Veena Malik isn't Poonam Pandey: Ashmit

Nevermind what Veena Malik has to say, Ashmit Patel insists that he is single!

Ask him what his current equation with the Pakistani model is and he takes a long pause and says "No comments." But, he does admit that Veena and he have been offered films after their stint in the reality show. "If something interesting comes up, I'm open to accepting the offer," says the actor.

Ashmit may deny any closeness with Veena, but he is quick to take up for her when we compare her to model Poonam Pandey. Veena and Poonam, some feel, have chosen similar routes to publicity, used controversy to finally join the reality show bandwagon. Would he agree? "I don't think it's fair to club Veena and Poonam together. It requires a lot of guts to talk openly about match-fixing and that's what Veena had done.

Poonam, on the contrary, only made claims," defends Ashmit. Well after all this, Ashmit still expects us to believe that he is single! Over to Veena...

Sara Khan - the tantrum Queen

We have no clue about who's influenced whom - is it Ali Merchant who has taught the nasty tricks of the trade to Sara Khan or the other way round.

Both the actors are known to have an insatiable appetite for publicity and attention. Whoever the culprit is, the industry definitely is suffering at their hands. We had earlier reported about how Sara Khan walked out of the sets of Ram Milaayi Jodi after she found her director Jafar insulting and disrespectful. She, however, had then declined walking out only to admit to it later.

When asked the reason behind denying and accepting it later, she said, "I was waiting for a patch-up with the director which didn't happen. Later, when he refused to call a truce, I decided to tell the truth." Too late lady, as we know how you always lie through your teeth. The self-respecting director has quit the show but Sara seems to be unperturbed with all this.

A source tells us, "She is thinking that she has emerged a winner after getting the director removed. The production house always tries to salvage the situation for Sara and tries to project her as one considerate and accommodating actor. The fact, however, remains that she has been an enfant terrible right from the beginning. Not only does she throw her weight around but she is also nasty with outsiders. She would make poor journalists wait for hours at stretch for just one byte while she busies herself gossiping or is happily puffing away. She is over-friendly with people who call the shots and insults the rest.

For no rhyme or reason would she scream on them seeking attention. She flatters producer Rajita Sharma so that she remains in her good books." Apparently, the actress was sacked from Bidaai after it became increasingly difficult for the production house to put up with her tantrums. Is history all set to repeat itself?

Who will be Ms. Drama Queen - Rakhi or Veena?

Unruffled by any sort of competition and famous (or rather infamous) for shooting her mouth off, Rakhi Sawant has finally started feeling the heat of competition.

And this rivalry is coming from across the border. Apparently, Ms Sawant is miffed with Pakistani actress Veena Malik as she feels that the latter has been hogging limelight which she believes is solely her birth right. An amused Rakhi was seen brokering peace between two warring neighbours on her show Gajab Desh Ki Ajab Kahaniyaan, who have been sending ghosts to each other houses to trouble the other.

However, she is so convinced with the idea of creating mayhem at one's detractor's house by sending ghosts at his/her house that she inquired with those around if it really works. When probed about the unfortunate one, she told our sources, "It's Veena Malik. How can she hog all the media attention when I am around? I am going to send ghosts to her place to teach her a lesson." Over to you Veena.

Veena all set for Bollywood

Pakistani actress Veena Malik is all set to make her Bollywood debut. The official announcement was made at an event in Versova, Mumbai.

A participant from the famous Salman Khan hosted reality show Bigg Boss 4, Veena Malik made headlines for her speculated romantic relationship with Ashmit Patel. Veena’s Bollywood debut does not come as a surprise since Bigg Boss earned her a considerable fan base in India.

Her debut movie has been titled Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai. Buzz suggests that Veena will be playing a double role in the movie.

Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai will be directed by Aanand Balraj, the younger brother of Deepak Balraj. Deepak has directed the movie Hafta Bandh.

A fact worth mentioning is that while Veena is making her acting debut through this movie, Aanand Balraj is making his directorial debut! Aanand was previously an actor and was seen in various short roles in the Subhash Ghai films like Ram Lakhan, Khalnaayak, Saudgar and Pardes.

Well, Veena, we all loved your adaayein on the small screen. Hope you impress us with your acting skills now. All the best!

PETA Ad causes Outrage

Move over Poonam Pandey offering to strip for the Indian cricket team, the latest to join the stripper bandwagon is item girl Liza Malik. The model's nude photoshoot for PeTA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) has angered the women's NGO Nari Samman Sangathan.

