Blast from the past

When Nikita Anand was told she's going to be starring in Nileish Malhotra's 'Monopoly' opposite none other than yesteryear glam queen Zeenat Aman, she couldn't help but feel nervous.

Nikita Anand. Photo Credit: Dale Bhagwagar Media Group

April 28, 2008 (Sawf News) - When Nikita Anand was told she's going to be starring in Nileish Malhotra's Monopoly opposite none other than yesteryear glam queen Zeenat Aman, she couldn't help but feel nervous.

But the two hit it off almost immediately after meeting and even found out that they had a lot in common! Baffled? So were we, till we got to know!

To begin with, Nikita and Zeenat were both Miss India at different points in time. Both began their careers with interesting roles. Their food habits and taste in clothes are also pretty much similar. And both Nikita and Zeenat are health freaks.

Obviously then, Nikita just can't seem to stop gushing about the yesteryears' diva.

"Zeenat aunty is so nice and humble. We got along like a house on fire. Because we're both perfectionists, we would rehearse our lines for hours altogether," says the upcoming actress. She goes far enough to call her friendship with Zeenat the best part of shooting for Monopoly.

"I learnt so much about acting from her. She has loads of knowledge and yet, she is so down-to-earth," quips Nikita.

While we agree that Zeenat can charm the birds out of trees, we're not sure she'll take too kindly to being called 'aunty'. Despite her years, she can still give these pretty young things a run for their money, isn't it? Bad choice of words, Niki.

Chitrangada Singh says no to Aamir Khan

Most Bollywood leading ladies would have jumped at an opportunity to work with Aamir Khan, even if the role wasn't consequential. Not Chitrangada Singh, who has declined a role in 'Delhi Belly' because she didn't like her role in the English language film.

Chitranagada Singh and Kay Kay Menon in a still from Hazaaron Khwaishein (2003). Photo Credit: PNC

April 29, 2008 (Sawf News) - Most Bollywood leading ladies would have jumped at an opportunity to work with Aamir Khan, even if the role wasn't consequential. Not Chitrangada Singh, who has declined a role in Delhi Belly because she didn't like her role in the English language film.

Aamir is producing the film and playing lead in it along with Ranbir Kapoor.

After a thorough reading of the script, Chitrangada was impressed with it, but not her role.

" Though it has a great script, it didn't work out for me. The director looks at the film in a certain way and I respect his decision," she told Mumbai Mirror.

The director, Abhinay Deo, son of erstwhile character actor Ramesh Deo, is sure to have been disappointed, because he strongly recommended the talented actress to Aamir Khan, who is producing the film. Chitrandaga had worked with Abhinay in an ad film earlier and left him mighty impressed.

Chitranagada Singh and Shiney Ahuja in a still from Hazaaron Khwaishein (2003). Photo Credit: PNC

Chitrangada, whose sultry looks and talent reminds many of Smita Patil, made her Bollywood debut with the critically acclaimed film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), directed by Sudhir Mishra. Following her second film Kal (2005), she married golfer Jyoti Randhawa and opted out of showbiz.

It was rumored that she was pressured into quitting films by her husband who felt threatened by her fame. Chitrangada rubbishes the reports.

"I didn't come to Mumbai looking for a movie role," she says. "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi happened by chance. At that point, I wasn't ready for a demanding film career. So I went away."

"My husband is an achiever in his own right," she says.

Chitrangada, sister of Indian golfer Digvijay Singh, recently made a comeback in films with a role in Sorry Bhai directed by Onir. The film additionally stars Sharman Joshi, Sanjay Suri, Boman Irani and Shabana Azmi.

In it, she plays an independent and feisty girl who starts to fall in love with the younger brother of her fiancé.

She has also signed up for Aur Devdas, directed by Sudhir Mishra, with co-stars Shiney Ahuja, Lara Dutta and Mahesh Manjrekar.

Chitrangada plays Chandramukhi in the contemporary adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya's Devdas.

Describing her character in the film she says, "Chandramukhi is a woman in control, with influence in political circles and a certain sensuality which she uses to her advantage. She falls madly in love with Dev, an aspiring politician, and helps him selflessly to reach his dreams, even though he causes her some anger and anguish."

Time will tell if Chitranganda is back in Bollywood to stay.