John shows off to Asin

Actors John Abraham and Asin have been bonding these days like long lost friends. The two met on the sets of Housefull 2 and sources say that they have remained in touch ever since. "John recently organised a private screening of one of his forthcoming films for Asin. Since, Asin was part of the original, John wanted to know what does she feel about the movie," says a source who's also a part of the film's unit.

But it's not just movies that the two are bonding on; apparently the two are also sharing a lot of tips on workouts. "Asin is very keen on John's workout methods and really appreciates them. John has also shared a lot of tips with her. The two were hanging out a lot when they were shooting together. They even discussed a few movie possibilities, but we don't know the details," the unit member added.

Asin, her staff members on the sets say that she chose to hang out with the boys when they used to get time off from the shooting. "She became a part of the boy's gang. Akshay (Kumar), Mithun (Chakraborthy), John, Riteish (Deshmukh) would hang out together. She felt comfortable with the boys and used to take part in the pranks as well on the sets," her staff member adds.

However it wasn't a smooth start for Asin during the initial phases as she was in trouble because one of her staff members was not granted the visa on time. "Asin flew out without her make-up and hair person. As you know that these people are extremely important for an actorwhen they are shooting. However, everybody helped out Asin with the hair and make-up during the shoot until her staff member arrived. The make-up artist arrived 15 days later, but by that time Asin was already through more than half of the shooting," the unit member ended.

Asin: Subhaan is my new favourite

She’s considered to be Salman Khan’s favourite leading lady, and also Akshay Kumar’s. But ask Asin who her favourite leading man is, and the reply will probably be a prompt “Subhaan”. No, he isn’t an upcoming actor you’re yet to hear of — he’s just producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s nine-year-old son! Subhaan, who has accompanied Sajid on the Housefull 2 shoot, seems so smitten by the pretty Asin that he spends all his time with her, unit sources say. “During the London schedule of the film, Subhaan just didn’t leave Asin’s side. He showered her with attention and brought her everything she needed,” our source said.

No wonder then, that Asin was overheard saying that while Sallu and Akki were the perfect gentlemen to work with, Subhaan has by far surpassed them all. Asin on her part, is quite kicked about her latest gehri dosti. “I am fond of kids, and Subhaan is no different. He’s polite and never throws tantrums,” she says.

Asin and Genelia in Bol Bachchan

Rohith Shetty’s next film Bol Bachchan will star Genelia and Asin in the female lead roles. They will be romancing Abhishek Bachchan and Ajay Devgn in this movie. First it was rumored that Samantha will be making her Bollywood debut with this film. But she denied that no one approached her with the proposal.

Asin and Genelia are the two actresses who proved their mettle in South and then moved their base to Bollywood. Genelia has a hit film Jaane Tu and Asin was a part of two blockbusters Ghajini and Ready. It will be interesting to see these damsels taking on each other in one film. Rohith Shetty is surely having an eye on South film industry as he has given Kajal Agarwal her big ticket to Bollywood with the film Singham.

Asin is nowhere in demand

Asin struck gold at the box office with the Salman Khan starrer ‘Ready’. However, it’s strange that the filmmakers seem to have ignored her. While the producers and the directors are found queuing up at Salman’s door Asin is nowhere in demand. The actress in fact has just one film in her kitty and that too signed before ‘Ready’s release. So, it appears that her Public Relations department has failed to even try spreading rumours of her doing Vishal Bharadwaj's ‘Two States’ with Shah Rukh Khan. It’s another matter that as of today, even Shah Rukh is not keen on doing ‘Two States’. So, that project is definitely hanging fire.

Moreover, a leading Mumbai producer has reportedly said that he is keen to cast Asin in his film but the actress has three things going against her. One, she is demanding to be paid as much as Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, Two, there is reportedly too much interference from her close ones. Third, though she is dependable, she brings no novelty to a project. Under these circumstances, the producer is unable to make a film offer to her. Sadly, this 25-year-old actress who is competent, pretty and has a good strike rate at the box office seems to be going nowhere!

Is Asin avoiding Neil Nitin Mukesh?

Asin Thottumkal basking in the glory of her latest success Ready, seems to have forgotten a few old friends. Neil Nitin Mukesh happens to be one of them. Their 'friendship' seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Not so long ago, the two of them were thick friends. Asin, in fact, took a few career calls for Neil in the past. When he was asked to star in Hriday Shetty's film, the actress came forward and told the director that the script wasn't good enough for Neil. Buzz is, Asin has gone into a different space after Ready hit the jackpot. A friend of Neil confirmed, "Yes. This is true. She has been avoiding him. Perhaps she got carried away by the success of Ready."

