love interest of Akshay Kumar. The multi-starrer film is being directed by Neeraj Pandey.

Now films on Begum Samru with Rani

Director Tigamanshu Dhulia would soon make a period film based on the life of Begum Samru, most likely with actress Rani Mukherjee.

The period movie is based on the life of Begam Samru who started her career as a nautch girl in 18th Century India, and eventually became the ruler of Sardhana, a principality near Meerut.

"I had written the script for 'Begum Samru' four-five years back. I had written something earlier first.. now making changes in it. There is some time for 'Begum Samru'. But I will definitely make that film," Tigmanshu told PTI.

Tigmanshu, who is basking in the glory of recent hits like 'Paan Singh Tomar' and 'Saheb Biwi Gangster', hadapproached the 'No One Killed Jessica' star for the film.

"I had approached Rani. Besides her, I haven't approached anyone yet," he said.

Begam Samru played a key role in the political power struggle in 18th and 19th century. She was the head of a professionally trained mercenary army, inherited from her European mercenary husband, Walter Reinhardt Sombre.

This mercenary army consisted of Europeans and Indians.

Priyanka wanted more roles in 'Teri Meri Kahaani'

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who is playing three characters in Kunal Kohli's upcoming rom-com
"Teri Meri Kahaani", says she craved for more roles. Priyanka, 29, will be seen sharing the screen space with Shahid Kapoor in the film, which is set in three stages 1910, 1960, and 2012.

"I play three different characters in the film. In 2012, I plays this very contemporary character, very conversational and natural. From 1950 to 1910 I play this outgoing Punjabi girl who is bold and brash but is scared of her father. I enjoy doing more such characters. It gives me a high. My role
in 1960 was also very different. I would love to do more characters," she said.

Kunal said when he narrated the script to Priyanka she wanted to play more characters. "When I went to narrate the story to Priyanka she didn't say a word but after the narration the first thing Priyanka asked me was, 'I have to play only three characters'. I was amazed. She still has the hunger to do more and do far better," Kunal said. 

"No one is my buddy in Bollywood"

Even after completing a decade in the industry, actress Bipasha Basu says she has no close friends in Bollywood.

The 33-year-old actress says she has her own reservations when it comes to approaching a filmmaker for a role. "If I meet someone at a function, I do say hello. I am cordial to all. However, I can't pick up the phone next morning and propose to plan a film together. A lot of this is also due to the fact that no one is my buddy in Bollywood. I know that for some out there this does count. Nothing wrong with that but then that's just not me," Bipasha told PTI.

"On my speed dial, there is no one from the industry. When a role is offered and it is good enough then I do that. Otherwise I wait for the next right opportunity," she added.

However, in the cut throat competition that prevails in Bollywood, doesn't she feel that she could be losing out on movies?

Not first actress to show bare back: Paoli Dam

Her bare back in "Hate Story" poster and the explicit trailer have already ensured Paoli Dam a sensational debut in Bollywood but the Bengali beauty is not perturbed about being typecast as a sex symbol in the industry.

Dam says she does not find anything shocking in the content or her role of a revenge seeking woman in the Vikram Bhatt film.

"As an actor, I feel boldness is just a mindset, It's not just about wearing less clothes and showing your bare back on-screen. I am not the first one to do that. There are many actresses who did it before.

"I don't think it will typecast me because I can't repeat myself. I am an actress and it's my job to bring out something new everytime. I don't like my career to be monotonous. I am getting many offers of lead roles in Hindi films and they are completely different to what I have done in this film," Dam told PTI.

Maryam Zakaria to do item number in 'Rowdy Rathore'

Iranian beauty Maryam Zakaria, who made her foray into Bollywood with Saif Ali Khan-starrer
'Agent Vinod', will be doing an item number in upcoming flick 'Rowdy Rathore' featuring Akshay Kumar.

Maryam was seen grooving alongside Kareena Kapoor in the spy thriller in the 'mujra' song 'Dil Mera Muft Ka' and will now sway to a fast-paced item song in 'Rowdy Rathore' directed by Prabhu Deva.

"I am doing an item song in 'Rowdy Rathore'. In the song I have an Indian look. It is a catchy, fast-paced song. I don't dance with Akshay or Sonakshi in the song," Maryam told PTI

Produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ronnie Screwvala, 'Rowdy Rathore', remake of Telugu film 'Vikramarkudu', features Akshay Kumar in a double-role opposite Sonakshi Sinha and is slated for release in June.

The item number is choreographed by none other than prolific dancer Prabhu Deva himself and Maryam admits that she struggled to get the right moves.

"Prabhudeva has a unique style of dance which is tough. I am happy that I am getting to do something different. It was a challenge to do a song choreographed by him, but I loved doing
it," she said.

Responding to a buzz that the item number was initially offered to actress Karishma Kapoor, Maryam says, "I am not aware if Karishma was offered this song or not... I am happy with the fact that this offer came to me."

Maryam, who was born in Iran and brought up in Sweden, has acted in Tamil and Telugu films and is intending to make it big in Bollywood.

"I had a special appearance in Hindi film 'Paying Guest' (2009). I got this offer for 'Agent Vinod' and now 'Rowdy Rathore', my patience has in a way paid off. I want to do major lead roles in Bollywood... I am meeting directors and reading scripts," she said.

Maryam said she would continue doing item numbers provided the offers excite her. "Today, even several big actresses are doing item songs, so why shy away from it," she added.