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Priyanka, Shahid keeps up appearances, after break-up

After his break-up with Priyanka Chopra, Shahid Kapoor was spotted some days ago with a bunch of friends in Goa. The unshaven actor seems to have taken the split quite badly. A source reveals, "He's definitely down in the dumps but has to keep up a smile when there are cameras around. After Kareena Kapoor, this was his most serious relationship. The fact that it didn't work out, says something about him!" However, despite feeling the blues, Shasha hasn't stopped flirting with new girls. The source adds that he and a couple of his friends were spotted chilling out with a bunch of phirangs.

Priyanka: Don't Blow Kisses At Me, Ranveer, Ranveer blown kisses to Priyanka

Ranveer Singh seems to be getting extra friendly with B-Town heroines. The Band Baaja Baaraat star recently bumped into Priyanka Chopra at an event.

A source caught the newbie blowing flying kisses at Priyanka. She says, "Obviously, Priyanka wasn't amused at the youngster's friendly gesture.

PC retorted, "No baby, I am your senior and you don't do this to seniors," leaving Ranveer dumbstruck.

Fight between Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra in run for fun, fearless award

Bollywood beauties Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are in the run for Cosmopolitan Magazine's fun, fearless awards, to be held in Mumbai Saturday.

The three actresses are competing in Fun, Fearless Female All Time Reader's Choice Award this year.

Other categories include - Fun, Fearless Power Couple award, for which the nominees are - Kareena Kapoor-Saif Ali Khan; Hrithik Roshan-Sussanne Khan and Arbaaz Khan-Malaika Arora Khan.

There is also a Fun, Fearless Male 2010 Reader's Choice Award, and Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Salman Khan, and Arjun Rampal are competing for the title in this category.

The event, in its third edition now, takes place annually in India, Britain and the US.

"The Fun, Fearless Female Awards is a cult, one-of-its-kind event that celebrates all that's iconic of the Cosmo woman - her attitude, drive, and the never-say-never spirit," Nandini Bhalla, editor of Cosmopolitan, said in a press statement.

The organisers are expecting a star-studded turnout at the event Saturday at the Taj Land's End, Mumbai.

"The response has been tremendous - from readers, Bollywood favourites, and the industry. The Fun Fearless Awards are a pat on the back to women (and some special men) from different areas of life-acting, music, theatre, and more.

"Last year's awards saw a great turnout - Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, and more. And this year's awards promise to be bigger, better, and more Cosmo than ever," said Mala Sekhri, chief operating officer, Lifestyle Magazines, India Today Group.

Priyanka gifts Shahid a helmet

Are they on? Are they off? Are they on a break? Phew! That's Shahid and Priyanka for you.

While one keeps hearing of their lover's tiffs, fall-outs and sweet somethings, this couple has definitely kept the media on its toes! Last heard, Sasha and PC had a big blow up and decided to part ways. A couple of days later, on Shahid's birthday, he said, "Of course I'm missing Priyanka at my party".

Wow, where did that come from, Sasha? He also confessed that PC had gifted him a helmet on his birthday. Hmnnn... we wonder what signal this gal is trying to send out... and while we can think of a zillion such reasons (and some naughty ones too), we'd like to think she's just trying to tell Shahid...'play it safe'. Lol!

Shilpa praises Piggy Chops

Now this is a rare compliment coming from an actress for another actress - Shilpa Shetty is all praises for Priyanka Chopra's work in Vishal Bharadwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf.

'Watched 7 Khoon maaf, last night Well directed@priyankachopra rockd,really complex role but u did a gr8 job effortlessly,U go girl,all d best (sic),' Shilpa posted on her Twitter page.

In the film, Priyanka plays the role of a woman who kills her seven husbands. It released Friday.

Lady Gaga made Priyanka to cut an international album

The grapevine suggests PC will be recording an album soon, in collaboration with an international singer.

It's not just her drop-dead physical attributes that make Priyanka Chopra attractive. She can also hum her way through a storm. Music is in her genes; her father Dr Ashok Chopra is a trained singer and has enthralled audiences with his Mohammad Rafi songs on a number of occasions.

As of now some desi websites are buzzing with the news that Piggy Chops will cut an international album. And BT managed to find out that on her recent trip to the US, she did have a couple of closed-door meetings with some music giants. Our source says, "Priyanka even met with Lady Gaga. And, in all likelihood the 25-year-old American singer-songwriter, who is a rage and our very own B-town beauty may just collaborate on an album."

