Interview: Amitabh Bachchan

LONDON, England -- Hailed as India's greatest actor, he's the legendary star of Sholay and leader of the mighty Bachchan clan. CNN talked to Amitabh Bachchan, the De Niro of Bollywood, at an International Indian Film Academy event in London...

Amitabh Bachchan: Yes, I think it is. It's a great progression from where we were a few years ago, where even though we were the highest-making film nation in the world, we were looked upon with a certain amount of criticism and skepticism about our content and the way we make our films.

Gradually, over the years, people have come to expect and accept that this is how we make the films, and it's all turning out to be profitable and exciting with viewers all over the world.

CNN: Why do you think people had been so skeptical?

Bachchan: Well, they felt that the content wasn't exciting enough, they couldn't understand the song and dance routine, they didn't like the very cliched stories or formulaic storylines, but that's the way we are. We must have song and dance in our lives; we've had it ever since the inception of cinema in India.

Our stories are very social-based, very human-based. We are a very emotional nation. All our culture and tradition of over 5,000 years has come through a lot of heat and fire and eventually come out on top. That's how it is, and that's how it's going to remain.

CNN: Is Bollywood escapism for the Indian people?

Bachchan: You have to see it in a larger perspective. There are large numbers of people in India below the poverty line, there are large numbers of people who lead a meager existence. They want to find a little escape from the hardships of life, and come and watch something colorful and exciting and musical. Indian cinema provides that. So yes, the content of our television and our cinema is escapist in nature because we are there to provide entertainment.

The select group of people who do make realistic cinema, who do make cinema perhaps a little more acceptable to the Western audience, is a very small percentage.

CNN: What are the main differences between a Hollywood and a Bollywood actor?

Bachchan: Conceptually we are both the same. We are all human beings, we are actors, we are put in different situations and conditions and we act. Perhaps the content of the Indian cinema is a lot more varied and diverse as compared to the ones the Hollywood actors get associated with. They more or less have a very single track presence, so to say.

Indian actors, because of the format of our stories, need to be good actors, and be able to perform emotional sequences, do a bit of comedy, dance and singing, action, because all of this forms just one film. In many ways I'd say there are greater demands on Indian actors than there are on Hollywood.

CNN: So do you think Hollywood actors could learn from the Bollywood actors?

Bachchan: I don't know that we are worthy enough for learning something from us, but I do know that actors in India are very capable, very talented, and can be compared to the best anywhere in the world.

CNN: What makes you the best actor in India?

Bachchan: I don't use any techniques; I'm not trained to be an actor. I just enjoy working in films. It's more instinctive rather than anything else. I don't do the calculated rehearsed kind of approach, and I hope that I can continue that because I believe that instinct is much stronger and greater when you are performing on camera.

CNN: Tell us about the upcoming remake of "Sholay."

Bachchan: "Sholay" is an extraordinary film. It's the highest-grossing film and it had a great impact on our society. Obviously remaking it is a huge task. We are purely using the inspiration of the film.

I am playing the baddie in the film, as opposed to one of the leading men in the original. It's a great challenge for any actor to do something different in a film. I will obviously not be playing the leading man, but it's exciting. At my age you don't get to run after the girl and win them over and fight the baddie, but I'm happy that I'm doing the negative role in this film and I'm enjoying it!

CNN: Tell us about "Sarkar 2" -- it's becoming a bit of a family affair!

Bachchan: It's a very powerful film, it takes influences from the Godfather. It's not exactly a remake, but it took inspiration from the Godfather and put it in "Sarkar." We are now doing "Sarkar 2," which is going to have Abhishek, my son, and his wife to be, so I think it will be wonderful for the three of us to work together again. Sarkar 2 will be a much larger film, larger in concept, larger in visuals. It promises to be very exciting.

CNN: Is it nice to work with your family?

Bachchan: The entire filming industry in India is one big family. We all feel that way whenever we make a film: it's a very homely feeling; we all live together, eat together, move around together. It's a wonderful feeling. I don't know how Hollywood behaves, but this is how we behave, and yes, when you have members of the family working with you it makes it all the more exciting.

CNN: What's next for you?

Bachchan: I think that it's important that actors keep getting challenged every day. For every creative person it's a terrible moment when they say they have done all they want to do.

I like to feel the butterflies in the stomach, I like to go home and have a restless night and wonder how I'm going to be able to accomplish this feat, get jittery. That hunger and those butterflies in the stomach are very essential for all creative people.

I'd like to believe that tomorrow is another challenge for me. I'm sure there is lots more for me to do, because there is lots and lots of stuff still to be explored.

Source

The rapid rise of chart star Rihanna

With her ninth week at the top of the UK singles chart likely to be confirmed this weekend and a number one album under her belt, Rihanna's rise in the music industry has been pretty rapid.

"So much has happened in my life, I feel like I've grown five years in a year," the 19-year-old reveals on her website.

And since bursting onto the pop and R&B scene two years ago, the Barbados-born starlet has achieved more than most of her peers.

With the announcement of her first major UK arena tour, after supporting the Pussycat Dolls last year and performing at Tokyo's leg of Live Earth, it looks like Rihanna is here to stay.

Her current hit single Umbrella was released digitally in May in the UK and was the fastest-selling download of the year.

It went on to become only the third single ever to reach the top of the charts on downloads alone.

It has now joined an elite club of songs that have spent eight weeks on top - only Umbrella and Crazy by Gnarls Barkley have done so since 1994.

Big break
The fortunes of the track, with a chorus that repeats the refrain "You can stand under my umbrella", cannot have been harmed by the fact it coincided with the unusually awful British summer.

Fans can now even buy five styles of official Rihanna real umbrellas.

Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Barbados, the young singer got her big break in 2003 when she was introduced to music producer Evan Rogers, who was on holiday in Barbados at the time.


Jay Z signed Rihanna to his record label Def Jam
On hearing Rihanna sing, the producer - who has worked with such artists as Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard - invited her to New York to record a demo.

Things started to take off after hip-hop megastar Jay Z showed interest.

Earlier this year, she recalled her first meeting with the star.

"He didn't want me to leave until I signed a deal. Twelve hours later, I signed the deal. That was kind of crazy, right?" she told the Honolulu Advertiser.

In 2005, she co-wrote and released her debut album Music of the Sun, which went on to sell a million copies worldwide.

Pon De Replay, the first single from the album, peaked at number two in both the UK and US, making her an instant star.

Artist success
Despite fame at such an early age, she admits she has had to work hard.

Unlike most people her age, she slots study time around rehearsals, training and interviews.

"It always seemed glamorous but it is real work," she says on her website. "My love for music and singing will never change but the rose-coloured glasses are no longer so rosy."

Nevertheless, the heavy workload has clearly not put her off stardom.

After her first album came out, she supported Gwen Stefani on tour and shot her first film role in Bring It On Yet Again.

A Girl Like Me, Rihanna's follow-up album, was released in 2006 and bought even more success.

It spawned three big hits - SOS, her first US number one single, and two top tens, Unfaithful and Break It Off.

Last year, she scooped best R&B act at the Mobo and MTV Music Awards. She also performed before Michael Jackson at the World Music Awards.

So far this year, she has been nominated for four gongs at the Teen Choice Awards.

Her third album Good Girl Gone Bad attracted heavyweight collaborators including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Timbaland, and StarGate.

It went to number one in the UK and two in the US, confirming her star status.

Rihanna supported the Pussycat Dolls on their tour last year

Fans, media crush welcome Beckham to Galaxy

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- International soccer star David Beckham said Friday that he was taking on the biggest challenge of his career, after being introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

About 5,000 fans, hordes of photographers and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa attended the news conference.

The stylish star was showered with confetti as he held his No. 23 jersey up to his gray suit. His wife Victoria, better known as as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, stayed on the sidelines during the event but still attracted a lot of attention in her pink dress and big black sunglasses.

Beckham called coming to America "one of the biggest challenges I've ever taken on in my career." That career includes 11 years on England's national team and stints on storied football clubs Manchester United and Real Madrid.

"Potentially, in the States, soccer could be as big as it is everywhere else around the world. And I'm proud to be a part of that," Beckham said. "And I'm going to be a part of that for the next five years and maybe for a few more years later."

Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop called Beckham "a winner on and off the field."

"The team cannot wait to get him out on the field with his boots on, his kit on, the Galaxy jersey on, start to win some games and enjoy our time here," Yallop said.

