Kamal adamant on casting Sonakshi

It seems the saga of Sonakshi Sinha's proposed Tamil project, Vishwaroopam, with the mighty Kamal Haasan is far from over. Though the delay in the project has forced the actress out, the indefatigable maestro of makeovers has his heart and mind set on her.

Feelers after feelers are apparently being sent to Sonakshi and her father Shatrughan Sinha.

"Now that Kamal Haasan has taken over the direction of the project it is more imperative than ever that he get his first choice for the leading lady, and that's Sonakshi. The role was written with her in mind," said a source.

But despite the legendary actor's persistence, Sonakshi is unable to accommodate the project.

"Sonakshi has allotted her dates to Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Prabhu Deva for Rowdy Rathore. This will go on through August. Then in September she does another schedule of Shrish Kunder's Joker. Vishwaroopam was supposed to start rolling in May-June. It's still not taken off. There is no way she can accommodate Kamalji," said a source close to Sonakshi.

Apparently Sonakshi, who became a rage after her debut in superhit movie Dabangg, has been wondering why her presence in the film is so important.

"It's a wonderful role and it suits Sonakshi. Kamal Haasan wants Vishwaroopam to compete at the box-office with Rajnikanth's Rana," said the source.

In the two lavish projects set in two continents, the two Tamil superstars share screen space with the two Bollywood beauties Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi.

Interestingly both Rana and Vishwaroopam got delayed due to various reasons and are now expected to start and be completed at about the same time.

Birthday girl Sonakshi on Daddy's KBC

Sonakshi Sinha took the hot seat in the Bhojpuri version of Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by her father Shatrughan Sinha, and she has given away most of her prize money to Salman Khan’s Being Human charity.

Sonakshi who turns 24 today decided to give the money to the Being Human charity because it’s a charity she trusts and believes in and she is certain that the money will be used to help those who need it.

Shatrughan Sinha talks in fluent Bhojpuri on the show, and it left Sonakshi quite impressed; this being the first time she was hearing her father speak in Bhojpuri.

Speaking about Being Human, Sonakshi said, "It's a charity I know, trust and believe in. I've seen the money move in the right direction. A lot of us want to help the needy. But how to ensure the money gets to the right place? I know the money is used to help those who need it."

Who made Sonakshi a heroine: Govinda or Sallu?

Govinda has dismissed reports that all is not well between him and good friend Salman Khan after the superstar chose Sonakshi Sinha over his daughter Narmada for last year's hit Dabangg.

Speculation is rife in Bollywood that Govinda is upset with Salman for not keeping his promise to launch Narmada with his home production, which became the highest grossing film of 2010.

"There are no issues between us. I am still in touch with Salman and we often discuss each other's projects," Govinda told PTI.

Narmada created quite a stir when she accompanied Salman to the IIFA awards in 2007, but has not yet signed her first film.

"Even I had to struggle to make a career in Bollywood and we have seen the biggest stars struggling and waiting. What's wrong if Narmada is waiting? Her time will also come," said the actor who is fondly called Chi-chi by the film fraternity.

And as far as Sonakshi, the daughter of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, is concerned the 48-year-old actor said that it was he who made her a 'heroine'.

"I made Sonakshi a heroine. I was the one who told her to lose weight. Both Sonakshi and Narmada are good. It is always time that decides everything," said the actor. There are no "issues" to sort out between us. I am still in touch with Salman. We do talk but about films and other topics as well, he said.

It was reported that Salman asked director David Dhawan to cast Govinda with him in 'Partner' to revive the almost dying career of the 48-year-old-actor.

"After giving a hit film (Partner) if you do not do a film together again then people start saying that there is no friendship between us. People treat us as if we are love companions who ought to be together. It is not like that," Govinda said.

The actor said that he and Salman are friends and will continue to be in future as well.

Shatrughan Sinha to anchor Bhojpuri "KBC"

Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha is all set to give popularity challenge to Amitabh Bachchan by hosting 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' in Bhojpuri.

Siddarth Basu, the maker of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the programme that revolutionized Indian television as well as Amitabh Bachchan's sagging career, has succeeded in roping in Sinha for the Bhojpuri version of the show.

Sinha popularly known as "Bihari Babu" would step into Amitabh's shoes as the Bhojpuri host for the show, which would be telecast on Mahua Channel.

Shooting is expected to start from May next and the programme would run for over a year.

Sinha, BJP MP from Patna Saheb, was not available for comments but sources close to him said he agreed to do the show to promote and project Bhojpuri language spoken by a large number of people in Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Outside India, Bhojpuri is spoken in Guyana, Suriname, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago and Mauritius.

My daughter looks like me, says Poonam Sinha

Newbie Sonakshi Sinha is not anymore surprised at her comparison to yesteryear actress Reena Roy, but it certainly doesn't elicit any smile on her face or lights it up, as usually is the case with all newcomers.

In fact, the Dabangg actress gets quite irritable at this obvious similarity, says mother Poonam Sinha. For the record, Sonakshi shares strong resemblance to the actress who had once dated her father Shatrughan Sinha, who was linked to her even after his marriage.

"Absolutely not! She doesn't look like anyone. Sonakshi is my daughter and she looks like me," says Poonam defensively. "Please don't bring this topic with her," cautioned the pretty Mrs. Sinha.

Ever since Sonakshi's Dabangg look was revealed, people were shocked at this strong similarity. Several images on the net of Reena Roy and Sonakshi were even juxtaposed insinuating unpleasant stuff. Of course Sonakshi didn't take these comparisons in a lighter way, but as she went along making her strong position in Bollywood as the no. 1 heroine today, such comparisons aren't heeded to anymore.

Recently in a casual chat with us Sonakshi agreed that certain features of her face and her eye make up, that's similar to Reena Roy, could be the reason for eliciting such responses from across. However, in the last year, Sonakshi believes, her looks have grown distinct, "I am sure I don't look anything like Reena Roy now," she quipped.

Whatever it is, Sonakshi's beauty certainly differs from her pretty mother Poonam. Agree Shatru saab?