Before and After: 8 Badly Whitewashed Celebrities

Deepika Padukone in Neutrogena ad: If she had looked any whiter, she would have passed off as a

white woman! May be that’s what she was going for. Wink.

Chitrangda Singh on New Woman cover: If there’s one thing Chitrangda’s fans love about her, it’s her lovely caramel skin colour. Now why would she go and ruin the very thing that makes her desirable? What she did was ‘unfair’ to her fans. Pun intended.

Kajol in Olay ad: She was once quoted saying, “Ageing is a natural progression. Your first wrinkle isn’t the end of the world!” Then what is end of the world... getting caught in your ‘natural’ skin colour? C’mon Kajol you’re better than that, we still believe you’re not the hypocritical type.

Freida Pinto: Guess this particular cosmetic company is one notorious colour chameleon. But what is more disreputable is this ad done by the same actress who attacked Bollywood actors of having a fetish for fairer skin!

Beyonce Knowles: Can you believe when Beyonce was hired as the face of a leading cosmetic giant, she signed a contract pledging she would not make any 'radical changes' to her appearance? Did she really think she could fool her fans by making them believe it’s her ‘halo’ that’s making her glow?

Bipasha Basu in All Clear shampoo ad: Either the Bong beauty suddenly got vitiligo or of course she was whitewashed. If she didn’t allow ex-boyfriend John Abraham to dictate her life, why would she let an ad filmmaker do the same?

Rihanna on Vogue cover: We simply loved her Good Girl Gone Bad music album. She just took it a tad too far with this photoshoot. Marilyn Monroe would be happy to see her blonde hair do, but she would turn in her grave with her ghost-like white face

Shah Rukh Khan in Fair & Handsome ad: Agreed it’s a commercial for a fairness cream, but don’t look like a snowman! Leave some of the cream for Gauri, who looks forever tanned, what say?!

Chitrangda, Desi Boyz premiere

Chitrangda Singh turns ‘sexy teacher’

We might not be as lucky as Akshay... she does a striptease for him in Desi Boyz, after all.

But we got our fair share of oomph-n-sizzle from the seductress. Playing a teacher in the film, Chitrangda agreed to play 'sexy professor' for zoOm reporters, too. Cashing-in on the opportunity, we fired away our best questions and she breezed through them. Here's the rapid fire session:

If you were an accountant, not a teacher, whose account would you handle?

At this moment, that would be Salman. His films are earning so much money, I'm sure he needs an assistant to take care of finances.

Which of the Khans would you want to be paired with?

Ummm... uspe kafi extensive kaam chal raha hai. As soon as something comes out of it, this class would be the 1st to know...

Have you met the special someone in John's life?

Agar mila denge toh mil lenge... And tell me if you guys find out something. Just ring me up!

Which Bollywood camp do you belong to?

I'm trying to set up my own camp in the industry.

And that camp would be...

Well, zoOm and all its employees to begin with...

Who has the best abs in Bollywood?

I haven't seen many. I loved SRK in 'Dard-E-Disco' but I don't know whether they were abs or bronzer. Nonetheless, I loved him, he's SRK!

Which Bollywood couple should patch-up?

All of them. Break-ups make bad headlines. They should all patch-up.

Should celebrities use the brands they endorse?

Endorsements fetch you free samples. So why not? Ha, ha!

Which B-town boy would you like to be linked with?

Ranbir is in a dark ('Rockstar') zone and John has already found someone special. Ranveer Singh is all over the place, so I'd like to be linked with him.

After a few more questions, the sexy teacher dismissed the class, but for once, the students weren't waiting for a break. Well, they haven't learnt their lesson well, sexy teacher. You gotta come back soon to this class.

Chitrangada- Akshay chemistry...

John Abraham, Chitrangada Singh and Akshay Kumar during 'Golden Petal' Awards 2011

Chitrangada Singh and Akshay Kumar during 'Golden Petal' Awards 2011

Chitrangada: There is no friction between Deepika and me

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Chitrangada Singh has appeared only in a handful of films, yet her performances have been distinctive and memorable.