The media blitz started late Thursday, when the paparazzi turned out at Los Angeles International Airport for the Beckham family's arrival.

His wife kicks off her publicity tour for a one-off reality show that's to air on NBC early next week.

The pair are tabloid favorites in Britain, where football stars' wives and girlfriends rival Paris Hilton for attention.

For example, the fiancee of Chelsea star Frank Lampard was seen without her engagement ring for a fourth day, and that was big news Friday on London tabloid The Sun's Web site.

Beckham may be best known in the United States for the movie "Bend It Like Beckham," about a teenage girl who idolized the star.

The former captain of the English National team also drew headlines with the contract that brought him to the United States from Spain's Real Madrid.

The five-year deal reportedly could be worth up to $250 million, mostly from a cut of ticket sales, uniform sales and sponsorship deals.

The Galaxy has already sold more than 250,000 Beckham jerseys, which sell for $79.99 on the team's Web site.

L.A. Galaxy officials have high hopes that their investment in Beckham will pay off.

"It's so great, we're so excited, from the coaching staff to the players," Blane Shepard, the Galaxy's director of special operations, told CNN. "I'm not going to say he's the savior, but gosh, everyone in the United States is talking about David Beckham and we just can't wait for him to start."

CNNMoney.com Senior Writer Chris Isidore says Beckham's already better known than some established sports stars.

Talent marketing agency Davie Brown Entertainment found that more than 51 percent of Americans surveyed knew who Beckham is, compared with the 25 percent who had heard of NBA star Tim Duncan, Isidore said.

Duncan, a perennial All-Star, just led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA championship, winning the fourth title of his career.

Beckham is scheduled to make his U.S. debut July 21.

"It's a little bit unfair because Tim Duncan is one of the most anonymous superstars you're ever going to see," Isidore said. "But 50 percent recognition factor is actually pretty high."

Beckham isn't the first international star to try to put soccer on the map in the United States.

The North American Soccer League brought in Brazilian soccer legend Pelé and a host of other stars in the mid-1970s, but the league ultimately failed.

German star Franz Beckenbauer, who also played in the league, said things have changed since then.

Beckenbauer said that when he played, announcers had to explain the rules over the public address system.

Now, more than 20 million Americans play the game.

"I think the whole country's waiting -- because now, soccer in the United States is different ..... The soccer family is quite big in the United States," Beckenbauer said.

More than 200,000 children play soccer in Southern California, and they're excited about Beckham.

Los Angeles teen AhKeyah Allahjah is ecstatic about the mere thought Beckham will soon be playing for the Galaxy, a Major League Soccer team trying to reach the heights of such L.A. icons as the Lakers and Dodgers.

From Rachel Brown
CNN


LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- International soccer star David Beckham said Friday that he was taking on the biggest challenge of his career, after being introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy.


David Beckham holds up his Galaxy jersey on Friday. The team says it's sold 250,000 jerseys in days.

1 of 3 more photos » About 5,000 fans, hordes of photographers and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa attended the news conference.

The stylish star was showered with confetti as he held his No. 23 jersey up to his gray suit. His wife Victoria, better known as as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, stayed on the sidelines during the event but still attracted a lot of attention in her pink dress and big black sunglasses.

Beckham called coming to America "one of the biggest challenges I've ever taken on in my career." That career includes 11 years on England's national team and stints on storied football clubs Manchester United and Real Madrid.

"Potentially, in the States, soccer could be as big as it is everywhere else around the world. And I'm proud to be a part of that," Beckham said. "And I'm going to be a part of that for the next five years and maybe for a few more years later." Watch as Beckham becomes an American soccer player »

Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop called Beckham "a winner on and off the field."

"The team cannot wait to get him out on the field with his boots on, his kit on, the Galaxy jersey on, start to win some games and enjoy our time here," Yallop said.

The media blitz started late Thursday, when the paparazzi turned out at Los Angeles International Airport for the Beckham family's arrival.

His wife kicks off her publicity tour for a one-off reality show that's to air on NBC early next week.

The pair are tabloid favorites in Britain, where football stars' wives and girlfriends rival Paris Hilton for attention.

For example, the fiancee of Chelsea star Frank Lampard was seen without her engagement ring for a fourth day, and that was big news Friday on London tabloid The Sun's Web site.

Beckham may be best known in the United States for the movie "Bend It Like Beckham," about a teenage girl who idolized the star.

The former captain of the English National team also drew headlines with the contract that brought him to the United States from Spain's Real Madrid.

The five-year deal reportedly could be worth up to $250 million, mostly from a cut of ticket sales, uniform sales and sponsorship deals.

The Galaxy has already sold more than 250,000 Beckham jerseys, which sell for $79.99 on the team's Web site.

L.A. Galaxy officials have high hopes that their investment in Beckham will pay off.

"It's so great, we're so excited, from the coaching staff to the players," Blane Shepard, the Galaxy's director of special operations, told CNN. "I'm not going to say he's the savior, but gosh, everyone in the United States is talking about David Beckham and we just can't wait for him to start."

CNNMoney.com Senior Writer Chris Isidore says Beckham's already better known than some established sports stars.

Talent marketing agency Davie Brown Entertainment found that more than 51 percent of Americans surveyed knew who Beckham is, compared with the 25 percent who had heard of NBA star Tim Duncan, Isidore said.

Duncan, a perennial All-Star, just led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA championship, winning the fourth title of his career.

Beckham is scheduled to make his U.S. debut July 21.

"It's a little bit unfair because Tim Duncan is one of the most anonymous superstars you're ever going to see," Isidore said. "But 50 percent recognition factor is actually pretty high."

Beckham isn't the first international star to try to put soccer on the map in the United States.

The North American Soccer League brought in Brazilian soccer legend Pelé and a host of other stars in the mid-1970s, but the league ultimately failed.

German star Franz Beckenbauer, who also played in the league, said things have changed since then.

Beckenbauer said that when he played, announcers had to explain the rules over the public address system.

Now, more than 20 million Americans play the game.

"I think the whole country's waiting -- because now, soccer in the United States is different ..... The soccer family is quite big in the United States," Beckenbauer said.

More than 200,000 children play soccer in Southern California, and they're excited about Beckham.

Los Angeles teen AhKeyah Allahjah is ecstatic about the mere thought Beckham will soon be playing for the Galaxy, a Major League Soccer team trying to reach the heights of such L.A. icons as the Lakers and Dodgers.

"I'm super-excited, and I can't wait," she said, the enthusiasm radiating from her voice.

Rabid Galaxy fan Binh Robles, 13, is also looking forward to Beckham's debut. "He's a really good playmaker. He'll open up the team and get the ball moving. We need that."

He understands why some of his friends aren't into professional soccer like he is. "They think it's too slow of a game, and there's not enough fast-paced action like basketball or football."

The Beckhams are already good friends with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. They recently purchased a $22 million mansion in their Beverly Hills neighborhood.

The Cruises are frequently photographed at his children's sports games or out to dinner, and the Beckhams are expected to also live very much in the public eye.

Bryan Alexander of People magazine predicts: "They will spend a lot of time with the Cruises at first and radiate off each other's star power."

The industry that feeds off that star power is ramping up in preparation. L.A. celeb photo agency Splash News says it is dedicating a team to following the Beckhams nearly around the clock.

"This is not about two people having a private life in Los Angeles. This is a business move for them," says Splash CEO Gary Morgan.

Emily Miller, the chief U.S. correspondent of London tabloid The Sun, adds, "They are our showbiz royalty."

Miller says the tabloid is sending out sports and entertainment reporters to cover what it considers a very big story.

But Splash's Morgan cautions that Americans are attracted to scandal, and unless the Beckhams "do something stupid," then people will quickly lose interest in the heavily stage-managed and marketed couple.

In other words, Paris Hilton, don't quit your day job.

Cristiano Ronaldo and I are pals now: Bipasha

One of Bipasha Basu's dreams came true at Lisbon, Portugal when she got to meet her favourite footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and the actress made the most of it. She says she danced and partied with the football star who is a big fan of Bollywood.

Bipasha hosted the 'Seven Wonders of the World' ceremony at the Benfica Stadium in Lisbon on July 7.

'For two months I had been raving to my boyfriend John (Abraham) that I'd meet Cristiano at IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) awards. They had promised to make him walk with me. I was crushed when it didn't happen. Who was to know that I'd party with him just weeks after IIFA,' Bipasha told IANS.

