Vivek Oberoi

Vivek Oberoi had created stirs with his role as Chadu in ‘Company’. After a long gap of seven years, RGV has again taken up the task of proving the actor’s worth by casting him in the lead role of rebel-turned politician Paritala Ravi in his ambitious venture ‘Rakta Charitra’ and says the film will re-launch both of them in Bollywood.“After thinking hard on every actor both known and unknown, I finally zeroed in on Vivek Oberoi as the most ideal choice to play Paritala Ravi,” Varma, who has almost finished the shoot of Agyaat and is busy wrapping up Rann, said.

Ramu expresses his trust in Vivek stating, “For me, Vivek is the perfect choice for the role. Also, I know for sure that no way can Vivek get a better role than that of Paritala Ravi and no way can I get a better story than ‘Rakta Charitra’ to be told. This is why the film would be re-launching both of us.” he added.

“He has remarkable intensity in his eyes which I noticed during the making of ‘Company’. He has a voice which commands attention, there is an arrogance in his demeanour and an enormous power in his stance. Moreover, there is also a certain vulnerability, which makes one instantly warm up to him, which is what is needed to fit into Paritala Ravi’s profile,” the director explained.

The story of Rakta Charitra will span 12-15 years during which Vivek would be seen in different looks- From being a rebel in the jungles to a political strongman.

Saif Ali Khan

It is well known how much Kareena Kapoor wanted to work in Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Love Aaj Kal’ and how Imtiaz opted for Deepika Padukone instead of Bebo. Now, the movie has Saif Ali Khan in the lead role and given that Saif is very much in love with Kareena, he always keeps mentioning that it would’ve been great if Kareena was in place of Deepika.

This has obviously upset Deepika, who retorts back saying, “Fine! They’re in love and that’s a good thing. But I am quite confident about my performance.”

Dear Saif, it is high time you learn to keep your personal and professioanl life separate!

Meanwhile, check out the first look from the movie.

Bobby Deol plays a hired killer

Bobby Deol plays a hired killer in his latest "Ek - The Power of One", nine years after he played a similar role in "Bichhoo". The actor says he has no problem playing a negative role again.

"There were no apprehensions. Actors who play romantic heroes in most of the films don't get apprehensive before taking another such project; so why should I?" he said.

Directed by Sangeeth Sivan, "Ek" is a remake of Telugu film "Athadu" and also stars southern star Shriya Saran.

"Though I also did such a role in 'Bichhoo', this one is a far more stylised version of a professional killer. In fact I was very excited when I saw the southern version of 'Ek' and said yes to the role," Bobby told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

Known for his action image, the 39-year-old said that the action sequences in the film were something to look out for.

"The USP of the film is its action. It has been shot and choreographed very well and it will offer amazing action sequences to all action fans in the country. They'll love it," he said.

Bobby shrugged off media rumours that he jumped of the 14th floor for the film.

"My jump has been exaggerated in the media. I jumped only from the seventh floor, not 14th - though that was also scary enough," he laughed.

Bobby, who was last seen in "Dostana" with short cropped hair, was excited about his new look in "Ek".

"I sport a straightened hair look in the film. It's ironic that my hair has been straightened despite my constant advice to people that one should not get them straightened at all as it spoils your hair," the actor said.

The film has Nana Patekar playing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inspector and Bobby is all praise for the 58-year-old's energy levels.

"Nana is a great guy. He is so agile and active. In fact, for his age, he is so fit and I really admire him for that," he said.

Apparently Nana almost always surprised the unit members with his energetic sprints and his rigorous gym sessions.

But Bobby too is known for his fit physique. What's the secret behind that?

"As far as my physical regime is concerned, I just do my usual workout including a bit of cardio. I don't work very specifically on my body for any one film," the actor said.

Asked if he also planned to venture into direction like his elder brother Sunny, he said: "I don't know. I can't foresee the future. It's a dream of every actor to direct a film some day, but who knows."

Bobby's future projects include "Cheers - Celebrate Life", "Roshan", "Formula No.44" and "Gangs of London".

Shah Rukh Khan's smoking act

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's smoking act during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match April 21 has not gone down well with the anti-smoking lobby which is trying to ensure that television footage of celebrities smoking should not be broadcast.The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) said in a statement issued here Saturday that its counterpart South African National Council Against Smoking (NCAS) is lobbying with the official broadcasters to ensure that footage of smoking, especially by celebrities, should not be broadcast.

"We have sent the details to Supersport, who are the official broadcasters of the IPL and the NCAS is in the process of soliciting an agreement that they will not show anyone smoking," NCAS's convener Peter Ucko informed NOTE Friday.NCAS has said that television footage showing icons smoking dangerously increases the chances of children and other non smokers picking up the habit as they try to emulate their heroes.

NCAS, in its letter to NOTE, further said that while smoking in public places is still not banned in South Africa, the department of health there was very active in lobbying for the concept of no smoking in public places.

"If Khan does it again we will ask the management to caution him, or we will seek his removal from the stadium," the press note states.The NCAS has also assured that they would lobby with the chief executive officer of the Wandereres stadium Alam Kourie to enforce the 'no smoking in enclosed areas' law.

"We have also asked the stadium management to make no smoking announcements through the match and during drinks breaks."

Rakhi Sawant

Rakhi Sawant is all set to get married? But she does not have a groom picked out yet. The item girl of Indian cinema will be starting in NDTV Imagine's new reality TV show called Rakhi Ka Swayamvara in which with the help from the viewer she will pick the perfect man to marry. Rakhi was also on reality show Bigg Boss 2 , and was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The format of the show is very similar to the American show The Bachelorette. During the show, 15 grooms of her choice will be brought together under one roof along with her, and will have to go thru a series of challenges that will test their personality, character, physical fitness, talent and their compatibility with Rakhi.