"Ready" collects 69.5 crores in its first week

Competition is scared of Salman Khan. Filmmakers have flinched at the thought of releasing their movies not just alongside Ready but even a week before or after. And those who have braved the competition have found fewer footfalls coming their way, this Friday’s release Shaitan being the case in point.

Produced by Anurag Kashyap, Shaitan opened to a rather poor 20 to 25 percent response at theatres. Even the flattering reviews by critics failed to see more seat bums in theatres.

The crowds continued to be drawn to Ready, which though panned by the critics, is minting money like there’s no tomorrow. First it became the second highest grosser of the opening weekend (second only to Salman Khan’s own Dabangg), now it has rounded off its first-week collection with a figure of Rs. 69.50 crores, thereby taking the third position on the list of all-time first-week collections of Bollywood films.

Moreover, Ready’s good run is far from over. The film might touch the Rs. 100 crore mark by next Friday or Sunday, which means that Salman Khan’s supremacy over box office continues unabated.

Among the other releases of this Friday, Love Express and West Is West took a poor start. Much better was the new Hollywood release X-Men: First Class.

The coming Friday would see multiple releases: Always Kabhi Kabhi, Bheja Fry 2, Bin Bulaaye Baraati, Bhindi Bazaar Inc, Cycle Kick and My Husband’s Wife.

Katrina Kaif - World's sexiest woman

Katrina Kaif has been named the Sexiest Woman in the World by the Indian edition of men’s magazine FHM. This is third time Katrina has been named the sexiest by FHM.

Per FHM, Katrina was named the sexiest based on polls conducted online and via SMS. Katrina Kaif has been previously voted the Sexiest Woman in the World by FHM India in 2008 and 2009. Deepika Padukone was voted Sexiest in 2010.

Kabeer Sharma, Executive Editor of FHM India reveals that Katrina is the only woman to win the title of Sexiest Woman in the World three times in the 17 years since the magazine has been making the list.

The June issue of the magazine promises a list of 100 sexiest women in the world, with Katrina on the cover with the caption, "Sexiest Woman on the planet 2011 Katrina Kaif moves in next door".

The cover has Katrina posing in a white tank top and denim shorts. Her sylphlike figure, her windblown hair and her ‘come hither’ expression, makes her every bit a temptress.

There is no doubt that Katrina is beautiful, just last month she was named the ‘Most Beautiful Woman’ by People magazine and she has been immortalized as a Barbie doll.

And she is extremely popular! Besides winning beauty crowns “Katrina Kaif” is also called out for being the most searched keyword on various search engines year after year.

"Ready" rocks the Box Office

The Salman Khan magic is working again. His latest film Ready, despite being panned by majority of critics, is drawing footfalls to theatres. The Ready box office figures already have the distributors heaving a sigh of relief and eyeing a fat profit as well.

Directed by Anees Bazmee, the comedy film starring Asin and Salman Khan opened to a rip-roaring start on Friday. It saw the occupancy of 60 to 80 percent at both multiplexes and single screen theatres. Some shows in the evening registered a house-full.

Coming less than a year after Dabangg, which recorded the best opening weekend collections for any Hindi film to date, Ready is not going as strong as Dabangg did, but is likely to surpass the first-day collection of 3 Idiots (Rs 13 crores). Ready’s Friday business is expected to be between Rs 12 to 14 crores. Not to be ignored is the fact that 3 Idiots released during the Christmas weekend while Ready has released at the peak of summers, with no festival around.

The business in the coming days will decide whether Ready is a superhit or a hit or an average performer. The film isn’t likely to flop.

The release of Ready has also punctured the collections of other Bollywood releases. Pyaar Ka Punchnama, which has done the business of Rs. 9 crore approx in two weeks, saw a steep fall in its collections on Friday, and so did Vikram Bhatt’s Haunted - 3D, which has already become a hit with more than Rs 26 crores since its release.

Salman & Asin sizzling chemistry off screen

Salman Khan and Asin were in the capital to promote their film Ready. What particularly came to our notice during the press meet was a caring Salman, who sat besides Asin and watched her animated expressions with an amusing glance.