'I was like a fan to begin with. But after we bonded we just became two individuals' bonding as buddies over an important international event. We're pals now. If I ever have to see a football game, all I've to do is ask Cristiano,' she added.

Bipasha became a football fan ever since she met John. 'I've been Cristiano's fan for five years. I haven't yet told John the details of my partying with Cristiano. I will as soon as he returns from his outdoors.'

However, intimate pictures of Cristiano and Bipasha have been splashed all over the Internet and the local television channels are also airing snaps of her close encounter with the football star.

Revealing the details, she said: 'I felt like a princess. He gave me so many compliments. He danced with me throughout the night. There were 50,000 jealous women staring at us. I must've got so much Portuguese bud-dua (bad wishes) that night. The local girls wanted to murder me. Now he wants to e-mail me regularly.'

During dinner Cristiano told Bipasha that he was a big fan of Bollywood. 'I thought he was just trying to be sweet. I told him he didn't have to say he liked Bollywood films just to please me.

'Cristiano fished out his cell phone and made me hear 'Tujhse naraaz nahin' from 'Masoom'. He said, 'Now do you believe me?'

Bipasha laughs about her interaction with the soccer star. 'Though he looks older, Cristiano is very young, just a boy. Now I've told him, I'm only his fan on the field. Beyond the field he's my friend.

'I've told him I'm his first Indian friend. We discussed John and my football film 'Goal'. I've invited Cristiano to India.'

FACTBOX - Final Harry Potter book set for release

At one minute after midnight on July 21, the final Harry Potter book will be released.

Following are some facts about the Harry Potter novels and their spin-offs.

* J.K. Rowling completed the manuscript of her first Harry Potter story, called "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in 1995, having written some of it in local cafes in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she was a single mother drawing state benefits.

* After being rejected by a series of publishers, Barry Cunningham, then of Bloomsbury publishers, signed up Rowling and the author and company never looked back. Rowling is known as the world's first billion-dollar author.

* Rowling has sold 325 million copies of the first six books of the seven-book series about young wizard Harry Potter, his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and his battles with evil foe Lord Voldemort.

* The seven books are called: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (published in 1997 and as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the United States in 1998), "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (1998), "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (1999), "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2000), "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2003), "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2005), "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (2007).

* The final instalment is due to be released on July 21. Rowling has said she will kill off at least two characters, but has declined to specify who. The main speculation among readers and gamblers is whether or not Harry will survive at the end.

* Warner Bros. have distributed four Harry Potter movies so far, amassing a worldwide box office tally of around $3.5 billion. The fifth is in cinemas now.

* Daniel Radcliffe, who soon turns 18, has played the central role of Harry throughout the film series, turning him into a household name in Britain. He has signed up to star in the final two films.

Harry Potter and the Indian blitzkrieg

New Delhi, July 15 (IANS) As the 'Harry Potter' series wraps up this month, it brings to an end the remarkable journey of a character that reached the Indian shores a little late but unleashed magic when it did.

From Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi and Gujarat versions of the books to a home-grown school of magic, the child wizard has virtually single-handedly spawned a new industry in his name.

Such is the Potter craze in India that the country has become a part of the book's global launch. The wizard's fate will be unveiled on July 21 with the release of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', the seventh and possibly last Potter book by Rowling.

The stories of Harry Potter, unlike superheroes like 'Spiderman' and 'Batman', were well placed in tradition, conveying a moral, and touched a chord among Indians.

'Like India's 'Panchatantra', 'Harry Potter' sends out a message of love, loyalty, fellow feeling and courage,' said Neetu Kohli, a mother of two children. 'My sons can learn values through Harry.'

Spinoffs like Potter glasses, videogames, clothing, toys and house-wares are now up for grabs. Also piggybacking on the Potter phenomenon is the country's master magician P.C. Sorcar Jr., who is set to open the Indian edition of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which will award master degrees in 'Dramagic' to its students.

The first book, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', arrived in India quietly and its appeal was restricted to just a section of urban children. As the sequel started gaining recognition worldwide and its reports reached India, curious readers picked it up.

'I saw my friend reading 'Harry Potter'. I did not know what it was then and I borrowed it from him to read and I loved it,' said 21-year-old Ravi Chandra. 'Since then I have always bought the books and in fact have booked them before their release.'

Word of mouth contributed to making 'Harry Potter' a roaring success in this country, attracting people from different age groups. Like the Beatles and Bob Dylan, 'Harry Potter' was a classic case of a character or a product being immortalised by fans and not by marketers or distributors.

J.K. Rowling, the first dollar billionaire author, had in 1996 sold its publishing rights to Bloomsbury Press for just $4,000.

In 'Deathly Hallows', Harry Potter is expected to die and thousands of fans worldwide have signed a petition 'Save Harry!', urging Rowling not to end the series.

Indian fans too are apprehensive about Potter's fate and do not want his magic to end.

Said 17-year-old Akash Gupta: 'All of us want to enjoy more adventures from him. We want Harry to live on forever.'

More than 325 million copies of the first six books have been sold worldwide and it is being reported that the first print of 'Deathly Hallows' is 12 million copies in the US alone. Amazon.com says nearly 1.6 million people worldwide have pre-ordered the final volume.

India has booked 240,000 copies of the last book, which is priced at Rs.995 and the distributors expect the book to be sold out within the first three days of its launch.

'There is around 15-20 percent growth in people buying Potter books. 'Harry Potter' is no longer just a children's book now. Possessing the first copies of the book is now a rage. People may not read it but they will surely keep it on their rack,' said Rajiv Chowdhry, CEO of Oxford Bookstore, which has pre-ordered around 8,000 copies.

'There is a lot of booking and we expect long queues outside the stalls from around 5 a.m. in the morning when the last book of the series is released.'

The publishing of Potter books in regional languages has prompted an anti-piracy drive through unleashing vigilance cells and intellectual property investigators.

All the four Potter films have been hugely successful in the country and despite mixed reviews for the fifth, 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', movie tickets have been sold out till the middle of next week in most Indian theatres.

'We are sold out till mid next week. We have been flooded by advance bookings and this is one film that the entire family is booking and coming to watch. This is rare for any film,' said Shalu Sabharwal, vice-president, sales and marketing, PVR, India.

Hall owners have also planned events for Potter fans to attract more and more kids at their cinemas.

'We have installed games like the Wheel of Fortune through which we will be giving away a lot of prizes to children. Plus at the weekend, we have magicians to enthral people,' Sabharwal added.

Balakrishna talks about NTR's transition

New York, July 15 (IANS) Top Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna says the way his father N.T. Rama Rao identified himself with the poor and downtrodden in the movies helped him to become a better politician.

Talking about his father's transition, Balakrishna said: 'When my father played roles of the poor and downtrodden, he immersed himself in the roles, thus understanding their plight. Later as a politician, he could successfully reach out to people, say the victims of floods and droughts.'

Balakrishna, 47, who was in the US for a Telugu meet, told IANS that he also likes playing emotional roles like his father and he wants to get more involved in the trust run in NTR's name.

Last month, Balakrishna's daughter was engaged to the son of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu's son.

Balakrishna was in New York Thursday to attend a reception given in honour of his sister D. Purandeswari, the minister of state for human resource development. The function was organised by prominent Long Island NRIs.

Balakrishna and Purandeswari were returning from a Telugu conference organised by TANA (Telugu Association of North America) in Washington.

At the conference held July 5-7, Balakrishna directed and played the lead role in a play about the plight of Telugu language. Called Balayya by his fans, he was widely cheered by thousands of Andhraites at the conference.

Watson amazed by Radcliffe's steamy shots

Washington, July 15 (ANI): Harry Potter star Emma Watson was amazed to see steamy shots of co-star Daniel Radcliffe in an American magazine.

Watson was surprised that she realised how handsome Radcliffe is, after looking at the shots.

"I saw that and I was like, 'Hey'... (It's) the first time I've really thought, 'Ooh, wow, actually he's pretty good looking,'" Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.

However, she said that she doesn't fantasize about the Brit star.

"I know it sounds harsh but... no," she added.

The 17-year-old also revealed that she was hoping that she too would get the chance to drop her nice girl image by shedding her clothes - especially after seeing Radcliffe's performance in Equus.