The news of Priyanka lending her voice to a pop album is exciting. If it happens she will be the first Bollywood actress to cut an international album. PC's official spokesperson however chose to play it safe, "Priyanka and Lady Gaga did meet at a concert. They spoke at length backstage. However, there is no collaboration happening between them."

No matter what their official stance on this is, an eyewitness maintains, "PC and Lady Gaga did talk about music at length. The diva of pop told her how fascinated she is with India and Bollywood. She also told Priyanka that she is keen to visit India and learn about its music and culture." There are also chances that PC will host Lady Gaga if and when the popstar does make a trip to this part of the globe.

Will it be Lady Gaga?
Is Priyanka going to collaborate with Lady Gaga? Well, the latter has had quite a few collaborations with other singers in the past few years...

Before shooting to fame, she recorded a couple of songs with hip-hop singer Grandmaster Melle Mel on a project.

Throughout 2007, Gaga joined hands with artist Lady Starlight, who helped create her on-stage fashions. In her early days she also collaborated with Akon.

After shooting to fame, Gaga paired up with Elton John to record an original duet for the animated feature film Gnomeo and Juliet that released recently.

Katrina, Deepika won't speak up

...but that keeps the ball rolling

Times have changed. Once Rabir Kapoor wore Deepika on his arm, and she got RK tattooed on the nape of her neck. It was cool to show off your boyfriend. And be open about the fact that you had one. Lara Dutta spoke well about Kelly Dorjee, and was more than open to answer questions about him. Shahid and Kareena were madly in love and spoke openly about their feelings, same with Saif, who smiled as the entire world gasped at his Kareena tattoo on his forearm.

But time has gone by, and flaunting a boyfriend just isn't cool anymore. At least, nobody from the Hindi film industry seems to be doing it. Ranbir, Katrina won't admit that they are a couple and actually 'dating'. Siddharth Mallya and Deepika Padukone are spotted together everywhere but they remain tight-lipped about their relationship status; So what if Shahid Kapoor was the one who opened Priyanka's house door for the IT-officials, that really doesn't make their relationship 'official'. Lara Dutta preferred to keep mum on her torrid affair with Dino Morea, and went public with her love for Mahesh Bhupathi only very late. Now, Vidya Balan won't speak about Siddharth Roy Kapoor. And the one common thing about all these actors are: they won't confirm it, but they won't deny it either.

Deepika Padukone is very firm about keeping her mouth shut. "You give the media one piece of information, and they want to know everything else. You tell them you are dating, next they want to know when you are getting married, and when will you plan babies. They enter the bedroom directly, and won't give you your privacy. It's extremely important that we talk only about what we think should be written. I made a mistake by talking about my personal life once, I doubt I'll do it ever again."

Lara Dutta was on a no 'personal questions please' spree for a very long time. A firend of the actor's tells us, "Maybe she was fighting her own battle at that time. Even speaking to the media puts tremendous amount of pressure, because everyone else, who is not even closely related to you is then judging you and governing what you should be doing and what you shouldn't be doing without having a clue of the real story."

Sonam Kapoor, too, made a statement, that she'll never go to the press with her 'love stories'. "My mum says it's crass," said Deepika on a talk show, "It's not dignified."

Priyanka Chopra questions the media back when she is questioned: "So are you and Shahid a couple?" PC: Did he tell you that? Did I tell you that? And the story goes on. Nobody will say a thing, but yes, they'll open doors for IT officials in their boxer shorts , go for long drives and dinner dates, and even lip-lock in public, like Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma did at Shahid Kapoor's birthday bash (which PC didn't attend!), but those lips will be sealed, so what if only by pressing against their better-halves'... We guess, the speculation just keeps them in the news. And they manage to have their cake and eat it, too!

I want to marry six times: Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra seems to have taken her role in "7 Khoon Maaf" a little too seriously! The versatile actress, who gets married seven times in the thriller, says she would love to marry at least six times in real life - but to the same man.

"I have been planning my wedding since as far back as I can remember! My ideal scenario is getting married six times (to the same man of course)," Priyanka revealed in the upcoming, second anniversary issue of fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar.

The 28-year-old, one of the most eligible singles in tinsel town, already has elaborate plans set in her mind about the six spots and types of ceremonies she would like to have.

