She Ain’t No Pushover

Kangana Ranaut once again reminded us why she’s not someone you’d want to get on the wrong side of. Only days ago, when asked if she’d been unceremoniously dropped from Aashiqui 3, the actress had said: “Yes, many lame rumours are doing the rounds. Even a dumbass can tell where these rumours are coming from. I don’t know why exes do silly things to get your attention. For me that chapter is over and I don’t dig graves.”

Interpreted by the media as a swipe at Hrithik Roshan— with whom Kangana was widely reported to have had a fling, and who was allegedly responsible for her ouster from the film—her statement quickly went viral, leaving the Krrish star with no option but to respond to the story. Shrewdly blaming the film press for the rumours and never mentioning Kangana by name, Hrithik declared on Twitter: ‘Ther r more chances of me having had an affair with d Pope dan any of d (I’m sure wonderful) women d media has been naming. Thanks but no thanks.’[sic]

If Hrithik thought he was going to have the last word in a face-off with Kangana, he clearly doesn’t know the firebrand actress well enough—which seems kinda strange, given that, you know, they were meant to be ‘together’ briefly. Asked by a television reporter earlier this week if she was hurt by Hrithik’s blatant denial, Kangana responded with her trademark brazenness: “No. I am not hurt. I respect the other person’s opinion also. It’s very likely that a person can have a different perspective on the same situation or rather the past. But then, stick to your stand. Don’t slyly pursue people and spy on them, and chase them. So, we sign and seal the deal and then move on.”

Ouch. Seems unlikely that Hrithik will want to carry on this argument much further.

Give the Devil His Due

Just days after she presented awards for the Screen Actors Guild came the announcement that Priyanka Chopra will be a presenter at the Oscars on 28 February. It’s a big deal, given that she’s the first Indian actor ever to be picked for the gig. But typically, online critics and cynics have begun carping already.

A glimpse of the names of some of the other presenters who were announced along with Priyanka—Quincy Jones, Kerry Washington, Byung- hun Lee—does indeed indicate that the Academy (of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, who organise the Oscars) is making an effort to encourage more diversity at the awards after they were hit with accusations of racism lately. It’s also important to consider—as some internet trolls have pointed out—the fact that Priyanka’s show Quantico is an ABC property, incidentally the same network that telecasts the Oscars.

None of this, however, ought to take any of the shine off Priyanka’s achievements. The Barfi! star has unquestionably made a sizeable dent in the American consciousness with her headlining role in Quantico, and her ‘vavavoom’ appearances at such big-ticket events as the People’s Choice Awards (where she picked up the trophy for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series), the BAFTA/LA Tea Party, and the TCA Press Tour. What’s more, when she’s called upon to take the stage on Oscar night, she’ll be representing so much more than Quantico. More than likely they’ll introduce her as one of India’s most popular leading ladies, and the star of the forthcoming Baywatch movie.

Take that, cynics!

Rejected and Accepted A top film studio is believed to have passed on a promising project because it didn’t want to be in business with the pretty leading lady attached. The petite actress in question had, some years ago, walked out on her three-film contract with the same studio, causing considerable embarrassment to the big boss.

Now the powerful producer has returned the favour. Word on the street is that the studio bowed out of the project when this actress was cast. The studio had been looking at other heroines to play the female lead initially. Thankfully for everyone involved, though, the film, a remake of a recent regional hit, has now landed in the lap of another leading studio which is going full steam ahead with the actress and her ex, who will play the male lead.

Byunghun LeeHrithik RoshanKangana RanautKerry WashingtonPriyanka ChopraQuincy Jones