SRK statue to be unveiled at French museum

It was an evening of much chaos. Nobody paid much attention to either filmmaker Mani Ratnam or producer Bharat Shah, as all eyes were on actor Shah Rukh Khan making his first public appearance after a long holiday in London.

He didn't bring gifts for his fans, but good news he had in plenty.

“I don’t know if I should be saying this or it should be announced later but France's Grevin Museum, like Madam Tussaud's museum in London, are going to put my statue, which is a big honour. I am supposedly the only living Indian who will be there,” he said.

Lest we forget, the occasion marked the music release of the new devotional film Jai Jagannatha, which will release in 15 Indian languages.

For anyone who thinks the chain-smoking, booze-endorsing superstar doesn't make the ideal guest of honour at such an event, we'll leave it to Shah Rukh himself to surprise you with a side of his that few are familiar with.

“I say only one prayer but my kids say all,” said Shah Rukh. Judging by his ever-growing popularity, clearly that prayer has reached the Lord's ears.

A tribute to Charlie Chaplin

In the new age where technology has become so strong that man cannot live without it. Sound is used in the films to bring it closer to life, but in the yester years, technology was not strong, but still the medium of cinema was used effectively by the then super stars, to entertain people. That is the reason they are still the greatest of the entertainers.


Gipsy Video has taken the initiative to pay tribute to the great movies of that era - 'Charles Chaplin' and 'Laurel & Hardy'. The tribute will be in the form of a video series of their great work so that it can be offered on an entertainment platter to the nation.


'We wanted the new generation of India to experience absolute entertainment provided by the legends of humor and comedy - Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, which we grew up watching in our childhood days,' said Amit Chedda of Gipsy Video, when asked about the golden collection of Charlie Chaplin.

Emma Watson Speaks Her Mind On Parade Magazine

There are too many stupid girls in the media, Hermione’s not scared to be clever. I think sometimes really smart girls dumb themselves down a bit, and that’s bad. I’m a bit of a feminist. I’m very competitive and challenging.

When I was 9 or 10, I would get really upset when they tried to make me look geeky, but now I absolutely love it. I find it’s so much pressure to be beautiful. Hermione doesn’t care what she looks like. She’s a complete tomboy.

People can’t understand why I don’t want to be a full-time actress, but school life keeps me in touch with my friends. It keeps me in touch with reality. Let’s be honest: I have enough money never to have to work again, but I would never want that. Learning keeps me motivated.

-Emma Watson on Parade Magazine

Daniel thinks Harry's doomed

DANIEL Radcliffe has predicted his character Harry Potter will die in the final instalment of J.K. Rowling's famous book series.

Radcliffe, who plays the young wizard in the film version of the books, said he thought the character would die in The Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final book in the series.

Radcliffe said he had been given "no inside hints" as to just how the saga will end, but told Todayshow.com, the website of America's NBC Today Show, he had a sense of impending doom.

"I think I might die in it, but that's just my prediction," Radcliffe said.

All will be revealed when the book is released on July 21.

In the meantime Radcliffe is busy promoting the opening of the latest film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The movie, which opens this week, is the fifth instalment of the series and fans are eager to see Harry experience his first kiss.

Radcliffe was nervous about locking lips with Katie Leung, who plays Cho Chang in the film, but said it wasn't his first on-screen kiss.

While the kiss wasn't a "big deal" for Radcliffe, it was momentous for Harry, he said.

Radcliffe experienced his first on-screen kiss filming the independent Australian drama December Boys, and bared all during a stage performance in London.

Radcliffe said it was "definitely" harder to do a nude scene than kiss Leung in the movie.

I want to do only A-grade films: Bhoomika Chawla

Remember Bhoomika Chawla? This actress began with a bang in Bollywood starring opposite Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan, but fade into oblivion soon after her films bombed at the box office.

Presently, Bhoomika is doing regional films – Telugu, Punjabi and more. She says she is happy with what she is doing, but longs to return to Bollywood in a big way.

Recently, we spoke to Bhoomika and she revealed a lot about her career, aspirations and more. Here is the excerpt.

Q: Tell us something about this Punjabi film of yours...
A: This film is called ‘Yaariyean’, which in Punjabi means relationships and friendships. It is completely based on all sorts of relationships and not just one. It could be between a boy and a girl, a mother and a son, a father and a daughter, a friends and another, two strangers or even between a boyfriend and a girlfriend.

Q: So can it be called a family entertainer?
A: Yes, why not. It is a beautiful film for one and all. I mean everyone is going to love watching this film. It is a complete family entertainer.

Q: What is your role in the film?
A: My role in the film is that of a girl called Simran who lives abroad and is rather a simple, but a very intelligent girl. She loves to see and live life to the fullest, but somehow does not do it much. Then comes a point in her life where her life changes and she start to enjoy life.

Q: How did this film come about you?
A: See, when the director had approached me for this film and narrated me the story, what interested me was the script. For me what mattered was I was getting a different film, which deals with relation which deals with the fact that you can go out of the country to earn big buck.

I think it is a very common factor around us, whether it is Punjabi or Telegu people; everybody would like to go out and earn their money and be successful. Sometimes it happens that they don’t earn anything, but yet come back and say that I’m a foreign return and all that.

So, because the film is so realistic and because the fact that every emotion dealt in the film is real, that I had to accept it. There was no way I could say no to it. An the fact that Dipak Sir(director) said that it stars Om Puriji, Gurdas Mann Sir was even another reason for me to do this film. My desire was to work with them.

Q: What do you look for in a film while signing it?
A: I am a person who goes by scripts. The end result which is the after release result, I would not say does not matter much to me but it is not that important to me as it would be for any other actor. I’m happy with whatever I have done till now.

Q: Where had this film been shot and when is the expected time for release?
A: Around 90% of this film has been shot in Vancouver in Canada. Then rest of it had been shot at different locales.

Q: It is a family film so there must have been intense moments?
A: Yes, there was one intense film with Om Puri Sir. I cannot divulge too much about the scene, but I was literally chocked in the first take, I could not deliver my dialogues, I actually broke down. Then even Om Puri Sir broke down and when we finished the scene he told me it was a very good effort.

Q: How is the director?
A: Dipak Sir is a fine director. You need to sit with him to know that depth that he has. He narrates the scene so well that you would relive every moment. I’m not just saying it to say it to the media.

You will feel that you have actually done the shot; he takes you so deep down that it will happen from the soul. He has never been that kind of a man who will show that he is working. He will work but it will be like a picnic. It is fun working with him.

Q: What is happening down South, you have signed quiet a few films…
A: Yes, I have one release on July 6 in Telugu. It is a title role called ‘Satyabhama’. Then I have another title film called ‘Anasua’, where I play a journalist. It is a grey film. Then my third film is a cute romantic story and the fourth is a comedy. I work a lot in south as I get my creative satisfaction there.

Q: What else?
A: I have done a ‘Bhojpuri’ film called ‘Gangotri’. Then in Bollywood, I have ‘Gandhi- My father’. Then there is ‘Benaam’.

Q: Why this break from Bollywood?
A: Actually, after ‘Family’ the kind of scripts that I heard did not appeal to me much. I don’t really care about what people think. Here there are over active minds which feel that if you are not seen you do not have work. I don’t care about that.

I’m a person who lives in my house, eats the same usually food and then go down south and do my films. Fortunately, the kind of work that I have done in Bollywood has been the best of my time, best director, best producers. I have done good work.

Now since I’m back after a break, I have to work all the better and now I want to work with the ‘A’ league. I want to be back with a bang. What happens is when you are not seen here in Bollywood, unknowingly or unwittingly, people think that you are not getting work but I have had two Telegu releases last year. Work is work no matter where you work.

Q: Do you find any change in the working style of Bollywood and South films?
A: Not much, but I think that in the south people are more professional. If they give a call time of 6.00 a.m. you have to be there at six other wise they will pack your bags. Also the technicians are much better in the south. But Bollywood in terms of fame is unmatched.

Q: Do you have any language problems?
A: No, in the beginning I had this problem in the South, but not now. I would like to work in more regional films if I am offered a good script. I’m a creative hungry person and where ever the hunger is satisfied I will work there.

Q: Any one script which you cannot say no to?
A: It is very difficult to say. I have not set and boundary for myself that I would like any romantic film or something or the other. I have liked all the films and all the roles that I have done till now.

