Katrina Kaif was really very Upset!

For Siddharth Anand directing his childhood chum Ranbir Kapoor was an inevitability. Not only are their parents close friends Ranbir and Siddharth grew up together. “We had no choice but to be friends,” jokes Anand.

In fact the two had made a pact that they would start their careers together. But then Siddharth got busy with his two back-to-back Saif starrers.

“Ranbir and I are like brothers. I know him from the time he was born.I’m shocked by Ranbir’s expertise in front of the camera. In my film he’ll be completely different from the way he was in Saawariya.

Ranbir is full tayyaar on the sets. Superb energy and a great dancer, ” Anand exulted just before the crew left for a 50-day shoot of his Ranbir starrer Bachna Ae Haseenon all over Europe.

So how does it feel to be making his third romantic comedy? Anand corrects me. “Salaam Namaste was a romantic comedy. But Tara Rum Pum was a family drama. I never executed it as a romantic comedy. …It didn’t do as well.

Probably my concept of poverty, not getting good food, didn’t jell with the audience. That was my interpretation of poverty because I’m a foodie and not getting great food is the biggest deprivation for me. I need good food to keep me happy healthy and fat.

Anyway people have been catching up on it belatedly on the cable and dvd. I was happy the producers didn’t lose money. Bachna Ae Haseenon is again a romantic comedy. It feel it stretches the genre.”

His film releases on 15 August. “I just saw my poster with the date and my hands went cold.”

The director feel there’s an instant connectivity with the audience through the title. “And it’s not just because Rishi Uncle sang the words Bachna ae haseenon. Anyone who’ll see my film will know it’s the most apt title. However Ranbir being in the film the title does acquire an added dimension.”

Interestingly Sid Anand decided to knock off one whole portion of the plot thereby knocking Katrina Kaif out of vision.

“And only because it was getting too long. If we had kept Katrina’s portion Bachna Ae Haseenon would’ve been one of the longest films in the history of Hindi cinema….much much beyond three hours.”

Siddharth admits it wasn’t easy breaking the news to Katrina. “Nobody had the heart to break the news to her. When she heard she was out Katrina was really upset. But what to do?

In fact Katrina’s track was one of our favourites. But she saw our point of view when she saw the film. The only reason we dropped her track was because it hadn’t been shot.

Otherwise she’s the biggest star we’ve in our film. Katrina has had only one flop in her entire career. Dropping her track upset all of us.”

Siddharth feels Yashraj Films is like a second home for him. “I’ve been part of the the banner for ten years. I started by assisting on Mujhse Dosti Karogi.” He now plans to make a film for Sajid Nadiadwala.

Stars, Siddharth admits, bring in the audience. “But I think a film like Taare Zameen Par would’ve worked even without Aamir. We’ve some supremely talented actors like Irrfan Khan and Kay Kay Menon. Hopefully I’ll be working with them soon.”

Provided Ranbir and Saif let him.

Skin show helps others not Mallika!

Bollywood femme fatal Mallika Sherawat may have made her list of aasiques long with a fan following consisting from directors, producers and crazy-going audience, but her banging luck still couldn’t open the door of biggies of Bollywood.

And hyping jealousy enough, the almost unknown face of the recent flop Red Swastick, Sherlyn Chopra, has managed her alley to the Yash Raj films just after a sizzling appearance in the music album Outrageous.

Mallika may have worked with top actors of Bollywood such as Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Rekha, Dharmendra and many like them but working under real big banners has always been dreams of most of the industry people. And Mallika, being a beautiful part of the industry, may not be very different from others.

Well, whatever be the fact or fiction, fans of this bomb-shell have something to cheer for as the actress would soon be seen portraying different characters in her upcoming films.

Mallika is reliving the character of Anarakali in Sanjay Chel’s Maan Gaye Mughle Azam. On the other hand Mallika would be seen opposite Ranveer Shourey in Pritish Nandi’s comic chapter Agli Aur Pagli.

Apart from these the actress is also working in Ravi Walia’s Fauj Mein Mauj and Kamal Hassan’s Southee flick Dashavataram where she is portraying the character of an I A agent.

