The trio walked down a fashion runway in the special episode, which is set to be aired on May 2. We wonder what both the stars were chatting about; was it the show Bade Acche Lagte Hain, the movie – Shootout at Wadala, or the vast difference in their waist sizes. For all you know, Ram must have been taking vishesh tipanis from the brawny actor on how to remain fit. While we love our Golu uncle, maybe losing a few inches is not such a bad idea, no?

Besides John, the cast and crew of BALH was also joined by Ekta Kapoor’s brother Tusshar Kapoor. Ekta, producer of the show and co-producer of Shootout At Wadala, designed the special scene to promote her movie.

It seems that film promotions on Bade Achhe Lagte Hain has become a formula of sorts for Ekta, who has been utilising the show time to plug in her movies. Vidya Balan made an appearance on the show and shook a leg with Sakshi Tanwar to promote The Dirty Picture. Later Riteish Deshmukh and Tusshar were seen giving Samir Kochhar’s character Rajat Kapur love tips ahead of the release of their movie Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum last year.

Incidentally, this special episode with Ram and John will also be marked as BALH’s 400th episode.

With inputs from IANS

The Shootout at Wadala cast – John Abraham, Tusshar Kapoor and Sophie Choudry – will be seen indulging in hardcore promotional activities on television, and they will start with, well…no points for guessing…Ekta Kapoor’s pet project, the TV soap Bade Acche Lagte Hain. Ms K is an expert in the area of coming up with cool promotional ideas, and hence it doesn’t come as a surprise that she’s designed a scene in which John, Tusshar and Sophie will walk the ramp in a fashion show, which will be incorporated into an episode on the daily.

Last night we saw how Ram Kapoor and wifey Priya Sharma’s machinations in Bade Acche Lagte Hain finally reached the desired stage…or did they? Ayesha Sharma and Siddhant Kapoor are finally at the shaadi ka mandap going through the saat pheras. The varmaalas have been exchanged and now all that is left is for them to go through the mangalsutra-sindoor signature steps to be legally married. But wait…what is Ayesha up to? Now that is what happened last night. As the wedding progressed, the smirk on our lady’s face grew more nasty. And finally, as a coup de grace to her relationship with Sid, she has him arrested. But she still loves him, she tells Mamaji later. Now what will our favourite stout Kapoor jodi do? We wait to find out.

But along the way, here comes some stunning news. We hear that Bade Acche… is gonna see some drastic changes. Some months ago it did a five-year leap, during which Priya had a baby, Pihu, Ram married Ayesha, who gave birth to Sid’s child Khush, blah blah blah.

Now we are told by our fave buddy the birdie that the show will soon jump forward about 20 years. Gasp! Now that is a long time, no? Of course, we just had to wonder what the characters will be like then – Pihu has hopefully lost weight and got less cutie-pie; Ram will have some artistically chalked in grey streaks, while Priya will wear elaborate sarees and heavier jewels; there will be another son or daughter who will probably have family battles with the older one and the various cousins; Sid and Ayesha will probably still be on-off-on again; some characters will have quit, not wanting to age so much….and more. What fun! Of course, like the old Baa in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, everyone will look much the same, but be close to about 768 years of age!

We are gonna have fun with this leap. Aren’t you?

Lakme Fashion Week 2013 has probably never seen more stars walking the ramp, and never have the stars looked so proud – all thanks to Vikram Phadnis and his unique idea of partnering with an NGO and including villagers to be a part of his glamorous fashion show.

On day 4 of the fashion week, Vikram Phadnis partnered with The Swades Foundation, and had its members walk the ramp along with B-town celebrities. The outfits were heavily inspired by rural India and Phadnis had the hall decorated with lanterns, as the celebs walked the ramp to the theme song from the movie Swades.

