Dhoni, Bipasha come together for Reebok

For the first time ever, Reebok has roped in their brand ambassadors ace cricketer MS Dhoni and sultry Bipasha Basu for their new ad which showcases the latest edition of HEXRIDE footwear. The footwear comes in a new hexagonal, honeycomb style which will lure one and all.

The TV commercial shows Dhoni and Bips in a fun-run with their new comfortable and attractive footwear.

Dhoni said, 'I find HEXRIDE footwear the best for training with its benefits of cushioning and stability. I wear it during our long practice sessions and it has become my personal favourite now. I believe in this technology and am really happy to be promoting such a world class technology for Reebok in India. Shooting for the ad was a lot of fun, not to mention running with a friend, which made the whole experience even more delightful.'

Added Bipasha Basu, 'I am a fitness freak and I love to indulge in various activities like jogging, running, working out to keep myself fit. I have experienced never-before comfort in running with this footwear. In fact, HEXRIDE is the best thing that happened to my running regime. The different colours in the shoes make it so much more fun! I am sure that all fitness enthusiasts will agree that if your running gear is comfortable and trendy, you will enjoy your run even more. And looking good doesn't hurt either!'

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Asin loves Archie

Asin and her Japanese co-star Tadanobu Asano will start training in Kalaripayattu for Bharat Bala’s film 19th Step from June 4.

The gorgeous Asin (who most of Bollywood is threatened by after she walked away with Best Debutant trophy at the Filmfare Awards) had hurt her hand, and hence, the training in the traditional form of martial art had to be deferred. Asin says, “My hand is fine now. I’m in Chennai for a couple of days for some commercial, then I will fly to Cochin and later to Trivandrum for the kalari training.” Asano has also arrived in India. He took the train from Cochin to Chennai to meet Kamal Haasan the other leading man in the film. He will join Asin for their on-screen combat. While on the topic of Asin, the girl is still loyal to her childhood memories (her family albums, toys, dresses and gifts). Her greatest love was and still are her favourite Archie comic books. “I have been stuck on them since I was nine years old,” she reveals. The Ghajini star says she has the biggest collection of them and still keeps adding to it. She can’t go anywhere in the world unless Archie accompanies her.

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Bipasha’s hot bedroom Scene with Billy

Bipasha Basu is daring enough to reveal herself in films. She is one such actress in Bollywood who shows no hesitation in exposing herself or going hot with her co-stars. The bong bombshell is going to cross the limit this time by going hot and bold on bed with Hollywood actor Billy Zane in her debut Hollywood flick, ‘Chimera’.

Directed by Tapan Sinha with filmmaker Daniel Silverman, the film will hit the theatre by the end of July. Though Bips hides the intensity of the scene, Tapan Sinha spills the beams, Saha said, “Chimera is a paranormal thriller. Zane plays an American doctor, who takes up an offer in India to work in a hospital. There, he treats Bipasha. I’ve approached Shabana Azmi to play Bipasha’s mother. I’d want Anil Kapoor to play Billy’s Indian friend.”

About the much anticipated love scene, the director further said, “Bipasha has a love-making scene that Indian cinema hasn’t seen her doing before.”

Hope John Abraham does not having any problem about his sweetheart going cozy with a Hollywood guy.

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Salman-Katrina have broken up

It's been almost a year since the tense strains of the Salman-Katrina relationship have been visible to the public, and now, after months of speculation over the outcome of this growing tension, the couple has finally called it quits.

This breakup seems to have been in the pipeline for a while now, since rumours of both Salman's and Katrina's relationships with the likes of Asin and Ranbir Kapoor have made headlines for the last few months.

Salman has hardly made a secret of his affections for southern beauty Asin, for whom he bought a puppy, or for the German supermodel Claudia Ceisla whom he calls his 'special friend' and has even introduced to his family.

Meanwhile Katrina's chemistry with Ranbir, especially on the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani has not please Salman, who was already upset with his ladylove signing one film after another with Akshay Kumar.

To add to Salman's insecurities, Katrina made it crystal clear that her career came before everything, and she insisted on maintaining her own friendships despite Salman's many fallouts, for instance, while Salman's fight with SRK was intense and was one of the highlights of 2008, Katrina made sure her relationship with SRK remains intact. She even toured with him on his Temptations world tour, something that did not go down well with Salman.

Recent reports claimed that Salman had repeatedly asked Katrina to marry him, but the young lady refused. She claimed that she was refusing because it would affect her career, but it could well be that the two were just not compatible with each other anymore.

Salman and Katrina started dating in 2004, shortly after Katrina moved to India to pursue her Bollywood career. Salman pushed her a lot, and used all his contacts and goodwill to make sure she got roles.

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Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan bond over books

New Delhi: Bollywood's glam couple Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan have a shared passion for reading and they bond over books.

"I was always an avid reader, but I got too busy with my professional life, this hobby got left behind somewhere. Now I have revived it, and I make it a point to read for at least two hours everyday," said Arbaaz.

The couple were in the capital recently to launch a book 'Stretch Yourself' by model-turned-author Vickrant Mahajan.

"I do read whenever I get time. Arbaaz has introduced me to a number of books," said Malaika

Arbaaz and Malaika, who have a son Arhaan, have one of the most successful marriages in Bollywood.

"You need to understand the demands of your professional life as well as your family, and strike a balance," said Malaika when asked how she juggles between home and career.

Malaika and Arbaaz recently shot a steamy song together for the film Prem Ka Game which has Arbaaz in the lead.

However, when asked whether the couple were planning to star together in a future project, Arbaaz had a cryptic reply, "Very soon, very soon."

Arbaaz started his career with Hello Brother and worked in some unsuccessful films before striking big with Fashion.

He is also planning to move into film production. His maiden venture will launch Shatrughan Sinha's daughter Sonakshi in the lead. The film is scheduled to go on the floors in September.

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Katrina turns down Salman's marriage proposal!

Amidst the rumours that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have broken up following Salman's closeness to the German supermodel Claudia Ciesla, another news is doing the rounds that Katrina had turned down Salman's marriage proposal.

It is rumoured that Salman might have popped up the question to Katrina many a time. However, it said that the beautiful actress is not in the mood to settle down with her film career doing really well. She continues to attract lucrative deals, be it films, endorsements, shows or events. She had rocked the world a couple of days ago with her wonderful dance performance at the IPL2 closing ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa. She danced to the Oscar winning number “Jai Ho” and later shared the stage with R&B sensation Akon.