Q: How would you analyze yourself now?
A: I think I have improved as a person. The industry teaches you a lot; it makes you a fine person and a little more patient with things. I have definitely improved in my dancing skills (laughs) where I though I was too bad.

Here is Bipasha's latest Raaz!

Dusky beauty Bipasha Basu is reported to be back at the Bhatt camp for a sequel to her first hit ‘Raaz’.

Bipasha has also expressed her desire to work with Emran Hashmi in the sequel to 'Raaz', called 'Raaz 2', which comes as a surprise because she had earlier refused to work with him, saying that he was shorter than her.

Apparently, the Bhatts had offered Bipasha a film opposite Emran, but she refused to do it, saying they would not look good together on screen as he was shorter than her. ‘Jism’ was the last time that Bipasha worked for the Bhatts. They did offer her some more films but she turned down their offers.

But now Bipasha seems to have done a turnaround. She not only told Mukesh Bhatt that she would be happy to work in 'Raaz 2' but would also love to star with Emran.

Emran, who is the Bhatt camp favourite because of his uncle Mahesh Bhatt, has come a long way as well and made a mark for him. Guess, that must be playing on Bipasha's mind.

Wedding bells for Salman-Katrina?

So has Brawn Khan finally decided to be a family man? Though the entire Khan-dan is reluctant to give us any clue but family insiders claim that Salman is mulling over tying know with Katrina around Christmas time this year.

Brother, Arbaaz Khan, denied the wedding date has been set but did not deny the wedding will take place.

"There is no such thing on the cards now," he told the media. "In any case, Salman is not the guy who would plan anything six months in advance," he added.

Sure. How about Katrina? Is she the gal who would plan it six months in advance?

Malaika Arora Khan, wife of Arbaaz Khan, was a little more forthcoming speaking with a leading daily.

"Well, it all depends on Salman bhai. I just can't forecast his wedding details. But yes, we also expect something good to happen soon," she answers.

Whenever the wedding takes place one thing is for sure, unlike the Bachchan wedding, the guest list will not be exclusive.

Salman and Katrina have been spotted together at many occasions but both of them choose to keep mum when asked about their relationship.

I was Cheated big time, tells Sherlyn

Every newcomer in Bollywood needs to be launched properly by the producers and directors whom they work with. But in some cases it never happens due to some directors and the producers. And such is the case with Sherlyn Chopra.

Shrelyn has recently done a movie with veteran director Vinod Pandey. Vinod Pandey has done a couple of movies which are slightly different from the run-of-the-mill Bollywood movies.

In "Red Swastika" Shrelyn has played a lead character and her role was quite appreciated by the people. It is a psycho thriller.

According to Sherlyn, she has requested Vinod Pandey to announce her name as Sherlyn Chopra, but he adamantly used her name as Menka Chopra. When she asked him about the reason he said that he has some obsession with Menka Chopra since like Sherlyn Menka too was also a seductress!

According to sources, this is not the first time that Vinod Pandey has done this. Earlier, he had done some other stuff with another star Shiney Ahuja in his film "Sins" and didn't do the proper publicity for him.

Says Sherlyn, "An actor gives his best to their directors and in return they don't get the proper launch. The director gives them false hopes and plays with their feelings."

Even she has asked Vinod Pandey about the release of "Red Swastik" in multiplexes, but Vinod Pandey didn't release it in any of the multiplexes and released it in other theatres. When questioned him he simply blamed the producers and the distributors for not releasing it in multiplexes.

After all these Sherlyn finally has decided not to work with this veteran director Vinod Pandey anymore. She rather prefers to work with directors who knows how to promote the film and who are very aggressive to work with.

Rani's tryst with Sexuality!

So Rani is getting bolder! And so are the meaty roles she is getting though controversial. The ever-so-careful-oh-so-lean-money-making-machine, the Yashraj Films are facing 'a moral question’ (never mind the creative one).

Aditya Chopra and director Pradeep Sarkar are hesitant about Rani Mukerji's portrayal of a sex worker in Lagaa Chunari Mein Daag.

The plot has Rani coming from a respectable middle-class family living in a small town. City life lures her and eventually, falling on bad times, she turns to flesh trade for a living.

The makers feel that Rani's journey, from a middle-class woman to a sex worker (in the film), may not go down well with the audiences. In fact, a middle-class woman being portrayed as a sex-worker has always been a strict no-no.

Although a good measure of mother-daughter relationship has been thrown in but that doesn't solve the problem. The plot essentially focuses on Rani's predicament in a big bad city.

There is a also this question of repetition as Rani Mukerji is also playing a sex worker in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.

Apparently the recent box-office letdowns (read Tara Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom) has prompted Aditya to mull over the script yet again before the film makes its way to the editing table.

The creative team behind the film already have had a few meetings. We say, when will Yashraj films the family moral instigator grow up and outrage the viewers' sensibilities to a little more than reality. the film is intended to release in September."

How Bobby made fun of Kangana

Kangana Ranaut is facing some real tough time these days. Her personal assistant on Wednesday filed a complaint with police that he was receiving threatening calls from a person in this city.

Shrikant Sridhar Sawant, 34, filed a complaint at Bhoiwada police station that said a man identifying himself as don Mayraj had been calling him repeatedly since Tuesday and threatening him, police said.

According to the complaint, Mayraj asked Sawant to send the actress to him for an "overnight stay" and assured him a sum of Rs five lakh for the same.

"In case Sawant did not send Kangana, Mayraj threatened to kill him and throw acid on her face. Due to this, a complaint of criminal intimidation was filed today," said a senior police official.

On professional front, her Shakalaka Boom Boom sank without a trace but it seems she has learnt her lesson pretty well. The pretty lady has taken her co-actor Bobby Deol’s digs on her dancing very seriously.

So when Bobby expressed his feeling about Kangana’s dance ability while shooting for Shakalaka Boom Boom, Kangana did not let it dishearten her and took the criticism in her stride by joining dance class to groom herself as a dancer.

The actress says. “No one is a trained actor in this industry. Everyone learns and gradually perfect their skills.”

The actress has joined Jayantimala’s dance academy in Mumbai and she is learning Kathak.

Kangana’s guruji Jayantimala is the daughter of famous Kathak exponent Sitara Devi.

She thought to groom herself in classical dance, as it’s considered to the basic of any form of dance. She is also not learning dance for any particular film and is doing it for herself.

Bobby had apparently poked fun at Kangana’s ungracefull dance steps,to whioch Kangana responded bty taking up

Kathak which is one of the oldest and traditional form of dance from Benaras with lots of grace allowing you to handle all forms of dance. I Kangana is religiously practicing dance everyday. for more than a hour.

It was also reported that Kangana has kept a tutor to brush her Hindi, so that she can dub her own dialogues.

Someone special in Riya's heart?

The latest gossip doing the rounds in Bollywood is that Riya Sen is dating a hot dude, who has gifted her a very expensive mobile phone...and only the two know the number.

Meanwhile, brushing aside rumors about his affairs with Riya Sen, the Bollywood actor Ashmit Patel says he is having a good chemistry with her and they are working together in a film too.

"If people take it as an affair, I can't do any thing about this.”

"Sometimes I hear that Riya has refused to work with me. Then I also hear that we are having an affair. These are all rumors. There is no truth in it."

Everything is clear to me now: Bips

Bipasha can suddenly see the world much better.

"All these years I've avoided hosting any show or any event for the simple reason that I can't read the tele-prompter. I'm short-sighted. But now history beckons me. And if I don't correct my vision now history and my conscience would never forgive me."

Having been given the singular honour of hosting the official -declaration ceremony for the New 7 Wonders Of The World in Lisbon on July 7, Bipasha has finally taken the plunge.

"I've got myself contact lenses this week--at the age of 28, if you please! All these years I stubbornly avoided it and risked losing friends after looking through them in public. But now when I was given the great privilege of hosting the event at Lisbon along with the likes of Ben Kingsley and Hillary Swank.

Jennifer Lopez will be performing…wow! I'd be foolish to not correct my eyesight. I can see everything so much clearly now…"

Including the fact that hosting the 7 Wonders declaration -ceremony is a historic honour for her, Bollywood and the country?

"That, it is!" Bipasha exclaims. "I don't know what made them choose me, maybe it was my appearance at Cannes last month. But I suddenly got a call from them. I'm deeply honoured and flattered. This is the first time since 200 BC that the 7 Wonders are being reconsidered. To be part of this is to be part of history. And I wouldn't have missed it for anything in world, certainly not for being stubbornly short-sighted."