"My dadaji's (grandfather's) house in Ambala - my ‘big, fat Indian wedding'; underwater at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; a church in Las Vegas - wearing a short black dress and with the priest dressed as Elvis; the intimate ceremony - at a small, beautiful church in Locarno, Switzerland. It's on top of a hill that overlooks parts of Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

She also wants to go in for a nikah.

"Only very close family and friends will be present; a nikah - I think it's a beautiful, romantic ceremony - the curtains, the stolen glances, the words, and finally the acceptance... ‘Kabool hai'; and lastly, the groom's choice! If my future groom survives all that, then we'll survive anything!" she added.

The plans are all quite set of course, but Priyanka says marriage does not figure on her priority list as of now.

"There is so much happening on the work front right now, which is my priority. I will get married, but I can't say when. It's not really in my control. I am a hopeless romantic, so I'm waiting for the man who is meant to be with me; he may arrive today, or five years later," she said.

In the meantime, her hectic schedules and film promotions will keep her on her toes.

She has almost finished the shoot of "Don - The Chase Continues". She will start work on Karan Johar's remake of "Agneepath" and then she has Anurag Basu's "Barfee", Kunal Kohli's next, as well as "Krrish 2".

In her interview to Harper's Bazaar, the National award-winning actress has spoken about her journey to fame, the importance of awards, industry rivalry, her style, aspirations and her much-talked about chemistry with Shahid Kapoor.

The magazine hits the stands Wednesday.

At 43, Madhuri Dixit still casts a spell

You can't be in showbiz and not be visible - but that doesn't apply to Madhuri Dixit. If she ruled the box office in her prime, the soaring TRPs of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" now prove she is equally saleable when she is a mother of two and spends much of her time being a homemaker in the US.

"We had been trying to get Madhuri as a judge for the past two seasons. She has been known as a dancing diva and who better could we have got for a show which is all about perfect dancing," Ajay Bhalwankar, programming head, Sony, told IANS.

"She has added a lot of freshness to the show and she is an extremely honest judge. In all our four seasons, this season has been the highest TRP earner thanks to Madhuri," he added.

Madhuri's India sojourn is coming to an end with the "Jhalak..." finale set to take place in the first week of March. But her stay has proved that the graceful actor's charm hasn't faded even after 25 years, marriage and a sabbatical.

Ever since she set foot again in India in November last year, she has been hogging the limelight.

The 43-year-old broke many hearts when she tied the knot in 2002 with Shriram Madhav Nene, a doctor based out in Denver, US. Post- marriage, Madhuri featured only in "Aaja Nachle" because she got busy with family and children.

The beautiful actress was after all a rage in Bollywood. Despite her garish clothes and loud makeup, the trained kathak dancer lit up the screen with her million-dollar smile, dance and her performances in "Tezaab", "Ram Lakhan", "Sajan", "Beta", "Dil" and many more.

When Rajshri Productions, which had launched her in 1984 with "Abodh", teamed up with Madhuri a decade later in "Hum Aapke Hain Koun!", they created history by giving Hindi cinema one of its biggest grossers. The audiences lapped up the movie, which ran about a year and earned over Rs.600 million.

Another turning point in Madhuri's career was when Yash Chopra roped her in for "Dil Toh Pagal Hai" and paired her with the king of romance, Shah Rukh Khan. The dream merchant gave her a makeover, presenting her in a stylish manner. The love saga was a box- office bumper and the lead pair repeated the success story with "Devdas".

In 2000, the multiple award-winner became the actress of the millennium. And the Madhuri magic hasn't faded even now.

Rani Mukerji, a successful actress herself, surprised everyone when she lay prostrate before Madhuri on "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4" to show her love and admiration for the diva.

And Priyanka Chopra paid a glowing tribute to her at the Filmfare Awards.

Ravina Kohli, creative head of Yash Raj Films TV, said: "Madhuri definitely has an undying charm. Even after being in the industry for so many years, all she has to do is smile and she takes us back to the same time when she was the number one in Bollywood. This charm of hers will never go because her smile adds a lovely warmth to her personality."

There are many who still want to work with her. From her co-star of many films Anil Kapoor to southern superstar Rajnikanth, she has got offers for movies from many and even shot a commercial for Hindustan Lever.

There was a black patch when Madhuri landed in tax trouble after her name was found in Chitresh Shrivastava's record for a Rs.3-million payment. But it failed to diminish the Madhuri aura.

