Reality TV star's wedding sparks death debate

Monday, February 23, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

Jade Goody, a reality television star who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, was married on Sunday. A former dental nurse, Jade Goody shot to fame in 2002 as a contestant on the TV programme, Big Brother. She becoming a figure of ridicule in the media, depicted as a pig by one tabloid newspaper and denounced for being two-faced and ignorant. She milked the adverse publicity, courting the media through newspaper and television interviews. But the fame machine backfired in 2007 when she was accused of the racist bullying of Bollywood star, Shilpa Shetty, on the celebrity version of Big Brother.

Abhishek Bachchan breaks Guinness record

Posted by Snehsan

Abhishek Bachchan broke the Guinness' world record for maximum public appearances in 12 hours while promoting his latest film Delhi 6.
Abhishek Bachchan's whirlwind, record-breaking tour of Delhi and neighbouring cities began two days later than scheduled, but was packed with record breaker chock-a-block post-release flurry of activities.
Abhishek visited the EDM Mall in Ghaziabad, Spice at Noida, Crown Plaza in Faridabad, Select Citywalk, Ambience Mall and Central Mall in Chandigarh and Shoppers' Stop in Juhu in Mumbai.
But at precisely 7.35 pm on Sunday in Chandigarh at the PVR Theatre Central Mall, Tribune Chowk in Sector 29, Abhishek broke the existing Guinness record of German actors Jorgen Vogel and Daniel Brohl in the category of the greatest number of public appearances by a film star at different cities in 12 hours.
Exhausted but exhilarated Abhishek said: "I equalled the existing record at approximately 5 pm on Sunday. How do I feel? On top of the world. It always feels good to do something that goes beyond what's already been done."

Slumdog Millionaire bags 8 Oscars; India celebrates

Posted by Snehsan

It was the day of the Slumdog at the Oscars!

Out of the ten Oscars that it was nominated for, Slumdog Millionaire swept eight Oscars, which included two Oscars for music maestro A R Rahman, Best Director for Danny Boyle and Best Sound Mixing for India's Resul Pookutty.

The film opened its Oscar account by winning in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for Simon Beaufoy.

After that, there was no looking back as the film went on a dream run to win awards in Film Editing for Chris Dickens, Best Cinematography for Anthony Dod Mantle and Sound Mixing for India's Resul Pookutty.

36-year-old Resul Pookutty created history by becoming the first Indian to bag the Oscar for Best Sound mixing. Pookutty shared the Oscar with Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke for their collaborative work for the film.

"This is unbelievable. I share this stage with two magicians...I dedicate this award to my country," Pookutty said while accepting the award.

The biggest success for India came with a double Oscar treat for Rahman for Best Original Music Score and Best Song (Jai Ho).

The composer was overwhelmed and interspersed his speech with Hindi as well as Tamil on receiving the coveted trophy here Sunday.

"There is a dialogue from an old Hindi film - "Mere paas ma hai" - which means I have nothing but a mother.

My mother is here, I have her blessings. I am glad she could be here," said Rahman. He ended the acceptance speech by saying "God is great" in Tamil, something he says after winning every award. He shared the second Oscar for best original song for the film's theme number Jai Ho with noted Indian lyricist Gulzar. "All my life I had a choice between hate and love. I chose love and I am here," said Rahman after receiving his second golden statuette.

British filmmaker Danny Boyle won the Best Director award. Boyle was visibly excited and overwhelmed as he said "I want to thank my dad, my sisters and my wife... one person we haven't thanked is the choreographer who directed the last song in the film - Longines. I want to thank him too," said Boyle after receiving the award. The film also won an Oscar for Best Motion Picture. The announcement for Best Picture saw a jubilant cast and crew of the film, celebrating together on the stage.