Added the source, "But it's okay. We all tend to go on some trip when we are on a high. Asin seems to be on a high horse right now. Neil and Asin's common friends also feel the same."But like every dark cloud, this one too has a silver lining. Filmmakers like Hriday Shetty, who were finding it difficult to cast Asin and Neil together can now, heave a sigh of relief.

Ready for more

A two-year gap is huge, especially when there are youngsters clamouring to be part of Bollywood. But trust Asin to get back in the reckoning in style. Busy with the promotions of Ready (remake of the Telugu film Ready) with Salman Khan, the effervescent actor is packing her bags for a month-and-a-half stay in London for her film Housefull 2 opposite Akshay Kumar and is also bracing herself to face Shah Rukh Khan in the film adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's “2 States.” Ask her if she is all set to pull out one ace after another in Bollywood, and she says, “I just feel happy and blessed that I am working with actors of such repute. First Salman and next up is my film with Akshay. Not just that, the banners I am working with are also huge. As for 2 States, I wouldn't like to comment.”

A picture of confidence, Asin knows now is the time to make up for her last film's dismal box office report. Bollywood's been a mixed bag; while Ghajini made a huge impact, the big-budgeted London Dreams didn't fire anybody's imagination and, except for television commercials, the actor has not been seen in a single movie since 2009. Does she regret the decision to move to the Hindi film industry when she was at her peak in Tamil films? “I think it was a good decision,” reiterates Asin. “But it isn't like people think; I hadn't planned my move to Bollywood, though I will agree that the scope of reaching out to a larger audience exists in the Hindi film industry. I was approached by the producers who were thinking of remaking Ghajini and I saw no harm in being part of this wonderful team,” says the actor, denying any ambition of shifting to Mumbai for work then.

“I'd like to believe I am an actor of Indian cinema, and I have a soft spot for cinema in the South as it gave me the opportunity to explore myself as an actor,” she says, when asked about her plans to continue in southern films. “I have a lot of offers coming in for Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films, but I seriously think I should choose with care. I have done several films in the South and don't want to repeat myself. The day I get something new and exciting, I will sign it,” she says, adding she hasn't currently green lighted any regional project.

Despite the failure of London Dreams, she has got another chance to work opposite Salman. An opportunity any other actor would have given her right arm for? Asin chuckles, “Having worked with Salman twice, I can say I am armless!” Speaking about her co-star, she says, “As an actor, Salman is a challenge to work with because he throws anything at you once the camera rolls. You have to think on your feet and be ready for anything, he is that spontaneous. As a person, Salman is absolutely unpretentious. It's difficult to believe that a person like this exists in the world of showbiz.” In Ready, Asin plays Sanjana (essayed by Genelia D'Souza in the original) who falls in love with Prem (Salman) and has to fend off the greedy intentions of some of her relatives who are eyeing her wealth. The focus is clearly on Salman in this one, with Asin admitting that the Telugu script has been tweaked to not only suit North Indian sensibilities but also Salman's superstar status. Doesn't it make her insecure that consequently the hero is hogging the limelight when it comes to promotions? “It's a reflection of our male-dominated society. A commercial format naturally focusses on the hero. I have no problems with that. I am happy with the space I am occupying. Also I think that as a superstar, Salman deserves every bit of the adoration and space he is getting.”

The actor says she hasn't been influenced in the least by Genelia's portrayal of Sanjana. “I had watched the original film casually even before I was approached to do it. I have followed Anees Bazmee's (director, Ready) vision of the story and the character.”

Stories abound in tinsel town that Asin's refusal to wear revealing clothes and be part of intimate scenes is proving to be a hindrance to her career. Ask her about it, and her reply is straightforward. “I am not aware of this but at the same time I am comfortable only in a certain setup. There is a thin line dividing the aesthetic and the vulgar. I will do only what I am comfortable with. As for intimate scenes, nobody has yet approached me for any such so that's merely speculation. My career will run with or without such support,” she asserts.

No kissing or bikini act: Asin

Asin, the dazzling actress from God’s Own Country, who has recently returned from a hectic month-long schedule in Bangkok for her next flick Ready with Salman, spoke in an exclusive interview.

The first question was why, despite being offered so many films, she had signed so few, unlike the other Bollywood heroine. Her response was prompt. “I am a secure person and I don’t believe in the theory of out of sight out of mind.”

She explained further, “All along I have never rushed to sign any movie. I work at my own pace. I am happy and content with what I do and am not really concerned about how others work or how many films they sign. I have never felt insecure about the so-called competition.”

Asin cleared that she was never too pricey for south producers and dismissed the rumour that this was the primary reason for her not having any regional films in her kitty.