The picture was for PeTA's campaign against the use of leather balls in cricket, in which Malik is posing in the buff behind a ball cutout. However, the NGO believes the photo is publicity stunt.

Liza Malik "How can the lady protect animal rights by posing nude? If you want to contribute to a noble cause, you can do that by extending financial help, but, in Liza's case, it looks fishy since a lot of aspiring models work with established NGOs like PeTA simply to propagate nudity and garner cheap publicity," said NGO president Sundari Thakur.

"Some item girls and models are taking nudity under the garb of such NGOs and are promoting themselves in the wrong way," she added.

However, Malik seems unfazed.

"I think it is an international way of propagating the interest of animal rights. Pamela Anderson posed for PeTA in the buff as well and, in my case, if I would have worn a sari and fought against the use of animal skin, no one would have noticed it. Since this issue has sparked a debate on the poster simultaneously, the purpose of getting the cause noticed has been served," Malik told the tabloid.

Liza Malik is not new to controversy. The model had earlier been in the news when she claimed she was getting calls to fix IPL matches. Interestingly, the advertisement takes a dig on this very controversy as the line on the ball cutout says, 'The best way to fix cricket is to stop using a cricket ball.'

In her defence, Malik says, "People should stop mudslinging and join hands with PeTA in me in barring ICC and BCCI from using leather balls used for cricketing purpose. I am an animal lover and I am willing to go out of the way and do anything to protect animals."

This makes Liza the second Malik (following Veena Malik) to have found herself in the midst of cricket controversies. So, will her career skyrocket like her predecessor as well? Guess we'll just have to wait and watch.

Ashmit-Riya MMS again?

Ashmit Patel and Riya Sen’s sexx MMS back in popular: Ashmit Patel's MMS sex clip titled 'Riya-Ashmit new MMS scandal' has re-surfaced and become one of the most searched videos on the Internet.

People want to see the infamous sex clip involving the actor Ashmit Patel and the sexy siren Riya Sen. The video, which first surfaced three years ago, is again a rage among the netizens after the actor himself mentioned it on the Bigg Boss 4 show and felt sorry about the incident which also wreaked havoc in his love life.

Seeing the curiosity over the MMS, YouTube has again uploaded the 1-minute-32-second long video. The clip which shows Ashmit and Riya kissing each other is a hit, and now other users too have started uploading the MMS on the site by giving different titles to it. Some porn sites and search engines too are flooded by the users’ search for the video.

As a tabloid reports - “The clip was the 27th most popular search on Google on Wednesday and made around 677,472 views on another popular portal Dailymotion.com.”

Ashmit gained sympathy from his fellow housemates in the ‘Bigg Boss’ house by discussing the video, but he never mentioned the name of Riya, and how the clip got leaked. Just because of this sex clip, he claimed, he has lost his love.

The MMS started doing the rounds on mobiles in 2007. At that time Riya had said that the girl in the clip wasn’t her.

"Ashmit used Riya for Publicity" says Raima

Raima Sen is pretty upset these days with respect to her sister Riya’s name being used by Ashmit Patel, that too just for gaining some publicity.

Ashmit had discussed about an alleged MMS scandal featuring Riya and him on reality show Bigg Boss 3. Reports say that Raima and her family did not watch the show.

She stated “But yes, I’ve heard that he said some things about Riya on the show. All I can say is that if Riya is the only way Ashmit can gain some publicity, then all the best to him!”

Presently Raima Sen is busy with the promotion of her upcoming Bengali film titled “Nouka Daubi”. In this film she will be seen along with her sister Riya.

Talking about the movie and her role in it, Raima stated “But we don’t have any scenes in it together. The story was such that putting us in the same frame would probably look forced.”

All praises for her sister Riya, she added “The audience will be taken aback with Riya in this film. I think, this film will be the turning point of Riya’s career — much like how Choker Bali was in mine.”

The actress said, “People normally imagine me to be the girl-next-door and picture Riya as the sexy outgoing babe. But Ritu (director Rituparno Ghosh) has attempted a role reversal of sorts here.”

In the film Raima plays the role of a well-educated, confident woman while Riya plays the role of a village girl.

Raima concluded “In this industry it is impossible to keep anything a secret. If I’m seeing someone, everyone will know. And I’m usually linked to whichever actor I’m working with.”