Only time would tell whether these films would help Mallika in making an impression to help in grabbing big banners or not.

If she succeeds in it, then the next question will arise as whether she will be able to maintain a good rapport with the biggies.

Since, we all are aware the kind of bitter relationship she shares with Mahesh Bhatt who bestowed her with Murder, the biggest hit in Mallika’s career.

I was not flirting with Shahid: Jiah

Jiah Khan has shot for two days for Ken Ghosh. And now she hears from the press that she’s out of the film!

Bollywood plays strange games with those who aren’t familiar with it.

Take Jiah Khan. She made a spectacular debut with an author-backed role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Nishabd.

After that…nothing! Until Aamir Khan green-lighted her for a role in Ghajini.

Then suddenly everything started to fall in place. …Or so it seemed. Until strange stories about Jiah’s conduct have surfaced.

Apparently she was shown the door in Ken Ghosh’s new film with Shahid Kapoor. There was just one small problem.

Jiah wsn’t informed about it.

She appears shocked by tales of her ouster. “I’ve already shot for two days for the untitled film with Shahid. After that there were scheduling issues.

My dates for Ken’s film were clashing with Aamir and Ghajini. I couldn’t possibly let the Aamir project suffer at any cost. It’s my chance to create the impact that I couldn’t, for some weird reasons, create after Nishabd.”

Now Jiah is in fact all set to shoot for Ken’s film. “I’ve already given my dates for Ken’s shooting. No one has so far informed me that I’m not in the film. So it’d be right for me to presume the project remains as it is.”

As for talk of her over-friendly messages to Shahid Jiah protests, “I’ve just sent him a couple of formal messages saying how much I’m looking forward to working with him. Is that wrong?” she asks with touching tenativeness.

She then whispers. “I’m new to all this. I keep to myself and I’ve no idea what people do in this industry. I am here only to work.”

Jiah will have learn the hard way that PR skills are as important as professionalism.

In the meanwhile director Ken Ghosh suddenly surfaced to say Jiah was back in the project. “I wouldn’t like to say much on the matter.I’ll let my producers UTV clear all the misunderstanding.

But Jiah is very much in the project…This isn’t to say that I don’t want to work with Katrina. Of course I do. Look how hot she’s at the boxoffice! We’ll work together some other time. It’s a small industry.”

But how could Katrina be eligible for a role earmarked for Jiah??!!

“Why not?” Ken shoots back. ‘Didn’t Mr Bachchan do Zanjeer in place of Dev Anand? And didn’t Mr Bachchan say yes to Deewaar after Rajesh Khanna opted? These things happen all the time. Like I said it’s a small world.”

Oh Yes, I find Dhoni super-hot!!!

M.S. Dhoni…. and Hot? The Bollywood ladies sweat it out.

Bipasha Basu: “Dhoni is great at his job. And he’s a good ambassador for our country. He’s always well groomed and speaks well. I find him soft-spoken and charming. And I don’t think he uses his popularity for the wrong reasons.

Esha Deol: “Yup, I’d say Dhoni is terrific….And he conducts himself with plenty of dignity. Right now I think he’s at his best…physically fit and raring to go. I’d say he’s the best sportsman in our country today.”

Nandana Sen: “Dhoni has great focus, speaks his mind freely. And although he’s super-talented, he talks like a very regular guy…I find normalcy in superstars very attractive.”

Raima Sen: “Cricketers have always been more popular than stars. I feel Dhoni’s main charm lies in the fact that he’s become the captain of the Indian cricket team at such a young age.

And then he brought the Cup home. That did the trick. Success is the greatest aphrodisiac. It sure has added sex appeal to Dhoni’s personality. And let’s not forget his hip hairstyle.Wow!

Minissha Lamba: “In any industry, whether it is cinema or cricket, we need to focus on people’s achievements rather than wonder how far their sex appeal goes. Success is sexy. And everyone has the right to look his best.

But physical beauty shouldn’t be allowed to eclipse the value of his real personality. Or the fact that he has put the country on the international sports map.

Kangana Ranaut: “I think Dhoni is hot enough to give any of our studs from Bollywod a run for their money. And since Dhoni can run faster than any of them, he has an extra edge. Of course I find him hot. Which normal hot-blooded girl wouldn’t find him wow?

