Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra is in the midst of a controversy once again

Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra today denied having any links with Pakistani bowler Mohammad Asif, who is at the centre of a ‘spot-fixing’ scandal that has rocked world cricket.

The controversy began with most Indian television channels discussing a “leaked” document, which they claimed, was prepared by the Interpol and Scotland Yard for the Pakistan Cricket Board. Apparently, this document contains various phone numbers of people who interacted with Mohammad Asif in 2009.

The TV reports stated that in this document, the only mobile number from Mumbai, belonged of actress Neetu Chandra, and insinuated that she could be involved in the infamous match-fixing scandal. They further claimed that according to the document, the actress had made two phone calls and exchanged SMS’s with the controversial cricketer, discussing sensitive cricket issues and deals.

But Neetu Chandra’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar vehemently denied all the allegations. “Personally, Neetu does not know Mohammad Asif or any Pakistani cricketer for that matter. Her name is being unceremoniously dragged in the match-fixing debate with baseless allegations,” said the celebrity publicist.

“Neetu didn’t even know how Asif looked like. Within minutes of this controversy breaking out, I met her and showed her his picture from the internet on my BlackBerry. Neetu glanced at it and almost jumped from her chair, joking, ‘Oh, he’s too dark’. She also doesn’t know or understand how her cell number has featured on such a scandalous list. If it indeed has, it could well be a conspiracy,” added the PR specialist.

Owing to her active association with sports, recently, Neetu also became one of the few privileged Bollywood celebrities to have the honour of running with the Commonwealth Games torch (popularly known as the Queen’s Baton) in her hometown Patna. Apart from being a regular basketball player, the actress is a Black Belt 2nd Dan in Taekwondo, having participated in various martial arts tournaments at a district, national, as well as international level. Though Bhagwagar revealed, she is not a cricket fan.

This year, Neetu has an impressive line-up of films like Anees Bazmee’s ‘No Problem’ (with Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna and Sushmita Sen), Gary Grewal’s ‘Khusar Prasad Ka Bhoot’ (with Paresh Rawal and Randeep Hooda), Barnali Shukla’s ‘Kuch Love Jaisa’ (with Rahul Bose) amongst two other mega-budget ventures opposite superstars of the South.

Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra is in the midst of a controversy once again

Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra today denied having any links with Pakistani bowler Mohammad Asif, who is at the centre of a ‘spot-fixing’ scandal that has rocked world cricket.

The controversy began with most Indian television channels discussing a “leaked” document, which they claimed, was prepared by the Interpol and Scotland Yard for the Pakistan Cricket Board. Apparently, this document contains various phone numbers of people who interacted with Mohammad Asif in 2009.

The TV reports stated that in this document, the only mobile number from Mumbai, belonged of actress Neetu Chandra, and insinuated that she could be involved in the infamous match-fixing scandal. They further claimed that according to the document, the actress had made two phone calls and exchanged SMS’s with the controversial cricketer, discussing sensitive cricket issues and deals.

But Neetu Chandra’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar vehemently denied all the allegations. “Personally, Neetu does not know Mohammad Asif or any Pakistani cricketer for that matter. Her name is being unceremoniously dragged in the match-fixing debate with baseless allegations,” said the celebrity publicist.

“Neetu didn’t even know how Asif looked like. Within minutes of this controversy breaking out, I met her and showed her his picture from the internet on my BlackBerry. Neetu glanced at it and almost jumped from her chair, joking, ‘Oh, he’s too dark’. She also doesn’t know or understand how her cell number has featured on such a scandalous list. If it indeed has, it could well be a conspiracy,” added the PR specialist.

Owing to her active association with sports, recently, Neetu also became one of the few privileged Bollywood celebrities to have the honour of running with the Commonwealth Games torch (popularly known as the Queen’s Baton) in her hometown Patna. Apart from being a regular basketball player, the actress is a Black Belt 2nd Dan in Taekwondo, having participated in various martial arts tournaments at a district, national, as well as international level. Though Bhagwagar revealed, she is not a cricket fan.

This year, Neetu has an impressive line-up of films like Anees Bazmee’s ‘No Problem’ (with Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna and Sushmita Sen), Gary Grewal’s ‘Khusar Prasad Ka Bhoot’ (with Paresh Rawal and Randeep Hooda), Barnali Shukla’s ‘Kuch Love Jaisa’ (with Rahul Bose) amongst two other mega-budget ventures opposite superstars of the South.

Bollywood filmmakers to share their views For Neetu Chandra photo shoot

Neetu Chandra’s  ’woman-on-woman’ photo shoot has literally created a storm. Leave aside the protests (or the lack of them), the fact remains that the pictures have been one and all (though quite a few also deny having looked at them, but more on that later) and the Garam Masala girl who got ’lucky’ with an unlucky number ’13’ quite recently has now moved up from a ’Traffic Signal’ to Page 1 across National Dailies as well as prime slots on news channels.

Joginder Tuteja catches up with quite a few industry men and tries to gauge their reaction on Neetu’s photo shoot. While doing so, we came across an interesting trend. While majority of top line actors (names withheld) either refrained from commenting at all or evaded the query by stating - ’I am yet to look at the pictures’, quite a few Bollywood filmmakers were game to share their views around the photo shoot. This is what they had to say:

Suparn Verma - "More woman power! She looks fabulous and the pictures are aesthetically done. I think the moral police should take a nap!"

Ken Ghosh - "It’s quite an interesting concept! Great going!"

