Karan Johar carries Kajol's excess baggage

It is possibly the first time Karan Johar is facing trouble shooting for a film and giving his a hard time is apparently his good friend Kajol, also the leading lady of his movie “My Name is Khan”.

Karan first had a tough time convincing Kajol to do the film. She finally gave him the nod, but is now proving very difficult to please.

Reportedly, Kajol first asked Karan to give her more on-screen presence and Karan had to modify the script as per her requirement. She then refused to go to LA without her daughter Nysa, who initially couldn’t travel with her to Los Angeles because of a problem with her visa. Karan had a tough time convincing her to leave for LA without her daughter as his shooting schedule would have been disrupted if Kajol didn’t show up on time.

Now again Karan is said to be facing a problem. Kajol is apparently taking nine people along with her to LA. She, her daughter Nysa, her sister Tanisha, her mom Tanuja, her hair dresser and her fashion designer with assistants. And what’s more, she has even asked Karan to give Tanuja a small role in the film!

Work secondary for mummy Kajol!

Kajol is not just a talented actress but also an ideal mom.

When it comes to giving time to her daughter Nyasa, mummy Kajol’s work takes a back seat. She is currently shooting with her dear friend Shah Rukh in US for My Name is Khan. We heard Kajol has already informed her director friend Karan Johar that she won’t be able to stay away from her darling daughter for a very long time. So KJo made sure that things were in order so that he could get Kajol to spend some quality time with Nyasa. So, Kajol would finish her shots quickly and then return to dote on daughter dearest!

Dabboo Ratnani's Designer Calendar 2009

Sometimes a picture can say more than multitudinous words. For a great photograph sparks off diverse connotations and impacts the subconscious in a manner that can't be defined. That's the beauty of Dabboo Ratnani's Photography. It's an Art Form that's unique and goes much beyond the Obvious. Recently Dabboo launched his 10th Annual Calendar for which he shot 48 top Bollywood stars. Bollywood Buzz caught up with him and he shared a few of the pictures from this Designer Calendar exclusively with us for all you guys. Let's bring you Dabboo's impressions about each one of these pictures.

Mallika Sherawat
She wanted to do something which was not the usual. You've always seen sexy pictures of Mallika but we wanted to keep that oomph factor there in the picture and still do something. So both of us brainstormed and we thought let's try something with guns and try something more action image yet still keeping that sexy image like Charlie's Angels.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
I shot lots of pictures in that outfit, the beautiful red gown that Anahita Shroff had done. We did a lot of full lengths, some tight close ups & finally went in for an extremely tight close up for the final choice of picture. The kind of toning that I have given the picture has kind of whitewashed everything else except the eyes and the mouth so the whole attention goes on to the expression to her eyes.

Shahrukh Khan
We had actually frozen on using a white formal shirt but then when I was going through his wardrobe I came across a red shirt. His boy said yeh zyada nahi pehente hain, so I said its ok I'll ask him and he said ok sure whatever you want me to wear. I haven't used any lights in the picture. Although it's an indoor picture, the source of the light was the chrome plated light which was in his library at home.

Kajol
With Kajol it so just happened on the way to the shoot I saw a man who was sitting on the carrier of a taxi. This was one day before the shoot and he was tying something on the carrier and sitting on top which made an interesting composition for me.

Priyanka Chopra
Every picture is different... some have props some don't. This is one of the pictures which doesn't have any prop except for all black on black where she is wearing a black dress. We've used lot of black in that picture. It's more like a fashion shot. The picture is looking simple but that's the beauty of that picture.

Lara Dutta
We shot in a stud farm where we had a horse in the background. It was a great fun picture, more energy, more the mood of the picture that we tried to capture. Although it's very sexy but it does not look anywhere close to vulgar. That's the beauty of that picture.

KJO Unplugged!

He is known for playing his cards, or shall we say, brewing his coffee well ...always-be it as a producer, director, host or cameo actor. And of course he has his own set of humour that adds a flavour to every thing he does. Karan Johar gets candid with our correspondent.

