Katrina Kaif to raise oomph in 'Dhoom: 3'

The hunt for a leading lady for "Dhoom: 3" is over! Katrina Kaif will sizzle in the third instalment of the action-adventure series, which features Aamir Khan as the anti-hero.

Yash Raj Films (YRF) had been on the lookout for a fresh face for the role, which was essayed by Esha Deol and Aishwarya Rai, in "Dhoom" and "Dhoom:2", respectively.

"After almost a year of searching for a new face for 'Dhoom: 3', we were still unable to find the perfect debutante to play the lead role. We even reached out to international talent but were still unable to find someone who stood out," said director Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor.

The choice was made jointly by Victor and producer Aditya Chopra.

"Once we decided to go with a known face and not pursue the newcomer route, Katrina was the obvious choice for all of us," Victor said in a YRF press statement Friday.

Katrina has been riding high on the success of films like "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and another YRF venture "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan" earlier this year.

"She is someone who we all know will bring tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to the film. The first time pairing of Aamir with Katrina will also certainly add value," he added.

"Dhoom: 3" is written and directed by Victor, who had also written "Dhoom" and "Dhoom 2".

Apart from Aamir, both Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will continue in their now iconic roles of Jai Dixit and Ali, respectively.

The shooting will begin towards the end of this year. "Dhoom: 3" is slated for a 2012 Christmas release.

Katrina Kaif says she's not sexy

Katrina Kaif has had three big hits in 2009. A track record that none of her peers can begin to equal in these times of creative and box-office recession. That isn’t all. She has just been voted as the most popular actress in a Filmfare poll and the sexiest Asian actress by a leading Asian website from London.

But the girl remains grounded, so much so that she refuses to budge from her abode in a bustling part of Mumbai. “I know I’ve been reading about relocating my home. I admit I’ve looked at a few properties. But nothing seriously. Though it’s a little noisy on my street I’m too attached to the place I stay in. I’m also too lazy to make a move. Yes I’ll need a bigger place
when my sister Isabelle joins me. But right now she’s studying acting in the US. There’s still time,” yawns Bollywood’s hottest and sexiest actress.

So is she planning to move home? “Not at all, I have always wanted a home by the sea. But I love my current home too much. So no plans of moving.”“It’s very sweet of directors to mention my name in forthcoming projects. I feel privileged. But I haven’t said yes to anything new. At the moment I’ve cut my workload by half because of my ill health.”

As for being designated one of Asia’s sexiest women by Eastern Eye Katrina laughs, “Me? Hot and sexy? Nah. People should see me at home. I’m painfully unglamorous. Just another working girl making a living.

Aishwarya bumps into her ex-flame Salman

Even as his girlfriend Katrina Kaif is reeling at the Breach Candy Hospital for bad health, Salman Khan had a strange encounter a few days ago that must have made him forget the world around him at least for a while. He bumped into his ex-flame Aishwarya Rai while shooting for his latest film Veer.

It happened at the Mehboob Studios where Aishwarya is shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish. Salman too is busy shooting for the promo of Veer. Sources said that Salman emerged from his car and was talking on phone with a smile on his face. In the mean time, Aishwarya too was walking towards her van.

Sources said that the ex-lovers' eyes did meet for a moment and then chose to look the other way. Salman, who was all smiles on phone, turned serious and his smile turned into a frown. Even as Salman was walking around uncomfortably, Aishwarya entered her van immediately.

It may be recalled that the lovers had an ugly break-up after seeing each other for several years. Aishwarya is now happily married to Abhishek Bachchan while Salman is going steady with Katrina Kaif.

Katrina Kaif – Excellent Performer

Starting from today, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) brings in ‘Focus 2009’.As a part of its initiative, the 3rd Global Summit on Entertainment and Media was launched today in Delhi at the Hotel Le Meridien.

The chairperson of ASSOCHAM Entertainment Committee is reported to be Gauri Khan, wife of Shah Rukh Khan and, as earlier mentioned, Juhi Chawla heads the Film and Animation Committee.The event said to honour Katrina Kaif with the ‘Performing Excellence’ award. The question prevails whether Kat will be there to receive the award or not, as the beauty is in her bad health these days.