There is a popular saying in Bollywood that ‘Whatever Aamir ‘Perfectionist’ Khan does, he does not follow any style, because whatever he does, simply becomes a style in itself’. The latest one being that he has gone bald for his forthcoming film Ghajini, with the southern sensation Asin and the Bollywood hottie Jiah Khan paired opposite him.

He going bald had become the talk of the town for quite some time now. And the ‘day’ decided was his Birthday, which eventually got postponed. Now the D-Day (or is it the B-Day- Bald Day) arrived yesterday when ‘Mr. Perfect’ Aamir ultimately bid good bye to his much loved hair, in the presence of his near and dear ones. And the person instrumental in this was the renowned celebrity hair stylist Avan Contractor, and the location was Aamir’s residence in Bandra. The ‘USP’ of this one and a half an hour ‘balding session’ was that, at the end of it all, at the behest of Aamir, Avan created a scar with the razor on Aamir’s head!

It looks quite ironical that it was the same Aamir who had gone full fledged with his locks in Mangal Pandey: The Rising. And now it is the same Aamir who has gone bald, though the common factor remains that both of these ‘hairstyles’ were not an overnight decision. Aamir had spent lots of time working out on these looks.

So, please do not be surprised if you suddenly find the young men going bald. Because you know that the reason is not the summer, or the dandruff and definitely not the lice, but it’s called the refreshing ‘Aamir slice’!!!

Photo Courtesy: Avinash Gowariker

Sudesh Bhosle is all set to sing for Amitabh Bachchan once again, this time for Sujoy Ghosh's Alladin under the baton of Vishal Shekhar.

Sudesh, who has song for Amitabh in many hit numbers, says "Amitji and I have sung together a lot of numbers on stage. And this time, the folk feel of the song brought back all the fond memories."

Incidentally, Sudesh Bhosle had also sung for Sujoy Ghosh's Jhankar Beats and so impressed was Ghosh, that he chose him for this interesting number as well.

This particular song will have a Bhojpuri feel to it and will be one foot tapping number.

A report in a section of our over-imaginative press suggests that Rani is quitting movies after 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag' to get married.

Laughs a source very close to Rani, "The fact is, Rani has signed a new film and is already shooting for it. The film is Kunal Kohli's untitled venture which brings the 'Hum Tum' pair Saif and Rani together again. Rani has been shooting for the last two weeks and is totally immersed in the project. She has neither the time nor the inclination to get married or to issue periodical denials about the spurt of lies that keep appearing in the tabloids about her."

Continues the source, "Rani is also on the verge of signing a couple of more projects. After 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag' where she has one of the toughest author-backed roles of her career as a Brahmin girl who compromises with her morals to support her family, Rani plays an old-fashioned golden-hearted prostitute in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya'." According Sanjay Bhansali, Rani's turn as the golden-hearted tart is so ebullient and enchanting; Rani is likely to prove the scene-stealer of the show.

J.P. Dutta’s remake film Umrao Jaan staring Aishwarya Rai as Umrao Jaan, is definitely a creative effort but does not create the charisma like the original Umrao Jaan. Other main star cast includes Sunil Shetty as Faiz Ali, Puru Raaj Kumar as Gauhar Mirza, Abhishek Bachchan as Nawab Sultan and Shabana Azmi portrays Madame Khanum Jaan, who plays the role of a maternal madam.

The story opens in Faizabad in a happy family of a sweeper played by Parikshit Sahni in the film. He is the father of two children, Ameeran and Jamal. His near enemy, Dilawar has an eye on his daughter. The love the father is shown in the form of the daily sweets he gets for Ameeran. One day Dilawar kidnaps Ameeran and sells her to Khanam Saheb of Lucknow. She runs a ‘kotha’, where young girls are taught dancing and mannerisms. Ameeran becomes a member of this family and has friends as Gauhar, Bismillah and Khursheed.

She grows up in the motherhood of Bua Hussaini and Mualvi Saheb (also her teacher). Saheb Khanum changes her name from Ameeran to Umrao, as she intends to make her a successful courtesan. She is a beautiful young dancer who displays her talent for the first time on some happy occasion of an Oudh Nawab. Here she meets Nawab Sultan and soon the two fall in love. Nawab’s father despises his son’s affair to a courtesan and asks him to leave her. But the Nawab refuses and his heiress are taken away from him. The Nawab loiters here and there and soon meets Umrao Jaan.

In the meantime, Nawab Faiz Ali also falls in love with Umrao and wants her. She disagrees. Nawab’s financial position robs him off Umrao who now is left but to wait for her lover. He goes away. Faiz Ali forcibly tries to seduce Umrao but fails. Contrary, she joins him on an outdoor trip where she finds out his reality. He is a dacoit who is soon captured by the kings. Along with him, the kings also take in Umrao. Faiz confronts the Nawab and turns him against Umrao Jaan. She is set free to go back to Lucknow, where unfortunately Gauhar rapes her. She losses all hope and happiness in life as she has been used and thrown by three men.

The Britishers in India are killing Indians. To save their lives all courtesans leave for Nepal. On their way, they stop at Faizabad. Ameeran finds her home and meets her mother and brother. They both abuse her and ask her to leave, and so she does. The movie ends at this note where Umrao’s flash back is over. The movie is very slow and its music very dull. Actors have done their best but they lack naturalism. Big actors and actresses’ talent have not been well exploited. Mr. Dutta efficiently makes patriotic movies but his portrayal of the Nawabi Lucknow culture and the life of a courtesan have not been successful. It would be irrational to compare it to the legendary Rekha’s Umrao Jaan. Aishwarya lacks the Indian features hence her beauty is not that typically Indian. She is more of an international actress. Abhishek and Shabana Ji have done justice to their roles. At the end, I can only say, ‘Mr. Dutta please no more remakes, especially of Umrao Jaan and the like.