Govinda to endorse Prayag Mobiles?

Govinda is somebody who has been there, done that. Needless to say, that he is one of the most recognizable faces from Bollywood. 

After having done umpteen films, this never-say-old man is dabbling in brand endorsements as well. According to Bollywood Hungama's reliable sources, Govinda has been signed up as the brand ambassador of Prayag Mobiles. 

The official announcement of the same is being awaited.

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Aamir receives award from National Commission for Scheduled Castes

Aamir Khan has always walked the path less travelled and the actor did the same with his maiden TV show 'Satyamev Jayate'. The show, which has been widely talked about, highlighted various grave issues of our country and also offered solutions to eradicate them. 

One of the episodes highlighted the plight of manual scavengers who even in this era of India Shining clean human excreta with hand and are looked down upon as social outcastes and untouchables. While the episode did raise a few eyebrows, Aamir and Uday Shankar (CEO of Star India) have both been honored with an award by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Aamir was emotional on receiving the award as it's an issue very close to his heart. Uday Shankar was also awarded for going against the norm and telecasting such a show on a widespread medium like television. 

Also present at the function was Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit and Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ambika Soni.

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Ekta Kapoor signs Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra had not signed a single film after Apoorva Lakhia's Zanjeer. And that was a year ago. Even after two blockbusters her date sheets remained clean. She came close to signing Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram Leela and Prakash Jha's Satyagrah.

Now Ekta Kapoor who is known to be an intrepid talent connoisseur has stepped in with a 2-movie deal for Priyanka Chopra with Balaji Films. Priyanka Chopra has been signed opposite Imran Khan in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Milan Talkies.

Priyanka would also be performing an elaborate item song, a Mujra, for Sanjay Gupta's Shootout At Wadala, again produced by Ekta Kapoor. 

Says the source, "The deal at the moment is for two films. Priyanka plays the lead opposite Imran Khan in Tigmanshu Dhulia's film. She'd also do the item song in Shootout At Wadala, the first item song of her career (not counting the romantic number she shot with Shah Rukh Khan in Billu)." 

Interestingly, Priyanka has never been paired with Imran before. Since Dhulia's film is set in a dusty North Indian town, we hear Dhulia plans a character-acclimatization workshop with Imran and Priyanka on location.

In the meanwhile, Priyanka's role in Zanjeer is being spruced up. Apparently, director Apoorva Lakhia plans a very special look for Priyanka in his film. 

Says our source, "Priyanka's styling and wardrobe would all be done by an international team. The idea is to make her more glamorous than ever before. And so what if she is not being featured in a Yash Raj or a Dharma film? Priyanka is determined to make her way through maya-nagri on her own steam."

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Randeep Hooda in Pooja Bhatt's Cabaret

It's going to be Cabaret first, Jism 3 later. Though Pooja Bhatt has found her hero for her next filmCabaret-it's Randeep Hooda-she is yet find the girl who plays the central part of a cabaret dancer. And it's not going to be easy.

Pooja knows it. "Helenji with her ingrained dancers' dexterity would be my ideal cabaret girl. I am looking for someone who could match her grace. Can we turn back the clock so that Helenji can do my film? The leading lady in Cabaretis an exotic cabaret dancer. Mind you, she isn't an 'item girl'. I find that terminology rather offensive." 

After Pooja finds the girl who can play the dancer inCabaret, the chosen one would have to undergo intense training in cabaret dancing. 

Says Pooja, "There are enormously elaborate dance numbers in Cabaret. The girl would have to train intensely. She has to be a natural dancer. You are either a born dancer or you are not. Training can only polish your dancing skills. That's why I say Helenji is my ideal for the role." 

While uncertainty surrounds the selection of the leading lady, Pooja can seek some consolation in the fact that she has finalized the leading man in Cabaret. It's her Jism 2 lead Randeep Hooda. 

Interestingly, while Pooja's father Mahesh Bhatt wants Emraan Hashmi in all his production, Pooja now declares she wants Randeep as her constant leading man. "Yes, I believe in Randeep. I'd like him to be part of every film I make. Unlike Jism 2 where he was one of the two male leads, in Cabaret Randeep plays the solo hero this time." 

Though Pooja is unwilling to divulge any more detail at this point, one gathers Cabaret to be the story of a righteous honest cop and his passionate relationship with a cabaret dancer.

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Vidya donates Rs.10 lakhs to Bengali technicians

Vidya Balan seems to be celebrating Durga puja with full gusto. The actress who began her film career with the Bengali film Bhalo Theka, made a generous contribution of Rs. 10 lakh to the Eastern India Cinetel Welfare Trust which works towards the welfare of Bengali technicians.

Vidya, who is currently in Bengal to celebrate the Durga Puja festivities, made the donation voluntarily while at the inauguration of the Shree Bhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja Pandal.

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