Nisha Kothari: “I like Dhoni because he plays very well. That gives him immense sex appeal.

Divya Dutta: “Oh I find Dhoni very very hot, specially his passion for living on the edge, not playing safe or getting tense while taking crucial decisions. He’s so full of energy.And he’s a fabulous cricketer. Of course the bare chest is the icing on the cake.

Gul Panag: “Dhoni? Ha! He’s a heady mix of good looks, success and power.”

Amrita Arora: “Yes he’s hot….but only as a player, please. His good personality teamed with being an excellent player make him a force to reckon with.”

Neetu Chandra: “Dhoni is a true team leader and he has proved it repeatedly. He displays a sense of responsibility and a great maturity in taking decisions on his team’s behalf, I really appreciate these qualities in a sportsman.”

Mona Singh: “I find Dhoni super-hot. He not only looks good but plays a damn well. And he’s super- captain.

Sophie Choudhary: “Dhoni has an inherent quality which makes him stand apart from the crowd. Put him among 12 people, and he stands out. And it’s not about looks….It’s about….Je ne sais quoi…the X factor…

It ‘IT’ thing……He reminds me of a lion. He’s cool and calm and yet full of fire and passion. No wonder he’s so appealing to the women. I find him vibrant, inspirational, talented and exciting. What a killer mixture!”

Perizad Zorabian: “The fact that Dhoni comes from a small town and has beat all odds to make it, makes him very sexy. He comes across as determined, calm, confident and no-nonsense. He takes pride in who he is. These qualities make Dhoni stand apart in a world of self-promoting wannabes.”

Celina Jaitley: “I’ve grown up in an army man’s home. I like men in uniform.”

And what about working with S.Sreesanth? Bollywood’s Ladies Respond…

Celina Jaitley: “Sure, why wouldn’t I work with him? One never knows where a star can appear from. “

Nandana Sen: “Is Sreesanth really doing a film? If he plays his character as well as he plays cricket, why wouldn’t I want to be paired with him?

Malaika Arora: “Does the Sreesanth film also star Mammoothy? Then, I’d rather co-star with Mammmoothy in the film”

Mona Singh: “Sorry my debut has to be only with Ranbir Kapoor.

Amrita Arora: “I’m a Malyaleee so why not?”

Gul Panag: “Sorry. But I’m foggy about who Sreesanth is. Does he play cricket?”

Neetu Chandra: “No I don’t want to work with Sreesanth. I’d rather see him concentrate on cricket and win laurels for India than join movies. I appreciate him for being one of the best cricketers and our team needs him. Nope, I think he should stick to what he knows best.”

Kangana: “Me and Sreesanth? Why not? Bollywood has a long history of actresses pairing with cricketers. I think it started with Salim Durrani and Parveen Babi (in B.R Ishara’s Charitra).

Then Debashree Roy worked with Sandeep Patil, Reena Roy with Mohsin Khan…Who knows, Sreesanth could be as good as an actor as a cricketer.”

Who’s this Isabel in Sallu’s life now

Isabel, a young starlet from the United Kingdom, is bent upon gatecrashing into Bollywood. But why is Salman Khan equally bent upon helping her out?

It would be natural for anyone maybe, not only for Salman, to play godfather to a sexy young thing especially if she has a striking resemblance to his steady Katrina (remember how he cast Sneha Ullal, an Aishwarya Rai look-alike, in Lucky?). What’s more, Isabel even shares Katrina’s surname, Kaif!

Well, she would share the surname, but not Katrina’s boyfriend Salman. That’s because she is one of the seven Kaif sisters, and Katrina happens to be one of them!

Isabel Kaif is Katrina’s kid sister, and has been seen in the background of recent Katrina photographs at various events. A sureshot signal of things to come, especiall pretty young things.

Salman Khan’s Veer, whose story is credited to Salman, will commence shooting in August and director Anil Sharma is busy polishing off the dialogues at the moment.

Meanwhile, the buzz is that Isabel Kaif will be paired opposite Sallu Bhai! Salman has always been strongly bonded with his siblings, and they have all been one for all, and all for one.

