Actor and TV Presenter Mandira Bedi is in the capital to promote her latest big screen flick Meerabai Not Out. And even though she was here to promote her movie Mandira decided to join CNN IBN's Citizens Against Terror campaign.

“Hi, this is Mandira Bedi speaking for Citizens Against Terror. I think we should all be cautious to warning signals because there were warning signals,” she passes her message.

Mandira who is a big cricket buff also talks about her new avatar in her latest movie Meerabai Not Out.

“It's a movie where I play a huge cricket buff. All she has is cricket in her life. A lot of people have asked me whether there are any similarities between Meera and Mandira, you are going to ask me that next,” says Mandira.

India’s former test captain Anil Kumble is also making his big screen debut with this film and is apparently livid over the new promos of the movie.

“Well I haven't spoken to Anil, but the problem I think is with that picture of me, Ejaz and Anil in the bed. But I haven't spoken to him so I don't know can’t say,” says Mandira.

In the wake of the 26/11 terrorist attacks, Ayesha Takia's wedding to restaurateur Farhan Azmi has been called off.

The shaadi was to take place on December 25. It now has been postponed to mid-2009. But a date has not been finalised as yet.

Shaken up

Ayesha is currently in Greece shooting a song for Boney Kapoor's Wanted. The groom-to-be confirms, "When Ayesha heard the news of the attacks, she broke down. Dad (SP party leader Abu Azmi), was in a hospital recuperating from an operation; he too started crying when he heard about the terrorist attacks. None of us are in the mood for any celebrations this year. Our mood is too grim and somber. There can be no wedding celebrations as of now maybe mid-2009 and that too it will be a small and private affair."

Farhan adds, "We are all shaken up by what happened. I saw it happening next door, as Nariman House is seven buildings away from our home and very close to the Taj and Oberoi hotels. When the Oberoi was sealed, many guests came from there to Koyla and Cafe Basilico (both owned by Farhan). None wanted to stay, so I took them home. On the first night from Koyla, which is 500m away from the Taj, we could see the fire burning on the sixth floor and hear women and children screaming to be let out 'please help us'… It still gives me goose bumps to even think about it."
Back to work

Ayesha, meanwhile, is busy completing her last three projects Ahmed Khan's Pathshaala, Nagesh Kukunoor's Tasveer and Boney Kapoor's Wanted Dead or Alive. She had earlier informed her producers that she won't shoot in December, as she was planning to quit acting after tying the knot.

Former US president Bill Clinton has been trying to convince Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to attend the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting to be held in Hong Kong next month.


"Bill Clinton writes in to ask me to join their global conference for the betterment of the world in Hong Kong," Amitabh posted in one of his recent blog entries.

The latest update on the same from Amitabh has been that Clinton called him up "to request" him to come for the event. The veteran actor has mentioned about the CGI more than once on his blog.

In one of the posts, he wrote: "I need to prepare also for the CGI - Clinton Global Initiative. Global warming, solar energy, lighting villages ."

The CGI was established in 2005 by Clinton to bring together global leaders from various backgrounds to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.


You seem to have gone into hiding?
Why do you say that? I've been written about the professional and personal aspects of my life. I'm doing cameos in Karz and Heroes and I want to be written about that. But alas the press finds other things in my life more interesting.

You mean your friendship with Lara Dutta?
Yeah that too. I wish the media would write about how excited I am about working with an enrirely new team in Heroes. Mithunda plays my father. As for Karz, it's a guest appearance. My role lasts for four minutes. And I'm doing it for the producers T Series. They've promised me lengthier roles in future.

Hah, promises. Remember how you were cheated in Aap Ki Khatir?
Yeah. That was a good role to begin with. But in the publicity they short-changed me. That wasn't in good taste. I'm happy with Karz. I'm now turning producer and I'd like my relationship with T Series to go further. We're in talks for more films and production tie-ups. Then we'll announce the cast. My director Pravesh Kumar has a wish list of actors.

And your brothers?
My elder brother Niki is running the cafes the Crepe Station chain. He isn't into movies at all. But my younger brother Santino is assisting Karan Johar on his next I Am Khan. He wanted to act.

But now he enjoys being behind the camera. Then Santino will join my production house.All three brothers live together in my house. And since none of is married it's like a bachelors's bad.

What happens when Lara Dutt comes home?
Sorry?

Doesn't Lara visit you?
She is a dear friend and she does come home. All my friends are allowed to come home, and that includes you.

How special is Lara?
She's very special.

More special than your other female friends?
Ha ha. Stop comparing women. That's bad manners. Behave yourself.

You're known to be quite a womanizer. Suddenly we see you in only one woman's company?
Womanizer? That's completely untrue. I'm just very friendly by nature. And even when I'm having lunch with a friend it's misconstrued as a romantic liaison. As for being seen with Lara, she's great company. I enjoy being with her We do go out together.

Lara and you make a great pair. When do we see you together on screen?
I don't deny we make a good pair together. It's up to producers and directors to cast us together.

Will she be in your first production?
It's entirely up to my director. But yes Lara is in my wish list. I am right now working on my career. I know I'm stepping into a new phase. I'm being very careful about the work I choose. I haven't accepted a script in the last year-and-a-half.

I wanted to be sure about the script and banner. I'm very excited about Sanjay Gupta's Acid Factory. It was really fun shooting with Manoj Bajpai, Danny Denzongpa, Aftab Shivdasani and Fardeen Khan. We had a blast. I might be doing another film with him.