Katrina has a few promising projects in her kitty like Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani, De Dana Dan and Rajneeti. With bright future awaiting her, Katrina is said to have been using her booming career as the reason to turn down Salman's marriage proposal.

Is Katrina testing Salman's patience? Well, she should understand Salman's age factor too!

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Shahid Kapoor finds a new love

You may be wondering how Shahid Kapur after breaking up with Priyanka Chopra has found a new love so soon. No it’s not any new gal that Shahid is dating but he has fallen in deep love with a camera that he had purchased recently.

Shahid’s love for his new priced procession has created a headache for filmmakers Ken Ghosh and Ahmed Khan. They are irritated with his behavior as anytime Shahid keeps on moving with his camera focusing angles and gathering knowledge about its different parts and their utilization on the set of ‘Yahoo’ and ‘Paathshala’.

Rather than capturing himself, he simple likes to capture his surroundings.

Poor Shahid, after receiving so many heart-strokes, he may be soothing himself with electronic gadgets.

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Sonia Gandhi upset with Sanjay Dutt

Everyone knows that Sanjay Dutt was in Delhi when the election results were announced. But few people know that while in the Capital city, he connected with Madam aka Sonia Gandhi. It is believed that Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh had invited the actor to Delhi. Sure of a win, Singh asked him to come to the capital city for a meeting with Madam. But, his party lost and they never got an audience with the leader of the Congress party. However a telephonic conversation did take place.

A source confirms, "Sanju Baba spoke to Soniaji, and she expressed her displeasure over Sanju's statement, "Congress killed my father," during a campaign rally in Lucknow. She also told him that his family had always been a Congress supporter and she was disappointed by his statements against the party." It is not clear how the actor defended his statements but he expressed his concern over his impending case.

The source adds, "He feels that his Congress bashing will be used against him, now that they are in power." Dutt is presently shooting in Goa is said to be depressed about his party losing, as he'd been told that being defeated was not an option. A source close to Dutt admits that he was in Delhi but denies any meeting between the actor and Sonia, "Sanju didn't go to meet Madam in Delhi last week. He had gone for some personal work — meetings with people for his production house." 

He was there to meet Amar Singh, who was unwell. Meeting madam wasn't part of Sanju's plans nor did he try to make an appointment with her. Also if Amar and he had gone to meet Madam at her residence, the entire media would have landed up there and it would become public knowledge."

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Aamir, Shahrukh meet Secretly

If you think Bollywood biggies Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan are bitter enemies, think again. The fact is, they are turning buddies of late, thanks to the face off between the producers-distributors and multiplexes owners.

Aamir and Shahrukh met recently to discuss about the ongoing problem between the film producers and multiplexes owners on revenue sharing. However, the massive publicity the media gave to their meeting took away the very essence of the discussion itself. To avoid this confusion, the Khans met again secretly without the knowledge of the media.

Well, the news is doing the rounds that Aamir and Shahrukh met a few days ago along with the film producers to know the latest status of the strike. It is said that the Khans looked very concerned this time around, as the multiplexes owners are adamant on their demand, in spite of the efforts from the big names in the film industry to resolve the issue. So, they deliberately kept the media at bay to make the meeting fruitful.

So, what was the outcome of the secret meeting? Was the issue resolved? Over to the Khans now!

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Steamy Scene haunts Priyanka

Priyanka Chopra seems to very excited about the release of Vishal Bharadwaj’s Kaminey as it is her first release with good friend Shahid Kapoor. But reportedly, she is having some issues with it as well.

Media reports suggest that Priyanka is now feeling jittery about a steamy scene that she’s done in the film. Interestingly, this scene is not with Shahid Kapoor but a rather not so known theatre actor who plays her initial love interest in the film. The reports further claim, this scene was shot before the release of Fashion and Dostana. She had done the scene going by Bharadwaj’s belief in the importance of the scene to the script. But now post the awards hoopla and new found big status as the film’s release date is getting nearer Priyanka is getting cold feet.

Well whatever maybe, the truth will come out once the film is finally released. Kaminey is amongst one of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2009. Now this news that we heard makes it more eagerly awaited for us as well!

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Shahrukh Khan turns villain again in Dhoom 3

Audiences have accepted me in villainous role then why not continue the old trend again, this is the call of Shahrukh Khan’s heart who is all set to revive his old image and perform an anti-hero act in Dhoom3. If on one hand, with this film, he will try to get out of his lover boy image then on the other hand, he will save the Yash Raj banner from getting drowned as YRF has not seen success from long period.

After the super success of Dhoom and Dhoom 2, YRF camp is making a sequel to it and has roped in SRK to play the role of villain. Looking at the last two flicks, we can assess the importance of the role of a villain in the film. When Yash Raj approached King Khan, he readily agreed.

For a long time, Yash Raj fail to give a hit. Their last two flicks that faired well at the box office starred Shahrukh Khan. So when they are going through tough luck, Shahrukh has thought to rescue the banner which have given him stardom.

The last two flicks of 'Dhoom' has been directed by director Sanjay Gadhvi but after the fall out, speculation is rife that Aditya Chopra will himself direct the movie.

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I don’t want to date Rahul Gandhi: Kareena

Kareena Kapoor isn’t your regular star! That’s pretty obvious the minute you step into the room for an interview. She is style personified. Yet she nonchalantly tells us how much she hates the ‘glamour queen’ tag. “I should be recognised as an actor. I take it as an insult when they call me ‘Bollywood Goddess’. I did not do roles like Omkara, Dev, Jab We Met to be known as a glamour queen.

On her second trip to Ahmedabad, for a live show, the Kapoor girl finds the people of the city to be very receptive. “I studied in a Gujarati school and I love Gujarati food. I have been asking for it ever since I came here.” And the rising mercury doesn’t really bother her. In her characteristic cool way, she says now everybody in India is used to the heat. “There’s no point in cribbing about it,” she says. ,

aving done a variety of roles in Bollywood, the uninhibited actor will have three releases — Kambakth Ishq, Three Idiots and Jihaad this year. “Kambakth Ishq was a learning experience with Sylvester Stallone. You realise that unlike Bollywood actors, Hollywood actors come without any baggage or entourage. They are not spoilt like us and they don’t require a huge number of people to travel with them. They are much more professional.” Next, there’s continuous talk about her love life but the Kapoor girl has learnt to live with it. “There are instances when I get annoyed because Saif and I are quite non-filmi in that context. I am the kind of person who’s very comfortable in my own zone. I don’t bother about what is written or what everyone else is speculating. But I feel I have always spoken about my relationships with respect.”

