Deepika Padukone has lost one of her first brands, Parachute to Anushka Sharma. The actress after being the face of the brand for two years has just been replaced by Sharma. The commercial featuring the new model has already been shot and will be out on television screens by the end of October.

Parachute had signed Deepika before the release of her first film, Om Shanti Om. Even before the hoardings of the film were put up, Parachute cashed in on the curiosity of the public and began their campaign. But just two years down the road, the actress has been replaced. Sources from the brand say, “Deepika’s prices have jacked up immensely. She is also endorsing quite a few products. That went against our campaign. Anushka is a fresh face and has been a model. She fits the bill and so we went ahead with her.”

Post CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA, Akshay Kumar and Nikhil Advani have joined hands once again, reinforcing the trust they've in each other's abilities. Nikhil's new project is titled PATIALA HOUSE and will team Akshay and Anushka Sharma in principal roles. In fact, this is the first film Anushka has signed outside of Yash Raj banner.

The film stars Rishi Kapoor in a pivotal role. "Besides, I've cast a lot of actors from U.K. since they'd add authenticity to the scenes. The story is based in Southall, U.K.," Nikhil informs me. What's the film all about? "It's a father-son story. The son gives up his dream to save his father's reputation, until he meets a girl who gives him the strength to stand up for what he believes. It's about second chances," Nikhil divulges.

Although the Shahid Kapoor-Anushka Sharma untitled Yash Raj film has completed one major schedule in Hyderabad, the film’s music score is not in place yet.

A source said, “The film has so far been shot without any songs. That’s because producer Aditya Chopra, director Parmeet Sethi and music composer Pritam Chakraborty cannot see eye-to-eye on any of the songs and music that Pritam has composed for the film.”

The music of the film requires a rich, retro feel. “Parmeet Sethi’s film is set in the 1990s. Aditya Chopra wanted a distinct and directly-sourced reference to the sound and music of that decade. Everyone thought Michael Jackson and his songs like Billy Jean and Beat It would be sound reference points,” added the source.

Actor Anushka Sharma says she shares a similar career trajectory with good friend and fellow Bangalorean Deepika Padukone.

She is all of 22 and life for her is like a fairytale. For most upcoming actors in the Hindi film industry, working with Shah Rukh Khan is a dream. Playing the demure Tanni, opposite King Khan in the reclusive Aditya Chopra’s “Rab Ne Bana di Jodi”, Anushka Sharma had a dream debut. Fans in the U.K. have compared her performance favourably to Kajol’s portrayal of Simran 14 years ago in “DDLJ”.

She was not introduced with the poise and glamour associated with typical Yash Raj heroines. But newcomer Anushka Sharma, who danced her way into audiences’ hearts with Shah Rukh Khan in “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”, says she can always glam up for her next film for the banner.

“Even when girls are presented as ’seedhi-saadhi’ in a Yash Raj film, she is glamorous. And coming from a glam background I wouldn’t have minded being glossy in my first film. But you know what? This was such a huge opportunity.

Excerpt:

Anushka Sharma: “Oh my God! I’m utterly shocked. Michael Jackson’s ‘Black or White’ was one of the few western pop tunes I was introduced to in my early teens. We’ve lost a musical genius and a splendid performer. His music will live forever. He was undoubtedly a genius.

The following pics have been added to the gallery:

IIFA Departure 2009

  

IIFA 2009 ceremony

  

IIFA 2009 Press Conference

  

At Macau airport with Gaurav Gera