Ayesha Takia to pair with Salman Khan in remake of Telugu hit film ‘Pokiri’.  Producer Boney Kapoor is remaking the Telugu superhit in Hindi and has roped in director Prabhudeva to wield the megaphone for the Hindi flick. However, the enterprising producer  had difficulty finding  a suitable actress opposite Sallu in the film. The role was first offered to Deepika Padukone , who turned it down for reasons better known to herself. Then Jiah Khan was also considered for the part, but the fiery newcomer’s remarks against Katrina Kaif in an interview haven’t gone well with Salman. Reliable sources indicate that Ayesha Takia is under consideration for the part.

Naseeruddin Shah says  he gets irritated if someone addresses him as "the Al Pacino of Bollywood"."Why these labels? Why do we have to look to the West to recognise our work?" Shah asked reporters at the Osian's Cinefan film festival here."Often people abroad ask me if I am the Al Pacino of Bollywood. Why can't they apply the same to their actors? Why don't they call Dustin Hoffman the Om Puri of Hollywood?" Shah said after a screening of Rajat Kapoor's film "Mithya" that stars him along with Ranvir Shorey, Neha Dhupia and Saurabh Shukla.Shah said the Oscars did not matter much to him. "I don't attach any importance to the Oscars," he said.He said the spurt in the new-age movie movement in India proved that there is no shortage of talent in the country."But we need good writers and producers. We have too many hacks who are only capable of rehashing old stuff and this will go on as it is a great money-making machine," Shah said.

Priyanka Chopra is being considered to play the female lead in Hollywood producer and former tennis player Ashok Amritraj’s film. Ashok Amritraj heads the production company Hyde Park Entertainment. He is presently looking for an Indian actress for his next project, which will revolve around an Indian girl and an American man. Amritraj has reportedly been in talks with Priyanka Chopra to act in the film. Rumours say he has handed over the film’s script to Priyanka.

Along with acting tips, Aap Ka Surroor actress Hansikka Motwani is also learning how to tackle Mumbai rains. The waterlogging in Mumbai this year has disheartened many, but not this pretty teenager. "No second thoughts. I will always prefer to stay in Mumbai, be it any season," Hansikka said. Diet-conscious that she is, pakoras and fried stuff are a strict no-no. Hansikka is more than contented with a steaming cup of coffee on a gloomy day.

While Mumbaikars pack their bags this monsoon and head for Khandala, Ashmit Patel is planning to turn his own neighborhood into a hot spot. On Environment Day, the actor went to the Byculla nursery, picked up around 40 saplings, and made sure they got planted at the right places in his Bandra neighbourhood. "Nature has always been my first love.  Considering the increasing global warming, I hope that every one in the world makes sure that he/she contributes by planting at least one sapling every month," Ashmit said. The actor is shooting for The Flag, Toss and Kabhie Kahin, back to back, so one wonders how he finds time for his green ventures.

|