Break Ke Baad - First Look

Deepika's latest message for Ranbir

Deepika Padukone has well and truly moved on after her break-up with Ranbir Kapoor. The star, who's now seeing Siddharth Mallya, actually posted a birthday message for Ranbir on her Twitter page.

Deepika wrote, "Happy Birthday RK!! Wishing u loads of happiness & success...and good luck with AA...:-)" She's talking about 'Anjaana Anjaani' of course, which releases this weekend.

Cool of Deepika for sure, but we wonder why she chose Twitter as the medium when Ranbir doesn't have a Twitter account! So was this more about just sending a message to everyone that she is happy and happy enough to be happy for her ex? Seems like it, doesn't it?

At Mehboob Studios...

Shah Rukh Khan at a photoshoot for the suiting brand he endorses.

Deepika Padukone shooting for Break Ke Baad.

Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor at a promotional event for We Are Family

Deepika's holiday plans revealed

All work and no family vacation for about three years can put anyone in a funk. So we can understand how excited Deepika Padukone is to be going on her first proper holiday with her family since 2007.

We hear that Deepika, her parents Prakash and Ujjala are in South East Asia now for a fun family break. Deepi flew out soon after she finished shooting for her movie 'Break Ke Baad' with Imran Khan.

The star plans to make the most of her time off, and go parasailing and jet skiing. And we imagine there'll be some shopping too! Whatever it takes to make up for these three years without a break!

Deepika's losing her RK tattoo

Deepika Padukone has a new man in her life, and she's finally decided to lose the prominent reminder of her ex she was carrying around. Looks like being in a happy place with Siddharth Mallya has led to Deepi's decision to finally do away with her RK tattoo. She will be undergoing laser surgery to get rid of the tattoo on the nape of her neck, which she got when she was in a relationship with Ranbir.

The tattoo of course would show up everytime Deepika tied up her hair and wore something with a low back. And since her relationship with Ranbir ended, the tat has probably just been a painful reminder of the past for Deepika. Now that she's decided to permanently lose it, it's a sure sign she's moved on.

Is it Kareena?

Who has been cast opposite Salman Khan in Atul Agnihotri's remake of the South flick Bodyguard? A source close to Kareena Kapoor insists that it is the actress!

There was buzz that Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone too had been approached for the project being directed by Siddique, who called the shots in the original flick.

But the casting depended on the availability of Sallu's dates. So whichever actress could give the dates to match Khan could be part of the film.

Titled My Love Story, it is slated to release during Eid next year. It will be Sallu's third Eid release after Wanted in 2009 and Dabangg this year.

Pssst ¦ After Dabangg, Salman Khan is hot property and even those who had issues with him now want to star with him. Kareena had problems with the star during Main Aurr Mrs Khanna.

Saif's girl has let bygones be bygones to work again with the much-in-demand Sallu. Wonder what her RA.One co-star Shah Rukh Khan has to say to this?

Spotted: Deepika Padukone and Neil Nitin Mukesh

Deepika Padukone and Neil Nitin Mukesh at a promotional event for Lafangey Parindey at a suburban mall.

Neela Devi, Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore at a screening of An Evening In Paris held over the weekend. The 1967 film starred Sharmila and Shammi.

'Lafangey Parindey' fails to fly high

Deepika-Neil movie managed opening day box office collections of just Rs 3.5 crores

The title of the movie might be as crisp, but the Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone starrer 'Lafangey Parindey" was not crunchy enough to attract the audiences to theatres.

"The business of 'Lafangey Parindey' was nothing great. It was below expectations as the movie could manage only 50 percent occupancy over the weekend on an average," Amit Awasthi, senior manager (Programming and Operations) of Spice Cinemas, said.

"The content was appreciated, but it couldn't gather hype because of the star cast. We are hoping it stretches till the second weekend," he added.

'Lafangey Parindey' opening day's collection was approximately Rs.35 million (Rs.3.5 crore) across India. According to estimates, the movie's opening weekend net collections should be in the range of Rs.100-Rs.110 million, reports businessofcinema.com. Aamir Khan Productions' 'Peepli Live', that was made at a budget of Rs.100 million has earned about Rs.210 million in its first week at the Indian box office.

Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas said: "'Lafangey Parindey' is over as far as business is concerned. It could manage an occupancy of only 30-40 percent over the weekend. Though the content was OK, it had no buzz."

Produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF), directed by Pradeep Sarkar, the story revolves around a street fighter Nandu (Neil), who can combat blindfolded and a visually challenged Pinky Palkar (Deepika) who can dance on skates.

While Deepika's performance in the movie has won her appreciation, it has proved a disappointment for Neil, whose last release 'Jail' too bombed at the box office.

"The movie has been average with only 30 percent occupancy over the weekend. It wasn't appreciated that much and now we have no hopes for it," said a source from PVR cinemas.

Amit Shah, chief manager (programming) of DLF DT cinemas, however, blamed the incessant rains for low footfalls.

"The weekend was not at all good. Despite a pretty OK content, the rains played spoilsport in New Delhi for footfalls. People just didn't come out of their houses to watch a movie. We got only 30-35 percent occupancy over the weekend," said Shah.

"Considering tomorrow (Tuesday, August 24) is Raksha Bandhan, hope it gets some footfalls but otherwise now there is no scope for the movie picking up," he added.

Deepak Taluja, senior vice president (business and operations) of Fun Cinemas, said: "The weekend business was lukewarm. The occupancy was 30-35 percent. The content was OK but not very highly appreciable. Though weekdays now look slightly down, it looks positive for the next week as there are no big releases as such."

Deepika Padukone reveals her 'extreme ambitions'

She is young and raring to go. Deepika Padukone says she is hardly content with what she does and even though she has managed seven films in her three-year-old Bollywood career, she wants a lot more.

"I live life on my own terms. I have certain goals that I have set for myself, I want to achieve those goals and I expect a lot from myself. I'm extremely ambitious and I will not stop for anything or anybody. I am a go-getter and I am very rarely satisfied with what I do," Deepika said.

The 24-year-old, who was at the Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM studio in new Delhi to promote her film 'Lafangey Parindey', says she may have achieved a lot of success in no time, but it motivates her to continue doing good work.

"It is still the beginning for me. I have just done around seven films. So there is a lot more that I want to do, a lot more films, work with a lot of directors, give a lot of hit films and get hit songs to my credit which I can perform to later. I know I have come a long way from where I started, but still I have a lot to achieve," she said.

Deepika, the daughter of legendary badminton ace Prakash Padukone, stepped into showbiz as a model and started her movie career with the Kannada movie 'Aishwarya' in 2006, after which she made a dream debut in Bollywood opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Farah Khan's 'Om Shanti Om'.

She followed up the success of her first film with 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', 'Love Aaj Kal' and 'Housefull'.

She is seen as a blind woman in her just released 'Lafangey Parindey'.

"What the film is going to do for me professionally, I will have to see after it releases and stays in theatres for a while. For now, the only thing I know is that it has been the most challenging film for me physically, mentally and emotionally," said Deepika who plays Pinky, a visually challenged girl with an ability to dance on skates.

Up next after this Pradeep Sarkar film will be a tough phase for Deepika as two of her awaited projects - Danish Aslam's romantic comedy 'Break Ke Baad' and Ashutosh Gowariker's period drama 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' - will release at a space of one week.

"My next film is 'Break Ke Baad' with Imran Khan. It will release in the last week of November, and exactly a week after that, it will be time for 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' on Dec 3...tough time"," said Deepika.

Her 'Break Ke Baad' is a romantic comedy while in 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey', Deepika will portray the role of revolutionary activist Kalpana Dutta, who took part in the Chittagong uproar for Indian independence in the 1930s.

The film is said to be based on the book 'Do And Die' by Manini Chatterjee, the daughter-in-law of Kalpana Dutta, and Deepika will sport a sari-clad, non-glamorous look in the film.

MOVIE REVIEW: Lafangey Parindey

Sometimes, your reputation precedes you. Pradeep Sarkar carries the reputation of making women-centric movies. Films like PARINEETA and LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG prove it. Who would've ever thought Sarkar would do a 360 degree turn in his third film by calling it LAFANGEY PARINDEY, set it in a chawl and make his characters speak tapori lingo? Hard to digest, isn't it? Frankly, the skilled storyteller takes you on a trip least expected from him.