Rohit Jugraj - "I think it’s very awesome and gutsy on Neetu’s part to go ahead with such bold and sensuous pictures. Times are changing and we should pay heed.

They say cinema is a reflection of the changing society and if the world can have a festival like Moondance (a gay and dance film festival), we can at least celebrate freedom of expression in cinema. I have always had a script about two women, a pack of cigarettes and a road trip in mind, though that script of mine is not about lesbian characters but does have an intimate moment between the girls.

Photo shoots like Neetu’s only prove to me that audience is ready, howsoever niche it may be. But the question is - ’Are we filmmakers ready to handle such themes deftly with maturity and sensitively?"

 Randeep Hooda - "Neetu’s pictures are very hot. It’s in some form or the other every man’s fantasy. It’s about time we started opening up about it (smiles). It’s a brave shoot so cheers to her!"

Jag Mundhra - "I just checked one such picture on the net. I think it is quite beautiful and provocative. Her body language is defiant; celebrating raw female sexuality. It says - ’As an artist I am ready to push the boundaries’. It defies the viewer to do the same. I think it is very symbolic than sexy, just like the PETA ads."

Rahul Dholakia - "I saw the shoot, and while I thought it was an interesting concept and a good marketing tool, I don’t think we should give it any more importance than that. If this picture is generating any kind of controversy, I don’t think it should. It’s bold but not obscene; it’s about two women, maybe lesbians. So what?"

Piyush Jha - "Everyday I get surprised at how much further and further we are pushing the envelope of morality in India. While I am not aesthetically riveted by the pictures, I am impressed by the challenge it throws at the so called ’norms’ of our society."

Madhu Mantena - "I am in London and haven’t seen the pictures yet. However, would like to meet them together!"

Vivek Agnihotri - "We are living in time of media clutter and to get mind share, media must titillate; so a shoot like this is nothing novel.

Also competition is so tough in our industry that lots of people are willing to go to any extent to be noticed. What can be a better way than shock the audiences? The picture meets both these aspirations. Neetu is talented and I am sure she is capable of shocking more with her talent and soon she will realize it."

 Shirish Kunder - "Awesome. In fact I thought it was a little restrained. They should have gone out a little more."

Navdeep Singh - "Girl-girl action is always very welcome. These pictures seemed tasteful enough. There is a need and space for some eroticism in our lives. And when it’s girl-on-girl, it’s even better!!!"

Robby Grewal - "Neetu has liked doing the shoot and I have liked looking at the pictures. So where does the question of protests or morality come into picture?

At the end of the day when an artist and a consumer are comfortable with something, there should not be a problem with everyone else.

And come on, it’s not the first time that such pictures have come on print, so why are we making a hue and cry?"

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Priyanka Chopra was questioned what’s her take on Kareena

Many media channels do precisely look to pull-on something more interesting from celebrities by shooting polemical questions. Here’s a stark exemplification and Priyanka was smart enough on reverting with a sassy answer. Priyanka Chopra was questioned what’s her take on Kareena saying that she and Shahid are unremittingly using her name for their film’s (Kaminey) publicity?

Ah! Priyanka was so cool in responding, “Kaminey is made by one of the best filmmakers (Vishal Bharadwaj) of tinsel town and churned by a great banner. Shahid Kapoor does dual role and me as a Maharastrian woman. I think the film doesn’t need much more publicity than this.”

Kareena, are you listening to this? Preferably, these two filles should be waiting for the box office warfare as their films ‘Kambhakth Ishq’ and ‘Kaminey’ hits the screens on alternative weeks in August. Possibly, the producers-multiplex owners tiff may get the releases postponed furthermore.

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Bollywood to give us their thoughts on IPL

The IPL (Indian Premiere League) matches will not be held in India but in South Africa this year due to security reasons. Cricket fans across the country seem to be unhappy with the BCCI’s (Board of Council for Cricket in India) decision. We ask Bollywood to give us their thoughts on the matter.

Neetu Chandra

From the game’s point of view, I think that it is even better if we shift to various countries. It sends the rest of the world the message that ‘we have arrived’ and we can challenge anyone, anywhere. Ideally, I would love to have it in India but democracy, the elections and the security issues are all above the game. We need to accept the shift to South Africa, keeping the above in mind. 


Sonu Sood

It does not really matter to me. The game is the game, the venue does not matter. India has more important things to sort out and handle other than to take the IPL so seriously. Chill and enjoy the game rather than making an issue of where it is being played. 


Pooja Bedi

Personally, I find it quite amusing that the Indian Premiere League series will be held in South Africa! It sounds like the Australian Open tournament being held in Japan! 


Chunky Pandey

I have no problem with which part of the world the IPL will be held. All I know is that the craziness is about to begin on April 18. It will be a pleasure to watch the teams battle it out! 


Sudhir Mishra

I feel that it would have been better if the IPL was in India but it hardly matters to me as I am not very interested in cricket. However, there are millions of cricket lovers here who would enjoy the matches. 


Prateik Babbar

I believe that as long as there is cricket, it does not matter where it is played- it makes me happy! I love the game! I am looking forward to this year’s IPL series. 


Neeraj Pandey

Rather than questioning and doubting whether the decision made by the BCCI (Board of Council for Cricket in India) is right or wrong, we should enjoy the game. I personally don’t have a problem; I am looking forward to the games. 


Rumi Jaffrey

It should not be an issue because games cater to a global audience. There is nothing wrong with the IPL being shifted to South Africa. We should enjoy the matches rather than panicking about where they are held.