Shilpa's learning Chinese on the sets

Shilpa Shetty is currently working on her first international film, titled The Desire, with Chinese superstar Xia Yu. The actress has even learned the basics of the Chinese language from Xia Yu during the first schedule of the movie that wrapped up in Kerala.

A source close to Shilpa says, "She has learnt so much Chinese. She can now use words and phrases such as S(h)iya Yeoh (summer rain), Sha Wu (afternoon), Sha Yu (Oil) and Zai Jian (goodbye). She thoroughly working with Xia Yu. At first, no one was able to pronounce his name. Even Shilpa was restricted to calling him 'sir'."

Talking about Shilpa's shooting schedule, the source adds, "After the shoot in Kerala, the crew headed for a shoot at Nasik. But presently, Shilpa is in Goa for the IPL season 2 selection of players for the Rajasthan Royals. Later, she and the whole crew of The Desire will go to Kuala Lumpur. She is working very hard for this film and is very happy as it will showcase India's culture on an international level."

The story of The Desire revolves around Goutami, an accomplished Odissi dancer, and Jai Leang, a talented artist. It is set in present day but rises from the small cities of India. The film deals with dance, music, art, culture and emotions. Shilpa is taking Odissi dancing classes from Ratikant Mohapatra (son of the iconic Odissi dancer Kelucharan Mohapatra) and his wife, Rajshree. The film will be showcased at the Cannes film Festival and is expected to release by end of 2009.

Production News: '3 Idiots' set to release on Christmas this year

Under Production Films

'THE DESIRE' COMPLETES FIRST SCHEDULE Indo-Chinese project The Desire has completed its first shooting schedule in Kerala. Produced by Sharad Hegde under the banner of C-9 Motion Pictures in association with Indish Creations, it stars Xia Yu, Shilpa Shetty, Jaya Prada, Sheetal Menon and Nakul Vaid. Director: R. Sarath. Music: A.R. Rahman. ITEM SONG FOR 'YEH KAISA ABHIMAAN' Producer Gopal Krishna Shrivastava and director Sabir will picturise an item song for YEH KAISA ABHIMAAN on Kashmira Shah, Sikander Kharbanda, Navneet Shrivastava, Milind Gunaji, Abhishek, Shabnam, Aina, Pragati, Usha Piramal, Meru and Mohan Joshi from 30th January to 3rd February at Film City. Choreography: Kanu Mukherjee. Music: Adesh Shrivastava. Banner: Sipra Movies. 'EK SECOND - JO ZINDAGI BADAL DE' PROMOTIONAL SONG A promotional song for Saroj Entertainment Private Limited’s Ek Second - Jo Zindagi Badal De will be filmed. It is slated for release on April 3. Produced by Rachanaa Suniiel Singh and directed by Partho Ghosh, the film has music by Arvinder Singh. Cast: Introducing Suniiel Singh, Mommar Rana, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Rosa Catalano and Nikita Anand. '3 IDIOTS' SET TO RELEASE ON CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR 3 Idiots is all set to release on 25th December, 2009. After the stupendous success of Ghajini and Taare Zameen Par, which were released on the Christmas weekend, another Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots is gearing up for a winter 2009 release. Directed by Raju Hirani, the film also stars Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani and marks the debut of Mona Singh (Jassi fame). 3 Idiots had already completed its first schedule in Ladakh and Shimla in September 2008. The second schedule (33 days) started in early January 2009 at IIM, Bangalore. The cast and crew will be back in February to complete its last schedule in Mumbai. After the Bangalore schedule, the film will be 80% complete. 3 Idiots is written by Abhijat Joshi, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani. The lyrics are by Swanand Kirkire and music is being composed by Shantanu Moitra. The film is being produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra under the banner Vinod Chopra Films.

Shilpa may sacrifice her hair for 'The Desire'

A couple of days back we reported that Shilpa Shetty has been roped in to star in an India-China joint film venture.

Tentatively titled "The Desire", the film, in English, will show Shilpa rubbing shoulders with Chinese superstar Xia Yu, who is considered the Shah Rukh Khan of China. The film is being co-produced by Sharad Hegde and Tracy Shiyun and directed by R. Sarath, a Malayalam filmmaker.

Now, it’s been said Shilpa will shave off her hair for a part of the film. We feel a bald Shilpa will make a rather startling picture, considering the fact that the luscious locks are one of Shilpa’s most attractive physical assets. But may be, that’s the whole idea.

When asked, Shilpa neither confirmed nor denied the news. She did say though that this role is her most challenging ever and she is looking forward to playing an Odissi dancer and is learning this dance form from a special instructor.

Shooting for “The Desire” is scheduled to begin next month.