When you attempt something you haven't attempted earlier or ventured into before, you either fall flat on your face or walk with your chin up in air. Sarkar doesn't slip, although LAFANGEY PARINDEY does have its share of hiccups that show up intermittently. Unlike PARINEETA and LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG, Sarkar narrates a simple story this time around and though it has nothing to do with the Rajesh Khanna - Mumtaz - Meena Kumari starrer DUSHMUN, you can't help but draw parallels with it, which, frankly, could be a coincidence as well. Yet, to be fair to Sarkar, he ventures in an unknown territory like a seasoned player.

On the flipside, the film has a major flaw and that dilutes the impact to an extent: Casting Neil Nitin Mukesh as a tapori. He just doesn't look like one. Even if he tries very hard to get into the skin of the character, you just can't connect with him since the suave and dashing demeanor makes him look like a Harvard returned, not someone from the streets or wadis of Mumbai definitely.

Final word? Sure, it has its share of shortcomings, but is an engaging watch nonethess.

LAFANGEY PARINDEY is about a group of youngsters living in the backstreets of Mumbai. It is the love story of Nandu [Neil Nitin Mukesh] and Pinky [Deepika Padukone].

One-Shot Nandu takes boxing to a new level by knocking down his opponents - blindfolded. Needless to say, One-Shot lives life on his own terms and is a local hero amongst his friends. But all that changes when he meets Pinky.

Pinky works at a mall, but is a kickass dancer on skates. Strong-headed, talented and fiercely ambitious, she aspires to rise above all the 'losers' living in her locality and carve a niche for herself. Two different personalities. Two different lives. Destined to meet.

LAFANGEY PARINDEY starts with gusto! Also, it moves on a singular path, without diversifying into unwanted sub-plots and superfluous characters. In fact, the story takes off at the commencement of the film itself and how Neil and Deepika's lives get intertwined makes for interesting viewing.

The film has some truly engaging moments and most of them are in its first hour. Sequences between Neil and Deepika after the accident are wonderful and keep you hooked. However, things begin to slacken in the post-interval portions, when the love story takes over and Neil and Deepika realize that they share a deeper bond. Just when things are about to go downhill, the climax happens and LAFANGEY PARINDEY is back on track. In fact, the drama in the finale - when Deepika and Neil have to perform the final act for a television show - is the highpoint of this film. The skating sequences and choreography are stunning and awe-inspiring.

Blemishes? Oh yes! The love story is conventional and dreary. Also, the investigating officer's track is half-baked and looks like an add-on. Besides, the film is embellished with a mediocre musical score [R. Anandh]. Also, the Bambaiya Hindi has its limitations.

Like I pointed out earlier, Neil is the wrong choice for this part. Also, he lacks the fire to carry off the role with flourish. LAFANGEY PARINDEY clearly belongs to Deepika Padukone, who suits the character and enacts it with such competence that it leaves you amazed. The pretty lass is only getting better with every film. Piyush Mishra is first-rate. Kay Kay Menon is okay in a brief role. The friends, each them, leave a mark. Especially Namit Das, who's wonderful. Shiamak Davar, Juhi Chawla and Javed Jafferi feature in brief roles.

On the whole, LAFANGEY PARINDEY may be predictable, but is engaging and entertaining nonetheless. A decent watch!

RATING: 3/5

Deepika spotted in same outfit twice

Deepika Padukone wore the same outfit to promote Lafangey Parindey on the show Chhote Ustaad that she did when promoting Karthik Calling Karthik earlier this year on Music Ka Maha Muqqabla.

Looks like this outfit is reserved for movie promotions on the small screen.

A youngster dared to pop the question to Deepika Padukone at a mall in New Delhi where she was promoting her film Lafangey Parindey.

The youth went down on his knees and asked, "Will you marry me?" The actress, who was accompanied by co-star Neil Nitin Mukesh, was quick to respond, "I am not ready for marriage yet."

But the youth wasn't willing to give up easily. "But I am ready for you," he said. Dippy took it in her stride and laughed it off.

Fan proposing to Deepika Padukone

Deepika said ‘No’ with a laugh..Maybe the guy should dress better next time..

What made Deepika and Sonakshi cry?

Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha were moved to tears on the sets of Star Plus' singing reality show 'Chhote Ustaad' after listening to heartwarming songs.