"She is a a very down-to-earth lady and a great actor to work with. She is very honest. She is the most beautiful actress. She respects those who are good at their work," said makeup artist Bharat, of Bharat and Dorris, who is working with her for a Basmati Rice ad.

Mona Singh, the "Jhalak..." co-anchor, told IANS: "I have hosted a lot of shows before...but this season of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' is like a dream come true. I was super nervous when I had to face the camera in front of her...but her presence is comforting as she is very encouraging.

"She is a big star, but was humble enough to tell me that she had seen 'Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin' and that she likes me since then."

I'm accountable to my parents: Priyanka

Her dark comedy " 7 Khoon Maaf" has under-performed at the box office, but Priyanka Chopra is confident it won't lose money as it was not a big budget film.

"We haven't really spent that much on it. No, it isn't an expensive film," said the 28-year-old who enjoys being one of the top actresses in Bollywood.

It wasn't easy for Priyanka to go through seven different looks and emotions in "7 Khoon Maaf", which is directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. On top of it there were all those stories about the intimate scenes with her leading men.

"After seeing the film, I've had people ask, 'Where is the kissing scene with John (Abraham), the love scene with Neil (Nitin Mukesh)?' Did I say there were love-making scenes? The one really lengthy bedroom sequence I have was with Irrfan (Khan) and that was done in a salwar-kameez. It was hardly pleasant. For the love-making sequence with Anu Kapoor, I wasn't even present on the sets," she said.

The near-seduction sequence with Vivaan Shah was also done with a body-double. And Priyanka selected the body!

"The bare back had to be that of a 50-year old woman. My back just wouldn't have worked. I was shown dozens of backs. I finally chose one that I thought would pass off one which I thought could be my back when I am 50. The hardest part of '7 Khoon Maaf' was ageing in front of the camera without props."

There was a lot of improvisation on location of "7 Khoon Maaf".

"That moment when I slap myself in front of the mirror? It wasn't even there in the script! I was supposed to break down in front of the mirror. I suggested I slap myself," said Priyanka, who is sure she cannot get into a role without preparation.

"I am doing 'Agneepath' and 'Barfee' back-to-back. I've set aside time for preparation. I expect a certain surprise element from myself in every role that I play," said the actress who wowed her fans with her performance in "Kaminey" and "Fashion". In fact, the latter fetched her first prestigious National Award.

The recent weeks have not been too easy on the former beauty queen, what with the income tax raid in her house and reports that Shahid Kapoor opened Priyanka's the door to the officials in his shorts.

Commenting on the incident, Priyanka said: "First of all, my maidservant opened the door for the officials. Yes, I did immediately call Shahid because he was the closest to me. My parents were in my other house.

"Shahid is my neighbour. He's five minutes away. He did come to help me out during the raid, as he would've for any other friend. But why would he be in his boxer shorts? I was very angry when I read this.

"The IT officials were very kind. But people who made up such stories were not too kind. I've parents whom I am accountable to when such stories come out," she said.

Priyanka goes gaga over Lady Gaga

Actress Priyanka Chopra seems to be completely smitten by American popstar Lady Gaga after she got an opportunity to attend her concert in New York.

'Hey guys. I'm in my most favourite city in the world. NYC baby! Went to the lady gaga concert at MSG (Madison Square Garden) last night,' Priyanka wrote on
microblogging site Twitter.

'She's so hugely talented, completely crazy and so unapologetic. That was awesome. She's also totally sweet which was nice to c. Go gaga! (Sic)' she added.

Priyanka to miss Shahid's b'day!

Shahid Kapoor may end up spending his 30th birthday today without his soul-mate Priyanka Chopra singing happy birthday to him. The actor, who is throwing a close door bash has reportedly 'split' with PC.

PC, according to rumours, is in the US. Some say the actress is reportedly shaken up by the lukewarm box office reports of her latest release and she planned a quick getaway to America. She is expected to join the Don-2 schedule in Malaysia shortly. Though PC may not end up going to the bash, Shahid who was a regular at her home till a few days ago, has invited Priyanka's parents to attend his party. When they were seeing each other Shahid and PC were inseparable. From their New Year getaway in Goa to Priyanka landing up on Mausum's sets in Punjab, we have seen the two head-over-heels in love. Now rumours (sometimes these seem engineered) say PC will not be there at Sasha's do.