With just the right blend of sensuality and brilliant acting, she is an artist who never ran the rat-race and yet manages to be right up there. She's so confident of herself that walking out of Rakesh Roshan's biggie Krrish 2 is simply all in a day's work.

Chitrangada will be paired up with Akshay Kumar in Desi Boyz, which releases this Friday. The film also stars John Abraham and Deepika Padukone.

Chitrangada chats with Ankur Pathak on Indian men and Anees Bazmee comedies, and about breaking away from somber roles to be an active member of the mainstream Bollywood films.

Desi Boyz marks your full-fledged entry into the commercial mainstream. Are you going to continue this streak or would want to jump back to films like Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi?

I don't want to go back to anything. I just want to do all the good work that comes my way. With Desi Boyz, I think a lot of perception problems will be changed. It was a satisfying film to do and I had a great time in the making. It is a conscious effort because how long can you go on doing the same thing? How strongly can you come across as the same intense person again and again? It becomes monotonous and boring.

Every actor wants to explore something new, something different. It is because, after a point, your reactions become stale and you feel like breaking free. More than the image makeover, I feel I'm doing experimental films, something I haven't tried before. So far the experience has been fantastically fun.

'I regret not being a part of Krrish 2'

In the past couple of months, you've lost out on two biggies -- Krrish 2 and Race 2.

It was wrongly reported that I was doing Race 2. I was never considered a part of it.

Krrish, yes. I did lose on it and regret not being in it. It's a huge project which is going to be extensively shot with a large international crew. The producers required bulk dates of around 130 days from me. Had it been a little earlier, I could come on board. 

Rakesh Roshan tried working it out but there was too much of haphazard coordination. The film kept getting postponed and then I had to finish Desi Boyz and later I got caught up with the promotions of the film. 

What, according to you, is the hottest aspect about Indian men?

They are emotional, and I like that. They aren't cold-blooded but get sentimental for things like family and the mother. I find it immensely attractive.

And the not-so-attractive part?

They don't give you enough freedom.

'Bollywood is slowly making heroine-centric films'

What do you think is the most desi thing about you?

I'm from Meerut (an Uttar Pradesh town). My father is from the army. So, I feel very patriotic in a different, more involved manner. When people say that the Indian army isn't very efficient and other such frivolous things, I get agitated.

The blockbusters this year have been male-dominating action films like Singham, Bodyguard, Ra.One. For someone who picks strong female-oriented scripts, what's your take?

The audience is to be blamed for that. They are fixated with this overtly macho hero, bashing up 10 goons at one time. Maybe there aren't enough women patronizing the theatre. Even the industry needs a reform wherein more women-themed films sought to be written. We are slowly making heroine-centric films, and I think Vidya Balan is a major player who is bringing in that change.

'Farah Khan is a superstar'

You are doing a scorching hot item number for Shirish Kunder's Joker 3D. Is it a part of your image makeover strategy or you're doing it just because everybody else is?

Maybe, both. The main reason is that I really like to dance and I got this really fantastic opportunity with this fantastic song, so I was instantly in it.

Are you saying you weren't offered item numbers before?

Oh, no. I was offered a few and might have done this particular one, but it really had horrible lyrics. With Kaafirana, I knew I was in the extremely safe and talented hands of Farah Khan. She is a superstar. Moreover, the film (Joker, directed by Shirish Kunder) is her own home production and also has Akshay in it.

'I am not too fond of cooking'

Tell us one thing about Akshay we don't know yet.

You guys know plenty about him, what more can I tell? Only thing I can say is Akshay is really a great cook and a big time prankster. Other than this, there are personal experiences which I cannot talk about.

Were you a victim of any pranks played by any of the boys?

Initially, Akshay and I didn't know each other too well so he was very decent and respectable. But as soon as the days passed, he started his antics.