When Deepika visited the sets of the show for the promotion of her upcoming release 'Lafange Parindey', she asked singer, judge Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to sing a few lines of 'Main jahaan rahun'. After hearing the song, Deepika got emotional.

When Sonakshi came with her parents Poonam and Shatrughan Sinha on the parents special episode of the show, Rishab, a contestant from Amritsar got her emotional by singing the emotional number 'Maa' from 'Taare Zameen Par'.

As it happened, Sonakshi, who will be seen in 'Dabangg', broke down. She said she had fought with her mother in the morning and the soulful rendition by the young boy made her forget everything and she gave her mother a tight hug.

'Chhote Ustaad' airs every Saturday-Sunday.

Deepika's a role-shifter

Deepika Padukone will be seen in two back-to-back films - as the free-spirited Aaliya in one and as the intense Kalpana in the other. The actress revealed that shifting roles was quite challenging for her.

"I did 'Break Ke Baad' and 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' immediately one after the other. So I think it was very challenging for me in terms of my mind space to shift from the character in a romantic modern-day love story to the one in a period film," Deepika said.

'Break Ke Baad', also starring Imran Khan, has been directed by Danish Aslam and produced by Kunal Kohli. It is the love story of a young couple who break up and try to come back together and will hit the screens Nov 26.

'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey', helmed by Ashutosh Gowarikar, is a period film set in the Chittagong of British India. It revolves around a series of attacks that took place on a single night April 18, 1930, and its aftermath. The film, based on Manini Chatterjee's book, stars Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika in the lead. The film releases Dec 3.

While the characters of both the films are quite diverse on the face of it, the 24-year-old actress revealed that their core characteristics were pretty similar, which is why she relates to both of them.

"Even though one film is a period film and the other is a modern day relationship story, both the characters - Aaliya and Kalpana - are very strong, independent women. They are girls who have their own set of ideals, girls who want to be independent; so in that way I have identified with both characters," she said.

Asked about the apparent similarity between her characters in 'Break Ke Baad' and in her earlier 'Love Aaj Kal', the actress said: "People feel that the films are similar, but that's probably because both the films are love stories. Just because the genre is the same doesn't mean that films are similar."

"In fact Meera's character from 'Love Aaj Kal' and Aliya's character in 'Break Ke Baad' are completely different. Meera was a more mature, understanding girl, who understood relationships, she liked the idea of being in love, whereas Aliya is the complete opposite.

"She believes that if you are in a relationship, it doesn't mean you have to get married. She doesn't believe that a couple have to live together and certain things like that. Her way of thinking about a relationship is very different. She is also very immature sometimes when it comes to relationships," she added.

Finally when asked about her experience of working with a debut director, the actress said: "Danish is a fantastic director; I think he is extremely talented and I'm not just saying this because I am working with him, but I think part of the reason for me to say yes to this film is because he came across as someone very confident, in spite of being a first time director."

Deepika Padukone gets a marriage proposal

It wasn't the perfect setting for a romantic proposal, but a young Delhi boy dared to pop the question to Deepika Padukone when she came to a mall in Delhi to promote her film 'Lafangey Parindey'.

The youth went down on his knees, looked at the Bollywood beauty and asked: "Will you marry me?"

Deepika, who was accompanied by her co-star Neil Nitin Mukesh, seemed baffled by the sudden, unexpected proposal. But she was quick to respond.

"I am not ready for marriage yet," replied Deepika.

But the youth wasn't willing to give up so easily.

"But I am ready for you," he said.

Deepika, who is rumoured to be dating liquor baron Vijay Mallya's son Siddharth, brushed the whole incident with a laugh.

Both the actors were in a fun mood and mingled with the huge crowd that had gathered in the south Delhi mall to catch a glimpse of the stars at the event organised by DT Cinemas.

Neil's father, singer Nitin Mukesh, was present at the event and he sang his father Mukesh's evergreen song 'Kisiki muskurahaton pe...' for the crowd.

Even Neil and Deepika gave in to the requests of their fans by doing a casual dance to 'Dhatad tatad', a popular song from 'Lafangey Parindey', which releases Friday.

The film will have Neil playing a boxer who fights blindfolded, and Deepika will be seen as a visually challenged girl who can dance on skates.