Filmmakers, choreographers, television actors as well as movie stars were a part of the show and they walked hand-in-hand with their compatriots from rural India. Those who were a part of this glitzy yet grounded fashion show were Ayushmann Khurrana, the Kai Po Che gang including Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Raj Kumar Yadav, lleana D’Cruz, Dia Mirza, Neha Dhupia, Ekta Kapoor and dad Jeetendra, Malaika Arora Khan and husband Arbaaz Khan along with their son, Rahul Bose, Kiran Rao, Chetan Bhagat, Ram Kapoor, Sakshi Tanwar, Juhi Chawla and producer Ronnie Screwvala.

The television industry’s bahus and betis are often termed regressive and typecast as the weaker sex in daily soaps. But there is no denying that today’s Indian TV is ruled by female protagonists! Our leading ladies have now begun showcasing progressive ideas and actions. And we are definitely proud! On this International Women’s Day, the super women of the teleworld – Sakshi Tanwar, Drashti Dhami, Toral Rasputra, Soumya Seth, Rupali Ganguly, Sriti Jha, Tina Dutta, Akanksha Singh, Dipika Samson, Aanchal Munjal, Sparsh Kanchandani, Chandani Bhagwanani and Sreejita De – talk about the modern day women, the roles they play effortlessly in a world ruled by men and why March 8 is so special.

On the other hand, the men from the industry – Vishal Singh and Raqesh Vashisht – express their gratitude to all the women in their life and salute their spirit.

Saraswatichandra became the talk of the town from the moment that the meticulous filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced his big plans to make a television show that combined sensibilities of Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The two-week old show has garnered attention for its unique launch, interesting star cast and larger than life sets, but does it really pull in the audiences? Not so much, apparently! In the cut-throat game of TRPs, Saraswatichandra has managed to get a rating of 2.1. The serial has not managed to overthrow its competition, in spite of all that publicity and buzz around it. Unfortunately, the show –which we can now confidently say is indeed a takeoff from SLB’s Hum Dil… and Devdas, has nothing new to offer. While the chemistry between Jennifer Winget (Kumud) and Gautam Rode (Saraswatichandra) is sizzling, it’s still not converting into big numbers.

Daily soaps like Diya Aur Baati Hum (5.9 rating), Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (4.4) and Balika Vadhu (4.2) are still ruling the television roost by a huge margin. However, Saraswatichandra has managed to beat Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar’s serial Bade Acche Lagte Hain (1.9), which is a big step, especially considering how popular the portly Mr Kapoor and his biwi are!

Giving the makers the benefit of the doubt because it’s still a new show, we think the numbers could go up as soon as the romantic track between Saraswatichandra and Kumud starts moving along – right now it is all projected, slated for another day, coming soon. We hope the creative heads put their thinking caps on very soon to inject more spice into the soap. Or else Bhansali’s dream to run the show for seven or more years is going to remain just a dream, no?

In spite of the low rating of the show so far, the numbers somehow are still in favour of Star Plus (265) – the channel has received the highest ratings compared to other channels, thanks to weekend shows like Nach Baliye (2.2 – 3.6) , Arjun (1.4) and other Saturday-Sunday soaps. Zee TV (226) managed to bag second place followed by Colors (220), and Sony (170). Let’s see how the game changes next week!

Sakshi Tanwar talks about her beliefs in the paranormal, her marriage plans and her equation with Balaji and Ekta Kapoor…

You are playing the positive lead in Ek Thhi Naayka – didn’t you want to play the daayan for a change?

Frankly, I would have loved to play the daayan if the opportunity was given to me. But I was offered the role of a naayka, which is very different from the things I regularly do. So I am happy.

Is your story in Ek Thhi Naayka in any way similar to Ek Thi Daayan – the movie?

There is no similarity between the two except the central theme of the story – daayans. The show will take several elements from the movie, but that’s about it.

Your plate is already full with work, so why did you take up Ek Thhi Naayka?

It’s true that we are constantly working. But when Ekta offered me this role, there was really nothing to think about. All I asked her to do was to adjust my days from Bade Acche Lagte Hain for this show.

When will your story be aired?

I haven’t shot for my episode yet, but I am told it will be the last story.

What are your expectations of Ek Thhi Naayka?