Asin recently went on record to say she is very fond of Salman Khan. The actor is not only a good co-star but is also very supportive and has even referred her to some producers. However, what Asin likes the most about Salman is his bindaas attitude -- he is a man with no pretence or façade.

At the press meet too we could see their ‘Ready’ chemistry. Salman was chivalrous and was seen taking good care of Asin. The star, who is also a fitness freak, has even helped Asin with her gym sessions during the shoot of Ready. He has even given Asin a few workout tips. Oh yes! it definitely shows in Ready; Asin is looking fit, gorgeous and curvaceous.

Now, we know why the lassie is going gaga over Salman Khan.

Romancing The King of Khans . .

After romancing two of the three Khans in Bollywood (Aamir Khan in Ghajini and Salman Khan in London Dreams and Ready), Bollywood and Kollywood's sensational beauty Asin is all set to romance the third but the King of all Khans. Thats right, Asin would be seen romancing Shahrukh Khan in his new film titled '2 States', a screen adaption of Chetan Bhagat's bestseller of the same title to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.

According to sources, Asin was the first choice for the project and is chosen to play the lead role by both Sajid Nadiadwala,the producer and Vishal Bhardwaj, the director because of the Tamil origin of the lead female character in the novel. Besides, Asin is already working in Nadiadwala's another production Housefull 2.

2 States chronicles around the life of a young couple Krish and Ananya, who go against their parents for a 'Cross Cultural' marriage between Delhi and Tamil Nadu bearing fruit to their romance that blossomed while studying at IIM,Ahmedabad.

Katrina acts dumb..

Katrina Kaif pretended like she didn't know Dabangg won the National Award for Best Film.

At a recent media event when questioned about her reaction to the news she feigned ignorance and said, "Oh is it ? I didn't know!." But soon changed her tone and congratulated the team adding that Rajneeti too was a prime contendor for the spot!

In fact she went on to add that the jury should start a new category for item songs and Sheila should definitely win it. After all these reports of Salman-Kat patching up surfacing, we wonder if it's just a façade for their next film or have they genuinely put their differences aside.

Curious Case of Salman : In Reverse mode ?

Sumit Dutt, who directed Salman Khan in the songs "Character dheela" and "Dhinka chika" for ‘Ready’, was surprised by the 45-year-old star's energy levels and said that he has become more energetic than he was when he worked with him in 2008.

'Salman in reverse mode, energy level increasing'

"This is my second experience with Salman. The first song I did was for 'Hello'. I directed him in 'Phone ki ghanti bajti hai'. Salman is in reverse mode. His energy level is increasing," Dutt told IANS. "He is so charged up and really out to deliver now. Today, he is a style icon, so whatever he does, people love it, whether its pulling his collar or his shirt. Also, I have noticed that now he puts much more into what he is doing," he added.

Both "Character dheela" and "Dhinka chika" are currently reigning over the popularity charts.

Directed by Anees Bazmee, 'Ready', a remake of the 2008 Telugu film of the same name, also stars Asin Thottumkal, Paresh Rawal, Arya Babbar and Mahesh Manjrekar. The film will hit the screens June 3.

Character Dheela Hai . .

Zarine Khan made her debut last year with Salman Khan's Veer but her striking resemblance with Salman's ex-girlfriend Katrina Kaif piqued everybody's interest more than her work.

The pretty actress is back in the spotlight with Salman Khan and this time its for an item number in the upcoming laugh riot 'Ready' that has Asin leading opposite Salman.

Zarine sheds light on her weight issues, Katrina Kaif and new projects and goes "Yes, I am really happy. People have loved the song and it is topping the charts. After Character Dheela became a hit, people's perception about me has changed. People have started accepting me and it feels nice."

She said that she had to put on her dancing shoes and mentioned that she loves dancing and has learnt Bharatnatyam and belly dancing.

Well, We would all like to see them skills to be exhibited. Don't We ? Kya Karein salaa Hamara Character bhi hogaya thoda Dheela . .

"Ready" - Filled with dance, romance, masti..

