While most Bollywood bigwigs including Sanjay Dutt have decided to lower their market price for dealing with recession, the young and talented Shahid Kapur refuses to do the same. Money seems to matter a lot to the actor for he is not even willing to slash his price for ad commercials. Reports reveal that Shahid has recently signed two big endorsement deals for a whopping Rs 10 crore. A few days back, eye candy Shahid had revealed that he wants to compete with the crème-de-la-crème in the industry. He was quoted as saying, “I would like to compete with the best and want to be the best among the best. That is where I want to reach ultimately.”Well, we hope that Shahid’s overconfidence and pricey antics do not get him into some serious trouble!

Deepika is just another girlfriend in Ranbir’s life,” said mom Neetu Singh in an interview to a magazine recently. On being asked, what makes her say so, despite a complete assurance from Ranbir and Deepika’s side, “both of them are very young. It’s a long way to go before marriage. No one knows what future holds for them,” is what Neetu came up with.

Neetu is currently in Delhi shooting for her comeback film Do Dooni Chaar, after a gap 29 years, opposite hubby Rishi Kapoor. “I am enjoying the process. Delhi is my maiden city, so it becomes all the more special. Also, my daughter is here, and I will get to spend two months with her,” she says.

Indeed, the couple has a lot to catch up in Delhi. “Oh! Delhi is simply so romantic in this mausam,” says Neetu, while Rishi adds, “As a kid, I remember lunching at the Imperial hotel. I still can’t leave Delhi without it.”

The couple is also fulfilling their social duties by painting with artist Akbar Padamsee. The proceeds from this will go to the NGO Khushii, working for needy children in the Capital.

John Abraham has hurt his leg badly yet again. It was while shooting for David Dhawan’s film ‘Hook Ya Crook’ that the accident happened.

A unit hand informed us that he had to slip down a 20- foot pole. He didn’t get it right and slid quite badly. Unfortunately for John, he landed directly on his leg.

In spite of being ordered not to be ‘braveheart’ and take some rest, our Johnny Bravo quickly treated himself to some first aid medication, and went pole sliding all over again.

This time he got it right, and then rushed to the X-ray clinic. Talk about wanting to get it right hook ya crook…

At the premiere of Slumdog Millionaire in Mumbai, superstar Aamir Khan bonded with the film’s director Danny Boyle. In a recent interview, Danny had stated that there are three Bollywood actors he wants to work with – Aamir Khan (who, Danny said, was an amazing filmmaker), Hrithik Roshan (who, Danny thinks, is the best dancer after Michael Jackson) and, of course, Anil Kapoor. At a special party for the cast and crew of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ held on Thursday night after the film’s star-studded premiere, Aamir and Danny bonded like buddies.

Aamir, who was also at the premiere, was visibly impressed after watching the movie and discussed a lot of things with Danny at the party.The duo was so engrossed in their discussions that they chatted away for as long as three hours.It is being speculated that Danny, who has already expressed his wish to make another film in Mumbai, also tossed the idea to Aamir who might end up doing the film with the British director.Danny recently said he wants to make a thriller set at night in Mumbai.

Jaipur: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan wants to dispel myths about his “high and mighty” image, saying that he would prefer to be known just as the son of Teji and Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

“I never believed that I was special. I am just blessed. I would like to be known as the son of my father Harivansh Rai Bachchan and mother Teji Bachchan. I respect my parents for bringing me up the way I am,” Bachchan said while speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival Friday.

The superstar, who has given the country the maximum number of hits and blockbusters like “Zanzeer”, “Deewaar” and “Don”, said he has “never consciously tried to project my star image. It is an epithet created by the media.”

“I have not contributed to the fact that I am a star. My son Abhishek and I want to do away with the word star. We are ordinary folks. My relationship with my son is personal and domesticated. Even before Abhishek was born, I had made up my mind that if I ever had a son he would be my friend. Abhishek is as balanced and down-to-earth by nature as I would expect anyone from our family to be.

“While acting, we do not follow any particular routine or concepts - we both leave it to the director. In fact, Abhishek had a very normal upbringing. Jaya and I have never tried to do anything special for him. We did not produce any movie to secure him a toehold in the industry. He has never felt propped up - all that he has done has been on his own,” Bachchan said.

Further listing the virtues of his son, Bachchan said Abhishek possesses sharp powers of observation and reaction.

The audience - numbering around 500 - comprised over 165 writers, an equal number of delegates and an army of media representatives both from home and abroad.

Bachchan feels the love of millions of Indians has helped him become the “phenomenon” that he is today.

“The love and affection of the people of the country, my fans who prayed for me each time I fell sick, have helped sustain my journey over the last four decades that began in 1969,” said Bachchan.

The actor, who has worked with almost every generation of directors in the country - from Prakash Mehra, Ramesh Sippy, Manmohan Desai, Yash Chopra to Tinu Anand and the youngsters like R. Balakrishna and Sujoy Ghoshe, says he has grown up watching Dilip Kumar and Waheeda Rehman.

“I was their fan and also loved watching Guru Dutt movies. ‘Kagaz ke Phool’ starring Guru Dutt was my favourite. Now that I have an opportunity to speak about all the directors I have worked with, I hope one of the youngsters in Mumbai grows up to be a Dilip Kumar or Guru Dutt,” he said.

Father Harivansh Rai still remains the star’s obsession.

“I am not an avid reader, but now whenever I have time to spare, I read my father’s poetry and his autobiography. I try to bring out snippets from his works in my blog. And in the process I learn more about my father,” he said.