Rooting for love, loyalty and stability from a relationship, Kapoor is not worried that Saif is 10 years older to her and has a past. The most important thing about a relationship is “that we are happy right now. We do live separately but we spend a lot of time together. I really don’t know what happens tomorrow, but now, I enjoy my time travelling and running away to undisclosed destinations of Europe with him. We are really a very ‘settled’ couple.” Ask her if she remembers having mentioned about wanting to date Rahul Gandhi in a television interview and she exclaims, “That was long time back. I said that because we both have famous surnames. I would love to host him someday and see him as our PM but definitely I do not want to date him.”

We can’t let the Bollywood diva go away without asking her about her much talked about size zero figure and she says, “Do I look like one? Look at my arms, my frame. Every girl dreams to be thin. I did lose a lot of weight for Tashan. I used to be round like my father in my Refugee days, but I am definitely not size zero. I eat, I do yoga for an hour everyday and there are days when I don’t look pretty. People should realise that.” Five years from now, the actor sees herself working and maybe doing another show in Ahmedabad. “Yes, I will continue working even after my marriage. Didn’t Saif’s mother continue to work after marriage?” Yes, it’s all very clear in her mind.

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Akshay, John to do pole dance

Bollywood two heartthrobs, John Abraham and Akshay Kumar are coming to make the girls fall weak at their knees as both are going to perform pole dance in David Dhawan’s son Rohit’s directional debut to be produced by Akshay Kumar’s Hariom Productions. The dance number will be a treat as both are expert dancers and can pull any form of dance with ease.

A source said, "Earlier, Akshay was supposed to be part of Rohit's film, Come On Pappu. However, the film did not work out. Meanwhile, there were talks of a romantic comedy, which Akshay had offered to star in as well as produce.

Rohit's untitled film is about Akshay and John, who lose their jobs because of the recession. As they are unable to find a decent job, they become pole dancers at the same strip club where they try to outdo each other. John and Akshay will undergo training for pole dancing in LA before the shoot begins. The film will be shot in some of the most exotic locales."

Akshay and John make a wonderful pair and they last starred in Priyadarshan’s ‘Garam Masala’ in 2005.

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Shahid call Kareena a buffalo

It may have been almost two years since Kareena Kapoor called off her relationship with Shahid Kapoor but her ex-beau has no qualms about working with her. Shahid said this in the Zee News' celebrity chat show Kahiye Janab. Talking almost a dig at Kareena he said if his producer wants him to work with a cow or a buffalo as an actor he was ready to do so.

The two stars who have maintained a cordial relationship even after their breakup have had a strained relationship off late. Kareena had stated that she was not happy with Shahid's mingling with Priyanka Chopra as she would dump him. Shahid was unhappy with her comments and said he doesn't comment anything about her relationship with Saif Ali Khan.

Shahid and Kareena are meanwhile dubbing for their long pending movie Milenge Milenge directed by Satish Kaushik. The two stars have in the past starred in Fida, Chup Chup Ke and Jab We Met. While the first two bombed Jab We Met went on to become a big hit. It is highly ironical their most romantic movie and their biggest hit together had come on the backdrop of their breakup.

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Big B bangs at the Media

Amitabh Bachchan is miffed with the media for forgetting the importance of the situation and becoming restless to get bites from the celebrities who have come to attend filmmaker Prakash Mehra’s funeral. He vents out his anger at the media on his blog and slams them for forgetting the sensitivity of the occasion.

Big B writes on his blog, “Prakash ji’s eldest son Sumeet returned from USA this morning and the cremation took place by the afternoon. Abhishek and I attended it, but the behavior of the electronic media at the crematorium was just disgusting. No respect shown for the sensitivity of the occasion. No regard for the moment and no ethics at all in maintaining some decorum for this very private and sombre ritual. All they were interested in was in getting that ‘bite’ or shoving their cameras inches away from your nose, at a moment when one desired peace and quiet. Shameful. But what of some of the mourners, if they can be called that! They were no less. Pushing and shoving to get a position behind or near about the celebrity, so the cameras can catch them.”

He ends up saying, “I shall not dwell on this anymore. I may just burst a blood vessel.”

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Hrithik and Ash's passionate love

Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan always make a wonderful pair. Their on-screen chemistry always appeal audience. In 'Dhoom 2' and 'Jodhaa Akbar', the duo has shown a glimpse as how passionately they can love each other. Their physical beauty adds to their breathtaking chemistry. Now that they are again paired opposite each other in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Guzaarish’, they are going to impress the audience three times more than their earlier flicks.

Reports say that they have been chosen to play passionate lovers because for Bhansali their physical and spiritual beauty symbolizes Lataji’s voice on which the film is based upon. Their beauty compels Bhansali to go for Ash and Hrithik.

‘Guzaarish’ will be dedicated to the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar. Sanjay himself will compose the songs of the movie. Earlier he had composed a few for ‘Saawariya’ which hit the music chartbusters.

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Yuvraj Singh in a Charity Mode

To add brand equity to this initiative Yuvraj Singh has invited Vikas Swaroop, the current Indian Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, who is now more popularly known as the writer who wrote Slumdog Millionaire. It is incidental that the name of the book written by Vikas Swaroop was Q&A, but is now more popularly known as Slumdog Millionaire.

It is worth underlining the fact that Yuvraj Singh has been helping the needy through his foundation Yuvraj Singh foundation in India now is expanding his wings and plans to begin initiatives of the same kind in South Africa as well. The project has been christened as “Cricket Beyond Boundaries”, and would be implemented in the Western Cape Region in South Africa. A fund raising for this event is going to be organized in Durban on 19 May in which Vikas Swaroop has been invited as the Guest of Honor.

The initiative undertaken by Yuvraj is his own humble tribute to the game of cricket, which has provided him such a name and fame. It would also be one of the first initiatives undertaken by a plying Indian cricket player and some credit is due to IPL as well. It is owing to the initiative that IPL has undertaken to promote the cause of education in South Africa by donating 100000 Rands to various schools in South Africa, which would have egged on Yuvraj to do something of the similar kind. Incidental also is the availability of Vikas Swaroop who has developed his own equity on account of the stupendous success of Slumdog Millionaire.

Coming close to an unsavory controversy in which his team owners were involved, it would indeed be worth watching what response Yuvraj Singh’s initiative is going to elicit. Ness Wadia and Mohit Burman the two owners of Kings XI Punjab were involved in a brawl with a lady, who is a locally influential businesswoman of Indian origin having close association with the President of South Africa. As a result of this brawl, both Wadia and Burman had to be kicked out of the stadium.