Arbaaz and Sohail have produced and acted in films sharing the Khan synergy, as in Hello Brother and Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya.

Earlier, he gave music director duo Sajid-Wajid great breaks, as also cousin- singer, Kamal Khan. Lately, Partner was a film made only to help Govinda out of his career crisis.

So, is it any wonder that the story writer and star of Veer has been rooting for Isabel as the leading lady, especially when it has come out into the open that Katrina herself has nudged and pushed Salman and Anil Sharma!

Veer is a period drama set in the years 1852 to 1900. Salman’s first period film looks like the perfect launch for her kid sister, feels Katrina. Officially however director Anil Sharma denies it all, calling it the usual rumour.

“I am working on the dialogues of the film. I am yet to finish some parts of the script. Once that is done then I will think about the casting.

All I can say at the moment is that Salman is in the main lead, but we are yet to finalise the leading lady,” said Sharma.

Reportedly, Priyanka Chopra who starred in Anil Sharma’s The Hero with Sunny Deol in her early career, has always wanted to be a part of all his films. Apparently, when she heard the story of Veer, she expressed her keenness to do the film.

Sharma denies this too. “No, it’s not true. As I said before, we are yet to finalise the leading lady,” he says. “I haven’t signed any actress opposite Salman yet.”

Sharma added that Salman gives major inputs in the script and dialogues though it’s only the story that is his. “Being the son of the famous writer, Salim Khan, Salman has a great story sense. He has a very good sense of humour too.”

Maybe it’s Sharma’s sense of humour too while denying all ‘rumours’. So, who will it be as leading lady opposite Salman Khan in Veer? We would put our money, all of it, on Isabel Kaif.

If it turns out it’s not she, but Priyanka or someone else, that would be a cruel joke by Sharma or Salman or both!

Rubbish! I have not starved myself

Kareena Kapoor’s next release is Yashraj Films’ Tashan this week. “We’ve all worked really hard on the film. Let’s hope it works. After Jab We Met another hit wouldn’t hurt.”

After Omkara Kareena is looking forward to another film with Saif after Omkara and Tashan.

“We’re doing Renzil d’Silva’s film together. But it’s very important to keep the personal and professional apart,” she says with a new-found wisdom. “Both Saif and I need to concentrate on our individial careers. No marriage for me for the next five years.”

She also cuts down any speculation regarding her sister Karisma’s comeback. “Where she will work? All her attention is taken up in looking after her daughter Samaira.

My niece is the apple of everyone’s eyes at home…Come to think of it, the letter ’s’ has always been important in my life,” she laughs, referring not just to her niece Samaira but also to Shahid and Saif.

Saif was recently in Bangkok shooting an ad with Priyanka Chopra.

Kareena who’s known to be possessive about her loved ones was blissfully at peace with herself.

“I’ve never been more comfortable in my space. And when I read stories about me I can’t recognize myself,” Kareena sighs.

It hard for us to recognize the new ultra-svelte Kareena. Post-Jab We Met she has lost so much weight there is a ceaseless spurt of speculative stories about her weight-loss.

“People are saying I want to be like Victoria Beckham. I think the talk started when Saif got himself tattooed with my name. David had done the same for Victoria.

So…But honestly, I’m proud of my sculpted body. It’s a look that I needed for my new film Tashan. But I haven’t starved myself to look the way I’m looking these days. Why should I want to be like anyone else?

I’ve done nothing drastic to myself. I do yoga religiously. And I’m eating like any healthy girl, thank you.”

She faints with amusement at anorexic stories about her. “It was written that I fainted on the sets because I’ve become weak. Utter rubbish! Kuch bhi likh dete hain. Have these people seen me in person?

I look no different from the way I looked earlier.I guess I’m just happy in life, and that shows. I haven’t lost weight. I’ve just toned my physique, and that too for a role. “

If Kareena is glowing, it isn’t just love. “I’ve right now entered the best phase of my career. Jab We Met has for sure been a turning point.”

Her desire to pair with Aamir is fulfilled. “It was a dream to work with Aamir. We recently came close to working together in two films (Vishal Bhardwaj’s Mr Mehta And Mrs Singh and Mani Rathnam’s Lajjo).