Though Priyanka could not be contacted, her manager confirmed that PC will not attend Shahid's bash that is happening in a suburban Italian joint. Knowing how fickle these two are, who knows?

Trisha to sizzle in Fashion Remake

A leading production house, which recently appointed a former senior executive of another film production company as its head, has reportedly decided to remake Bollywood hit ‘Fashion’ in Tamil and Telugu.Buzz is that Trisha would play the role played by Priyanka Chopra in the original, while Priyamani has been approached to do Kangana Ranaut’s character. “Talks are on and things will be finalised soon,” sources say.

It is said that a leading director, who is a popular name in the south, would remake the movie in both the south Indian languages. A top music composer will also be signed soon for the multi-crore project.“Local flavour will be given to the Madhur Bhandarkar’ Priyanka Chopra sizzler without spoiling its essence. It will be a new-age cinema in Tamil, shedding light on the lives of models,” add sources.

Kareena Kapoor named Bollywood's sexiest woman

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has been named the sexiest woman by Stardust magazine.

Kareena beats actresses like Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra to win the title. The decision has been made on the basis of an extensive research and readers responses.

The latest issue of Stardust magazine features the list of top 10 sexiest women.

Last year, it was Katrina who topped the list of sexiest women in Bollywood.

Dipannita Sharma joins cast of Yashraj Films's next 'Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl'

After Priyanka Chopra's cousin Parineeta Chopra, pretty Dipannita Sharma joined the cast of Yashraj Films' Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma-starrer 'Ladies V/s Ricky Bahl'.

Like Parineeta, Dipannita will play one of the ladies in 'Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl' which has latest Bollywood heartthrob Ranveer Singh playing the role of a casanova.

A well known artiste, model, fashion and style diva, Dipannita will be playing the role of a corporate no-nonsense executive in the film, shooting for which begins at the end of March.

Sources in the Yashraj Films said Dipannita plays one of the ladies who will fall prey to the flattery and guile of Ricky Bahl as he cons his way through life.

She joins the lead pair of Ranveer and Anushka in the film, being directed by Maneesh Sharma, who directed the successful 'Band Baaja Baaraat'.

Produced by Aditya Chopra, 'Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl' is a romcom, planned for a worldwide release on December 9, 2011, the same weekend that 'Band Baaja Baaraat' released.

Shahid-Priyanka pairing not yet confirmed?

Is it a professional or a personal decision? One doesn't know but the fact remains that Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra relationship stays on to be under scrutiny practically every week. The latest is the axe that seems to have fallen hard on the Kunal Kohli film in which the duo was supposed to star together.

"It has been a couple of months since Kunal Kohli announced his next with Shahid Kapoor. In fact this was shortly after his production Break Ke Baad had managed decent business at the box office. Knowing the relationship status of Shahid and Priyanka, he was confident that the lady would consent to the film as well", says a source.

While Shahid has readily agreed to work on the film, there is still some flip-flop around the girl who would be cast opposite him. Though it was known to one and all that Priyanka has been approached to play the part, the fact that she hadn't signed on the dotted line always led to speculation.

"It is a 'kabhi haan-kabhi naa' relationship between Shahid and Priyanka. Nevertheless, professionals as they are, they won't allow their personal equation (whether good or not so good) to actually come in their way of making a decision around being cast opposite each other. After all, they are one of the few young ones who are (officially) still single and look good with each other", says a common friend.

Also, Priyanka is genuinely occupied with Agneepath remake already in progress and shoot about to begin for Ranbir Kapoor starrer Barfee. This is not all as Krrish 2 with Hrithik Roshan kick starts in September this year as well. No wonder, the lady could well be finding it difficult to adjust Kunal Kohli's film in her schedule.

On contacted, Priyanka did accept that she hadn't given her nod of approval to the Shahid Kapoor starrer yet. "The film is not confirmed yet and I am still in talks with Kunal. We have to work things out and see how to proceed further."

Well, hope to see you two soon!

After good reviews, '7 Khoon Maaf' earns Rs.28 crore

Vishal Bhardwaj's films may not be money spinners, but they are high on content as is his Priyanka Chopra starrer "7 Khoon Maaf" that has a different story to tell. The film has not only garnered good reviews but has so far earned Rs.28 crore from its opening week box office collections and satellite and other rights.

The dark thriller about an incorrigible serial spouse-killer cost Rs.22 crore, which includes the money spent on publicity and advertising.