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Manmohan Singh is a very wise leader: Obama

Washington: Congratulating Manmohan Singh for his second term as the prime minister of India, US president Barack Obama on Thursday said Singh is a very wise leader whom he respects and is looking forward to visit New Delhi at an early date.

Obama said this to the new Indian ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, at his Oval Office in the White House. Shankar presented her credentials to the US president as the top Indian diplomat in the US.

During the brief credential ceremony, Obama conveyed his felicitations on the recent elections in India. He said that Singh is a very wise leader whom he respects. Obama said he is looking forward to visiting India at an early date.

Shankar conveyed the greetings from Indian president Pratibha Patil and the prime minister to the US president and first lady Michelle Obama.

The envoy said that she was looking forward to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the United States.

Succeeding Ronen Sen, whose term ended on March 31 this year, Shankar arrived in the US April 26. She was earlier serving as the Indian ambassador to Germany.

A 1973-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Shankar has held several important assignments, including her stint as the minister of Commerce at the Indian Embassy in Washington from 1991 to 1995. She served as director in the Prime Minister's
Office in New Delhi from 1985 to 1991.

She also headed the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) overseeing country's cultural diplomacy.

Shankar has headed two important divisions in the Ministry of External Affairs dealing with the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and relations with Nepal and Bhutan.

Before being appointed as the Indian ambassador to Germany, she held the responsibility for the United Nations and International Security.

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Priyanka Chopra shot by Avinash Gowarikar

Fashion Photographer Avinash Gowariker Shoots Priyanka chopra.
A laadla of topline stars, he’s been clicking movie ad campaigns, imaginative portraits and candids. Taller than a tree, an animated conversationalist, he’s mad about the movies and snazzy still photography

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Shilpi Sharma is Harbhajan Singh’s new girl

While the part time spinners in IPL were taking hattricks our very own bhajji was struggling to spin the bowl consequently he failed to bowl as well in IPL as his team expected him to but his fingers were working overtime sending SMSes to certain Shilpi sharma(Jo bole so nihal fame). Apparently, bhajji wanted her to come to SA to cheer for him and catch him in action.

There friendship has become the talk of the town. News is also that this budding friendship has already reached the next level, which for obvious reasons, the duo won’t accept.

Shilpi maintains that he’s ‘just a friend’ and not someone special. “What do you mean by ‘is he a special to me?’Yes, I don’t deny the fact that we’ve been friends for almost a year and he wants me to come to South Africa to cheer him and his team. Is there anything wrong with that?” she shoots back.

Now, that his team has failed to reach the semis so I don’t think bhajji would want her in SA anymore but she can always catch him in action during the T20 world cup.

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Shamita Shetty eyes MS Dhoni

“Shane Warne’s a fantastic cricketer and an even better captain, but I adore Yusuf Pathan and I’m fond of M S Dhoni,” said Shamita Shetty thereby putting the speculation in wrong way that she is entangled with naughty eyed man, Shane Warne.

Shamita is in South Africa tour to cheer for her didi’s team Rajasthan Royals. Reports saying that Shamita getting cozy with Australian cricketer Shane Warne at a party thrown to mark team’s victory has been turned down by the actress.

Amused by the rumor, Shamita said, “I don’t know where the press is getting this from but it really needs to get the facts right. Honestly, it’s the funniest bit of news I’ve heard in a long time”.

Shane is her fav but she adores Pathan. “Have you seen him get ready for a six? He’s got an amazing style,” quips Shamita. And she is also Dhoni’s admirer who is from the Chennai team. Shamita is not cricket enthusiast but the IPL has drove her crazy, "I’ve turned into a cricket enthusiast overnight", remarks Shamita.

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Shahid replaces SRK as Raj?

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapur seems to have become Yash Raj Films' (YRF) favourite. His first venture with the production giant is yet to hit the screens, but the actor has already signed another film with the banner.

Shahid's first film with YRF is being directed by Anurag Singh. He has teamed up with Rani Mukerji in the film, which was earlier titled Hadippa, which is said to be about cricket.

The second project that Shahid has been signed up for will be actor Parmeet Sethi's directorial debut and he teams up with Anushka Sharma of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi fame.

"The Yash Raj camp sees Shahid as the classic romantic hero who has the potential to turn on the sexy or rugged vibe when required," said a source close to the actor.

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Prakash Mehra was honest and straight: Amitabh

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan must be feeling empty inside following the demise of veteran filmmaker Prakash Mehra, who worked with him in seven films such as Zanjeer, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris, Namak Halal, Sharaabi and Jaadugar. Amitabh pours out his grief on his blog on the death of Prakash.

“A long fruitful and incredible period of his remarkable films that he did with me, flashed past. His first meeting with me at Raj Kamal studio where he had come to cast me in Zanzeer in 1971 right through to the mid 80’s, year after year of unbelievable successes - Zanzeer, Hera Pheri, Khoon Paseena, Lawaris, Muquaddar Ka Sikander, Sharabi, Namak Hallal. What a huge bank of amazing films, right down to his last with me, Jaadugar. The only one that did not work,” Amitabh wrote.

Big B said that Prakash was honest and straight. He wrote: “I still remember his phone call to me in Bangalore after the release. ‘Lalla’, as he endearingly called me ‘gadbad ho gayee hai !’ he said. Things have gone wrong. Honest and straight. He had always maintained that the day I cannot make a successful film with you I shall stop working with you. He never did anything after Jaadugar.”

Amitabh recalled the simplicity in this great filmmaker. “A simple man who had the capacity to narrate great stories through the medium of cinema in the most simple manner. No fuss, no calisthenics. Just very ordinary camera placements and extraordinary content. A writer, a lyricist, a musician, he added all these qualities to his creativity behind the camera and gave me some of my most challenging roles. Never rewarded by any institution. And never sought one either. His films have lived out longer than him. A true mark of excellence. The music he gave to his films still ring in the hearts and ears of each generation that came after him. The performances he extracted from his artists were never ever considered for any recognition. It never bothered him. Critics panned his films and the greater the criticism the longer became their duration, at the box office,” he wrote.

70-year-old Prakash Mehra died on May 17 morning at the Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai. He had been ill for the last three years.

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Mallika without clothes in Movie Hissss!

Has Mallika Sherawat given a scene without clothes in her upcoming Hollywood film Hissss is the first question that comes to mind after watching its trailer. Just recently, the first promo of the much in news anticipated Mallika Sherawat starrer Hissss is out and we must admit it does make for an interesting watch.

