Hema Malini turns 60 Thursday, but feels sweet 16

An actor, classical dancer, filmmaker and politician Bollywood's ‘dream girl’ Hema Malini who juggles different roles with aplomb, turns 60 Thursday but says she still feels 16 at heart.”I feel 16 at 60. I guess age has nothing to do with creativity, but it certainly has a lot to do with maturity and dedication. I have lived life on my own terms and conditions and now when I look back, I feel happy about all the decisions I have taken,” Hema said in a statement released here Wednesday.

The actress, who is also a Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographer, plans to start her special day by offering prayers at the famed Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh with daughters Esha and Ahana Deol.

“The best way to celebrate one’s birthday is by praying to the lord for peace and harmony in the world. In times of terrorism and global financial depression, I guess we can only find peace in our prayers,” Hema said.

Known for her memorable performances in films like “Johnny Mera Naam”, “Seeta aur Geeta”, “Jugnu”, “Sholay”, “Dream Girl”, “Satte Pe Satta”, ” Khushboo” and “Baghban”, the actress has had a successful film career spanning almost 40 years.

However, Hema’s entry into films was not a cakewalk for her. In 1964, she was rejected by director for not having star appeal when she tried her luck in southern cinema.

Hema got her break in “Sapnon ka Saudagar” opposite Raj Kapoor in 1968 but became an overnight star with “Johnny Mera Naam” in 1970.

By 1972, she gained the status of the reigning Bollywood star and the success of her double-role in “Seeta Aur Geeta” fetched her the Filmfare award for best actress in 1973.

Throughout her career, Hema has been paired opposite a range of actors but it was her on-screen chemistry with actor Dharmendra - whom she later married - that made the duo a hit pair in films like “Sholay”, “Charas”, “Jugnu”, “Seeta Aur Geeta” and “The Burning Train”.

Hema took a sabbatical from the big-screen in the early 1990s during which she tried her hand at direction with box office dud “Dil Aashna Hai” in 1992 that was Shah Rukh Khan’s launchpad.

The actress made a comeback in 2003 with box office hit “Baghban” opposite Amitabh Bachchan and since then has been seen in films like “Veer-Zaara”, “Baabul” and “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag”.

An acclaimed dancer, Hema does not think age is a deterrent and plans to continue performing Bharatnatyam and her dance ballets across the country and abroad.

Representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hema is a Rajya Sabha member.

Asked how she manages to juggle different roles in life, she said: “Its all about time management and I guess one can do even more than this if we sort out our priorities.”

Hema’s future projects include “Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi”, “Saadiyan” and Deepa Sahi’s directorial venture opposite Nana Patekar.

Any handsome man should be a gay icon: Bipasha

Bipasha Basu, the dusky Bollywood beauty, has come out with a magnanimous and large-hearted gesture that is bound to bring smiles to those, whose romantic priorities are different. The lass has given the green signal to beau John Abraham to go ahead and be an icon for the gay community.

When asked about John’s role as a gay opposite Abhishek Bachchan in his upcoming flick ‘Dostana’, she quipped, "Why should I? People love him more this way!"

"Any handsome man should be an icon for the gay community." Bipasha stated.

These wonderful words go a long way in showing that the relationship of this glamorous couple is in very firm grounds, and no dark shadows of possessiveness and jealousy are going to dampen the warmth between them.

Bollywood legend Bachchan hospitalised

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan is undergoing medical tests after complaining of abdominal cramps, a hospital spokesman said on Saturday.

"He has stomach pain and is undergoing tests," Mohan Rajan, from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, told AFP by telephone. He described the actor's condition as "stable" but could not confirm one report that he had an incisional hernia.

"We are giving him the best possible treatment. We understand the importance of Mr. Bachchan and his value to the nation," he added.

The 66-year-old actor -- who enjoys superstar status in India -- was taken in an ambulance from his home in the northern Mumbai suburb of Juhu. He was accompanied by his actor son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai.

Huge crowds that had gathered outside his house to wish him happy birthday anxiously watched him leave, television pictures showed.

Bachchan, wearing a brown-coloured woollen cap and blue ensemble, was spotted lying down inside the vehicle before being supported by Abhishek and another man as he walked into Nanavati Hospital, the photographer said.

The film star's secretary, Sunil Doshi, told the Times Now television channel that Bachchan "developed some kind of stomach cramp" overnight, was taken for a CT scan and other tests and was now under observation.

Bachchan was later transferred to the Lilavati Hospital where he previously spent three weeks, including one in intensive care, after bowel surgery in November 2005.

He also suffered a severe stomach injury in 1982 while shooting the film "Coolie".

With a career spanning four decades in India's movie industry, doctors have warned Bachchan to slow down.

Hundreds of fans flocked to Bachchan's personal website to wish him a speedy recovery.

One wrote: "Sorry to hear you are unwell and in hospital. We pray it is not serious. We pray for your wellbeing. Please slow down and take it a bit slower, I wonder how much toll your aggressive routine takes on your body."

Bachchan, known as "The Big B" with a distinctive white beard, flowing grey hair and baritone voice, was last seen in his first English-language movie, "The Last Lear", and has been on a world tour with his family.

Indian newspapers marked Bachchan's birthday Saturday with a series of interviews. The Bombay Times commented that he had "never looked better. Or fitter" when they spoke to him two days ago on a film shoot.

"I enjoy being alive, I look for a new struggle, a new experience every day. An artiste has no right to say he is satisfied, that's being defeatist," he was quoted as saying.