Fillmi Fundas

Surprise party for Ranbir

Dhilin Mehta, Hiren Gandhi, Dhaval Jatania and Rupen Amlani of Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision threw a surprise birthday party for Ranbir Kapoor recently in Juhu, Mumbai. The party was a grand affair and was planned with the help of the Kapoor lad’s parents, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, and best friend and director Ayan Mukherjee, who were also present on the occasion.

Director and good friend Imtiaz Ali, who has directed Ranbir in his upcoming film ‘Rockstar’, came in straight from Kolkata and surprised Ranbir with his favour Ameenya ki biryani. A huge screen was specially put up where they played a video of the actor and his promos from ‘Rockstar’.

Also present at the do was newbie actress and Ranbir’s ‘Rockstar’ co-star Nargis Fakhri. Ranbir was seen greeting all the guests and was also spotted sharing a family moment with aunt Reema Jain. Some of the first ones to arrive were Barfee director Anurag Basu with wife Tani as well as director Raju Hirani.

Sanjay Dutt walked in with Dharam Uberoi. Other special guests at the party were Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, singer Mohit Chauhan, Bhushan Kumar, hairstylist Aalim and choreographer Bosco.

‘I don’t believe in crash diets’

Actress Zarine Khan, who once weighed 100 kilos, shed her weight to make a mark in the entertainment industry but the Character Dheela girl doesn’t believe in crash diets and prefers balanced eating habits. “I am blessed with very beautiful parents. Thanks to them that genetically I have got such a clear and nourished skin,” said the one-film-old actress who recently launched a popular brand’s anti-pollution range of lotions.

“There is no doubt that pollution and excessive exposure to heat and make-up affect the skin and make it dull. So it is important to take care of it — like body treatments, even skin care is important,” she said. “I always endorse balanced diet. I don’t believe in crash diets. One should eat healthy and in the right proportion,” she added.

No qualms about things 

Come October, Fox Star Studios will be back with a refreshing comedy ‘What’s Your Number?’ starring Anna Faris and Chris Evans. Faris, who displayed her comic talent in hits like the ‘Scary Movie’ series, ‘Just Friends’ and ‘The House Bunny’, plays the delightfully flawed Ally Darling, who has just read an article in a magazine saying that women who have had relationships with 20 or more men are unlikely to settle down and get married. In a panic, she realises that she has reached her limit and instead of looking for a new boyfriend, she decides to revisit her 19 ex-boyfriends with the hope that there must be one ideal candidate among them. Assisting her on this quest is her attractive neighbour Colin, played by Chris Evans.

As an actor and film-maker, Faris appreciates the story being told from Ally’s point of view, in a no-holds-barred way that mixes sex, heart, fun and emotion. “I loved the idea of women getting to play in what right now seems like a man’s world,” Faris elaborates. “Women can relate to envelope-pushing comedies, just like men can. So I wanted to play in that world as well, where a modern woman can be raunchy and real and gritty with her friends.”

Chris Evans, best known for action films (the star of the recent ‘Captain America’) is thrilled about doing a romantic comedy for the first time. “I’ve always wanted to do one,” says Evans. “To be honest, I love romantic comedies. I’m not ashamed to say that they are great ‘feel good’ movies.”

Packed with some truly hilarious moments, the film promises to be a complete entertainer for its interesting take on ‘finding true love’ and the fabulous chemistry between Anna Faris and Chris Evans. 

‘What’s Your Number’ releases in India on October 14. The film is directed by Mark Mylod, who has previously directed the HBO TV series ‘Entourage’.

Special time with special children

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who is currently working for film-maker Anurag Basu’s Barfee, recently shot with autistic children. Chopra, 29, who, herself plays an autistic person in the romantic murder mystery with actor Ranbir Kapoor, feels these kids are God’s special creation. 

“So..Shooting Barfee today..had to shoot with some autistic kids as I’m autistic in the film. I can’t even begin to tell you how special they are. So loving..kind..and just simple..all they need is love and patience..I truly believe special children are closest to God (sic),” Chopra posted on Twitter. The film is releasing in January 2012. 

Not a white beauty

Indian actress Freida Pinto’s lighter skin tone in a new advertisement of L’Oreal Paris has sparked controversy but the cosmetic brand has denied that they resorted to photoshop to get the fairer skin tone. The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star, who was signed as the face of the brand in 2009, appears fairer compared to her original skin tone in their new ad for ‘Colours Take Flight’ make-up.

The cosmetic brand claims that the fairness comes because of the lighting effect and not because it was altered on computer.

“Freida Pinto has been a spokesperson for the brand since 2009 and we highly value our relationship with Pinto. This campaign was meant to highlight Freida Pinto’s make-up colours applied on her eyes and lips. Thus, some powerful studio lights with ring-flash have been used for this purpose to create a “runway” effect on the picture,” the brand said in a statement.

“There has been no whitening retouching process whatsoever on Freida Pinto’s face,” the statement further read.