Salman knew he would kill people: Court

Actor Salman Khan had knowledge that his act of rash driving would result in death or injuries to people, a Magistrate observed while charging him with a more serious offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in a decade-old hit-and-run case.

Salman was warned by his police bodyguard Ravindra Patil not to drive at a speed of 90 to 100 km per hour as there was a turning ahead or else the vehicle would meet with accident
but he did not pay heed to his advice, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate V S Patil noted last week in his order, a copy of which was made available on February 8.  

Salman's lawyer Dipesh Mehta told PTI that the actor would challenge the order, given on a Maharashtra Government plea, in the Bombay High Court soon.

On the night of September 28, 2002, Salman had allegedly rammed his Toyota Land Cruiser into a roadside bakery at suburban Bandra, killing one person and injuring four others
who were sleeping on the pavement.

The 47-year-old was earlier charged under IPC Section 304 A (rash and negligent driving) which attracts two years' punishment and is tried by a Magistrate. Now he has been charged under IPC Section 304 part II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), for which maximum jail term is 10 years.

The Magistrate, in his order on January 31, said the actor was under the influence of liquor, according to reports of pathological tests.

The Court disagreed with Salman's argument that he had no knowledge that there would be an accident and people would die if he drove at a fast speed. On the contrary, the actor had
knowledge about this because he stays in the vicinity and knows the topography of the place, the Magistrate noted.

The Magistrate rejected Salman's contention that at the relevant time it was dark and the accident was not intentional but an act of God. He reiterated the actor had knowledge that
he would meet with accident if he drove at high speed because he was warned by the police bodyguard who was sitting next to him in the ill-fated car.

Salman argued that the Court cannot alter the charge on the basis of an application made by the prosecution. The Magistrate, however, felt that the Court can any time alter the charge before the trial concludes.

In this case, the Magistrate pointed out, prosecution had only drawn the Court's attention to the evidence adduced by it to show that charge of 'culpable homicide not amounting to
murder' was made out against the accused.

Ultimately, it was the Court's decision to invoke this charge on the basis of evidence tabled before it.

Interestingly, this is the second time that Salman is being tried under the stringent provision of IPC. Earlier too, the Magistrate had charged with him with the same offence and referred the case to Sessions Court for trial.

The actor had challenged application of this charge in the Sessions Court which rejected his plea. He had then moved the Bombay High Court which ruled that the charge of 'culpable
homicide not amounting to murder' would not apply in the case.

Maharashtra Government approached the Supreme Court, which set aside the order of both Sessions Court and HC.

"But we make it very clear that at any appropriate stage if the Magistrate comes to the conclusion that there is sufficient material to charge the accused with a more serious offence than the one punishable u/s 304(A), he shall proceed to do so.

"As such decision of the Magistrate shall be purely based on the material brought in evidence at the time of trial," the apex court had observed.

Acting on a prosecution plea, the Magistrate last week slapped the charge of 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' on the actor and referred the case to Sessions Court

Bolly babes copy Holly divas

New Delhi: Our Bollywood divas define fashion trends in our country. They are the real trend setters, and fashion gurus for many young girls. But is their fashion sense original? Ever wondered why do they keep copying Hollywood hotties, rather than donning something new and stylish?

Bollywood's latest copycat babe is Kareena Kapoor Khan. The actress was spotted in the same black long sleeved Tom Ford dress that was sported by Hollywood TV reality star Kim Kardashian, when she stepped out to promote her new perfume during Fashion’s Night Out in New York City.

Bebo, who was posing merrily at the launch of her book 'The Confessions of a Style Diva', matched her dress with black pumps and golden belt. Copying the style of a Hollywood celeb at the launch of your own "style" book is definitely a bad idea begum sahiba. And, think of your fans, this might not leave a good impression on them, Bebo.

This is not the first time a Bollywood actress has copied an international celebrity.

Also joining the league is B-Town’s fashionista Sonam Kapoor, who initially made us believe that her dressing style was original. But very soon everyone came to know that the actress is just a copycat and has nothing new to offer to her fans.

All her dresses, hairstyles, bags are nothing but a Xerox of what the international style icons are doing.

In 2011, Sonam was spotted wearing the same Prabal Gurung red & black pleated one shoulder dress at the Bombay Times 16th anniversary party that was worn by Hilary Rhoda at 2010 Costume Institute Gala, New York.

Any plans to leave this habit of copying other celebs, Sonam?

It seems B-Town babes are suffering from copycat syndrome. Come out of it girls! Your fans will definitely love your original sense of style.

Vishwaroop, David first weekend collection at Box Office

This weekend has once again proved that bulk release will always result in poor collection. This is the fate of new Hindi releases like Vishwaroop, David, Deewana Main Deewana, Mai, Midnight's Children, Listen Amaya and Unsound. Out of the six releases, Vishwaroop and David have had slightly better collection at the Indian Box Office than the others. But they have landed in the second and third spots respectively, while Race 2 topped the business chart. Of the new releases, Vishwaroop is leading the race at the domestic Box Office. The Kamal Hassan starrer opened to an average response on the first day and it showed good improvement in its collection on Saturday and Sunday. The movie has collected Rs 7.56 crores nett at the desi collection centres in the second weekend. Its breakup is Rs 1.89 cr on Fri, Rs 2.47 cr on Sat and Rs 3.2 cr on Sun. Another much-hyped movie David starring Vikram, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Vinay Virmani in leads, opened to below average response on the first day and it showed little growth in its business on Saturday and Sunday. It has collected Rs 2.41 crores nett at the domestic Box Office in the first weekend. Its breakup is Rs 69 lakhs on Fri, Rs 83 lakhs on Sat and Rs 89 cr on Sun. However, other new releases Deewana Main Deewana, Mai, Midnight's Children, Listen Amaya and Unsound registered very low amount of occupancy on the first day and they did not show improvement on Saturday and Sunday. They have collected negligible amount at the domestic Box Office in the first weekend.