“I have constantly been getting offers from the south, which I could not accept due to various reasons. I don’t expect the media to get to know about it all the time. The industry people know and so these irrelevant rumours don’t really affect me,” she set the record straight.

“For me, monetary considerations have never been the criteria to accept a project. I have never burdened my producers. My priorities are: first and foremost the script should excite me, followed by my character, banner and finally my co-star. I think I have reached a stage when I want to do performance-oriented and meaningful roles instead of being a mere arm candy to the heroes.”

Asin admitted that she’d love to work with prominent filmmakers. “Mani Ratnam, Priyadarshan, Raju Hirani and the list goes on. I’ve heard that Raju Hirani’s working atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable.”

Soon, Asin moved to the topic of endorsing the newly formed IPL team, the Kochi Tuskers Kerala. She smiled, “I love cricket and I am happy that a team has been formed from my native place. I am looking forward to the current edition of IPL. But I couldn’t be their brand ambassador due to various factors. But I am always there to cheer the sport of cricket!”

On the mere mention of Salman Khan, the Ghajini star got excited and shared, “We finished two long schedules for Ready in locations abroad. This is my second film with Salman. We share a great rapport and he is a chilled-out person. It’s a lot of fun working with him.”

Currently, Asin has signed Sajid Nadiadwala’s multi-starrer Housefull with Akshay Kumar, which will be shot in the U.S.A. Reports have been making the rounds in some section of the media that Asin will be donning a bikini in Housefull and doing a steamy kissing scene with Salman in Ready.

She laughed, “I am amused by these rumours. I am glad that people who know me will not believe such trash. Ready is a family entertainer and there are no hot scenes or lip locks in the film. Sorry to disappoint but the bikini news is someone’s fertile imagination and not the truth!”

Asin Thottumkal 'pays Dixit tribute in Ready'

Asin Thottumkal has said that her character in the forthcoming Ready will be partly based on Madhuri Dixit's girl-next-door role in Hum Aapke Hain Koun?. Ready is a comedy co-starring Salman Khan and Paresh Rawal.

Speaking to Mid Day, the actress said: "The resemblance to Madhuri did not escape me. In fact, my first duet with Salman was very much like Hum Aapke Hain Koun?" According to the site, the final scene of the film itself will be based on the climax of the 1994 film, which saw the entire cast joining in song and dance while the leads, played by Dixit and Khan, get married.

Asin getting super-captivating?

Without dropping her apparel, Mallu siren Asin gave different young ladies a run for their coin. Have times altered or has Asin modified her personality? She has reportedly joined several major Bollywood motion pictures, and one needs her to demonstrate some skin. Prepared for an adaptation, young lady?

In the interim, celluloid superstar Shriya Saran isn’t queasy about shedding her attire. We don’t attack her, she looks as stunning in the buff as she does with apparel on, as in motion pictures love ‘Sivaji: the Boss' and ‘Awarapan’. Shriya considered in Dehra Dun and Delhi's first class Lady Shri Ram College, before getting a soften up the music film of Renoo Nathan's ‘Thirakti Kyun Hawa’.

Salman's not confident of his & Asin's jodi?

The world saw an all new side of Salman Khan when his films Veer and Wanted were due to release. The actor, who has all these years refrained from actively participating in film's promotional activity, had suddenly become media savvy. He made his presence felt through some interesting promotional concepts - Horse ride during Veer and interacting with kids in remand home during Wanted.

And now, as he gears up to promote his forthcoming film Ready, Salman once again wants to go all to hype the pre-release popularity. However, more than the tradition of promoting a film before its release, there are some other aspects that have forced Khan to take special interest in the activities.

An industry source revealed, "Salman has been taking special interest in the promotional plans for Ready and he has strong reasons for doing so. For one, he and Asin starred together in London Dreams but their jodi couldn't become a hit with the audience. Therefore, Salman is worried and is trying his best that Ready doesn't meet the same fate.

"Secondly, director Anees Bazmee's last film No Problem bombed at the box office and same happened with production house T-Series' Patiala House. After tasting super success with Dabangg last year, Salman is in no mood for a defeat and so the special interest," said the source. Certainly, Salman's all ready to promote Ready. Only time will tell what unique promotional ways he comes up with.

Asin Thottumkal falls out with hair stylist?

Asin Thottumkal reportedly threw a tantrum at her stylist because she was unhappy with the number of extensions that the woman put into her hair. According to a daily, the actress accused the stylist of deliberately making her look "ugly". A source told the paper: "The situation was so tense in the dressing room that the hair stylist even contemplated quitting.