I have been able to be part of several success stories with Balaji; I hope the trend continues with Ek Thhi Naayka. It is a unique and beautiful concept to bring together eight leading ladies of television and make a show with them. I have a feeling that it will work.

Do you believe in the supernatural?

I have heard several stories as a child. It is really hard to say whether any of these things are real or not, but I truly believe only in the power above me: God.

What do you think of the horror genre?

I cannot watch a horror movie to save myself! Not even with my eyes closed. Even during college times, when friends would gather to discuss eerie topics, I’d stop them.

Have you ever experienced anything paranormal?

There was this once when I felt the walls were closing in on me and everything around seemed to be spinning, but I am sure it was more to do with me feeling week and didn’t really have any paranormal connection.

When you first signed on to do Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, did you ever imagine being an iconic television figure?

It was all by the grace of God. Initially, it was just a source of pocket money for me. My friends informed me about an audition and I went for it on a whim. The show ran for eight years and I couldn’t ask for anything more. The success of Kahaani… was enough to last a lifetime. The popularity I am getting now from Bade Acche Lagte Hain seems like the bonus period of my life.

What’s your equation with Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms like?

Balaji and Ekta are more like a family to me now. It is a strong bond, which is hard to crack. The level of understanding and professionalism we share is profound.

As an actor, what do you look for in a script?

As an actor I like to experiment with characters and TV is the best medium to do that ‘coz of the reach it has nowadays. Frankly, I am ready to take up anything that is challenging enough.

What’s your next move going to be after Bade Acche Lagte Hain?

I believe that as long as I am sincere, hardworking and have God’s blessings, work will come. I am enjoying a very comfortable position right now. So I am not thinking about the future.

What about your marriage plans? Have you thought about that?

I believe I will get married when I am destined to. God has a plan and all I have to do is surrender to him. Things will happen.

The famous Priya of Bade Acche Lagte Hai will be seen playing a substantial role alongside Sunny Deol in director Chandra Prakash Dwivedi’s next

Sakshi Tanwar is all set to add another feather to her cap by playing an interesting role opposite apna quintessential action dude Sunny Deol in Mohalla Assi. In fact, what’s all the more cool is that Sunny paaji will be seen portraying a priest in the film. Now does that ring a bell, sweeties? Remember Deol played something similar in Arjun Pandit as well. The actor, we hear, will be stepping into the shoes of a chaste Sanskrit pandit and Sakshi will be his better half in the film, and she claims that’s one role we should really be looking forward to ‘coz it has many shades.

Tanwar is happy that she has reached a notch higher in her Bollywood career. So far she has only played cameos in films, but now she will get to play a full-fledged role and that too with one of the established names in the industry.

2013 seems like an action-packed year for Sunny – from I Love NY to the sequel of Yamla Pagla Deewana, and now a movie with the Pinjar director Chandra Prakash Dwivedi and the queen of TV Sakshi Tanwar. Quite an unconventional pair, no…what do you think readers?

Sakshi Tanwar (Priya Kapoor) and Amrita Mukherjee (Pihu Kapoor) share a very special bond on and off the sets of Bade Acche Lagte Hain. “Pihu never lets me think that I am not her real mother,” said Sakshi. The actor said that she spends most of her free time with Pihu. “I literally do everything for her – from colouring books to telling stories. She is too adorable! We have a habit – whenever she wants to hear a story, I pretend that a there is a birdie on the sets that’s telling me new things. She’ll come and sit on my lap and tell me, ‘Birdie ko bulaao na…please bulaao na!’ – and no one can resist that,” smiles Sakshi, who plays Ram Kapoor’s wife Priya in the serial.

So does handling Pihu get difficult, since after all, she is just a child? “While I pamper her, I also scold her when she gets mischievous. Her mother trusts that I have her best interests in mind and hence has given only me permission to scold her. But Pihu is a very well-mannered kid,” explained Sakshi.

She added, “Pihu is a spontaneous actor too. She improvises her lines and at times her reactions are impromptu. The other day, when I was crying for a scene, she came up and wiped my tears…without any direction!” Looks like we have a new and very young natural actor in the making, no?