Bipasha feels born-anew when she finally tried on her contact lenses. "I hope that doesn't mean my birthday will be celebrated thrice a year. My birthday is on Jan 7. But many websites have given the date wrongly as sometime in May. So I receive gifts and calls twice a year. Now with my new vision of life I may also receive birthday greetings on June 20 every year."

Hearty laughter and a promise to be dressed up for the occasion by her favourite designers, follows. "It would be my dear friend Rocky S for the Indian outfit, and that's a saree. Armani will do my western outfit, and destiny will take care of the rest," Bipasha shoots off before starting preparations for an event that promises to change the world, including Bipasha's.

She certainly looks gorgeous enough to be the 8th wonder of the world. "Ha, don't compliment me for my changing looks so soon. I'm a Capricorn and change is my only constant. It's said woman metamorphose and reach a peak of their beauty till 30. I still have two years to go."

Things are getting worse for Ayesha!

Right now things seem to be not too rosy for Ayesha Takia. Her last big budget release ‘Fool n Final’ bombed badly at the box-office. Before that there was much hullabaloo about the actress being considered for Aamir Khan’s highly ambitious ‘Ghajini’.

Later on came the news that she has walked out of the prestigious project owing to certain differences best known to herself.

The latest rumour doing the rounds is that the actress has lost out on the role of Princess Jasmine in Sujoy Ghosh’s fantasy film ‘Aladdin and the Mystery of the Lamp’ where she was cast opposite Ritesh Deshmukh who plays Aladdin.

The film has a high profile star cast of A-list actors. Big B is playing the role of the genie and Sunjay Dutt, Juhi Chawla and Sameera Reddy are also there in the film.

Things didn’t work out for the actress leading to her walk out from the project. The actual reason for Ayesha quitting is not known yet, but its confirmed that the director and producer are hunting for another face. Whatever the reason be, this obviously is a big loss for the actress.

The cutie pie actress’s career has hit a low but there are no reasons why she shouldn’t bounce back in form. Just have to wait and watch.

Tabu and Upen Patel seen Kissing

Now this one is an unlikely pair if not seen as an odd and strange and that to a romantic one.

So did Tabu and Upen Patel were really get cosy at the Bandra club Poison on Wednesday night. Apparently Upen had come in with his friends and soon hit the bar enjoying some drinks. However, in sometime he noticed Tabu, chilling out with her friends there too.

So he went up to her and they started chatting.

This must have been the first time that they were hanging out together but the chemistry was so visible and you could make out from the body language that they were loving each other’s company. Tabu seemed to be in high spirits and was overwhelmingly happy.

So what do we see next? Upen kissing Tabu.

And that too not a random kiss but quite a mutual one, if you understand what we mean. They were even kissing on their way out of the club.

What a love story brewing this is! Keep it up Dahlings we don’t wanna miss out much on this one. Upen refused to comment on the story!

I love only John, and no one else!

If Bipasha Basu has kept quiet about the gathering rumours in her personal life, it's because she didn't want to react to what were clearly vicious attempts to cause a breach in her relationship with John.

Bipasha has taken a conscious decision to remain characteristically dignified and uncharacteristically quiet.

"I was shooting outside Mumbai. And it was so peaceful and nourishing to breathe in unpolluted air…I told my best friend Susie, I'd rather not come back. But there's no point in pretending the ugly talk isn't there.

John spoke on behalf of both of us yesterday. I'm hoping it would stop this crazy chaos of idle gossip. I'm really tired of all this. It doesn't effect either of us, or our relationship. But I'm tired of being scrutinized all the time."

Bipasha has decided she won't react to any of the things being written and said about her relationship with John. "It's so foolish and self-defeating to keep reacting to these periodic talks of links and breaks-ups.

Today we're being linked with particular people. Tomorrow it'll be someone else. We can't let these things affect us. And we don't. But this time the rumours got really mean. I can take it, even answer back. But John isn't comfortable being attacked. And for what?"

In fact Bipasha now joins John in Pondicherry where he's shooting for Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashaayen.

"Neither of is going to be unprofessional, leave our work and go running to one another just because people are spreading these strange rumours. Poor John, he's shooting a very difficult author-backed role. If he suggests he's taking off to meet me Nagesh will probably have a fit. I too have my professional commitments.

I can't just tell Abbas and Mustan to give me a day off from the shooting of Race. Though they're too sweet to say no."

Bipasha joins John in Pondicherry on June 27. "And that isn't meant to stop wagging tongues. We don't have to prove anything to anybody. Let them say what they want. I love only John, and no one else."

Rani weds Adi? Not so soon!!!

The Queen B of Bollywood probably wants to remain the queen in every sense possible. Rani might have had liaisons with co stars Anil Kapoor and Govinda, when it comes to marriage she is not going to settle for anything less.

This explains her huge friendship with Abhishek Bachchan in the past and her repoted deep willingness to be the next Mrs Bachchan.

But after Rani was allegedly dropped like a hot potato by the Bachchans for her foul mouth, bad behavior and supposed lowly family background and Abhsihek getting settled down with arch rival, the ethereally beautiful Aishwarya Rai barely two months back, comes the news that she has got engaged to the brain behind the multi-crore Chopra empire, Aditya Chopra.

Apparently the duo had a hush-hush engagement sometime back and is planning to tie the knot soon.

“The ‘roka’ took place at the same Chopra bungalow where Chandni was shot. Only family and friends attended the ceremony that included Rani’s parents Ram and Krishna Mukherjee, brother Raja and his wife.

Present from the Chopra clan were brother Uday, dad Yash Chopra and mum Pamela Chopra. Pam aunty didn’t seem very happy, as she has a soft corner for Adi’s ex-wife, Payal. Another function will take place at Rani’s house next week”, claimed a source close to the Chopras.

So this confirms the reports all this while that something was brewing between the two and also explains the casting of Rani in every other Yash Raj Film. It also makes the straining of Aditya and his wife Payal Khanna’s relationship over the involvement with Rani true.

If reports are anything to go by, Adi's divorce with Payal is creating a dent in his relationship with his family and also putting the multi crore Chopra empire in jeopardy. The buzz is that after marriage Rani is not going to live in the Chopra house.

Instead Aditya will live in the house Rani has recently bought. But it seems the madly in love Aditya couldn’t care less. As for Rani, when it comes to settling down she will only do it Queen B style.

But Monika Bhattacharya, a spokesperson for Yash Raj Films has denied that actress Rani Mukherjee was engaged to producer-director Aditya Chopra in a secret ceremony. Rani's father Ram Mukherjee issued a press release on Wednesday, denying the speculation.

"This is a rumor. the news is not true at all. Rani is busy with her work and she will not do anything secretly," he said.

Actor Anupam Kher, who reportedly attended the "Roka" ceremony has also rubbished the report.

Significantly, neither Rani Mukherjee nor Aditya Chopra have denied the reports. They are also not available for comments.

John won't Let Go of Bipasha Basu!

Reports of a widening rift between Bipasha and John have had a wounding impact on John.

The actor who's currently shooting in Pondicherry for Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashayen was unaware of the developments back home and the talk of the serious rift with Bipasha that's blowing across Mumbai…until very recently.

"That's when it dawned on him that someone or some people are definitely trying to create problems between him and Bipasha. He's now seriously worried because Bipasha is the finest woman he has ever met.

Forget about leaving her, John wouldn't do anything to hurt her," a close friend of John phoned to speak on the star's behalf.

Reacting angrily to the link-up stories, John's friend says, "Vidya Balan and then Sheetal Menon…please! John hardly knows this Sheetal woman. They've braely met half a time. The last thing John wants is to endanger his relationship with Bipasha to play the stud. Who's spreading these ugly rumours?"

According to John's friend these efforts to harm his relationship with Bipasha are deliberate. "Somebody or some people are spreading these rumours for their own gains.

And it's so easy to see who's been calling up the media left right and center to plant stories about Bipasha moving away from John and drifting into another relationship.

John hasn't made one attempt to have his say. So far he believes his love for Bipasha, and vice versa, is strong enough to withstand these vicious attacks of their relationship. But he won't keep quiet for too long," says the friend.

In fact the actor is supposed to be joined by Bipasha in Pondicherry very shortly.