Saif Ali Khan confirms plans for Race 3!

Race 2 starring Saif Ali Khan andJohn Abraham in the main lead, has opened with a bang and is setting the B.O collections on fire. Within a few days of it’s release the movie has already crossed 50 crore and looks like it’s still going to go a long way. Now, since the movie is doing so well, the makers of the film have decided remove a third installment of the film.

A source said: “It makes sense as well. Ending of Race 2 has been left open ended. Since John’s character hasn’t been done away with entirely, unlike Akshaye Khanna who was bumped off in Race, it is clear that he would be back for revenge. However, it has to be seen whether he returns in Race 3 or Race 4.”

Though the story of the first two parts wasn’t similar at all, the makers of the film are not revealing anything about the plot they have in mind for the next part.

Ramesh Taurani, producer of the film said: “I want a 10-day holiday now. It has been a two year long journey to put together RACE 2. But yes, RACE 3 is definitely on. With the sequel doing so well at the box office, it deserves more installments. We have these as a part of our immediate plans.”

Saif Ali Khan too doesn’t mind starring in the next part as it’s adding to his list of hit films and also he’s making big bucks.

Saif said: “We are pretty much confirmed to go ahead with Race 3. I think if the film continues to run so very well, there is no reason why we shouldn’t extend the story any further. The script will have to be much stronger though.”

Shahrukh Khan & Katrina Kaif will spend Valentines Day in Muscat

This Valentines Day, Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif will be performing together for the first time in a musical show. This would be their first live show in a concert abroad.

Confirming the news, a source close to Katrina said that the two will be performing in Muscat.

“Yes, she will be performing with Shah Rukh Khan in Oman on February 13. The show will also have performances by actressPreity Zinta and Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar,” revealed the source.

The show is scheduled on Valentines Day eve. Srk and Kats will get groovy to the songs of their super hit flick Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

SRK and Katrina have made it to the list of one of the most good looking couples on screen. They have become the talk of the town ever since Jab Tak Hai Jaan happened. Also, the couple have come under the scanner because of SRK’s fiery relationship with Kat’s “ex-lover” Salman Khan.

Now, we are all aware that the once upon a time good friends Shahrukh and Salman are now the worst Bollywood enemies, who don’t see eye-to-eye anymore.

Reports also suggest that Salman Khan’s decision to pair up with Priyanka Chopra, SRK’s very special friend for the Dubai show, was a way to get back at Shahrukh for wooing Salman’s ex-lover Katrina, on-screen in the Yash Chopra romantic film.

Anyway, we just can’t wait to see SRK-Katrina performance.

Salman Khan is very busy this year

Salman Khan and his ‘Wanted’ director Prabhu Deva are all set to team up once again. The film is said to go on floors by the end of this year.

Salman Khan is considered as one of the busiest actors in Bollywood. The actor has somehow managed to keep aside some time for Prabhu Deva for his next untitled film.

Confirming the news, the film’s producer, Ramesh Taurani said,“Salman will be doing a film with us. The film will go on floors by the end of this year. It will be directed by Prabhu Deva. We have got his dates, so we will start rolling accordingly.”

So is the project a remake of a south film or any past movie, Tauruni said: “I can’t talk much about the film right now. It can or it may not be a remake. We are contemplating the subject right now. Once the subject is finalised, we will look for the leading actress for our film.”

If reports are to be believed, Anees Bazmee’s No Entry Mein Entry, and Sooraj Barjatya’s next untitled film, both of which stars Salman Khan, has been postponed to 2014.

So, Salman’s 2013 calendar reads: Sohail Khan’s ‘Mental’, Sajid Nadiadwala’s ‘Kick’ and Prabhudheva’s next untitled.

Salman Khan all set for his next, ‘Mental’

Salman Khan’s next film has been titled ‘Mental’ and will go on floors anytime soon.

A source tells a daily, “Salman is all set to put his full concentration on Sohail Khan’s Mental and before getting started with it, he wanted to finalise his itinerary for 2013.”

Like we reported earlier, Salman Khan is a very busy man this 2013. After getting done with his brother Sohail Khan’s ‘Mental’, Salman will shift focus on Sajid Nadiadwala’s much-awaited film ‘Kick’, which might see Deepika Padukoneplaying the female lead. If all goes as planned, Sajid’s ‘Kick’ will roll out by August.

Also, we had reported yeaterday that besides ‘Mental’ and ‘Kick’, Salman Khan will also begin shooting for Prabhu Deva’s mass entertainer, which will go on floors by the year end.

Producer of Prabhu Deva’s untitled film, Ramesh Taurani confirmed the news. He was on top of the world when Salman Khan made available himself in October to start the film.

Currently, director Prabhu Deva is also very busy with Ramaiya Vastavaiya, which is set to hit theaters this June. Next in line is Ajay Devgn starer and finally, it will be Salman Khan’s film.

This will be Salman’s second film with Prabhu Deva, after 2009 ‘Wanted’.