The actress said further, “I’ve been said to have dated Randeep Hooda and Tusshar Kapoor in the recent past — they’ve stopped bothering me now.”

Veena supports India at the WCC

"Saturday April 2, 1983, was the day Kapil Dev brought the first World Cup for India. Insha Allah, Saturday April 2, 2011, is going to be (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni's day. Pakistan is out of the World Cup, so all my loyalties are now with India." That's the new cricket commentator Veena Malik for you.

The irrepressible shock queen is in India to be part of two cricket shows on television. "Some people compare me to Mandira Bedi. But I am happy being who I am. I love cricket, though commenting on it is not something I thought I would do. But life is such. You never know where it takes you," she said.

Veena does have her favourites among the cricketers from both sides. "Yuvraj (Singh) and (Shahid) Afridi both play from the heart and believe in playing fair cricket. No one can buy their loyalties. I'm a huge fan of Sachin Tendulkar, but only when he isn't playing against Pakistan," she chuckles.

Veena to shift base to Mumbai

Veena Malik is keen to buy a pad in Mumbai considering the offers coming her way...

Pakistani actress Veena Malik, who participated in the reality show Bigg Boss, finds herself hosting a couple of cricket shows, and claims that she is flooded with offers even for shows covering the Indian Premiere League, scheduled to begin soon after the ICC World Cup.

This has encouraged Veena to buy a house in Mumbai. We are told, that Malik, considering the opportunities here, is keen to buy a home in suburban Mumbai, however, Pakistan will remain her base. In fact, Veena, it is heard, even made a passing statement: I have six homes in Pakistan, it's only fair that I buy myself one in Mumbai!

Well, with her getting along famously well with Ashmit Patel, and with good work coming her way, it's not so much of a 'big toss' if the lady will actually buy a Mumbai house.

Controversy is my middle name: Veena Malik

She’s been in the news ever since she came into the country. Whether it’s her love life, her behaviour on the reality show Bigg Boss or the Taliban threat to her life, Pakistani actress Veena Malik seems to have become India’s (and Pakistan’s) latest controversy queen. But no one tells the true story, says Veena. Okay. So what is the true story? Over lunch at Jasmine, the Chinese restaurant at Hotel Ramada Plaza, New Delhi, a meal during which she toyed at her food, Veena opened up.

Why are you known for controversy?

You know, it’s very easy to create a controversy, and in a lot of ways, it is not really a bad idea. But I have never tried hard at it. It’s just come to me naturally. I am a star. And controversies are part of a star’s life. People need someone to talk about. Today it’s me, tomorrow it’ll be someone else.

Is it really that simple?

Well, almost. It’s as simple as what gets portrayed in the media. For instance, I decided to come clean about my previous relationships, but some negative stories were highlighted. In Bigg Boss, out of 24 hours, footage of only 45 minutes was shown, which was edited entirely to the benefit of the channel. So how does a real picture really emerge?

But you knew the format beforehand. So why go into the Bigg Boss house?

The Bigg Boss house was like a refuge for me. I was going through huge emotional turmoil when I was offered the show. I had broken off with Asif (the Pakistani cricketer), the match fixing scandal had just broken, and I was an emotional wreck. I wanted to get away from everything. Bigg Boss offered me just that. I could be disconnected from everybody and everything that I knew. So I jumped at it.

It also gave you the opportunity to work in India.

Absolutely. And it was amazing how people accepted me here. I was nominated seven times and saved by the audience seven times. So it gave me a lot of popularity. I love it.

Hasn’t it also given you anxious moments? What about the Taliban threat?

Yes it has. I am anxious, but not scared. I believe in destiny. If they have to kill me, they’ll do it anywhere. Why should I stop living my life?

What did they really say?

One media group in Pakistan has received a threatening letter from the Taliban saying that they will kill me for working in India. We are not sure about its authenticity but Pakistan officials are trying to verify it.

So do you have a lot of security?

Not too much here. I feel very safe in India. But back home, yes, I do have security. And more than me, it’s my family I worry about. I am here while they are there and facing it. So I am scared for them.

Have you ever thought of asking for political asylum in India?

I did, after Bigg Boss, when my own family and friends told me the public in Pakistan was very angry with me. My people told me that I’d be killed if I went back. But thankfully, all that passed.

How does your family react now?