SRK to co-produce My Name is Khan with Karan

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

They vouch by their dostana and that is the reason why SRK and Karan are joining their hands for My Name is Khan, that was earlier being made under Dharma Productions. The duo would jointly produce the film now. We wonder what could be the reason of this sudden decision? SRK tells Mumbai Mid Day in his trademark style, "Karan doesn't want to pay me what others pay me (which is lesser); so he said, 'I can't underpay you like this, (also he doesn't want to pay me!) so you be my partner.' So now, we are jointly producing the film." Karan laughs when told about Khan's comment, "That's Shah Rukh's sense of humour but it's true I can never put down his price on paper. Well, with the deadly combination of SRK and Karan Johar on screen, we sure expect a good show on the box-office!

Big B to visit ailing SRK at Mannat

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

Amitabh Bachchan has plans to visit Shah Rukh Khan at his residence Mannat here after the latter underwent a successful shoulder surgery. "I had sent him (Shah Rukh) a message for his speedy recovery. He called back to thank and inform me that he is home. 'I was getting depressed in hospital, so came away', he said," Amitabh posted on his blog. Amitabh messaged him: "I was planning to visit you in the hospital" and Shah Rukh replied saying: "Come home sir, we shall play some games." "Don't take after surgery too lightly, I warned him and take rest and do not get into any kind of activity. He sounds a little groggy. I shall visit him tomorrow," he added. Shah Rukh underwent an arthroscopic surgery Monday for a nagging pain in his left shoulder at the Breach Candy hospital in south Mumbai. He was relieved from the hospital Tuesday evening. The actor has been advised six weeks' rest

Abhay Deol: I was introduced to the drug culture by friends in high school

Posted by Snehsan

His Dev.D has received an overwhelming response and is also being touted as a trend-setter in Bollywood. But lead hero Abhay Deol isn’t in India to savour its success; he’s in New York doing a workshop in welding and metal work! “But I miss home badly, especially now that the film doing so well. I read whatever I can on the Net every day. Most people don’t know this, but I’m a very ordinary guy, the type who feels shy in a crowd and is overwhelmed by attention,” confesses Abhay. Hailed as the poster boy of smallbudget films, Abhay accepts that his career received only ‘a fair share’ of hype until Dev.D happened. “But things are looking much bigger now. I’m very happy and I need a little time to adjust to this new-found fame,” he says.

Not many know that a modern adaptation of Devdas was Abhay’s idea. “I was looking for a story that dealt with drugs and addiction in an urban setting. When I saw SLB’s Devdas, it occurred to me that it had exactly what I was looking for; all I had to do was set it in the present day. Which was also good because it gave the film a marketing platform, an iconic character, a story and its moments,” explains the actor. And if his portrayal of Dev has been lauded as outstanding, it’s because the actor identifies with most of the film. “It’s a film everyone would understand, most importantly, the youth.

Drugs have always been around; I was introduced to the drug culture by friends in high school. At that age, I was also madly in love with a girl, which I later realised was just an obsession,” admits Abhay. Being a Deol, doesn’t he ever miss the maar-peet and naach-gaana routine? “No, for me the challenge in doing that routine would be to do it better than those who’ve done it before me. And I know I’d fail because, to begin with, I’m not a competitive person. I’m not interested in it either. I’ve worked hard to make a place for myself in the industry, to conform to commercial norms now would be to throw it all away. The audience is also changing now as proven by the kind of films that have worked at the BO in the past couple of years,” observes Abhay. Right now, his focus is on his next film — also his debut production — titled Junction. “All my first five films were with new directors. Even Junction is being directed by debutant Atul Sabarwal, who has also written the script. I like to encourage newcomers, be it directors, actors or writers,” he signs off.