"However, at one point, she snapped back, which is when Asin said that she was being deliberately sabotaged by someone who wanted her to look ugly, and she stormed out of the make-up room."Thottumkal puts at least six hair extensions in to make her hair look thicker, the site claims.

It was suggested last week that the actress had opted for plastic surgery to make her lips look bigger, after she was spotted looking different at a film premiere. She will next be seen starring opposite Akshay Kumar in the eagerly-awaited follow-up to the comedy Housefull.

Asin, the insect eater!

When challenged by Salman Khan to munch on local Thai insects, she actually did! Inspired by the contestants of Fear Factor, who tuck into creepy crawlies as a challenge, Salman Khan did likewise to his Ready co-star Asin Thottumkal. The star goaded his heroine to munch into an insect that was flitting around the trees on the location shoot in Thailand.

Ready is being currently shot in the remote interiors, far off from Bangkok, in the jungles. A source on the sets reveals, “Two days ago when the filming was on, Salman realised that a swarm of insects on the barks of the trees.

When he checked with the local Thai crew, he was told that they were edible!” The source adds, “In fact some of the Thai guys collected the insects in a bucket and demonstrated that you could munch them.”The actor then challenged Asin to try it and even picked one and held it out to her.

The crew members expected her to squeal and run, but the actress coolly took it, popped it in her mouth, shrugged and went on with her shot! The entire crew, especially Salman besides producers Bhushan Kumar and Rajat Rawail and director Anees Bazmee were left floored and awestruck by her fearless attitude. When asked about how she could pull that off, Asin says, “There’s nothing to it... it’s all in the mind.” Hopefully her stomach was as strong as her mind, after having such ‘local’ delicacies.

No steamy sequence between Salman-Asin in Ready: Anees Bazmee

Director Anees Bazmee has denied rumours that his forthcoming film 'Ready' includes a steamy sequence between leading stars Salman Khan and Asin. "I don't know where these rumours came from. There is no steamy sequence between Salman and Asin in 'Ready'," said Bazmee.

The director insisted that the film is squeaky clean and has no such scene which might make it unfit for family viewing. "I don't make films which I can't watch with my own family. Look at any of my films so far, they can be seen comfortably without worrying that anything untoward may come on screen," said Bazmee.

"Whatever little intimacy is shown on screen, it is a part of a song and dance sequence. That too is strictly within the boundaries," he added. Comedy continues to be his poison, what with 'Thank You' releasing before 'Ready'. Also, couple of months back Bazmee had another comic release in 'No Problem'. Doesn't the director in him ever crave to make some serious cinema? "Who said comedy isn't serious business? I do my job rather seriously. A film of mine may or may not work but then no one can say that I made a cheap comedy. Also, vulgarity doesn't have any place in my cinema. I don't believe in having any double meaning dialogues in my films," he said.

Asin Thottumkal wear bikini in Housefull 2

South sensation who has made a sizzling Bollywood debut with ‘Ghajini’ is in urgent need of a big success. For Sajid Khan’s ‘Housefull 2’, she has shed her next-door girl image and gone really sexy. According to reports, Asin will done a swimsuit in Housefull 2.

Asin needs to look too hot in the movie and for that Sajid has asked her to sport a swimsuit. The movie will be shot in the exotic locales of Italyand Greece. It will also have some beach scenes. After the debacle of ‘London Dreams’, Asin is trying to revive her career in Bollywood with Salman Khan starrer ‘Ready’ and Sajid Khan’s ‘Housefull’. Hope, bikini could save Asin.

Asin turns hot Bikini babe

Asin entered Bollywood with one of the biggest blockbusters Ghajini opposite Aamir Khan but after that she did only one film (London Dreams) and seems to have gotten lost in oblivion. If you too are wondering what Asin is up to, you’re in for a surprise. For the first time, Asin will shed h er inhibitions and be seen sporting swimwear in Sajid Nadiadwala’s Housefull 2.

“The whole idea was to make her undergo the same transformation that Aishwarya Rai underwent for Dhoom 2.”

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala confirmed the news and told the tabloid, “Yes it is. The film will be shot at places like Italy and Greece and such costumes are necessary for this script.”

Even Sajid Khan was all praise for the south superstar, “I am very excited about working with Asin; not only is she a very good actor and dancer but also a superstar in the south. Our script demanded her in a new look, which will surprise the audience completely.”

Asin in Rajinikanth's Raana restricted by Hindu People Party

Recently Asin was included in the list of probable actress to romance with Rajinikanth in Raana. She and Deepika Padukone are expected to be cast in lead roles since both are known faces in Bollywood and can fit into the Hindi version of the trilingual film well.

