Bips & Bhatts kiss and make up

Bipasha Basu who rose to fame with two Bhatt films--Jism and Raaz--had reportedly enraged the directors after she turned down the lead role in Mukesh Bhatt's last film Murder 2.

Citing date issues, the Bong bombshell had also backed out from performing an item number. However, it looks like all that is forgiven and forgotten.

On Thursday, Bipasha signed for the lead role in Raaz 3. The film will be directed by Raaz director Vikram Bhatt and will be made in 4D.

Mukesh Bhatt said, "It is a homecoming for both Bipasha and Vikram. Yes, we did have issues earlier but, in a family, there are always different point of views that arise till the members realise that amendments need to be made."

"This is where they started and this film brought recognition to both Vikram and Bipasha," he added.

When Mukesh was asked who made the first move, he said, "Being in the same business, we keep bumping into each other. Bipasha expressed a desire to work with us again and she loved the Raaz 3 script. It is a very challenging and powerful role for her."

Vikram, who will be directing the said, "Bipasha is a very important part of the team that created Raaz as a brand.I am happy to be working with her again and hope to create the same magic with the already heady pair of Emi (Emraan Hashmi) and Jackie (Jacqueline Fernandes)."

Confirming that she has signed on the dotted line, Bips said, "I have a long and fruitful relationship with Vishesh films. I am very fond of both Maheshji and Mukeshji.They have given me two of my best films of which, Raaz, my second movie, was a golden jubilee hit. It was only a matter of time before we worked together."

Talking about the film, she said, "My role in Raaz 3 seems to be a very challenging one and the director is not only very good at his craft, but has also been a friend for a long time. The thought of working with my own people gives me a high. It is a terrific combination," she added.

Adah Sharma has no qualms about looking ugly

Actress Adah Sharma, who shot to fame with her debut in Vikram Bhatt's 1920, will now be seen in the upcoming film Phhir, yet another suspense thriller from the same camp, but has no qualms looking ugly and attempting supernatural movies in the initial stages of her career.

Adah made her debut in the 2008 horror film, which revolved around a married couple living in a haunted house in the year 1920. The film starred Adah and newcomer Rajneesh Duggal as the married couple. Now, she would be essaying a clairvoyant in Bhatt's upcoming film.

"I was sure that I wanted to start with a movie that would focus on me and that I get a fantastic role. Sometimes, there are people in the industry for ten years and they don't get any scope for performance... and I think without having a 'filmi' backing I got to do that in my first film so whether it was supernatural or thriller or comedy did not matter to me," Adah told PTI.

On the risk of restricting herself to this genre and getting typecast, Adah said, "I did not think much about all this. I don't think these days people block their minds and say that this girl did horror film and cannot look beautiful."

"A lot of people said that I will never get to play a pretty girl or happy character. But today I am endorsing lot of big brands like Nokia with Sharman Joshi then Limca and Parachute who have signed me for two years and also Olay," she said.

The 22-year-old actress says her debut film, 1920 had changed the perception of the industry people.

"I remember for 1920, Vikram Sir had asked if I was fine looking ugly and I said okay. I even told him I am ready to look old. Industry people got to know that I am fine experimenting with looks... black spots or whatever I am ready to do it," Adah said.

In her second film, Adah would be sharing screen again with Rajneesh and television actress Roshni Chopra.

In Phhir Adah essays the role of Disha, who sets out to help a doctor (Rajneesh) with clues that take him closer to unravel the mystery of his missing lawyer wife (Roshni).

"I play a young girl who is not attractive. You will see me covered from head to toe exposing only my fingers and you cannot see any curve in my body. My eyes have a deadpan look. I even walk with a slight hunch throughout the film. There is an element of mystery that shrouds my character," Adah said.

She says the role of Disha was quite challenging.

"It was quite tough. As in real life I am very happy person and use my hands and eyes often as I am Kathak dancer. I had to be very still and even if I have to cry only one drop should come out... no expression. I don't smile in the entire movie. So it was very difficult to stay still all the while," Adah said.

"For my role in Phhir I meditated... my mother is a yoga teacher, she taught me meditation," she said.

Directed by Girish Dhamika, the film releases on August 12.

Click here for more of Adah's images ...!

Karisma wont work without Manish Malhotra

Karisma Kapoor, who is returning to silver screen with Dangerous Ishq 3D, has told its director Vikram Bhatt that her favourite costume designer Manish Malhotra should be on board.

The actress, who bid adieu to movies after marrying Delhi-based industrialist Sanjay Kapur in 2003, met Bhatt last week at her residence.

During the incisive chat, Karisma discussed every aspect of her comeback film at length. She apparently told the director that she would be able to work only around her baby's daily schedules.

The intricate and historically-relevant costumes of the film's protagonist that take her through five different eras are to be researched by Nidhi Yasha, who designed the costumes for Bhatt's Haunted 3D.

Karisma, who has hardly ever worked with any other designer, gently but firmly asked for Manish to do her clothes.

"There was no compulsion to take on Manish. He is the best in the business of clothes and it'd be a pleasure and privilege to work with him. Nidhi Yasha would now be researching Karisma's clothes. Manish would actually be designing them," said Bhatt.

Karisma, who entered Bollwyood in 1991 with Prem Qaidi, featured in hits like Coolie No.1, Hero No.1, Raja Hindustani, Dil Toh Pagal Hai and Zubeidaa.

Satte Pe Satta

After failing to convince Vidya Balan and then Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to play the female lead in his remake of Satte Pe Satta, Soham Shah seems to have finally found his lady to fill in Hema Malini's shoes.

Sanjay Dutt, the producer and the lead actor of the project wants an Indian looking girl and karisma seemed to fit well into the character.

Initially, when Sanjay Dutt had approached karisma, she was not too keen about her comeback. However after that she has changed her mind and signed Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Dangerous Ishq’.

Sanjay Dutt is hopeful that Karisma will finally say a ’Yes’ to the project.

Prachi to don a bikini for the Bhatts

The Bhatts want Prachi Desai to shed her inhibitions in their film Informer with Emraan Hashmi.

They have told her to go bare-dare and get the sexy tag, as they have done with their earlier heroines, Mallika Sherawat, Kangna Ranuat and Jacqueline Fernandes.

Let's see how far Prachi will go with the skin fest; considering that her close bond with mentor Ekta Kapoor has gone kaput, the girl might as well go for a major image makeover.

Vikram gives Karisma a horrific comeback

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has apparently convinced actress Karisma Kapur to make a comeback with his slick 3D thriller "Dangerous Ishq".

Said a source close to the project: "Vikram has met Karisma several times. She loves the script of Dangerous Ishq. It has an author-backed role for her with many shades. Just the kind of character she has been looking for."

"She has made up her mind to do the film," the source added.

Bhatt was determined to get Karisma at any price. He could afford it after Haunted, which has become the highest-grossing horror film in India of all times.

Bhatt said: "Yes, "Haunted" had made a huge profit. And yes I can afford to pay my stars well. It's a powerful role for a 30-plus actress who is stunning and talented."

Karisma, whose last screen appearance was in Suneel Darshan's "Mere Jeevan Saathi" in 2002, has been in search of the right role to return to cinema with.