Bollywood is Fickle: Sameera Reddy

Actress Sameera Reddy, who's balancing work in the south and north, feels that Bollywood is 'fickle'. Ask her why and she reasons, "It just moves. Today you're there, tomorrow you're not. South is also like that, but to a lesser extent in comparison with Bollywood. People really stick to you. Even if you go up or down this Friday or the next, they still really support you. People in Bollywood shift like the wind."

However, that's not the case with people down south, in her opinion. "The most important thing is they're time bound, they don't waste your dates, they're God-fearing, they take care of you, if they love you, they make sure you don't leave, they make sure you're happy," she says.

The actress, whose last release in Tamil was Prabhu Deva's Vedi, is currently doing the lead role and an item number in Priyadarshan's Hindi flick, Tezz. About the item number, she says, "It's quite a pressure today, and producers understand the importance of it. At one point, an item girl was frowned upon but today, she can actually rule the show business. I salute every item girl out there."

Kajal says No to Bollywood Biggies

Ajay Devgn may have garnered a lot of eyeballs in Singham, what with his action scenes, but so has the film's leading lady Kajal Aggarwal.

After the success of the film, Aggarwal has been approached by filmmakers in Bollywood but the actress has turned every one of them down. According to sources, she has turned down offers by top directors and producers like Madhu Mantena, Vashu Bhagnani, Samir Karnik and Harry Baweja.

In fact, Mantena, who had produced the blockbuster Ghajini, wanted to remake the 2009 Telugu hit Magadheera with Kajal. She also starred in the original Telugu version. Mantena wanted to cast Aggarwal opposite Hrithik Roshan. He is now looking for another actress.

Kajal, who made her Bollywood debut with Samir Karnik's Kyun...Ho Gaya Na in 2004, went on to star in a string of Southern hits; she has, however, turned down the potentially huge offers because she is concentrating on her back-to-back southern films, in Tamil and Telugu.

Not divulging any details about the offers she has turned down, Aggarwal said, "I am currently shooting with Suriya in Chennai for the Tamil film, Maatraan. Then I will start work for Puri Jagannath's The Businessman in Telugu with Mahesh Babu. I've received loads of offers in Hindi. But I haven't zeroed in on any."

She, however, is unfazed by the success of Singham. "People ask me how I feel about the success of Singham. I've experienced the same feeling after Magadheera, Darling and Mr. Perfect in Telugu," she said as a matter-of-fact.

Bollywood hails Hazare's Victory; Terms it a New Dawn

Anna Hazare ended his 12-day fast Sunday morning and a lot of Bollywood celebrities -- from megastar Amitabh Bachchan to social activist-actress Shabana Azmi -- expressed their, happiness calling it "a moment of greatest pride" and "a new beginning".

Hazare, who began his fast Aug 16 morning, agreed to break his fast after parliament Saturday broadly agreed to three key demands of his civil society group to battle corruption.

The celebrities took to Twitter to express their feelings.

Here is what they had to say:

Amitabh Bachchan : To know that such individuals inhabit our nation is a moment of the greatest pride. But to know what they feel is incredible!! ...all praise to the spirit of the one man... that he inhabits our land and feels for it.

Shabana Azmi : To a new beginning. Let's applaud Anna for leading the people of India into a nonviolent show of strength.I'm proud to be an Indian.Jai Ho

Abhishek Bachchan : One man unites an entire nation. Peacefully. #salute

Bipasha Basu : Anna is our true leader and his spirit has made everyone conscious that we can do away with corruption and need not accept it as a part of our lives. Big step forward for India and all of us!

Raveena Tandon : 'Haazaaron saal jiyo Anna Hazare!!' (Long Live Anna Hazare).

Dia Mirza : Thank you Annaji Hazare for the awakening. I was silent earlier because I was not in an agreement with the method adopted by certain people around Anna. Grateful we've found a middle path! I am proud to have witnessed the India that I have in the last 11 days. Even more proud of parliamentarians who upheld democracy.

Shekhar Kapur : Woke to a new dawn, a new freedom and saw a distant star of hope shining brighter and closer to every Indian heart. Anna can now rest as nation's youth have heeded his call. 64 years of system will not change overnight so we need to be vigilant. Anna's greatest achievement is to show the people of India that they can take charge of their own destiny.

Hrithik Roshan : My respect and congratulations to the people of India!

Shruti Seth : Anna Hazare has done what none of us thought possible. For better or worse that time will tell. You've made the public realise their power.

Riteish Deshmukh : ANNA stands tall today- PEOPLE stand tall today- INDIA stands tall today- a day to remember

Farhan Akhtar : First step taken in the right direction. My heart is full of gratitude for Anna. It is a victory of the people and for the democratic process.

Madhur Bhandarkar : Every generation needs a new revolution. Hats off to Annaji. Jai Hind.

Lara Dutta Bhupathi : Anna's fight is in every home. This will impact everyone of us for years to come! In my life, I hope I'm able to keep this alive in my small way.

Anupam Kher : Thank you Anna. Thank you #Jan Lokpal team. And biggest thanks to the people of our Great Country for their courage and belief. Jai Ho.

Sonu Nigam : Our gratitude and prayers for Anna. Blessed to have met him and rejuvenate him with music on the historical day.

Bollywood and it's Patriotism - An Independence Day special

It's time when Indians come together to celebrate the spirit of India's Independence. While 64 years has been passed since the historical event, India has been evolved greatly and the outlook of her people has changed significantly. Similarly the essence of the word 'Independence' has got different shades and Indians perceive it in various angles. Although we got freedom from British, we are bonded by several self-created problems and social elements and one which is most dreaded criminal is the CORRUPTION.

With a view to bring in this year's Independence Day, CieDen takes a look at those movies which not exactly celebrates the patriotic day but it speaks a lot about contemporary India, today's generation and also highlights the plights of aam aadmi, aam junta.

A Wednesday - A common man's attempt to teach the government a lesson by taking rules in his own hands.

Nayak - Where a common man brings revolution in the system. In fact, if one takes in the current scenario, every city needs a person who can stand up to fight the corruption.

Chala Mussadi Office Office - Highlights the common problem of a common man.

Swades - A man's realisation of his love for his motherland, fellow beings...

Rang De Basanti - A list is in complete without the mention of this Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's movie. It ignites the very spirit of oneness and awakening. As the movie's tagline goes - A Generation Awakens.

Lakshya - A typical urban youth at certain point of time realises his responsibility towards life, people and country.

My Name Is Khan - It teaches a valuable lesson - There are only two kinds of people: one good and other bad; but there is nothing like Hindu, Muslims, Christians and so on.

A movie which brings all people under one roof, erasing the religion differences.

Peepli Live - Relevant to real life, the movie highlights the plight of Indian farmers in a comic way. It aptly conveys that a serious matter can be blown out of proportion with media hype, but at the end of day the issue would not be solved.

Other noted films in this genre include Mission Kashmir, Chak De India, Border, Kashmir, Gadar, Lagaan, 23rd March 1931: Shaheed, .... the list is incomplete. There are many more such movies which make one think about their country and countrymen. Some movies which touch the heart and stirs the mind. Tell us your choice of film which has made you ponder; those which made you feel that we belong to 'India' and we have to do something for it....

CieDen wishes all its readers a very Happy Independence Day!