|
22 May 2010 - 28 May 2010
people on our mind
Why Salma Changed Her Name

Finally, the ‘go-to’ reason for successful, powerful women to change their names post marriage without getting into trouble with the femi-nazis. Blame the kids. Salma Hayek did. She’s now changing call signs to Salma Pinault-Hayek or Salma Hayek-Pinault, apparently because her two-year-daughter Valentina asked her to. Hayek had married French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault last year but had retained her maiden name because of her acting career and possibly because her daughter was too young to be blamed for the change. Hayek told a magazine that her daughter, while attending a shoot, wondered why mommy’s chair was labelled ‘Salma Hayek’. The two-year-old asked, “Why not Pinault?” Doting mom that she is, Hayek complied. Plus, it helps that double barrel names are the flavour of the season.

▪

Coo My Way, or the Highway

It may be Aishwarya Rai who was nicknamed the original ice queen, but Kareena Kapoor knows how to hand it in spades too. Madam Kapoor has a reputation for sending out icy vibes to those who profess admiration of her rivals—be it Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif. And even kiddy fans aren’t spared. We recently heard this little nugget about how Bebo reacted when a cherubic child actor on the sets of the Stepmom remake told her that she was a Priyanka Chopra fan. Kareena smiled sweetly in reply and patted the little girl’s head. She then walked ahead of the child actor and muttered to a friend, “Well, she’s going to get the silent treatment from now on!”

▪

Acting Professional

The saga between ex-lovers Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor goes on, especially with news now that their film Milenge Milenge is up for release. The Satish Kaushik-directed film has been stuck in the cans for nearly four years now. But now that producer Boney Kapoor plans to release it, Shahid and Bebo have been making all the right noises. The exes say they’re happy to promote and give joint interviews. All hogwash, bitches a ‘close friend’. With the two looking through each other at public events, it’s impossible for them to be in the same room together. “It’s just that one is trying to outdo the other in appearing professional,” says the pal.

▪

Twitter Award: Sonam Kapoor

And the Twitter award of the week goes to Sonam Kapoor, for putting on a cheery face even though she didn’t get to walk the red carpet at Cannes two years in a row. Not only did Aishwarya Rai beat her to it again, even Deepika Padukone made her leggy debut at the world’s most prestigious festival. Sonam, meanwhile, kept herself busy, flying to Vancouver for the shooting of Anees Bazmi’s Thank You and catching Iron Man 2 at the theatres. Going by her tweets, she’s ignoring the whole Cannes hullabaloo: 

»‘Getting ready to take a flight to Vancouver Canada. Away from home for the next forty days. Apparently, I need perspective according to my best friend about my life. I think distance makes me homesick and makes me realise I take my friends and family for granted.’ 

»‘Vancouver is beautiful and the people are so so friendly. Had Greek food for lunch today.’

»‘I love robert downey, i love iron man, i love gwens heels, hate scarlets hair and loved her moves.’

▪

John’s Self Assurance

John Abraham hasn’t had much luck affixing eyes to screens since his passionate performance in last year’s New York. The star’s projects are either awaiting distributors or still to spool into the cans. Nagesh Kukunoor’s Aashayein has been searching for a distributor for two years. David Dhawan’s Hook Ya Crook was bailed out by producer UTV, while Abraham’s home production, to be directed by Sabal Shekhawat, had its financiers back out at the last minute. Even Dostana 2 has been postponed, as director Tarun Mansukhani is still tinkering with the script. If Abraham has still been looking confident lately, it may have something to do with Abbas Tyrewala’s 1-800-Love, due soon.

▪

|
22 May 2010 - 28 May 2010