It’s finally happening. As for Rensil’s film it’s a stunning script. I’m doing something in it I’ve never done before”

Split, actually or just a gimmick?

Here’s another quake hitting bold and beautiful Bollywood. The made for each other couple, Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan, have separated and will be seeking talaq, going by the indisputable indications.

This comes soon after the stunning, overnight as it were, split between Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor, looked upon as the head-over-heels in love pair for quite some time.

While both Shahid and Kareena kept their counsel, Shahid rose in the esteem of his fans for playing the dignified lover being dumped after all those wild quotable quotes about their everlasting love and their tongue wrestling in a public place MMS.

Kareena, who is now looked upon as the coolest babe on Saif Ali Khan’s arm (and in his arms), fell for Saif during the outdoors of Tashan and the news plopped out just prior to the release of Shahid-Kareena’s only hit, Jab We Met.

Saif, just out of his torrid relationship with Italian bomb, Rozza Catalano, has gone through the pleasant agony of tatooing Kareena’s name on his arm, and Kareena is in the euphoric quoteable quote mode again as if nothing or Shahid ever happened only the other day!

Of course, true to showbiz type, both Saif and Kareena are also emphasising to everyone who cares to listen, that their career is on the upswing at the moment, and certainly they will marry, but don’t see that happening before another five years.

The emergency exit for another couple of Shahids and Rozzas to happen in the next five years.

On the surface, the Arbaaz Khan-Malaika Arora affair looked a lot more cool and dignified, and the eyebrow raising was because people couldn’t believe that what they were seeing was worth believing. They seemed to be too genuinely happily married to be true. And they lasted all of 10 years and a five-year-old son, Arhaan.

After his much touted acting debut in Daraar, where he played a debonair sunglassed villain, Arbaaz’s career never took off, despite the family film where all three Khan brothers played stellar roles, Hello Brother.

He managed two-and-a-half roles in the years since, but all of them rather insignificant. The last we saw him in was Apoorva Lakhia’s Shootout At Lokhandwala, starring Sanjay Dutt, in which he played a dashing cop, buit the film was not a commercial success either.

Malaika, on the other hand, was a high-profile model and hit the Bollywood jackpot by swivelling her hips with Shah Rukh Khan atop a moving train.

Dil Se’s Chhaiyaan Chhaiyaan made her a memorable item girl, and she made her sexual presence felt as a ‘love and agony aunt’ anchor on television and make cleaage and leg showing appearances at glitzy parties and inaugurals. Kaante’s Mahi ve and Welcome’s Hoth Rasiley, also added punch to her power as an item girl.

In a split-second appearance among a galaxy of Bollywood stars in Heyy Baby and Om Shanti Om, both the sisters Malaika and Amrita Arora are seen shaking their booty, along with Arbaaz!

When a television channel, Live India, broke the story late last night (April 16) and asked the couple separately about the divorce, Arbaaz and Malaika neither confirmed nor refuted the news, but their replies were loaded.

“It is my private life and I would not like to discuss it in public,” Arbaaz said, adding, “Life is uncertain and no one knows what will happen tomorrow.”

Malaika seemed to be pretty shaken and also asserted, weakly though, “It is too personal and I would like to keep quiet on this issue.” When reminded that keeping quiet on such issues indicates trouble, Malaika reiterated, “I believe silence is golden.”

The news comes as a surprise especially at a time when Malaika and Arbaaz are getting ready for their Kannada film together, Shaadi Ke Side Effects. The film, which is ironically about marriage and infidelity, casts Malaika in her first lead role.

It could just be a publicity gimmick for the film, but their reactions did not seem to indicate that. Even the Kareena-Shahid split was initially supposed to be a gimmick for pushing Jab We Met.

Arbaaz and Malaika’s 10-year-old marriage is to end, it can safely be concluded, unless there is a last minute reconciliation.

They have one son, Arhaan, from this marriage and people have always looked on in awe at the couple’s successful bonding despite a failed career of Arbaaz and Malaika always being the hot-bod model mom who even appeared in various stages of undress in Maxim recently, but with a total understanding between the couple.