Sidhartha Mallya spotted with Deepika at India International Jewellery Week - Photos

Deepika, Siddharth and her RK tattoo

Deepika Padukone and the new man in her life Siddharth Mallya are at it again - making joint appearances at hi-profile events that is. The latest was last night (August 15) at the India International Jewellery Week. Deepika was walking the ramp for Farah Khan Ali, and she walked in with Siddharth, who was also in the front row during the show, cheering for her.

When asked about Siddharth's presence and the reason for his cheering for her, Deepika diplomatically answered: "There were many others in the audience cheering for me too, so why should I talk about just one person?"

Deepi looked stunning in a lehenga choli, which also showed off her RK tattoo that she got back in the days when she was seeing Ranbir Kapoor. And Siddharth was walking right behind her, so we're sure he's been getting a good view of it too.

So what's Deepika going to do about this reminder of her past? Could it be that it doesn't bother her or Siddharth? More power to them, if that's the case. If not, a little laser work might be on the cards to get rid of the tattoo permanently.

And when Deepika does get ready to talk about Siddharth, we're hoping she won't come up with the good old (and boring) 'We're just good friends' spiel. Their body language tells a whole other story, just check it out in these pics.

But Deepika's not ready to spill yet. In fact, she says she's single and adds that she has no plans to get hitched anytime soon.

"I'm single and I really don't know when I will get married. You don't plan these things. They just happen to you. As it is, I've been in the industry since just two years. I'm quite new, I want to concentrate on my work first," she said.

So she agrees that these things aren't planned. And we just might have a different answer from Deepi soon.

Deepika's got blind confidence

Deepika Padukone is playing a blind girl in 'Lafangey Parindey' and it instantly reminds one of Rani Mukherji's performance in 'Black'(2005) and Kajol's in 'Fanaa'(2006), but the actress maintains that she didn't let either of them influence her character.

"I have seen Rani in 'Black' and Kajol in 'Fanaa', but I didn't see them before my own performance because I didn't want to be influence by anyone else's performance. I wanted my own take on what suits my character," Deepika said at a press meet.

"I have spend a lot of time with blind people and that helped me a lot," she added.

For the press meet, the set of Tilak Wadi, a fictitious place in Mumbai shown in 'Lafangey Parindey', was made in the studio and Neil Nitin Mukesh, Deepika along with a few other actors did a small act to give a feel of the film.

Singer Shail Hada, Suraj Jagan and Shilpa Rao sang songs from the film and it was complemented with dance performance.

"I doubt if ever I have promoted any of my film like this. Another thing is I for the first time I interacted with my audience and fans at such an extent," said Neil.

Kat, Deepika book Ranbir!

Mumbai temperatures in July 2011 will dip to an all-time low.

Three of Bollywood's hottest girls — Katrina Kaif (the leader of the brigade), Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone — are likely to accompany Bollywood's young box office Prince, Ranbir Kapoor, on a world tour.

In the last couple of years, Ranbir's popularity in the overseas market has risen to several degrees. Trade analyst Amod Mehra confirms that, "Prakash Jha's Raajneeti did such good business abroad only because of Ranbir and Katrina. He is a huge draw with the NRIs."

Even unknown to most people, Rishi Kapoor has been getting offers for a world tour featuring his superstar son for the last couple of years. However, Rishi has steered clear of temptation and didn't want Ranbir to travel on a world concert till such time as the young actor has enough chartbusters to bring the concert venues down!

It is being suggested that the world tour is scheduled for July 2011 because it can then feature the chartbusters from several Ranbir films including Bachna Aye Haseeno, Wake Up Sid, Anjaana Anjaani and even Imtiaz Ali's Rock Star. It is said that the organisers want the Kapoor scion to be accompanied on this tour by his leading ladies Katrina, Priyanka and Deepika.

A source from overseas says, "Such is the craze for Ranbir and his teen deviyaan show that the non-resident Indians are already making enquiries about it."

Siddharth's plans for Deepika

New lovebirds Deepika Padukone and Siddharth Mallya can't seem to get enough of each other.

A source close to the two reveals that Mallya Jr plans to hold a special trial of Deepika's upcoming release Lafangey Parindey for his close friends.

While Yash Raj Films doesn't allow screening of their films before the release week, Sid has been trying to use his special powers to see if he can work his way around. We are sure Deepika must be loving all the attention!