"If these rumours have influenced Bipasha in any way then John will fly back from his shooting to make sure nothing and no one comes between him and his love. He won't lose Bipasha at any cost," warns the friend.

Meri Biwi Aishwarya Rocks!

Abhishek Bachchan says it is too early to feel any change after marrying Aishwarya Rai, a news report said on Monday.

He was shooting for Laaga Chunri Mein Daag at a suburban studio and took a short break to talk.

“Give me some time. It's not like she is waiting for me when I get back home. Things around me may have changed, but I am the same old Abhishek, a Boston student once, now an actor just married. It's no big deal,” a daily quoted Abshishek as saying.

“Ash is working too, you know,” he added.

The couple will now work together in Sarkar 2 in which Aishwarya will play a powerful woman who manages mob business.

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the movie is a sequel to the 2005 hit Sarkar about a ruthless mob boss played by Amitabh Bachchan. The three will appear on screen together in the movie. They had earlier worked together in Bunti or Babli.

“I am looking forward to working with my wife. She is a wonderful co-star,” Abhishek said.

“But whether she will get us a dabba of home-cooked food and whether the sets will resemble our home, you've got to ask Ash,” he said.

Speaking to the press for the first time following her marriage, Aishwarya also started off by promoting brand Bachchan.

"I feel blessed, I think it's wonderful to be married to your best friend. There is immense love and respect. I have the most wonderful father-in-law and mother-in-law, who treat me like their daughter," she told.

Her effusive praise for the Bachchan brand turned to evasive circumspection, befitting an Indian bahu, when quizzed what kind of a husband was Abhishek.

"If I start on that, we'll have to get onto an autobiography… there are too many details involved. In short, I'm in a happy place."

Interestingly, Aishwarya gave an insight into Bachchan's desire to make amends for the huge controversy over the exclusive Abhishek - Aishwarya wedding guest list.

"We do hope that in future, during a festival or our anniversary, we will have a larger celebration. The family has always partied and will continue to do so."

Aishwarya denies she and Abhishek broke many hearts when they married on 20 April, 2007.

"Going by the emails and letters, people are happy for us. We saw so much happiness, both among men as well as women… So contrary to what is assumed, our marriage hasn't broken hearts. We can feel it."

Ayesha's No-Kiss pact with Boyfriend

To kiss or not to kiss for Nagesh Kukunoor's Ashaayen is no longer the question.

For Ayesha Takia the right not to kiss is unquestionable. But has she said no to Kukunoor's kiss because of boyfriend Farhan Azmi?"

"First of all, I never said no to the film. I said no to the scene. I can't say no to Nagesh. After Dor he's a friend and a director I respect immensely. I still think we can work our way around the scene. But Nagesh is adamant. So I guess...You know Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking had a kissing and love-making scene. Anurag altered the script for my sake."

Trailing off she comes back with… "But Farhan or no member of my family has anything to do with my decision. My values make me uncomfortable with such a scene. If I go to a premiere with my family, and that includes Farhan, and see myself kissing on screen I'd be very uncomfortable."

Ayesha is one of the rare actresses who has no qualms about the presence of a boyfriend in her life. "True love is so hard to find. And I've found it. These days relationships are so fickle I feel our generation has too many choices.

If we don't change our father mother or sibling why must we change the person whom we want to spend our life with? The prospect of the soul-mate being replaceable is so wrong. Once you know you can change priorities in your life you stop investing your complete self into the relationship."

Is marriage on the cards? "Not right away. But I see no harm in having a career and a home side by side. When I do get married I'll know if I can manage both. Right now God is kind enough to give me a bright career and I see no room for marriage.

However let me add, I'm not one of those actresses who'll marry when her career comes to a dead-end. That's like saying, 'I've no other choice so I might as well get married.' That would be an insult to the person I love."

Farhan is okay with the idea of an actress as a wife. "He's very proud of work. He's not much of a movie buff. But he watches my films. I don't let him watch my silly films—and please don't mention names, ha ha. But Farhan saw Dor. And he loved me in it."

Why did she do the silly films like Shaadi Se Pehle and Shaadi No 1? "I don't regret doing any of my films. I feel every film I've done has helped me reach where I'm today."

At 21 Ayesha feels all her dreams are coming true. "I may not be able to walk around the roads of Mumbai and eat pani-puri on the roads. And very honestly I've no friends…No friends at all in the industry or outside it.

My family and Farhan—and he's part of my family-- are all the friends that I have time for…Yes, it's a good life…Though I don't think I've been given enough chances to prove myself. I think my career has just taken off after Dor."

I remember that Kiss of love:Preity

Shooting for Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom got a little more dangerous than the crew had bargained for.

Recalls Preity, "We were located at the same place in London for such along time. We were there for three months at a stretch, and I was there right through.

Soon the number of spectators began to swell and got out of hand. It was very important to wrap up our work asap. Fortunately Shaad works very quickly. But it was hectic and tough. I remember we shot Kiss of love in the freezing cold.

Once during one of the lavish sequences Shaad turned around to say, 'This is the most expensive film I've shot. Saathiya and Bunty Aur Babli were lavish. But not like Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom.' You know Shaad has the typical boarding-school enthusiasm. Everything is the best, biggest."

Preity just back from the IIFA at Yorkshire, is exhausted, jet-lagged but excited by the release of Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. Preity is all excited about the congregation of Aquarians in Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom.

"Abhishek, Bobby and I are all Aquarians. We were so exhausted because we were constantly dancing. There's a lot of dancing in Jhoom…Also, the lines were so funny. We had to work hard on getting it right. It's been a long time since I had so many funny lines to mouth.

Sushmita ready to take on Aishwarya

Sushmita Sen is all set with her ambitious project, Jhansi Ki Rani, based on the life of the legendary Rani Laxmibai, which she wanted boyfriend and ad filmmaker Manav Menon to direct, evethough later, she changed her mind considering a period film a tough task for a new comer to make and approached Dr Chandra Prakash Dwivedi (Pinjar’s director) who politely turned down the offer.

She is leaving no stone unturned in taking the project to the international level and might approach a director from the UK now. Aishwarya Rai playing the same character in Ketan Mehta’s multi-crore projectdoesnt bother her at all!

The film will be produced under Sush’s banner, Tantra Entertainment.

Sushmita’s staff is currently looking for locations in India and abroad. “She may shoot the entire film abroad, as she will get all kinds of facilities.

She is also talking to major actors from the UK for the role of General Hugh Rose The actress-turned-producer has commissioned a team of historians, working round the clock at her Bandra residence, to write the final script.

The film will not focus on Rani Laxmibai’s patriotism but will deal with the motherhood aspect,” says the source.

Sush feels Rani Laxmibai is symbol of strength. She will lay greater emphasis on Rani Laxmibai’s adopted son. That’s probably the facet of the queen’s life that she connects with.

Ash to appear in top US TV series!

Marriage to Abhishek Bachchan has not really slowed down Aishwarya Rai. Quite literally, since the former Miss World’s career hasn’t really hit a lull period post wedding.

Close on the heels of her bagging prestigious films with RGV and Karan Johar, the appreciation for her role in the UK film ‘Provoked’ and the news that her true blue international project, ‘The Last Legion’ will see the light of the day, comes the report that the emerald eyed beauty has been signed up to star in the top US sci-fi serial ‘Heroes’.

Heroes-TV.com has reported that the actress will appear in 8 episodes of the up coming series of the NBC show about ‘superhuman’ beings.

The science fiction drama television series, created by Tim Kring, premiered on NBC on September 25, 2006 and tells the story of several people who "thought they were like everyone else... until they woke with incredible abilities" such as telepathy, time travel and flight.

These people soon realize they have a role in preventing a catastrophe and saving mankind. The series follows the writing style of American comics with short, multi-episode story arcs that build upon a larger, more encompassing arc and has actors of the caliber of Jack Coleman, Ali Larter and Hayden Leslie Panettiere.

It’s been said that Ash will play the role of Dr. Mohinder Suresh’s elder sister Shanti Suresh, and will have a super-power of her own, something which has not yet been disclosed.

Interestingly this gives Ash a chance to work closely with Sendhil Ramamurthy, an American actor of Indian origin who plays Dr Mohinder Suresh, a genetics professor at the University of Madras that is attempting to find the truth behind the sudden death of his father and continuing his father's research of locating the 'superhuman' beings on Earth.