Ready sees Asin play an orphan named Sanjana and Salman Khan plays Prem. Sanjana lives with her greedy uncles who are behind her wealth, she falls in love with Prem, and Prem sets out to teach her greedy uncles a lesson. The film has every element which can make it a joyride for its viewers - dance, romance, masti, and action - just like a typical Salman film.

Asin had quite the time working with Salman, parts of the film were shot in Sri Lanka and Bangkok, and the prankster in Salman always found opportunities to play pranks on her, making him fun to work with.

Says Asin, Salman is well composed, knows how to handle success and does not have any starry airs adding that he has reached a stage where he knows how to handle success. Quite humble for someone who has had so many hits, and is currently considered to be the numero uno in Bollywood with Dabangg being the biggest hit of 2010.

Salman Khan has also been using the Euphoria around Ready to bring attention to causes he believes in, his latest endeavor is to help the workers in the film industry; the 45-year old actor recently felicitated the employees of the Film City at the music launch of Ready.

This is Asin's third Hindi movie and her second with Salman, their first film together London Dreams wasn’t the most successful at the box office. This time round things are likely to be different, Salman mania is still riding high owing to the success of Dabangg. Salman himself is taking no chances and has even re-shot the songs in the film to make them more appealing.

Ready is a remake of the 2008 Telugu blockbuster by the same name. The movie promises to be a laugh riot, and boasts of a huge star cast and funny, eccentric characters like Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar, Zarine Khan and Arbaaz Khan. The Hindi remake is directed by Anees Bazmee and will release worldwide on June 3rd.

"Salman asks Asin to eat an insect"

The gorgeous Asin will again sizzle on the big screen with Salman Khan after their stint in London Dreams.

Talking about her experience of working with the hottest Khan in first London Dreams and now Ready, Asin reveals that working with Salman is always fun but one thing about him that always scares her is his habit of playing pranks on her.

In a recent interview Asin talked about a naughty and scary prank that Sallu played on her on the sets of Ready. Asin said, "We were shooting for Ready in Thailand and I was getting ready for the next shot in my vanity van. As soon as I opened the door of my van, Salman popped in front of me with something in his hand.

"It was an ugly looking insect and he insisted that I eat it. I later spotted the crew from Thailand eating those insects. It's like edible insects that people in Thailand binge on. Even some of our Indian crew members try it."

When asked if she also experimented with her palate, Asin said, "Yes I tried one and it was very bland."

Well Asin, you must be thanking god that you weren't shooting in China! For the food out there is as bizarre as it can get.

Salman to play hero in a kid's film

Salman Khan’s brother Sohail Khan is planning to make a children’s film; a jungle adventure involving a lot of action and stunts. Tentatively titled Sher Khan, the movie will have a budget of over Rs.100 crore and will take on Shahrukh Khan’s Ra.One head-on.

Both Salman and Sohail are toying with the idea of making Sher Khan in 3D. 3D films are not just expensive to make, they are strenuous to shoot and involve a different technology and filmmaking style altogether. All these things will have to be taken into consideration before the Khans venture out to make the jungle adventure in 3D.

Confirming the film, Salman tells a tabloid that he doesn’t play the character of Tarzan, as being claimed in some reports in the media. All Salman goes on to reveal about the movie is that it’s an adventure film based in a jungle.

Sohail Khan will be producing the film, and he has roped in Kona Venkat the writer of the Telugu film 'Ready' to pen the script of Sher Khan. In the film Salman will not play a typical super-hero, Sher Khan is the story of a 'lion-hearted He-man who lives his life for the world'.

Confirms Sohail, "Salman won't be flying in the air. He will be a hero for the kids. It will also be an intense love story -- something that I've wanted to do with bhai for a long time."

The children’s film will have Salman playing Sher Khan and will not have any children in it. The leading lady to romance Salman on-screen is yet to be decided.

Nayantara and Salman ?

Salman Khan may next concentrate in the sequel to Wanted, the remake of the Tamil film Pokkiri that went on to become a big blockbuster.

Following its success, Salman requested Wanted’s director Prabhu Deva to consider recreating the magic with its sequel with new elements to meet the expectations.