I pray for a miracle for Jade: Shilpa

Posted by Snehsan

It’s ironic that Jade Goody, who earned worldwide notoriety for being rude and racist towards our Shilpa Shetty when they were competitors on the Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty More PicsUK reality show Celebrity Big Brother, should invite the Bollywood actress for the last two reality shows she will ever be involved in. These are Jade’s wedding this Sunday in London reportedly at Sir Elton John’s home; and, her funeral! Yes, Jade has little time left. The cervical cancer that she discovered when in Mumbai to participate in the Bigg Boss show, has spread and almost consumed the young woman’s life. In the few days that she has, Jade intends to get married and then orchestrate the rites of her own funeral. It sounds macabre, true, but she’s doing it to raise enough money for the future welfare of her sons Bobbie (5) and Freddie (4). Shilpa, whose own life changed after that incident, is in a way beholden to Jade. Not only did she go on to win global sympathy (and the show) for Jade’s taunts, but Shilpa’s career in Bollywood too picked up; and, the icing on the cake, she met the love of her life — Raj Kundra, whom she intends to marry, because of Jade and the Celebrity Big Brother show. Now all of Shilpa’s finer emotions have come to the fore. She has no ill-feelings, no malice, towards Jade. Only heartfelt sympathy. Shilpa told BT yesterday, “I knew she was suffering from a terminally ill disease but I thought she’ll be cured. When I learned that she’s got just a couple of months to live, I was shocked. I just hope a miracle takes place... at least for her children’s sake.” Jade did try to make amends with the Bollywood hottie when she travelled to Mumbai last year. Shilpa, who hosted the Indian version of the popular UK reality show, and who is shaken by the news of her former foe’s terminal illness, said, “I have forgiven and forgotten all that and have asked everyone else to do the same. We kept in touch and called each other up some time. We were just getting to know each other and this happened! Nobody deserves to go through this pain. Nobody...” Sadly, Shilpa is busy with the IPL when this crisis has taken over Jade’s life, but she intends meeting Jade in London where she will be shooting for Sunny Deol’s The Man soon. “When I spoke to her on Sunday, she sounded strong and invited me for her marriage to her 21-year-old fiancé Jack Tweed,” said Shilpa. “I don’t know if I will be able to attend that but I am meeting her for sure.” Jade is apparently selling the media rights of her wedding to a television channel to create funds for her two sons after her death. “After our chit-chat, she casually invited me for her funeral saying that I’ll be informed through Max Clifford, our common publicist. It’s so heart wrenching,” added Shilpa. “Imagine accepting the fact of death with a smile. I want to reach out to her but I feel so helpless knowing that all my efforts will be in vain. I have been praying for her and her kids.”

Smoking Hot and Sexy

Posted by Snehsan

If you are not sure who we are talking about then it is none other than the dusky sex kitten Celina Jaitley who has been associated with the film industry from the past few years and though she has not been able to deliver a significant success, she is still the wanted girl thanks to her smoking hot body. However, off late the pretty girl has been making a lot of news for the wrong reasons, she is often linked to her co-stars and the latest in her kitty was actor Fardeen Khan. Celina has decided to drop curtains on this once and for all and confirmed that she has no interest in married men and she is as yet single. She also mentioned that she is on the lookout for love from the past three and a half years.

Sanjay Dutt's political journey takes him down memory lane

Posted by Snehsan

New Delhi: In Lucknow, Sanjay Dutt's political journey is taking him down memory lane. After a road show with wife Manyata, Dutt - the Samajwadi Party candidate for Lucknow - will tour the constituency all day on Wednesday.

Apart from meetings with senior party leaders, including Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and State President Shivpal Singh Yadav, Sanjay Dutt will specifically visit a house in Aminabad, in Ganne Wali Gali, where his father Sunil Dutt once lived. Sunil Dutt is said to have spent four years between 1949 to 1952 in the house.

The landlord of Sunil Dutt's house, Inder Kaur remembers the late minister well. "He came here after formation of Pakistan. He loved Punjabi food. I will prepare what Sanjay Dutt desires when he comes here," she said. Sanjay Dutt is slated to meet prominent doctors of the city at the clinic of SP State Secretary Madhu Gupta later in the day.
"During his stay, Dutt will discuss strategy for the elections with senior party leaders including national general secretary Amar Singh and state president Shivpal Singh Yadav," party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary was quoted by PTI as saying. This would be Dutt's second visit to the state capital after his candidature was announced by the SP. Earlier, the bollywood star accompanied by his wife Manyata, visited Lucknow on January 17 for a roadshow.