Is it true that you have become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena?
Oh my God! I expected you to start with DOSTANA and you shot the other way...(laughs). It's all right. See, I have not become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena in a true sense, but I have given them some suggestions to abide by if they are interested in working in my next films. I have asked Kajol to lose some flab for MY NAME IS KHAN. And I told Kareena not to lose weight for an unnamed Dharma Productions film to be directed by a friend Rensil D'Silva.

I understand Kajol's weight loss, but Kareena's size zero is quite 'in' now...
That's a myth and may be a momentary craze. But the truth is Indian audience always prefers a healthy (not fat) heroine...this size zero concept is not for Hindi film heroines, at least that's what I feel.

You will be directing again after quite some time. Tell us more about MY NAME IS KHAN?
MY NAME IS KHAN is a film based on the psyche of a Muslim man whose name comes up in the suspect list of terrorists post 9/11. Yes, as usual, this film has Shah Rukh as the hero and Kajol as the heroine. And I will be directing a film after quite some time. The trio will be back to sizzle the screen after KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM. So you may as well call it my comeback as a director.

We heard it took you long to persuade Kajol to sign the film. True?
Kajol is always like that...she knows she can never say 'No' to me...still she tries in vain. But the point is, I am very happy that she has finally agreed to do the film because only she can play her character in the film.

Why is Shah Rukh an indispensable part of almost every Dharma Productions film? Is it because he sells?
Shah Rukh is definitely one of the biggest stars in Bollywood and his screen presence does make a difference. But the reason why he is in almost all our films is something different. My father (Yash Johar) was very fond of Shah Rukh, in fact he considered him to be family, which of course, SRK is. And when I decided to make films, he said: 'Beta, if possible, try to involve Shah Rukh in all Dharma Productions projects.' Besides, Shah Rukh has been a friend, philosopher and guide...it's an old association and old habits die hard.

Kajol on the cover of M

"Blue eyes say, Love me or I die; hazel eyes say, Love me or I kill thee."

If the above statement is even one percent true, then be ready for the kill as Kajol is all ready and already on the prowl with her killer eyes, all this and more only in the latest issue of the magazine 'M'. With the magical hands of the ace shutterbug Jatin Kampani at the helm of things, it's totally needless to say that Kajol looks like a million bucks and like never before!

Kajol speaks all about her pre and post marital life, in the article that's aptly titled 'Forever Fantasy'. She also lets the cats loose as she speaks about the things that she is passionate about, her cooking, nightmares etc... With her being all set to make the comeback innings with My Name Is Khan, Bollywood is all set to sway again to her tunes! Till then, 'M' is the way to go!

Kajol in '3 Idiots'

After U, ME AUR HUM, actress Kajol will be seen in a Karan Johar film... quite expected, eh? But for some more interesting news, the actor is doing a cameo for another Khan, Aamir! At least that's what the gupshup is these days.

Kads, who makes that extra effort for KJo, SRK or then hubby Devgan, readily accepted to do a special appearance in Raj Kumar Hirani's 3 IDIOTS.

Apparently Kajol has done this role just for Aamir, whom she was paired opposite in FANAA. But what is it exactly that she's doing in 3 IDIOTS isn't too clear yet. It's a small but fantastic role, we're told. Kads?

A sneak peek at Daboo Ratnani's 2009 calendar

Any New Year, alongwith it, not just brings new hopes and new aspirations, it also brings with it, hordes of calendars, courtesy, the twinkling residents of Bollywood and their shutterbugs. Not all the calendars are worth a mention, but then, there are some really exceptional ones that are worth its wait and weight in gold.

One such calendar of 2009 is that of the 'Edward Shutter Hands' Dabboo Ratnani. It features the brightest Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Kangna Ranaut, Sushmita Sen, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kajol, Riteish Deshmukh and Deepika Padukone.