However in one of the episodes, Mohinder’s mother has been shown telling him that his sister Shanti had died when she was five before his birth and whom Mohinder’s dad loved very much.

In another episode, Mohinder himself has been seen saying that he was born a few months too late to save his sister. So how Shanti Suresh i.e Aishwarya’s character now fits into the scheme of things in the script will be really interesting to watch.

Aishwarya will reportedly begin shooting in Los Angeles later this month, and is expected to be seen on-screen as early as October of this year. If all goes well, the Bachchan Bahu will indeed have a great time balancing Bollywood and Holywood! - Sneha Hazarika

Kangana says NO to obscene scenes

The Bhatt camp which gave Kangana Ranaut her first break in Gangster is naturally furious. Kangana has refused an offer from the "discovery" channel Bhatts although she has signed five new films of other banners.

Does that make Kangana another Mallika Sherawat, who after the resounding hit Murder, upped her nose and price, and dictated her terms to all who she could survey, including the Bhatts?

The Bhatts might think so, and true to type, might just give her the boot, as they did to Mallika and her booty. But Kangana says that the script demanded some obscene scenes which she did not want to do.

She pleads not guilty and reveals that she even requested the Bhatt brothers to change the scene, but they were adamant. The Bhatt camp then went into news overdrive and lashed out at Kangana for acting too pricey.

They cited examples of what she has already done -- bedroom and kissing scenes -- in her earlier films, and then questioned why she was acting goody-two-shoes now, especialy with her parent camp.

The truth is that most actyresses are willing to expose when they are new, most often they have no choice, but once they havce climbed up some rungs of the success ladder, feel the image is working against them getting good substantial roles and films.

Recent examples are of Priyanka Chopra in Andaaz and the following films and Neha Dhupia after her dare-bare roles, the most daring one being Julie. Both decided to put on the fig leaf after that and made anxious statements to that effect in the media.

Why fault poor Kangana? Producers, especially "parent camps", are known to exploit the "discovery" or new babe on the block and go sleazier and sleazier. Kangana herself has a valid answer to this.

The girl with a disintegrating personality (onscreen at least) has done sensationally well in her solo leads, Gangster and Woh Lamhe, and not so well, but appeared in the big league in Shakalaka Boom Boom and Life in a Metro.

"I was too young then to decide what was right or wrong," she has been quoted as having said.

"But now I have set my limits and will now do only such work which does not take away my peace of mind. I cannot do such things anymore."

"Why can't we give the poor girl from Himachal a break?

Why everyone still hates Ash-Abhi?

The fallout from the 'Wedding of the Year' seems to still be reverberating around Bollywood.

According to an Indian portal, it has now affected director Karan Johar. The 35-year-old director and talk show host is caught between the rest of Bollywood and Amitabh Bachchan.

It has been nearly two months since his son Abhishek married Aishwarya Rai in a grand wedding, but Amitabh's decision to leave out a large number of Bollywood's denizens from the nuptial guest list is still stinging for some.

When Karan announced that he is casting Aishwarya and Abhishek in his new project - the duo is now considered to be a box-office goldmine - his good friend and frequent collaborator, Shah Rukh Khan said he wouldn't participate in the film.

The 42-year-old actor has worked on most of Karan's films under the latter's company, Dharma Productions.

That decision could also be attributed to the simmering rivalry between Shah Rukh and the 64-year-old Amitabh. There are also actors who don't want to work the newly weds for fear of being overshadowed by them.

Meanwhile, a national newspaper reported that Saif Ali Khan, who had apparently agreed to work with Aishwarya and Abhishek in the venture, has pulled out.

While his busy schedule was the official reason, the Indian media speculated that the 36-year-old actor might have been afraid of having his star diminished by the couple.

The newspaper cited an unnamed source who said, “The dates could have been adjusted. But (Saif) decided to let go.”

I don't love Saif Ali Khan: Biapsha

While John shoots for Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashayen, girlfriend Bipasha Basu is generously being linked with Saif Ali Khan.

It all started during the Koffee with Karan show, Bips had made an innocent statement that if she was not seeing John, she may have been attracted to Saif.

Much-amused Bipasha says that Saif and her are just colleagues in Abbas-Mustan's Race, and that they get along very well. They went out for dinner just once and that too for half an hour.

“It’s crazy, we’re colleagues in Abbas-Mustan’s Race and we get along very well. I’ve been out with Saif for dinner just once. If that’s a reason for rumours to start, then so be it,” she says.

Well however now that Bips is being linked to Saif, she perhaps regrets making that statement.

What is adding to speculations that all is not well between John and Bips is her recent appearance at a fashion event with ex-flame Dino Morea.

However Bips claims, “It was only because John was out of town. The minute I drove in with Dino, I knew tongues would wag, let them.”

Bips feels that all these rumours surface just because John is out of town and she says “Just because John is out of town so much, people think they’re free to jump to conclusions about the status of our relationship. What they don't understand is that such rumours can affect our relationships.”

I have replaced Mallika: Sameera

This could possibly be the best- kept secret in Bollywood. Hardly anyone knows Sameera Reddy has a role in Ahmed Khan's Fool & Final.

But yup. She's there, playing what she calls a lengthy cameo. "I did it only for director Ahmed Khan who's a dear friend.

When he asked me to help him out in Fool & Final it was meant to be just a song and some dialogues. This finally got stretched into quite a lengthy part. And yes, I'm there in the film for quite a bit of running-time."

So why is she not featured in any of the trailers and promotional clippings? "I think they wanted me to be the surprise element in the film," she reasons rather tamely, and also adds that she won't be billed as a guest star in Fool & Final.

Another instance of Sameera Reddy being taken for a ride?

"Look," she defends herself. "There're no leads and supporting roles any more. I saw Cheeni Kum and I saw it as an example of how far our cinema has come. Look at Mr Bachchan rocking the screen at 64.

And look at Tabu standing tall. What a journey she has made in her career! I'd like my career to be like hers, or Smita Patil's. That's why I'm working with directors as diverse as Buddhadeb Dasgupta and Ahmed Khan.

It's no longer about the size of the role. I've done a 12-minute film on AIDS for Mira Nair called Migration produced by the Bill Gates Foundation. My greatest reward was when someone like Vishal Bhardwaj saw Mira's film and congratulated me."

Mira's Migration is the second film after Musafir where Sameera replaced Priyanka Chopra.

And she's no longer being featured in any of Sanjay Gupta's vast production plans.

What went wrong between Sameera and Gupta? Has their relationship ended?

"What relationship?" she counters "We never had anything to do with each other beyond a friendship. I'll always be grateful to Sanjay Gupta and his company for giving me a role like Musafir so early in my career.

As for why I don't feature in any of their new projects, there has to be something that suits me, na. But it's thanks to the confidence shown by directors as diverse as Sanjay Gupta and Buddhadeb Dasgupta that I'm able to dabble in comedy for the first time in Abbas-Mustan's Race."

Wasn't that Mallika Sherawat's role to begin with? "It might have been. But now it's mine. And that's what counts."

Mallika won't kiss for Crore rupees

The smooching Queen, Mallika Sherawat after smooching co-stars Himanshu Malik some 17 times in Khwahish and Emraan Hashmi, Dharmendra and Rahul Bose several times in Murder, Kiss Kis Ki Kismat and Pyaar Ke Side/Effects respectively, has now turned prudish.

The buzz about a passionate kissing scene between Himesh Reshammiya and Mallika Sherawat in his debut film is being laid to rest.

Himesh denies the existence of such a scene, as it doesn’t go with the story at all. It’s just a rumour and there is no truth to it.

However, the reason we’re being told that the kissing scene does not exist in the film is because Madame Mallika wanted it that way.

Apparently, Mallika had made it clear that she was not willing to do any such scene in the film, to the extent of writing so in the contract. She made it very clear right at the narration, that there would be no kissing scene in the film.

A source working on the film says that Reshammiya has been flooded with queries regarding the existence of such a scene, in light of Mallika’s previous track record nevertheless.

Himesh laughs it off every time anyone asks himas according to him it won’t make sense to justify the placement of a kiss between him and Mallika.

The film is a passionate love story between Himesh and Riaa (aka Hansika Motwani).

Apparently the ‘no-kissing’ clause in her contract, was because her character isn’t required to do anything along those lines and she was quite sure of what she won’t do in the film.