Informer

A birdie tells us that though Mattel Toys are in talks with Aishwarya Rai as the new choice for Barbie Dolls, nothing is finalised.

Genelia, not Ash as Barbie?

A birdie tells us that though Mattel Toys are in talks with Aishwarya Rai as the new choice for Barbie Dolls, nothing is finalised.

Sources state, "The company is interested in au00a0 younger actress. They plan to rope in Genelia D'souza.

They feel she is cute and the youth can relate to her as she is doll-like.

Ash has crossed a certain age and is all over the place. They are looking for an actress of today's generation."

Action time

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor were at the premiere of The International at Cinemax, Versova, on Wednesday night.

All eyes were on the twosome at the event which had the normal premiere attending names like Vinay Pathak, Pooja Bedi and telly stars. Kareena says, "We enjoyed the film.
Sriram Raghavan and Dinesh Vijan (Saif's partner) accompanied us.

Saif wanted to check out the action director's work in The International as we are looking for a foreign action guy for Saif's home production, Agent Vinod.

The shooting will take place in Russia, Turkey and Italy from August."

SCENT OF A MAN: Actor-turned-producer Anuj Saxena and beauty specialist Vandana Luthra at the launch of a male deodorant on Wednesday.

The Aloo Chaat producer wants men to smell good this summer!
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SMS drive

In the last few days, Rock On!! actor Purab Kohli had been SMSing everyone in his phone book telling them to see Raja Menon's Barah Aana.

We've heard of filmmakers and actors cribbing that even before their movies release, people dash out bad SMSes about their films.

So often we receive text messages revealing the suspense of a thriller. So it's a surprise to receive a message from an actor who is not even connected to the film.

Says Purab, "I saw Barah Aana and was bowled over by it. It's a straight simple story told very well.

I am not a part of the film but I had made my debut with Raja Menon's Bas Yun Hi," reveals Purab on his link.
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"This film tells you what good cinema should be like." Thanks for that revelation, Purab.

Reading their parts

After a long hiatus, we spotted Aamir Khan's ex biwi Reena at The Vagina Monologues show at the NCPA on Wednesday.

The play's 200th show had Imran Khan, Farhan and Zoya Akhtar doing the readings.

Imran's girlfriend stepped out in red shoes. Black and red are the colours used in the play as well.

Now will you say no to Leather? Raveena Tandon at the photo shoot for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) at Mehboob Studios on Thursday.

The actress is the latest to espouse the PETA cause.

A matter of honour

Milind Soman will be felicitated tomorrow by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) at the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Mandir Hall in Bandra.

There will also be a talent contest and fashion show where patients and their families will participate. Milind is the MSSI's brand ambassador.

He completed the full Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on January 18 this year and the MSSI is expressing their appreciation and honouring him for this achievement .

For a cause

Akshay Kumar has been roped in by The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's initiative, The Soldiers Of The Earth.

It aims to make children sensitive towards the environment.

Says the actor, "I have been working with TERI and IIFA to highlight the climate crisis. We are now launching a comic book to reach out to kids.

Through the book, I have revisited my Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu days", he adds.

Akshay has conceptualised and co-written the motivational comic series with TERI Press.

RAZA'S BOLLYWOOD

Q What would a contest between Mallika Sherawat and Rakhi Sawant in their 'usual' outfits be called?

Au00a0 'Bra'bar ki takkar.

razamuradonly@hotmail.com