They are okay now. Things took some time to settle down, but I guess they have started accepting me for the way I am. I never really lived with my parents or four sisters and brother. My grandmother brought me up in a small village in Punjab. So in a lot of ways, I grew up far more independent than my siblings. Mere abbu thode Hitler kism ke hain, so while he could dominate my siblings, I was away from it all. I am very different from my family. In fact they took a lot of time to reconcile to the way I was.

How did you get into the glamour industry at all?

To save myself from an early marriage. I took up work and did an ad to avoid marriage at the age of 14. I thought if I started earning, maybe my parents wouldn’t insist on marrying me off. It worked.

Veena Malik has been known for two things recently – Ashmit Patel and shoes…

Ohhh my shoes!!!! How I love them. I don’t go anywhere without them. I just bought six pairs from Aldo yesterday. I have 500 pairs of shoes and about the same number of gowns. I have a separate house for them. I keep only my shoes and gowns there.

And Ashmit Patel?

(Laughs) What about him? Okay, I won’t deny that he is the closest to me. I call him every free minute I have. I share my deepest secrets and fears with him. For a change, here is a man who watches my back and stands up for me. So I am loving it. But we haven’t made any formal commitments. Humne jeene marne ki kasme nahi khai hain… abhi tak!!!

Wedding on the cards for Veena & Ashmit ?

Veena Malik and Ashmit Patel's romance started on the reality show, ‘Bigg Boss 4’ and it grew stronger after the show over. They remained in contact even after the show came to an end. Now the duo has decided to take their relationship to the next level. They are all set to tie the knot. Veena has decided to shift her base to Mumbai and hence searching a suitable house.

Veena Malik has introduced her boyfriend to her parents and received their approval. She has also partied with Amisha and buried all the ill-feelings.

She admits that Asmit is very special to her and she is very fond of him. They are very much in touch and love. So is marriage is on the cards, To this the actress wittily replies "...marriage is like death, you never know when it strikes."

Ashmit-Veena a couple?

He doesn’t shave because she loves his stubble, flies down from Mumbai to surprise her on her birthday and the two can’t take their eyes and hands off each other — yet, actors Ashmit Patel and Veena Malik call their equation everything but love.

“I had a wonderful birthday. Ashmit came over from Mumbai to surprise me,” says Malik, who celebrated her 27th birthday on Saturday in Delhi at Ramada Plaza hotel.

As the two cosy up after the cake-cutting, Ashmit says he can’t label their relationship. “If she wants to hug me or hold my hand, she will — people can talk all they like. She’s special to me. There’s a big ‘if’ to what happens next.”

To which Malik adds, “There is something very special between us, a very strong chemistry,” she says.

Veena's grand entrance on Bigg Toss

Veena Malik is back in yet another Indian cricket-based reality TV show, ‘Bigg Toss’, and this time, her dance number is possibly longer than her previous appearances on Bigg Boss.

According to the video description, 12 contestants will be pitted against each other to “cash in on the World Cup fever” with the centre of attraction being “television hotties, Veena Malik and Bollywood item girl Rakhi Sawant.”

With such star power and a few more dance numbers, this show is likely to be yet another major hit. We can definitely expect thousands of eager, perhaps mortified Pakistanis to be scouring through YouTube for more clips of Malik as the show progresses.

'In 'Bigg Toss', Rakhi, Veena will add a lot of drama'

They wanted to be different, says Hemant Sharma, news editor of India TV, and that is why they came up with 'Bigg Toss', which sees item girl Rakhi Sawant and Pakistani actress Veena Malik entertaining viewers by discussing cricketers in their unique style during the World Cup matches.

'Usually, during the World Cup matches, all the news channels organise discussions with four or five experts in the studio. This concept doesn't excite people anymore. We wanted to do something different so we zeroed in on this concept,' Sharma told IANS.

'Bigg Toss', which went on air Feb 17, will be shown only when India is playing. It features 12 contestants divided into two groups who will choose their favourite player from the Indian team and bet on him. The group that scores the maximum points will be declared the winner of a Honda car.

Why Rakhi and Veena?

'Both of them can add a lot of drama to the show and people are interested in watching them on small screen,' Sharma said.

Apart from Rakhi and Veena, the list of contestants includes cricketer Yuvraj Singh's father Yograj Singh, singers Shankar Sawhney and Ashok Masti, beautician Sylvie and RJ Simran, among others.