Released with 786 prints, its opening weekend collection was Rs.13 crore. Overseas collections accounted for Rs.2 crore, the music and satellite rights fetched Rs.11 crore and home video and other sources brought in Rs.2 crore.

"'7 Khoon Maaf' has worked well for us commercially due to a combination of tight production budgeting, optimised spending on prints and publicity and a pre-sales strategy that helped us to de-risk the film via sales of home video, music, satellite and theatrical rights even before the release," Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO, Motion Pictures UTV, told IANS.

"7 Khoon Maaf" is based on Ruskin Bond's 'Susanne's Seven Husbands' and tracks the story of a beautiful young girl, Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes (Priyanka), who ends up tying the knot seven times following the untimely and mysterious deaths of her hapless husbands. In the film, Priyanka's character ages from 20 to 65 years.

"The response to the film was good at the weekend with 78 percent occupancy, although it dropped to 40 percent on Monday," said Amit Awasthi, senior manager (Programming and Operations) Spice Cinemas.

"The first half of the film is interesting but in the second half it becomes slow. Priyanka's acting is being really appreciated by one and all," he added.

The film has garnered good reviews and critics are raving about Bhardwaj's directorial skills and Priyanka's acting prowess.

One reviewer wrote: "Bhardwaj's reveals himself yet again as that rare Renaissance man in an art form that deserves more." Another said: "This is Bhardwaj's most fluidly-narrated film to date."

Appreciating Priyanka's work, one critic said: "Priyanka, not for the first time, proves she is leagues ahead of all competition." Another wrote: "For Priyanka Chopra, who plays the Anglo-Indian protagonist, this is unquestionably a role of a lifetime. She has you by the eyeballs."

Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas said every actor in the film had given of their best.

"Priyanka is excellent in the film, Irrfan Khan and Annu Kapoor are known for their acting prowess, John (Abraham) has right stature in the film. All in all, everyone has acted well in the film. Since it's a dark film, family audiences are lower. The occupancy was 60-70 percent over the weekend," he said.

Ritika Sharma, a media professional, was all praise for Priyanka's acting.

"Although the film is a bit slow, Priyanka Chopra takes the cake. She is superb in the film," she said.

Said Ankita Malhotra, who works with a telecom company: "Priyanka carries the film on her shoulders."

Multiplex audiences are appreciating the film, but single screen audiences are not showing much enthusiasm.

"Multiplex audiences are liking the film but the single screen audiences are just average, mainly because family audiences are lower. With comedy film 'Tanu Weds Manu' releasing Friday, the film is definitely going to take a hit," said a source from PVR.

Priyanka Chopra harassed by unknown man

Actress Priyanka Chopra got into a heated verbal argument with a man in Delhi while promoting her just released film "7 Khoon Maaf". He was out to rattle her.

The incidnet happened Tuesday evening at the recording of an interactive interview. A man, apparently from Punjab, piped in to accuse her of "not being a Punjabi".

Said a member of Priyanka's entourage: "Priyanka was taken aback by the accusation. At first she laughed it off saying she is very much Punjabi. But the man kept piping in loudly with his allegation. Priyanka finally told him to shut up and quit before he faces the consequence of her wrath."

The man soon after disappeared from the venue, but Priyanka, known to be extremely warm to fans, was hurt by the vehemence of the accusation.

Apparently the man kept insinuating she had done nothing for Punjab and Punjabis.

The spokesperson for "7 Khoon Maaf" confirmed the incident adding: "It was weird and inopportune. Priyanka's Punjabiyat had nothing to do with the occasion. We don't know where the man came from and where he disappeared to. But the whole incident was suspicious."

Priyanka's father is Punjabi while her mother is from Jharkhand.

Priyanka spent her growing years in Rai Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. This is the first time her Punjabi antecedents were questioned, and that too in full public view.

7 Khoon Maaf Review, 7 Khoon Maaf Movie Review, Review of 7 Khoon Maaf

'Once that you've decided on a killing,' sang Sting [ Images ] back in 1983, 'first you make a stone of your heart. And if you find that your hands are still willing, then you can turn a murder into art.'

Tragically, Priyanka Chopra [ Images ] is the kind of actress that painstakingly -- and painfully -- tries to spell out just how stony her heart is, something far better conveyed through deed rather than affected mannerism.