One look at Kajol who's atop a Mumbai taxi in a flaming red dress seems like giving an open challenge to fire. Some Mind blowing stuff this!

Same goes for the oooh-so-haute looking Deepika Padukone, who seems to be all set to slain someone with her (designer) sword.

Riteish, who has been carrying the missing tag in Bollywood, looks awesomely striking with his Beatles-inspired sixties' black and white look. Must admit, after this snap-shot, even the non-Riteish fans will turn into his devotees!

We are at a staggering loss of words when it comes to describe the snap that has got the deadly Sanjay Dutt, who is on his dream possession, the gleaming red Ferrari with some killer minced look while at the wheels. If this isn't deadly enough, then nothing else in the world is!

Let us also add that this is just a teaser to whet your appetite for more, as Bollywood Buzz will soon be unveiling Daboo Ratnani's 2009 calendar exclusively for you. Don't miss that!

The New Year eve plans of Bollywood stars

With 2009 just around the corner, Bollywood stars are headed to different destinations to usher in the New Year.

Since the mood in Mumbai is pretty glum after the November 26 terror attacks, most of the New Year performances in the city have been canceled. Moreover, even the stars who would normally stay put in Mumbai on Dec 31 are headed to exotic locales.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor are on their way for a chilled out vacation in the Swiss Alps. Hope there are no bhel puri restaurants there to give Saif the stomach cramps.

Akshay Kumar is already on a holiday with wife Twinkle Khanna , son Aarav and Dimple Kapadia and his mom Aruna. For them, the celebrations began on Dec 29 with Twinkle’s birthday and will continue till the January 1.

Shilpa Shetty is on a vacation with her beau Raj Kundra in Spain. Alongside the duo are their respective families.

Salman Khan along with his brothers is in Goa for the New Years. The celebrations, low-key this year, began in the Khan household from Salman’s birthday on Dec 27 and will continue well into the first few days of January.

Katrina Kaif has been in London for the Christmas reunion with her family and is expected to join Salman on 31st evening.

Malaika Arora would be performing on stage at a hotel in Singapore, while Celina Jaitley will perform at the New Year bash at City Pavilion in London.

Arjun Rampal , Farhan Akhtar , Ritesh Sidhwani and the rest of Rock On gang is headed to Dubai. They initially planned an outing in Goa but changed the plan after the government canceled outdoor parties.

Shahrukh Khan is in Los Angeles to shoot Karan Johar’s film My Name Is Khan . He, Gauri and the kids are likely to fly to Uganda for a brief holiday.

Kajol and Ajay Devgan have left for their farmhouse in Karjat. They are expected back on Jan 2 after which Kajol would fly to the US to shoot with SRK.

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu will most likely head to Goa. Looks like they don’t mind if there aren’t any outdoor parties.

SRK Romances Kajol, Bipasha, Lara, Preity and Rani

Why is Kareena gorging and Kajol starving

The two top actresses of Bollywood Kajol and Kareena are indeed doing as mentioned in our headlines! Kajol is on a strict diet and Kareena Kapoor has been asked to put on weight. Well, nothing to be surprised about. They are merely following instructions from none other than their producer, Karan Johar!

As is known both Kajol and Kareena are working under the Dharma Productions banner but in two different films. Kajol is doing Karan Johar's MY NAME IS KHAN and Kareena in the Rensil D'Silva directed Karan Johar produced film.

Kajol is scheduled to commence the shooting of Karan Johar's next directorial venture, MY NAME IS KHAN and for that Karan wants Kajol to shed a few kilos to look a part of her character. So he has asked Kajol to go on a strict diet of almonds (!). Surprised? Well, the healthy nut is known to help shed weight in a jiffy. As for Kareena, she has been asked to put on weight for the Rensil D'Silva directed Saif and Vivek starrer. Karan has told her forthrightly that he does not believe in the size zero figure for a Hindi film heroine and has requested Kareena to eat properly and put on a bit of weight.

And people thought becoming an actor was an easy job!