But it seems her enthusiasm may be dampened from the opposition for her inclusion in Raana from unexpected quarters, Hindu People Party. Rajinikanth who plans for his venture always by avoiding controversies shall take a decision considering this development.

Hindu people Party and other Hindu Nationalist parties are nowadays concentrating in Ealem Tamils issue. Asin has been targeted now since she went to Columbo disobeying the ban by a section of Tamil Film industry. Even the persons like Amitab Bachan and Aishwarya Rai avoided visiting Colombo immediately after the end of genocidal war in which thousands of innocent people were killed by the Sri Lanka security forces.

Asin has been now put into a delicate position since she was earlier planning to shift from Tamil dominated Kollywood to Hindi dominated Bollywood and hence ignored the advice of the Tamil film industry not to visit Colombo. Now Endhiran has set a new trend of marketing Tamil films all over the Nation including the Hindi heartland. Any Rajini film is going to do business in all languages. This recent development has put the plans of Asin under strain. She may regret visiting Colombo now.

Deepika Padukone, Anushka, Asin and Trisha are all waiting for an official announcement to be made to find whether they are selected from this shortlist. With the controversy raked up by Hindu People Party if Asin finds the exit Trisha may be lucky to come in.

Asin went at for Rana?

According to reliable sources, South Indian beauty Asin has been approached by the makers of South Indian superstar Rajinikanth's next film Rana to be directed by K.S. Ravikumar under the banner of Eros International and Chennai based Ocher Studios.

The sources said even a one-line summary of the script has been narrated to the actress and she is keen to team up with the super star, since the script fascinates her and the film has A.R. Rahman composing the tracks. Notably, Asin had worked with Ravikumar earlier in Varalaru. Meanwhile, Rana is said to be a live action magnum opus with Rajinikanth playing a triple role. Made in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, the film will go on floors in March and will hit screens in early 2012.

Why's Neil Nitin Mukesh enthusiastic about Asin?

Guess who’s been promoting Asin’s name now? No, it’s not co-actor and friend Salman Khan. It’s actor Neil Nitin Mukesh. He has apparently found a good friend in Asin and suggested her name for his upcoming project. The two were earlier reported to have been seen dining together at some of Mumbai’s best hangouts. A source had revealed, “The two looked very, very comfortable with each other. They came together and left together.”

Mukesh has been signed for Ravi Chopra’s forthcoming venture and sources suggest that he has been recommending his new-found best friend Asin’s name for the same. The insider informs, “Mukesh has been roped in for this project and he insisted that Asin should be his co-star in the film. So, on his insistence, Asin was approached for the project but apparently she quoted a very high price. Hence the film is on hold as of now, while the producers are trying to work out a deal.

It seems post the split with his childhood love, Mukesh has found a confidante in the charming Asin. And the two are in constant touch through text messages, even though Asin has been travelling for shooting Anees Bazmee’s Ready, her second film with Salman.

The light-eyed boy has always been known for bonding with his female co-stars, be it Katrina Kaif during New York’s shooting, or Deepika Padukone, with whom he watched her movie Karthik Calling Karthik, during his shooting days for Lafangey Parindey. And now Mukesh is leaving no stone unturned to help his new BFF Asin. Well, only time will tell where this new friendship heads.

Asin replaces Deepika in Housefull 2

South Indian actress Asin has replaced dimpled hottie Deepika Padukone in Sajid Khan’s comedy film ‘Housefull 2’. The ‘Ghajini’ star will play Akshay Kumar’s love interest in the film.

Apparently, after a number of failed attempts, Khan successfully managed to get Asin onboard. Buzz has it that Dips had opted out of the film to team up with Sajid Nadiadwala for ‘Heer Aur Ranjha’. Reportedly, Deepika had certain issues about her dates and was not in a position to commit to Khan.

However, it will be for the first time ever that Asin will be sharing screen space with the Khiladi of Bollywood. The actress had earlier got a chance to romance Akki when director Priyadarshan had offered her ‘De Dana Dan’. But she chose to opt out of it.

And considering the fact that apart from ‘Ghajini’ no other Bollywood film of Asin has garnered at the Box Office, she can no longer afford to be picky.

Asin in search of PR firm

Asin Thottumkal, who is basking in the success of Kaavalan, is in search of public relations agency. The actress has decided to have a publicist to have an edge over her competitors in Bollywood.South actresses have always been in less news comparatively with B-town actresses. Even Asin is also not exception.

Now, she has realized the importance of it and is in hunt of an agency. Her failure to be in constant media attention has forced her to go for PR agency, says report. Meanwhile, her performance in Kaavalan has got mixed responses. The actress is currently busy filming Salman Khan starrer Ready.