Shah Rukh says he is fine, to rest for 3 weeks

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who underwent a successful shoulder surgery in Mumbai, was discharged from hospital on Tuesday and said he was feeling fine but would take some rest and take care of his kids' studies. "I am fine, but I will be taking rest for three weeks," he said in suburban Bandra after he was discharged from Breach Candy Hospital, where he underwent the surgery to repair the tear in his left shoulder muscle on Monday after he returned from London where he attended the premiere of his latest home production ‘Billu’. Shah Rukh also said he would be travelling to watch Twenty20 Cricket matches. "I don't watch my own movies," he said in a reply to another query. "I will take care of my children's studies in my rest period," he said. Shoulder specialist Dr Sanjay Desai, who performed the operation on the 43-year-old actor-producer, said that Shah Rukh had recovered well and so was discharged. "Shah Rukh has resumed his normal diet and had a sound sleep." The actor, with his left hand in a sling, looked cheerful and waved at fans, photographers and camerapersons waiting outside the hospital.

He had injured himself on the sets of ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’ last November and continued shooting for Karan Johar's ‘My Name is Khan’ in Los Angeles for 45 days at a stretch during which he experienced severe pain. He was told by his doctors last month about the urgency to get the tear in the main muscle of his left shoulder fixed. He decided to undergo the operation after release of ‘Billu’. According to Dr Desai, the arthroscopic method of surgery, which was performed on the star, does not require opening of the entire joint. "The surgery ensures less pain and minimal scar," he said. Under this surgical technique, a tube-like instrument is inserted into a joint to inspect, diagnose and repair tissues.

Shah Rukh, who has the franchise of Kolkata Knight Riders, said he will be busy with preparations for the second season of IPL. Besides, he will also have to deal with the protests against usage of certain words in the song 'Marjani' in ‘Billu’. Shah Rukh has already said that the protesters have not heard the lyrics properly and there was nothing controversial in it. Last week on the day of film's release unidentified persons had thrown kerosene-filled bottles at his bungalow 'Mannat' in Mumbai.

Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra Join Rajasthan Royals & They Buy Stake in Rajasthan Royals

Posted by Snehsan

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her business partner Raj Kundra on Tuesday bought a 12 per cent stake in the Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural champions of the Twenty20 event.Shetty and Kundra, a UK-based entrepreneur, are reportedly set to invest $ 15.4 million in the team, which is led by Australian spin legend Shane Warne and has international stars like South African skipper Graeme Smith and Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson in its fold."They have bought an approximately 12 per cent stake in the team," Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale told reporters in Mumbai.Shetty thus becomes the third Bollywood star after Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta to buy a stake in IPL teams.While Shah Rukh owns Kolkata Knight Riders, Preity has a stake in Kings XI Punjab, the semi-finalists last year.Shetty said she would have a role in the team's promotional activities this year. "I will be promoting the team. Perhaps a music video will also come," she quipped.

Shah Rukh Khan's house attacked in Mumbai

Friday, February 13, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's bungalow in Mumbai's Bandra was attacked early Friday by some unidentifiedmen."Around 0230 hours, motorcycle-borne miscreants threw the bottles filled with kerosene and fled from the scene. The security men at the residence 'Mannat' chased the miscreants but in vain," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Niket Kaushik told PTI.When the incident occurred, Khan was not in the house and nobody has sustained any injuries, he said adding that a complaint has been registered and further investigation is on in the matter.

Pakistan switch game from Karachi

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Posted by Snehsan

Security has been a major factor on recent tours of Pakistan

Pakistan's fifth one-day international against South Africa on Monday has been moved from Karachi to Lahore because of security concerns।

The South Africans did not want to play in Karachi after last week's bombing of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's convoy in which 139 people were killed।

"We deeply regret this decision, especially for the people of Karachi।

"But members of our contingent are not comfortable travelling there," said team manager Logan Naidoo.
"If possible, we will play in Karachi when we tour Pakistan next time।"

Bomb attacks in the city have disrupted previous series, with New Zealand flying home in 2002 after an explosion close to their hotel, which killed 14 people.