The superstar, who recited “extracts” from his father’s seminal work “Madhushala”, signed off with a message for the audience: “Yadi man ka ho to accha, agar man ka na ho to aur bhi accha. (If things go the way you want, it is good. And if it does not, it is better).”

Best Actor nominees Josh, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, James Franco, Taraji P. Henson, Emile Hirsch, Frank Langella, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and Michael Sheen will introduce their nominated cast film clips.

Katie, Emily Blunt, Claire Danes, Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas and Marisa Tomei will present Actor® statuettes. Plus, 'The Wrestler''s Evan Rachel Wood will introduce a filmed salute to performances that were "Trailblazers" either in their casting or subject matter.

Celeb presenters already announced for the show include Amy Poehler, Taye Diggs, Susan Sarandon, Christina Applegate, Angela Bassett, Jon Hamm, John Krasinski, Eric McCormack and Kyra Sedgwick.

Indian Idol 4 Gala Round 8 Results - Prasenjit Kosambi eliminated. The bottom three were surprisingly one of the best lot, but again the format of the show depends particularly on the voting and week after week Idol did loose top singers. Prasenjit was one of the finest singer on Indian Idol 4.

Further, the team of Victory, Bollywood next release on Cricket, were there to speak bout the film. The female lead Amrita Rao, Singer Shaan and Director Amritpal Mangat spoke about the movie Victory, which is due to release on 30th January, 2009. Incidentlty, Kailash Kher also sang one of the song for the movie and Annu Malek is the music director of the film.

Checkout how eliminations went:

Indian Idol 4 - Gala Round 8- Bottom 3

Bhavya Pandit

Prasenjit Kosambi

Rajdeep Chatterjee

Indian Idol 4 - Gala Round 8- Bottom 2

Rajdeep Chatterjee

Prasenjit Kosambi

Indian Idol 4 - Gala Round 8- Eliminated Contestant

Prasenjit Kosambi

Indian Idol 4 - Eliminated Contestants so far [as on 24th January 2009]

Ananya Mishra

Tullika Ganguly

Shini Kalvint

Priyanka Negi

Kuldeep Singh

Mohit Lalwani

Bhanu Pratap

Bhanu Pratap

Danny boyle an English director or critical acclaim has created a masterpiece in Slumdog Millionaire. With some great technical work and a rather unique storyline (based on novel Q&A), Danny has created what some are suggesting the best movie of 2008 worldwide. Read what some of the prominent online websites (both Indian and International have to say about this movie)

Slumdog Millionaire – Story (to set things into perspective)

The story will be based on a true story of a boy (Jamal) who goes onto the Hindi version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and wins it. However things are complicated when the makers of the show don’t believe he won it fair and square since he’s illiterate. That doesn’t really bother the boy though as he actually went on the show to catch the eye of the girl (Nikita) he loves who he has lost contact with, someone he knows watches every episode

Slumdog Millionaire review (www.bollywoodhungama.com)

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE keeps you hooked, there’s not a single dull moment and most importantly, your heart pines for the lovers [Jamal and Latika] to unite, after all that they’ve gone through in life. That’s one of the prime reasons why SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE works big time

If Boyle’s direction and Beaufoy’s screen writing works, so does A.R. Rahman’s exuberant musical score. The background score is eclectic, while the song ‘Jai Ho’ [at the conclusion of the film] is mesmeric. The camera [Anthony Dod Mantle] captures the streets of the metropolis remarkably. Note the chase at the very start, with a constable chasing the young Salim and Jamal in the slums. Brilliant!

On the whole, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a must-see! One of the finest films of our times, this one should not be missed for any reason

Slumdog Millionaire review (www.ndtv.com)

Instead of realistic emotions tethered to an unrealistic landscape and plot, we have an unrealistic plot tethered to a hyper-realistic landscape. Anthony Dod Mantle’s camera pores over Mumbai, from its over-arching high-rises to its filthiest slums. But the story that takes place here is pure fairy tale

Dev Patel has an endearing presence but a shaky accent and Frieda Pinto, playing Latika, seems more fashion model than slumdog.

Unfortunately, the two also have to exchange dialogue that might make Karan Johar cringe. At one point Jamal says to Latika, “Come away with me”. She asks, “…and live on what?” to which he replies, “On love”.

Slumdog Millionaire review (www.telegraph.co.uk)

Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire is the film equivalent of Usain Bolt’s performance at the Olympics: funny, shocking, spectacularly turbo-charged. It takes your breath away at the same time as it makes you want to holler with joy or to grab the person next to you: “Yes!”

Slumdog Millionaire review (www.rollingstones.com)

Anthony Dod Mantle uses compact digital cameras to move with speed and stealth through the slums and palaces of Mumbai. The film is a visual wonder, propelled by A.R. Rahman’s hip-hopping score and Chris Dickens’ kinetic editing. The whoosh of action and romance pulls you in, but it’s the bruised characters who hold you there. Every step Jamal takes toward his final answer could get him killed. Even in the Bollywood musical number that ends the film, joy and pain are still joined in the dance. The no-bull honesty of Slumdog Millionaire hits you hard. It’s the real deal. No cheating

Slumdog Millionaire review (www.nytimes.com)

A gaudy, gorgeous rush of color, sound and motion, “Slumdog Millionaire,” the latest from the British shape-shifter Danny Boyle, doesn’t travel through the lower depths, it giddily bounces from one horror to the next. A modern fairy tale about a pauper angling to become a prince, this sensory blowout largely takes place amid the squalor of Mumbai, India, where lost children and dogs sift through trash so fetid you swear you can smell the discarded mango as well as its peel, or could if the film weren’t already hurtling through another picturesque gutter

Watch the Public verdict on Raaz 2 and Slumdog Millionaire