Ten years of mutual respect between a high-profile couple is not usual in Bollywood or showbiz. That is why this comes as a shocker, coming as it is without any runway clues.

The news trickling in is that Arbaaz has found a new love with whom he is living secretly at a Bandra property. Even during the Shahid-Kareena affair, there were rumours of the goody-goody Shahid having been seen with co-star Amrita Rao too many times.

Kareena is supposed to have spit fire and doused any flame waiting to break out. But here, Arbaaz has actually separated from Malaika, his wife since 1997 and mother to five-year old Arhaan, two weeks ago.

A friend of Malaika has told the media, “Malaika and Arbaaz have stopped communicating with each other completely. She is not even aware where Arbaaz is.”

Arbaaz, on the split and a rumoured second marriage, says, “I don’t want to comment on my personal life or on Malaika. Why is the press so impatient? They will know whether I’m remarrying or not in due time. I will probably talk about it soon. At this moment I don’t want to say anything further.”

Goodbye Kareena, Enter Priyanka!!!

Shelving plans of making a bio-pic on the life of the Bollywood stunt queen Fearless Nadia, Vishal Bhardwaj has now embarked on another more contemporary cinematic journey.

After making a pain-lashed Shakespearean love story with Ajay Devgan and Kareena Kapoor, he has now moved on to Kareena’s ex-boyfriend Shahid Kapoor and her arch -rival Priyanka Chopra for a full-on feel-good love story.

However contrary to reports Vishal’s film is NOT a new version of Romeo & Juliet.

“People would love to see me complete my Shakespearean trilogy after Macbeth (Maqbool) and Hamlet (Omkara). But I’m not doing Romeo & Juliet,” says Vishal.

While Shahid is confirmed, Priyanka currently shooting in Miami for Tarun Mansukhani’s Dostana is still in talks. She is expected to give her nod when she returns to Mumbai in May.

For the boyish Shahid the shortage of leading ladies after Kareena’s departure acquires an interesting twist with co-stars as varied as Vidya Balan, Jiah Khan and now Priyanka Chopra coming up besides him in the

Shambhavi steps into films!!!

Shambhavi Sharma, a finalist on MTV’s reality show ‘Roadies’ who was known for her flirtatious and cunning ways, has now stepped into Bollywood with ‘The Little Godfather’. The film, being produced by Ekta Kapoor and Suniel Shetty, was offered to Shambhavi while she was featuring in the fifth edition of MTV ‘Roadies’, an adventure reality show. ‘I was offered the film during the second or third episode of ‘Roadies’ through MTV,’ Shambhavi told on phone from Mumbai. The 19-year-old law student was also selected to participate in the international leg of the show, but was voted out in its very first episode. So how did the ‘The Little Godfather’ come her way? ‘I was not expecting it at all, it just happened. I used to love facing the camera and now that I am doing it, I am very excited about it,’ she said. Asked about her character and co-actor in the film, Shambhavi said she could divulge any details. A self-confessed controversy queen, she feels she has become more confident after her stint in ‘Roadies’. ‘I used to be very shy before being a part of ‘Roadies’. But after that, my whole perspective towards life has changed and I have also become more expressive,’ she said. Shambhavi describes her experience in the show as ‘outstanding’. ”Roadies’ is an awesome show. I enjoyed each and every bit of it.’ She stole the limelight on the show for her conniving, forthright and flirtatious ways. She now proudly admits that it was her well-thought strategy. ‘I don’t gel very well with girls. So when I used to be with the boys, people started thinking wrong about me. Besides, yes, my scheming was a part of my strategy to survive in the show,’ she explained. When Shambhavi returned to Mumbai, she realised that she had become a popular figure. ‘When I came back, my friends and parents were very happy with the way I performed and people even started recognising me on the streets. I also signed a few autographs,’ she said excitedly.

Alisha warns: F…k you pay me

Ram Sampat’s 2-Crore Rupee victory over plagiarism. The entertainment industry reacts…

Alisha Chinai: “I absolutely agree with Ram Sampat’s action. Plagiarism is a way of life in Bollywood. They don’t play by rules.

They’re unethical and they rip off songs, copyrights and royalties of musicians and singers shamelessly If this continues the music industry will crash. My warning to Bollywood : f…k you, pay me!