The promo gives the impression that it is a no nonsense thriller that is certainly not meant for the faint hearted as it has plenty of blood and gore. A surefire Adults Only certificate cannot be ruled out from Indian Censor Board.

The trailer shows Mallika Sherawat slithering in mud and becoming a deadly snake. She is shown covered in a body suit that fits her like second skin and during many times while watching the trailer it gives the impression that Mallika hasn't worn anything. There are sequences shown with many murders happening. In one scene Mallika is shown slithering up a tree and baring her fangs and shocks your wits. Then in another scene she is shown transformed into a helpless woman. Also seen in the trailer are the film’s other Indian stars, Irrfan Khan and Divya Dutta.

The plot of Hissss revolves around a snake woman played by Mallika Sherawat looking for revenge. Irrfan and divya dutta play a couple and reportedly there is a very passionately shot lovemaking scene between the two. The film appears high on Special effects.

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Lisa Ray in Hello's 50 Most beautiful list

Lisa Ray, the Indian origin actress who catapulted to international recognition through Deepa Mehta's Water has been featured in the Canadian edition of Hello magazine as one of the '50 Most Beautiful People' of the country.

The 37-year-old supermodel-turned-actress features along with Ruby Dhalla, a Canadian politician, in the list which features only two Indians, reported Hello online.

While reacting to her inclusion in the list, Lisa Ray said, "I guess I need to thank my parents for this. I am really proud to feature along with such prestigious people."

The list which was topped by country singer Shania Twain , featured renowned names like 'Complicated' singer Avril Lavigne, actor Keifer Sutherland, Sex and the City star Kim Catrall and model Gabriel Aubry among others.

Lisa Ray who was born in Toronto to a Bengali Indian father and a Polish mother originally planned to study journalism but started modelling when she was spotted by an agent in India at the age of 16. Ray first came to the public attention when she appeared in an advertisement for Bombay Dyeing wearing a high-cut black swimsuit.

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Sonam Kapoor reveals her Wild side

Anil kapoor’s daughter is quite a wild cat as in an interview given to ‘Movie Mag’ she reveals about having a tattoo on her hip against the wishes of her parents in an interview given to ‘Movie Mag’

Here is an excerpt from the interview

Like my character bittu in Delhi 6, I too defied my parents and got a tatto on my hip. The tatto was my name, Sonam, written in Chinese language. I don’t believe in getting anyone else’s (Any guy or boyfriend’s) name tattoed on myself. My name means ‘good luck’ and the tattoo has been lucky for me. Mom and dad were fine with it later. I got it done after the release of Saawariya. It looks cool.

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Ajmal Kasab wants to meet John Abraham

He took help from Bollywood before coming to Mumbai on a killing spree.

Since Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, c/o Lashkar -e- Tayyeba, needed to learn at least a smattering of Hindi for the operation, his handlers showed him some Bolywood flicks – the easiest way to learn the enemy’s lingo.

That’s how Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the November 26 attacks in Mumbai, watched a John Abraham – Ebrahim, according to him – and Bipasha Basu starrer Goal during his training days.

And the gunman fell for John’s chiselled body and charm. He now wants to meet the matinee idol.

Since his arrest, he has been living in a high security capsule – known as the Anda cell at Arthur Road prison in Mumbai. He cannot get a newspaper, nor can he communicate with other inmates.

Kasab’s only bridge to the world outside is the men who guard him 24 hours, seven days. Sometimes, he tends to have a chat with them. But they have been warned against talking too much with the killer.

In one such conversation with a police official, Kasab expressed his desire to meet John Abraham.

“He talked about films and in particular John Ebrahim. Kasab likes John’s looks and well-chiseled body. And then went ahead to express his desire if he could meet him,” said a police official on condition of anonymity.

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Freida Pinto upset with leak of her bold pictures

Actress Freida Pinto has made a name for herself with Slumdog Millionaire , but isn’t a happy lady at the moment. The gorgeous diva is upset with her bold pictures being circulated all over the internet, which she had shot for a calendar in a few years ago.

If this wasn’t enough, Freida was stunned to find picture of her while stepping out of a portable toilet during the shooting of Julian Schnabel’s Miral. The actress is paying a heavy price for being famous as even her private moments with her boyfriend Dev Patel was been captured in a camera and posted on the internet. 
But Frieda should understand that a celebrity has to go through all this and shouldn’t get upset. Way to go Freida!

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Babe Claudia impresses Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan and German supermodel, Hollywood actress and Playboy playmate Claudia Ciesla were seen enjoying each others company at the Indian Pavilion at Cannes sparking rumours that Claudia was fast making inroads into Bollywood. The originally blonde, all natural actress has hit Bollywood with a vengeance and is all set to dethrone the reigning queens in tinsel town. She was aggressively lobbying with every Bollywood persona, producer and director said a journalist who was present at Cannes. 

She was recently linked with Salman Khan and the rumour mills went into over drive suggesting that Salman and Claudia spent some quality time together over coffee at a 7star hotel at Juhu in suburban Mumbai. Apparently, according to reports, Salman also invited her to his house at Bandra where the two spent half a day together. He also ensured that she was not inconvenienced in any way during her stay in Mumbai and offered to drive her around. Another unconfirmed internet report also suggested that the two even stayed together. 

The 22-year-old Claudia who recently appeared for her University Exams flew immediately to Cannes to be part of the Indian Pavilion. Her media spokesperson and publicist for India, Flynn Remedios said that Claudia and Abhishek discussed and chatted for quite some time. They shared notes on common interests including her work in Bollywood. Abhishek was impressed with her in-depth knowledge of Bollywood and her fascination for Indian movies. The junior Bachchan was also taken in by her love for Indian couture, Indian Fashion and particularly an Indian embroidery outfit worn by Claudia and designed by Bollywood fashion designer Umair Zaffar. Speaking to the media at Cannes when queried about her outfits, Claudia said, “Umair Zaffar’s Indian bridal wear is really impressive. His designs, style, cuts and fits are fantastic.”


Meanwhile Claudia was all praises for Abhishek’s wife, Aishwarya Bachchan. “She is the perfect embodiment of the modern Indian woman – talented, beautiful and stunning. Abhishek is really a very lucky man,” Claudia told Hollywood Reporter at Cannes.

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Salman, Aishwarya turning neighbours!

There were reports earlier that Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Bachchan were moving to the new bungalow from their current abode Jalsa in Juhu, but the two rubbished it, saying they had no intentions of living separately and away from Maa and Paa (Jaya and Amitabh). 