I remember once when he got this weird, concentrated oil, and passed it on to me. Unsuspectingly, I sniffed it, and found myself in tears for the next one hour, while these boys guffawed! I ran after his life.

Do you cook well?

Enough to keep the person alive (Laughs). I am not too fond of cooking and neither am I a wonderful cook. But I like baking. Banana walnut cake is my husband's favourite, and I make that pretty well.

'I don't take anybody's consent before signing on a film'

Do you take your husband's (golfer Jyoti Randhawa) consent before signing on a film?

No, I don't take anybody's consent before signing on a film.

Does he watch any of them?

Of course he does, and he better watch them. (Laughs)

Does he appreciate the kind of work you do?

Well, it depends. He doesn't understand the Hindi film industry too well. He spends most of his time on the golf course. It is a mutual thing: Sometimes I don't like his shots, and at times, he doesn't like mine.

'I really admire Deepika's body of work'

You have Deepika Padukone alongside you in the film. Did you think that she, having done far more films, would overshadow you?

See, she is a big star and has around 10-12 films to her credit -- all with big banners. I really admire her body of work. But (director) Rohit Dhawan has done a fabulous job with the film, and he told me he had written the character with me in mind.

It really was a big thing for me, and I respect him even more, for him to acknowledge that. I'm satisfied with the way my role has come out, and confident of my work. There is no friction between Deepika and me.

'I enjoy the Anees Bazmee kind of humour'

Are you a funny person?

I think I am. I am a bit shy more than anything else. Especially when I'm outside and crowded by a lot of people, I become extremely conscious. I'm trying to get over that. I'm my self-best when I'm hanging out with my bunch of friends.

Which are the funny films that you like?

Eh, I enjoy the Anees Bazmee kind of humour. I really was laughing while watching Thank You. Same with Singh is Kinng. I felt the Sardaars were just too funny especially Jaaved Jafferi. I think he is the funniest guys around in Bollywood.

You are among the most sensually gorgeous leading ladies. Was there enough male attention in your college days?

Thank you. But very sadly, I was in an all-girls school and my mother sent me to an all-girls college, so I'm sure it wasn't the way it could've been (Smiles).

Chitrangda Singh to share screen with Arjun Rampal

Chitrangda Singh's role in Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi was appreciated but few saw the actress breaking that mould.

It has taken eight years for her to make the switch to her first masala movie Desi Boyz, now up for release. Here, she talks about the transition.

You began your career with Hazaaron Khwaishein...
It happened purely by chance. I missed a flight to Korea and got a call from a guy who had seen my music video and wanted me to audition for the role in HKA. I had to audition four times before I finally got the role. It was only after I saw the film at a trial that I felt I had a career. I hugged and thanked my director Sudhir Mishra.

What made you switch to masala cinema?
It was a conscious decision. I was stuck in a rut doing the same intense performances in every 'arthouse' film. When Rohit Dhawan called me up for Desi Boyz, I was thrilled! Doing commercial cinema is fun. I wanted to do something different and glamourous and it was the perfect time to have got the role. Parallel cinema is more challenging and emotionally draining. An actor's every movement or word is laden with meaning and there are heavy layers to every character. They are never one-dimensional like masala cinema is.

What was the transition like?
It's not easy doing comedy in commercial cinema. One can't overdo it. You have to keep it real and believable or else it looks as if you are hamming. So commercial cinema is also tough in its own way. My family is very excited about my new film and feel very proud. They say I look better than the other actress in the film but I think they're biased.

About your first ever item number in Joker...
That was sudden. I got a call from Farah Khan whom I happened to meet at a parlour. I loved shooting for it so much that after five days I told director Shirish Kunder and Farah that I don't want to pack up but carry on shooting. It's a lovely mix of lavani and other dances and a full-on passionate and sensuous number. I love dancing and am passionate about it.

What films come next?
There's I Me Aur Mein with John again and Mehrunissa with Arjun Rampal.