Eyes well up with hurt, thick lips quiver in pouty indignation, and subtlety is thrown to the hounds as the actress flounders, trapped inside a bewildering character significantly out of her league.

And while The Police song might have gone on about a slaughtering spree as easy as ABC, Vishal Bhardwaj [ Images ] takes it far too literally and gives us a film so linear, so simplistic in narrative, that it never quite manages to arouse interest. 7 Khoon Maaf may well be about a demented deity with a fetish for husband-killing, but -- incredible as it may seem -- it is a strikingly boring film.

More than that, in fact, this is a cute film. A very adult story told puzzlingly like a children's fable, this Ruskin Bond adaptation never quite shakes off the artificial affectedness and comes across only as a silly film masquerading as a smarter, cooler, deeper one. Its lines mostly overwritten with both cloying mawkishness as well as childish over-exposition, 7 Khoon Maaf is often just being precious -- while not really worth all that much.

It starts off promisingly enough, an investigation tray being wheeled into a government forensics lab -- the kind of place Bollywood never shows us. An expert opens up the box, looks at pictures of a presumably dead Priyanka, and a tear rolls down his cheek. Most of the rest of the film is photo-album driven flashback, involving him telling her story to his shrill, curious wife.

We see a young Priyanka Chopra at her father's funeral, and then are exposed, one-by-one, to a procession of her many fatally flawed grooms. A two-timing Trotskyite, a poetic pervert, an antiquated apothecary, a foolish officer, and a couple of men who can't act. The wedding-fetishist disposes of them all with consummate ease, while the master filmmaker loyally -- and unimaginatively -- serialises her process.

Bhardwaj's cinema has always been one of quirk and energy, the director whimsically bending the narrative and soaking it in such style that it's impossible to look away. This time, however, he seems content to let the film do the talking while he merely watches... there is no panache, no audacity, no trademark flourish. There is just an immaculate song set in Kashmir [ Images ], and a fabulous one with Russian roots that deserved a better film around it.

There are inevitably a few very clever moments in the film -- a scene involving a white cat in the snow, for example, or that marvelous last line about broken spectacles -- but the characters populating the proceedings are much too exaggerated.

A muted dwarf as if from a Sherlock Holmes adventure; a tender writer with a violent sexual fetish; a Russian man of mystery who quotes Amitabh Bachchan [ Images ]... Bhardwaj's traditionally wonderful dialogue is more basic and less smart this time around, and resultantly the characters emerge considerably contrived and theatrically overdone.

It may be argued, of course, that the maker's intent was to create a macabre opera. Yet this is a highly irregular product, often flip-flopping the line between melodrama and dark comedy, not quite achieving either. And what opera could work if you cared not for its players?

Priyanka tries her best, but is simply not a good enough actress to justify being in a role this nuanced and demanding. It is a fantastic character, one deserving of a Sofia Loren or a Penelope Cruz [ Images ] or a Waheeda Rahman, and try as Ms Chopra might, she never comes close to being convincing. She turns hints into signals, happiness into hysterics, her every movement an act. She looks her best when sternly strutting into a hospital, occasionally gets a line right, and her acting highlight comes with her resigned yet in-control body language as she sees off Annu Kapoor to his car. Yet these are but a few swallows, and she's an actress unworthy of this season.

The strongest acting comes from Vivaan Shah, who plays the film's lovelorn narrator, and Harish Khanna, as a loyal butler who knows it all. Both men have interesting screen presence and relatively solid characters, but are one-note, and frequently drowned out by the buffoons around them.

As for the husbands, only two are any good: Aleksandr Dyachenko charms both heroine and audience, as does Irrfan Khan [ Images ] when reading poetry or drowning breathlessly into Priyanka's eyes. Annu Kapoor is let down by a character written into caricature, while Naseeruddin Shah [ Images ] behaves differently every time we see him. John Abraham [ Images ], his biceps the size of Bandra, tries hard to be a rocker and fares only marginally better than Neil Nitin Mukesh, playing a furious armyman seemingly focussing on his moustache not falling off.

Yet the heartbreak is in watching Bhardwaj, that fantastic master director, make a bloated film that plods sluggishly along, a film that doesn't connect either emotionally or sensually.

I exit the theatre tiptoeing gingerly through treacley blood, past the fallen corpse of my expectations. That, ladies and gents, is Susanna's seventh casualty. And it's the only one that hurts.