For the past two and a half years, work is going on a huge bungalow situated at Carter Road, Bandra, Mumbai. While no one seems to be confirming it from the Bachchan family, there is a strong buzz within the industry circles that this bungalow, named Naivedya is going to be the new abode of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Bachchan. Now incidentally, this Naivedya is bang next door to Salman Khan 's plot.

Reveal sources, "Abhi and Aish have been making late night visits to Naivedya to check the progress on their house. Call it a twist of fate or just luck, Aish's ex boyfriend Salman Khan ’s plot, on which he is reportedly constructing a building for himself and his family, is just next door to Aish's to be new abode. The building doesn’t have a name yet and the plot is numbered ‘83-A’.

As one passes The Road one can see the building under construction (plot 83 A) on the left belongs to Salman Khan , while the white bungalow, Naivedya, on the right belongs to Abhi-Aish. Interestingly, Salman Khan’s building is a little taller with more floors than Abhi-Aish's villa.

Salman currently stays at Galaxy Apartments on Bandra Bandstand with his parents.

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Barbara Mori has no time for Aishwarya Rai

Mexican babe Barbara Mori's first Bollywood movie Kites may not have hit the screens but she seems to have already learnt the nakhras of Bollywood. The hottie had no time to meet most beautiful woman in the world Aishwarya Bachchan at the Cannes Film Festival. Mori ignored Aishwarya after the later had desired to meet her at her hotel room.

Aishwarya had learnt that Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori were staying in the same hotel The Martinez as she and Abhishek and wanted to meet them. But Barbara who is not too familiar with Bollywood seemed not interested in meeting her. When Ash went to greet Hrithik and Barbara the Mexican hottie rushed out of the room citing she had to perform in an event.

This apparently left Aishwarya shocked and Hrithik Roshan her Jodhaa Akbar co-star embarrassed. When Hrithik sensed that Aishwarya felt hurt at this he tried to explain her the reasons behind Barbara's strange behaviour. Aishwarya is not having a great time at Cannes and had earlier had a fight with sonam kapoor over walking the red carpet together at Cannes.

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Bachchan recalls his magic innings with Mehra

Mumbai: Condoling the demise of legendary filmmaker Prakash Mehra, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has said that he had lost a friend and a colleague and an entire era of cinema has passed away with him.

"An entire era of cinema and my association with him passed away. He was recuperating well in hospital and was to be shifted from the ICU to a general ward. A sudden infection resulted in multiple organ failure and he breathed his last," Bachchan said on his blog.

Bachchan recalled their first meeting at RajKamal studio where the filmmaker had come to cast him in Zanjeer in 1971, and then right through to the mid 80s.

"Year after year of unbelievable successes - Zanjeer, Hera Pheri, Khoon Paseena, Laawaris, Muquaddar ka Sikander, Sharabi, Namak Halal. What a huge bank of amazing films, right down to his last with me, Jaadugar. The only one that did not work," Big B said.

Bachchan wrote that Mehra called him in Bangalore after the release of Jaadugar and said, "'Lalla', as he endearingly called me, gad bad ho gayee hai!(Things have gone wrong).

"Honest and straight. He (Mehra) had always maintained that the day I cannot make a successful film with you I shall stop working with you. He never did anything after 'Jaadugar'," Bachchan said.

The actor described Mehra as a simple man who had the capacity to narrate great stories through the medium of cinema in the most simple manner.

"No fuss, no calisthenics. Just very ordinary camera placements and extraordinary content. A writer, a lyricist, a musician, he added all these qualities to his creativity behind the camera and gave me some of my most challenging roles," the megastar said.

"Never rewarded by any institution. And never sought one either. His films have lived out longer than him. A true mark of excellence," Bachchan said.

"The music he gave to his films still ring in the hearts and ears of each generation that came after him. The performances he extractedfrom his artists were never ever considered for any recognition. It never bothered him," the actor said.

"Critics panned his films and the greater the criticism the longer became their duration, at the box office," Bachchan said.

"Unko likhne do woh, jo bhi likh rahe hain, aur jahan bhi likh rahe hain. Main jaanta hun main unhe kahan likh raha hoon!," he (Mehra) would often retort. A friend and a colleague, gone forever," Bachchan concluded.

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Akshay Kumar arrested in obscenity case

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was arrested and later released on bail for allegedly indulging in obscene behaviour during a fashion show in Mumbai during the Lakme Fashion Week held in March.

"Akshay, who arrived in Mumbai from abroad, surrendered before the police today. He was accompanied by his lawyer," a senior police officer said.

"He was then arrested under section 294 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code for his alleged obscene behaviour," the officer added.Akshay's wife Twinkle was also arrested under the same charges last month and immediately released on bail.Akshay Kumar, his wife Twinkle and the organiser were booked after an "unbuttoning" act during the Lakme India Fashion week.

Twinkle had unbuttoned Akshay's jeans in public when he asked her to do so while he was on the ramp.A Mumbai-based social worker had lodged a police complaint against Akshay, Twinkle and the organisers for his alleged obscene behaviour in public.

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Big B turns dialogue writer for Last Lear

Conquering new peaks has become a bit of a habit for Amitabh Bachchan. He did it yet again on the sets of his English-language film Last Lear when he penned down some on-the-spot Hindi dialogues for a scene with Preity Zinta and Bengali superstar Prosenjeet.

Director Rituparno Ghosh, reluctant to reveal details, admits that Bachchan has indeed penned the Hindi dialogues for a scene in Last Lear. 

"Since the film is almost in English, Last Lear has been my easiest film to date. But this is a film-within-a-film plot. There was a scene where Preity and Prosenjeet are supposed to be enacting a tense dramatic scene in a Hindi film, Gosh told the agency.

"I casually asked the Big B to help me out, not even thinking he'd take me seriously. Before I knew it he went into a corner and asked everyone, including me, to leave him alone. In no time at all the dialogues were ready!"

Hence, in Last Lear we would be hearing for the first time dialogues written by the Big B.

"That isn't the only first for Amitda in Last Lear. This is his first full-length English-language film and also the first film where he plays an actor doing a film within the film."

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Ash and Sonam upset with each other

Although they are a generation apart, it seems Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor (pictured left) are feeling insecure about each other. Apparently, Aishwarya is upset over the fact that Sonam Kapoor will walk the red carpet along with her at the Cannes Film Festival 2009 for the cosmetic giant L’Oreal Paris.

During an event for the brand in Mumbai recently, Sonam spoke about replacing Ash and being the youngest member to join the brand’s bunch of beauties. At the same event, it was announced Sonam will be walking the red carpet in Cannes.

