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.

Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor

Shooting for a snack ad in Chandigarh with one of her favourite directors Imtiaz Ali recently, Kareena Kapoor was one worried girl. Before she left for New York on April 20 for a month-long shoot of Rensil D'Silva's film, Kareena had to complete the dubbing for her over-fresh Kambakkht Ishq and woefully-stalled Milenge Milenge.

Close to collapse due to over-exertion and exhaustion, Kareena was determined to prove she's a thorough professional. Defying all the talk that she has been sidelining her only pending assignment with Shahid Kapoor, Kareena in fact was running in and out of the dubbing studio to complete the dubbing of Milenge Mienge before she left the country.

Sighing with fatigue Kareena says, "We're all professionals here. For me it doesn't matter who the leading man in Milenge Milenge is. For me what is important is that I made a commitment to two of my favourite people in the industry producer Boney Kapoor and director Satish Kaushik who've stood by me from the beginning of my career. How can I let them down? Boney wants a summer release for his film. I've to complete my dubbing before I leave."

Putting aside every waking moment Kareena is determined to complete her work on Milenge Milenge. "I'm running in and out of two dubbing studios. I've already completed most of the dubbing for both."

The film is special because after Jab We Met this is the only time Kareena will be seen with Shahid Kapoor.

Says Kareena, "I know people have expectations from us individually and as a pair, and they won't be disappointed. It's a very sweet film. And not dated at all though it got delayed. I'm as proud of Milenge Milenge as I am of any of my films," ends