Despite being busy in Kollywood, Prabhu had worked on the sequel of Wanted on Salman's request and it is expected to go on floors by end of this year.

It is rumored that Prabhu Deva’s sweet heart Nayantara will be paired up with Salman in the sequel. There is also speculation in Kollywood that Nayan may quit filmdom and settle for marital bliss after Prabhu obtains his divorce in June.

Magic Again ..

STR’s sensational film, Vaanam has delivered big time at the box - office and has been declared a hit. The Young Star is very pleased with its success but is not to rest on laurels as usual and is all set to begin work on his remake of Salman Khan’s blockbuster, Dabangg with Dharani at the helm.

The heroine of this flick is Richa Gangopadhyay who has already made it big in the Telugu Film industry having notched up hits with the likes of Venkatesh, Ravi Teja, and Rana Dagubatti. Others in the cast are Jithan Ramesh, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Revathy.

The Pooja will be held on may 9th at the Pillaiyar temple in AVM studios. Salman’s Khan’s brother, Arbaaz Khan, who produced the Hindi version will be present along with other luminaries from the Tamil industry to wish the team a good luck to recreate the same magic.

Bollywood KICK

Though Shamshuddin Ibrahim AKA Shaam made his film debut through the Tamil film 12B, he shot to limelight after starring in the Telugu blockbuster titled Kick. Shaam had played an important role in this film and had earned name and fame enough to essay the same role in all of its remakes.

Kick was remade in Tamil under the title Thillalangadi and in Kannada it was named Kick. With both the remakes having done good business in Tamil and Kannada as well, it is now gearing up to go to Bollywood.

Recently, Salman Khan had met Shaam and assured him of the same role in its Bollywood remake and Shaam is happy over this development as it would be mark his debut in Bollywood. Sources in the Bollywood say that this remake would carry the title of the Original Kick and we just try and avoid saying, Not Again !

This remake is rumored to be directed by A R Murgadoss of Ghajini fame once he wraps up his '7am Arivu' with Suriya & Shruti Hassan in the lead. If sources are to be believed Deepika Padukone would be cast opposite Salman for the 1st time in a role preceeded by Ileana, Tamannah and Praneetha.

Salman settles scores with Ranbir

Some might see it as his way of settling the score with Ranbir Kapoor. But, for Salman Khan choosing Nargis Fakhri as his heroine for a superhero film might just be a clever professional decision.

Ranbir Kapoor is often accused of stealing Katrina Kaif from Salman Khan. After all, it was during the making of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani that the sparks first flew between Ranbir and Kat. What it resulted in was a break-up between Salman and Kat even though Ranbir couldn’t stick to Kat after that and has been repeatedly linked with his Rockstar heroine Nargis Fakhri.

Now, the tables have turned as Salman Khan is looking forward to rope in Nargis for brother Sohail Khan’s production titled Sher Khan which will reportedly have Sallu playing a superhero.

The buzz is that Sohail wants a new girl to pair with Salman in the film. And Nargis -- though she won’t be a newbie by the film Sher Khan goes on the floors -- tops Khan’s wishlist.

The film is set to roll by the end of this year. More than anything, it offers Nargis a plum chance to cement her place in B-town.

Salman doesnt wanna turn "SAL-MAN"

There’s been a talk of Salman Khan gearing up to play a superhero. But the actor scotched those rumours at the music launch of Ready.

After Shahrukh Khan in Ra.One, Salman Khan was being touted as the next superhero of Bollywood. Reports suggested that Salman would play a superhero spy in director Kabir Khan’s next film, co-starring Katrina Kaif.

But at the music launch of ‘Ready’, when Salman was asked by a scribe if he had indeed signed on to play a superhero, he responded with his trademark charisma: “I am not interested in being a superhero. I don't want to wear my underwear on the outside nor do I want to be bitten by a spider. I prefer being SAL-MAN.”

In a self boasting style quite reminiscent of Shahrukh Khan, Salman said smugly that he is the best hero.

“I like to go watch a movie where I can see my hero and who better than me. I think I am better than any other hero,” Salman said.