Sources close to Ash, however, have denied this and said Sonam has been signed as a brand ambassador for L’Oreal in India only and she is not the face of the brand internationally. Hence she will not walk the red carpet with Ash. Ash has also reportedly said she finds Sonam’s comments childish while people in Sonam’s camp feel it’s Ash who’s reacting rather immaturely.

Ash’s statements have upset Sonam too as she has a lot of regard for the senior actress. Sonam is also shocked because at the Mumbai event she had praised Ash and said that she would always look up to her when in a difficult situation.

As the Cannes Film Festival is on, it won’t be too long before we find out if Sonam is making an appearance or not.

If she walks the red carpet on May 19, she will indeed be the youngest member to join L’Oreal Paris’ brand ambassadors – actresses Eva Longoria, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Yeoh and the recent addition, Freida Pinto.

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Ranbir to co-star with Madhuri!

The current buzz is that Madhuri Dixit will be seen opposite Ranbir Kapoor in director Prakash Jha's next untitled venture. Maduri has worked with Ranbir's father Rishi Kapoor years ago in “Yaarana” and “Prem Granth”, so she must be comfortable with the Kapoor family.Bollywood's old trend has been pairing older men with younger girls. Be it Rishi Kapoor in “Deewana”, Big B in “Suryanvansh”, or even recently SRK in “Om Shanti Om” and “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”.

However, the younger crop of actors has already reversed the trend.

So it’s no surprise that after Shahid Kapur and Vidya Balan (“Kismat Konnection”) and Ranbir Kapoor and Bipasha Basu (“Bachna Aae Haseeno”) we will get to see Ranbir and Madhuri starring opposite each other.

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Morphed Celina Jaitley selling gadgets on net

Celina Jaitley registers a complaint with the cyber crime department against a website, which morphed her pictures to make her look obscene

Celina Jaitley was shocked when she learnt that her pictures from a photo shoot have been morphed to titillate and are being used by a website to sell gadgets. Livid at such crass misuse of her pictures in which the words on her panty reads 'Slide to unlock' , Celina has taken the matter to the cyber crime department.

A miffed Celina said, This is the price one has to pay to be part of the glamour world. When I got to know about it, I personally checked the website. I could not believe it, the pictures were gross. I have heard that these things happen but using my picture to sell some stuff on the Net is disgusting. We have already informed the cyber crime department and they will soon take action against whosoever is responsible for this shameful act.

A source said, Celina has spoken to her security agency managed by Ronit Roy and they have registered a complaint with the cyber crime department. She recalled that the pictures on the website are the ones for which she had shot more than a year ago. Back then, she had issues with the photographer because of which she had walked out of the shoot. In spite of following up with the photographer for over a year, he refused to part with the pictures. Looks like he sold these pictures to smalltime agencies, which passed them on to the website.

Celina added, I remember when I had shot for the pictures. I trust the cops and will wait for the law to take its own course.

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Aamir, Saif to play lunatics!

Mumbai: Barely a few hours before flying off to Cannes for the screening of his short film on global warming, director Pan Nalin revealed that he is on the verge of a casting coup. For the screen adaptation of legendary Pakistani playwright Saadat Hasan Manto's short story Toba Tek Singh, Pan will be casting Oscar winners Kate Winslet or Rachel Weisz as Dr Sophie, the female lead.

"Either Kate or Rachel will be doing my film. I will be meeting both of them after my Cannes trip to finalise the casting. Either of them will be able to do justice to this marvelous story," says Pan.

The hero of the film will be either Aamir Khan or Saif Ali Khan who will play the role of a lunatic in a mental asylum. "I haven't finished casting for the male lead, but Aamir and Saif fit the role best. I would reiterate that there's no question of a first or second choice between them. It depends on their availability when the film goes on the floors this August." Though Pan is not telling, sources say that Irrfan Khan might end up in the film too. According to sources close to Aamir, Pan has already narrated the script to him and Aamir has taken a keen interest. But he hasn't signed on the dotted line yet.
Talking about the script, Pan reveals, "I travelled to Pakistan to acquire the rights of the short story that describes a comic situation inside an Indian mental asylum in 1947 when India and Pakistan were being created. Dr Sophie comes to the mental asylum to decide how they will be dividing the lunatics lodged there betweenIndia and Pakistan. The comedy thereafter suddenly takes a tragic turn."

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Dhoni is very affectionate: Lakshmi Rai

Mumbai: Lakshmi Rai started young. She started modelling at the age of 13. "My parents were a little apprehensive and said okay, thinking I would only be walking the ramp. Being an actress was way beyond their imagination." But an actress she turned out to be, as she won the Miss Karnataka crown twice and there were a spate of Kannada and Tamil film offers.

"I was very young and didn't know where I was going. I met some really unscrupulous people too and experienced a lot of rubbish. But thankfully, my parents were with me all the time," she says.

Those things are in the past now. After having made a bit mark in the South, Lakshmi is all set to enter Bollywood. However, she has just backed out of Himesh Reshammiya's Hey Gujju. "I had agreed to do the film, but after watching Karz (Reshammiya's earlier film), I decided I cannot be a part of such films. I requested them to let me go," she says.

But what has worked in her favour is being linked to the captain of the Indian cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "I know Dhoni since last year. He, along with the Indian team, came for my birthday party and we got along very well. Dhoni and Suresh Raina stayed on till five in the morning. We have been in touch since then and I can safely call him my best friend. For a long time even though we were meeting, people didn't write about us. But after 26/11, security was stepped up...Once Dhoni had come out to have coffee with me. I think the security leaked the story that we were together. Since then, there has been no stopping the stories about us," she says, with a laugh. "Dhoni is a gem of a person. No airs, no attitude, very humble and down to earth."

Lakshmi let's in on a secret: "Dhoni says he wants to get married within a year or two..." And would she accept it if he proposed? "Someone else had asked me this question too and I replied, Why not?" she says, with a giggle. "But Dhoni is the kind of guy any girl would want to marry, he is very affectionate andbalanced."

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Amar Singh congratulates PM, Sonia Gandhi on win

Congratulating Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for the Congress victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh on Saturday said that any future action by his party will be taken after their party's meeting.

"I congratulate Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for this wonderful win. The central parliamentary board of our party will meet and then decide on the future action of the party," Amar Singh told reporters here.

Asked to comment on revival of Congress in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said: "I welcome that. Revival of any secular force is good."

The Samajwadi Party leader stated that Bahujan Samaj Party has only weakened in Uttar Pradesh and if the Samajwadi Party had fought with the Congress, they would have routed the BSP.