A R Rahman: “No comments. But it’s high time everyone cleans up their act and people start getting fair to creative people.”

Mahesh Bhatt: “There’s always someone somewhere who’s smarter than you. This case is a wakeup call for Bollywood. The world has changed. We need to mend our ways. It will now be tougher for us to ’steal’ and not get caught.

Manish Acharya: “When I made Loins Of Punjab Presents….I got the copyrights for every single evergreen song that I used as part of the music contest.

Even the music companies were surprised when I sought permission even to use a 8-second clip. I don’t watch tv so I don’t know the merits of Ram’s case. Nor have I heard the Krazzy 4 songs.

But valuing the IPR is inevitable given the film industry’s growth strategy and influx of corporate money into Bollywood.

Subhash Ghai: “Though I’ve no right to comment on this case without knowing the inside story I must say, sometimes we mistake an inspired re-worked version of a song or film as our own original work of art without realizing the complications of copyright laws.

It’s no secret that we in this country have been adapting and re-working on music and movies completely ignorant of the laws. This case has warned us about the future.

However I’m sure Rajesh Roshan is talented enough not to pick on anyone’s work.

Kunal Ganjawala: “Some of us singers have been fighting an ongoing battle against discrimination in the film industry. Do you know we singers in the film industry are still legally known as ‘instruments’? Can you imagine Lataji and Ashaji are INSTRUMENTS?

We of the playback kingdom have been fighting such discrimination for as along as we can. Seen in that light Ram Sampat’s court victory is a big step ahead. I’ve known Ram for years, have worked with him.

He’s hugely talented and he doesn’t really care about doing music in films. He’s happy with his jingles and his ventures abroad including one with the European band INXS which he has just completed. Ram has opened up the discussion about the importance of musicians in Bollywood.

However the Roshans whom I’ve worked with in Krissh, are honourable people. I can bet my last song they’d never-ever do anything underhand. Apparently the cellphone company Sony-Ericsson has goofed up.

They sent the Roshans a clearance letter to use Ram Sampat’s tune and didn’t inform Ram. This isn’t done! How could a multi-national company be so irresponsible? I don’t understand this.

I must tell you, this isn’t the first time that a talented musician has been shortchanged by a cellphone company. Five years ago a composer named Rupert Fernandes was paid a pittance for a signature tune for Hutch which became their product’s international theme.

If musicians today are thinking and getting big money, I’d say about-time. But I still insist the Roshans aren’t capable of cheating anyone.

Pritam Chakbraborty: “I’ve often been accused of plagiarism, so I’m in a peculiar position as both a musician and an apparent offender. Both Ram Sampat and Rajesh Roshan are wonderful creative people. Ram is a great musician.

At the same time I’ve grown up listening to Rajesh Roshan’s tunes. In a way this judgement in Ram’s favour is a huge leap for the music industry. It strengthens the entertainment industry’s belief in the judiciary.

On the other hand, the timing of the accusation when the producer Rakesh Roshan’s film was on the verge of release and he had no option but to pay up, is unfortunate.

I’m sure nothing mattered more than the film’s release for the Roshans. However I’m happy as a musician because we aren’t paid proper royalty in this country. In the West musicians are treated decently.

Ours is a very disorganized entertainment industry and Ram Sampat has set a definite precedent. And my respect for the judiciary has gone up manifold. An underdog winning a case so speedily….wow!

However this precedent can be misused. Any composer can arm-twist a filmmaker at the last minute to pay up.To corner a filmmaker at the eleventh hour is unethical. It will encourage a lot of people to extract last-minute compensations from frantic producers. It isn’t easy to prove copyright infringement.

Even a fiercely original film like Chak De India was accused of plagiarism. I’m afraid I’ve a reputation for plagiarism and anyone can point a finger at me. Someone just the other day said my Race song is derived from U2. Not true!

Every song based on the same raga would sound similar. People say my Yeh ishq haye from Jab We Met is plagiarized. Not one note of it is pinched.

Scarily enough the Roshans tried to take proper permission from Sony-Ericsson. There was a mess-up. So their intentions were not wrong.