He was accompanied at the music launch by Ready actress Asin, Zarine Khan and director Anees Bazmee.

Nargis Fakhri - Reason for the rift?

Actors Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor who used to party together, don't anymore...

Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor used to be good friends. In spite of Salman being way senior to Ranbir, they shared a comfortable camaraderie. Salman and Ranbir had a group of common friends, and went out together pretty often. When the two actors were shooting out of the city, and found themselves shooting the same city, they met up and would go out together.

However, all this seems to have changed ever since news about Ranbir and Katrina Kaif got out. Salman, we hear, has slowly been distancing himself from Ranbir. Friends close to the actors tell us that the two don't hang out together anymore. If one comes out, the other excuses himself.

Ranbir also went on record to say that he and Katrina are not an item. Salman didn't take too kindly to that. "Bhai believes that girls should be treated with respect," said a close friend.

Salman wants Nargis Fakhri

Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan have history. The RK boy began dating Khan's girl Katrina Kaif two years ago.

The romance began on the sets of their film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (and continued during Raajneeti). Will history repeat itself? It is learnt that Salman now wants to romance RK's girl Nargis Fakhri.

Towards the end of the year, Salman Khan will get into the super-hero garb for his younger brother Sohail Khan's film titled Sher Khan (and not Tarzan) as reported. Sohail has worked on the script of this film for a long time and it is wildly exciting, say sources. Even as the girls — Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha and others start lining up for the role of Sher Khan's leading lady, trade sources indicate that Salman may team up with the Rockstar girl Nargis Fakhri. Says our source, "Sohail either wants a fresh face or he wants his brother to pair up with Nargis."' We hear the producers of Rockstar, who are also advising Nargis on her career, will be happy if she bags a film with Bhai.

Who made Sonakshi a heroine: Govinda or Sallu?

Govinda has dismissed reports that all is not well between him and good friend Salman Khan after the superstar chose Sonakshi Sinha over his daughter Narmada for last year's hit Dabangg.

Speculation is rife in Bollywood that Govinda is upset with Salman for not keeping his promise to launch Narmada with his home production, which became the highest grossing film of 2010.

"There are no issues between us. I am still in touch with Salman and we often discuss each other's projects," Govinda told PTI.

Narmada created quite a stir when she accompanied Salman to the IIFA awards in 2007, but has not yet signed her first film.

"Even I had to struggle to make a career in Bollywood and we have seen the biggest stars struggling and waiting. What's wrong if Narmada is waiting? Her time will also come," said the actor who is fondly called Chi-chi by the film fraternity.

And as far as Sonakshi, the daughter of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, is concerned the 48-year-old actor said that it was he who made her a 'heroine'.

"I made Sonakshi a heroine. I was the one who told her to lose weight. Both Sonakshi and Narmada are good. It is always time that decides everything," said the actor. There are no "issues" to sort out between us. I am still in touch with Salman. We do talk but about films and other topics as well, he said.

It was reported that Salman asked director David Dhawan to cast Govinda with him in 'Partner' to revive the almost dying career of the 48-year-old-actor.

"After giving a hit film (Partner) if you do not do a film together again then people start saying that there is no friendship between us. People treat us as if we are love companions who ought to be together. It is not like that," Govinda said.

The actor said that he and Salman are friends and will continue to be in future as well.

I asked Sonakshi to lose weight: Govinda

While Sonakshi has been giving Salman credit for her weight loss, Govinda says even he deserves mention...

It's all in good humour. Sonakshi Sinha was known to be obese before she became an actress, and the tale is that it's Salman Khan who convinced her that she would be actress material if she lost all that weight. And lose she did!

However, actor Govinda says that he had told Sonakshi a long time ago, probably even before Salman, to pull down weight and if she did that she was on her way to success. It can be remembered that even Govinda's daughter Narmada Ahuja is keen to become an actor.

Govinda doesn't compare his beti with Sonakshi. "Each makes their own way, I'm happy for Sonakshi and her success. At the same time it's absolutely ok that it's taking time for Narmada. Things will happen when they have to," he said nonchalantly.