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Sonia Gandhi goes shopping a day before election results

Despite hectic politicking right up to the day before poll results, principal players in the political drama found ways to cope with last-minute jitters before the big revelation of results.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who saw several electoral reverses before tasting success in 2004, took time off to go shopping at the Santushti Complex. Her routine before and during result day is, according to those close to her, simple: a quite night at home, with only political secretary Ahmed Patel allowed access, and early morning watching television and catching up with results.

Her son and All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi returned on Friday after a vacation in Lakshadweep with sister Priyanka Gandhi and her family. He too is expected to watch the results at home, after which he may move to 10 Janpath, his mother's residence.

Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate LK Advani spent time during the day with wife Kamala, son Jayant and daughter Pratibha. Psephologist GVL Narasimha Rao was going through last-minute number-crunching with him at his home on Prithviraj Road.

Sources say Advani will only stir out to attend a thanksgiving dinner at 26 Tughlak Lane, where a BJP 'war room' has been set up, to thank the team for a well-run campaign. "He will be at home, and will watch results at home," said an aide.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat will watch the results at home and then at the party office, where he will go to work at 11. His Third Front ally, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati will stay put in Lucknow, and aides added that if the numbers are in her favour she will take a special flight to Delhi. Her aide Satish Mishra will hold fort in Delhi till then.

Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh spent the evening meeting people with poll projections and his party's own exit polls spread out in front of him. "He will watch results at home on his 52 inch LCD TV," said an aide with a laugh.

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After SRK Now Salman Khan backs out of IIFA 2009

Salman Khan has also reportedly backed out of the famous IIFA Awards 2009 in Macao. And even more surprising is the fact that Salman Khan seems to be following his industry rival Shah Rukh Khan.

Just like the last year, this time as well, the event is expected to be ruled by the Bachchans.

Loosing some of the star power last year itself, IIFA 2009 after the withdrawal of Salman Khan could give a huge setback to organizers of this event.

This is because Salman Khan was supposed to perform at the awards night and also promote his upcoming flick ‘Wanted Dead And Alive’, stepped out at the last minute.

Salman had missed this event last year as well supposedly because Katrina Kaif had performed with Akshay Kumar.

Salman had given the event a miss last year too as his lady love Katrina Kaif had performed with Akshay Kumar.

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No Movie role for IPL’s Miss Bollywood

There will be no Bollywood movie role with Shah Rukh Khan or in fact in any Bollywood movie for the winner of the Miss Bollywood IPL 2009 contest being run by the Indian Premier League (IPL). But she will get a chance to visit India.

Commentators interviewing winners at each game had been asking finalists how they would feel about a role with Shah Rukh and as late as Monday, press releases issued on behalf of the IPL were still saying that 'the winner would receive a role in a Bollywood movie, 50,000 rands in cash, a business class trip to India and other prizes'.

But IPL spokesperson Trevor Jones, who initially denied that this had ever been said, confirmed to IANS that there had been some confusion around the Bollywood movie role: "The launch press release said the winner 'stands to win a role in a Bollywood movie', although subsequent releases should have been clearer on this."

"The initial release did not say the person would win such a role because such a thing could never be guaranteed in advance; neither did the announcement refer to starring with Shah Rukh Khan.

"We're sorry if there's been any confusion on this. We still believe the overall prize is a worthy one for the ultimate winner."

At each IPL game, a finalist is selected from the crowd, as a measure to create a further element of fun and excitement at the matches.

Asked about the criteria used in selection of the finalists, Jones said: "In keeping with the emphasis on fun and excitement, these criteria are different from the rigid score sheet format of a typical beauty pageant."

Jones also said that Bollywood stars Shah Rukh and Preity Zinta provided their input and some ideas before the launch, but have had no direct involvement since they spend most of their time travelling with their respective teams while in South Africa.

Jones dispelled any concern about potential unfairnesses in the selection process by saying that anonymous 'spotters' made choices, after which the project leader of the programme made the final choice.

"Cameramen do not have the final choice, they can make suggestions, which may or may not be useful. There are adequate measures built into the process to prevent abuse. Disclosing the nature of these measures would defeat their object," Jones added.

"If there were to be any structural weakness in the initiative, it would have come from people such as model agents trying to identify our Miss Bollywood spotters and influence them. We believe we have avoided this potential problem."

On the question of why finalists selected had been almost exclusively Indian or white women so far, and whether this was because there were very few Black women attending IPL games, Jones said: "There is no quota system in operation.

"We believe it is neither desirable nor practical to try to operate a quota system at individual matches or in terms of the overall Miss Bollywood IPL SA initiative."

After the last entrants are decided, a web-based voting process will open on the iplt20.com web site for about 48 hours to reduce the total entrants from 48 to a short list of finalists. Details will be announced in a general release closer to the time.

"The finalists will be brought to Johannesburg at IPL cost," Jones concluded.

"The format of the final event will be made known closer to the time in a general media announcement. At this stage, the intention is to crown Miss Bollywood IPL SA before the final, and then have the winner and all finalists also present at that match."

Indo-Asian News Service

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Sonam Kapoor HQ Marie Claire Scans

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Slumdog children back on streets

Nearly 20 children who acted in the Oscar-winning 'Slumdog Millionaire' have been thrown on the streets after Mumbai civic authorities Thursday morning demolished nearly 50 huts in a slum here, terming the slum unauthorised.

Azharuddin Ismail M. Shaikh, the main child star of the movie, said a team of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) came unannounced this morning, ordered them to move out of their shanties in Garib Nagar slum of Bandra East and demolished them.

'We have nowhere to go. We are just sitting on the road in the blazing sun right now. All our belongings and other household goods have either been thrown out or damaged. We don't know what we will eat today,' Azhar, crying inconsolably, told IANS.

When contacted, Assistant Municipal Commissioner H (East) Ward U.D. Mistry said the MCGM had specific orders from the headquarters to clear off all hutments which are constructed on the main drain in Bandra East.

'It may have happened that these celebrity children's homes also fell in this category, but we have to follow orders,' Mistry said.

He added that if eligible, all the displaced persons would be provided alternative accommodation before the monsoon, expected to hit Mumbai early June.

In the meantime, the families of Azhar and his co-star Rubina Ali Qureshi are now pinning their hopes on getting a flat as promised by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

The flat allotment was delayed since the elections were announced but now the model code of conduct will be lifted Monday.

This is the second time in the past five years or so that the MCGM has demolished the shanties in the area. Since the last demolition, the families, including those of the 'Slumdog' artistes, have been living in a park or pavements, said a resident, Yakub Abdul Sheikh.

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