Desi Boyz: Akshay Kumar and Chitrangda Singh

Desi Boyz: John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitrangda Singh and Akshay Kumar

Deepika Padukone (L) and Chitrangda Singh address the media

John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitrangada Singh and Akshay Kumar: promote their movie 'Desi Boyz'

I've become very commercial: Chitrangda Singh

... says Chitrangda Singh, who has cemented her place in mainstream cinema by doing an item number

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Chitrangda Singh is the new sex siren on the block. After all, the actor who was hitherto known for her critically acclaimed roles in films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, is now gearing up to set the mercury soaring with a hot item number in the Akshay Kumar- and Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Joker. The song, which is titled Kaafirana, will be Chitrangda's first item number. "Yes, I'm doing an item number and it was a very different experience grooving to the beats of Kaafirana. Choreographer Farah Khan, of course, helped me. The song is very Indian and rustic and I enjoyed moving to the number. I have become very commercial now," laughs Chitrangda.

Though she is loving every bit of her new image, Chitrangda is still getting used to the ways of commercial cinema. "It's a great change as all this naach-gaana is something that I have not done so far. I am still learning the ropes of commercial cinema and getting used to how crowds mob stars," she says.

Is it true that Chitrangda was initially very nervous about working with Akshay for her upcoming film? "I was anxious. Firstly, I was working with someone who has already done some 120 commercial films. I was new to the whole scheme of things. I was very nervous and my onscreen character was just the opposite. It took time to register that I was indeed working with him. But commercial cinema is fun," she says.

And what about the reports that were doing the rounds about her having problems with her other co-star, Deepika Padukone? "I don't know where these reports come from. We hardly have any scenes together in the film and we don't have any problems with each other," says Chitrangda.

Now that the actor has made a foray into commercial cinema, will she continue doing parallel cinema as well? "I would like to juggle both kinds of cinema," she says. So what will her priority be? "Well, my priority will be good films and performance-oriented roles. I want to go back home with something nice in my kitty," she says.

Chitrangada Singh: 'Desi Boyz' is kind of a debut for me

Actress Chitrangada Singh, so far seen in offbeat roles, is excited about her first commercial film " Desi Boyz". She plays a professor with dollops of oomph, and says she feels as though she is making her debut.

Talking about the kind of work she has so far done, Chitrangada said: "Kaam ata tha, but ek jaisa kaam ata tha (Work came to me, but always the same kind of work came)...People couldn't imagine me doing a commercial movie."

The dusky beauty was in conversation with trade analyst Komal Nahta on his show on ETC Bollywood Business.

She was also in the capital Thursday, along with co-stars Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Deepika Padukone, to share insights on the film with her fans.

"'Desi Boyz' is kind of a debut for me as I have been part of different kind of films so far. I was getting a bit bored of doing the same kind of cinema so I thought I should do something different. I had a great time working in my first commercial film," she told reporters.

The actress made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi", and was subsequently seen in films like "Sorry Bhai!", "Basra" and "Yeh Saali Zindagi".

In "Desi Boys", Chitrangada plays Akshay's love interest.

Sharing her experience of working with the action star, she told Nahta: "Akshay is fantastic. He's very encouraging, warm and very humble. He helped me out with tips during dance sequence."

She also refuted reports of constant cat fights with Deepika during the film's shoot.

"All is well between me and Deepika and there were no tiffs. We have just one scene together and we spoke on the day we shot it and that too was shot few days ago. As a matter of fact, we both have encountered each other more now during the movie's promotion," she said.

While "Desi Boyz" will release Nov 25, Nahta's tete-a-tete with Chitrangada will be aired Monday.

Akshay is fantastic: Chitrangada Singh

Actress Chitrangada Singh, who is Akshay Kumar's love interest in the forthcoming comedy "Desi Boyz", had reservations about working with the actor.

"Akshay is fantastic. He's very encouraging, warm and very humble. I was feeling very anxious working with someone who has done more than 120 commercial films," she said.

The film also stars John Abraham and Deepika Padukone and is slated for a release Nov 25.