Monday, March 31, 2008

SRK, Yash Raj films & Rajinikanth clash!


SRK, Yash Raj films & Rajinikanth clash!

As interesting as the headline is the story itself. If reports smoking out of Bollywood are to be believed then we can witness the clash of Titans, we mean with regards to the film industry.

Red Chillies VFX, Yash Raj Films and Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya’s Ocher Studios will be vying with each other in the National Association of Broadcasters show to be held in Las Vegas on April 15.

The three production houses will also be making their presentations. Reports suggest that the production houses will also extend their service to not just desi but foreign films as well. The highest billing among these three production houses has been given to given to SRK’s Red Chillies VFX. Not to mention that SRK’s production has ventured into making animation films as well.

Rajinikanth’s Ocher Studios has ventured in to the production and making of the animated film ’Sultan - The warrior’, with a whooping budget of 70 crore rupees. Reports indicate that there is tough competition existing between Red Chillies VFX and Ocher Studios. And with Yash Raj films too coming out with an animation film titled ’Roadside Romeo’ the competition is getting stiffer.

Now the best we can do is just wait till the calender turns April 15th and watch who gets picked as the best!

Mira Nair: ‘Person Of The Year’!


Mira Nair, the famous Indian director of acclaimed films like monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, Mississippi Masala and Salaam Bombay is honored by the India Abroad Person of the Year 2007, on March 28.


The award was presented by Indra Nooyi, Chairperson and CEO, Pepsi, and India Abroad Person of the Year 2006 at a glittering ceremony held at the Gotham Hall in New York City.

Nooyi said while discussing her contribution to cinema and community that she had captured a special space for herself.

Nair reached New York to receive the award after a week-long trip to Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Toronto, Canada, where she will shoot her next film Amelia, starring Hillary Swank.

Her husband Mahmud Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University, was present on the occasion while only child Zohran, on whose insistence actor Kal Penn was selected for The Namesake, could not make it.

Nair paid her regards to all those mothers and women who inspired her.

Hosted by Columbia Professor Sreenath Sreenivasan, the evening began with Ajit Balakrishnan, publisher of India Abroad, the oldest Indian-American weekly, owned by rediff.com, lauding the winners and the Indian-American community’s achievements.

The awards ceremony was attended by diplomats, artistes, high ranking professionals, businessmen and stalwarts of the community. It was held at the stately Gotham Hall, formerly the headquarters of Greenwich Savings Bank, which hosted an event honoring soccer legend Pele and tennis great Boris Becker last week.

The legendary Economist Padma Desai and his husband Jagdish Bhagwati were chosen for India Abroad Lifetime Achievement Award from writer Salman Rushdie, winner of the same award last year.

Dr Renu Khator, President and Chancellor of the University of Houston, was awarded the India Abroad Publisher’s Special Award for Excellence.

India Abroad Youth Achiever 2007 award was given to 24 year old Somdev Burman. He is the first Indian to win the prestigious US collegiate tennis title.

Award for Service to the Community was given to Naveen Shah and Joy Cherian.

Aamir Khan At The Press Conference Of Olympic Torch Relay 2008

See Bollywood event of Aamir Khan at the press conference of Olympic Torch Relay 2008 Video.

Adriana Lima Beautiful Photos & Mini Profile







Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981) is a Brazilian supermodel. Lima is best known for her modeling work with Victoria's Secret and Maybelline. Lima is probably best known for her work with Victoria's Secret. She first graced the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 1999 and has appeared on subsequent shows ever since. Her most notable walk down the runway was in 2003, where she was the show opener. Lima had appeared on several television ads for the brand but her most memorable one, was appearing alongside the legendary rock musician Bob Dylan in 2003 Victoria's Secret Angel in Venice commercial which received both praise and criticism. She is currently a contract 'Angel' and spokesperson for the brand. She appeared in Victoria Secret's Super Bowl XLII ad.

Tanushree Dutta Under Controversy -Blacklisted?


The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken strong exception to allegations of "indecent behaviour" levelled against Bollywood actor Nana Patekar by upcoming star Tanushree Datta.

The MNS has written letters to different associations of cine producers to ’blacklist’ Tanushree for accusing a senior actor like Nana of bad behaviour during the shooting of an item number for the movie "Horn O.K. Pleassse" on Wednesday.

The organisation, which was recently in the news for its violence against the north Indians living in Mumbai, has threatened to agitate against the actress if she does not give an unconditional apology to the actor, whom it describes as the "pride of Maharashtra".

Meanwhile, producer of "Horn O.K. Pleassse," Sami Siddiqui, filed a complaint Saturday with the Association of Motion Picture and TV Programme Producers (AMPTPP) against Tanushree.

He alleged that his production firm, Sunshine Pictures Pvt. Ltd, incurred a heavy loss because the actress failed to complete shooting for the item song being filmed on her and Nana.

In his complaint, Siddiqui also stated that the goodwill of his production firm was tarnished because Tanushree went to the media saying that she was "coerced" by director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya to do steps in the item song she did not feel comfortable doing.

Acting quickly on the complaint, the AMPTPP dashed off a letter to the actress, asking her to pay a compensation of Rs.65 million. This would include Rs.15 million to Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Rs.50 million for defaming it in public.

Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. had signed Tanushree for Rs.1.5 million for the item number to be shot over four days. She had been paid an advance of Rs.500,000. According to Siddiqui, he as well as Sarang and Acharya had explained to Tanushree what her steps would be in the dance number.

"She had agreed to it," Siddiqui said."They (Sarang and Acharya) also agreed when she requested them not to compel her to wear a costume she would not be comfortable with. So we were surprised when she walked out of the sets on the last day of the shooting (March 26) after taking part in it for two days," Siddiqui told IANS Saturday.

On Friday, Tanushree shot off a letter to the Cine and Television Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) explaining the sequence of events that led to her stomping out of the sets and the scuffle that subsequently took place between media persons present on the sets and her secretary.

In her letter, the actress also referred to the "unbecoming" manner in which Nana Patekar behaved with her during shooting of the item number on the first day and why she felt the need to ask her parents and her secretary to be present during the shoots later.

CINTAA is yet to act on her letter, but it is likely to ask Patekar for his explanation.It is rarely that a member of a cine association complains against a fellow member. In this case, what makes it unique is that an upcoming star has lodged a serious complaint against a senior member at the risk of her budding career.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Supermodel Carla Bruni - Nude Picture Of The First Lady of France

She Empress Has Few Clothes

Expected to go under the hammer for $3,000 to $4,000, a nude picture of the First Lady of France, President Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni, is up for grabs at Christie’s auction house next month.

“This one is racy?” asks photographer Michel Comte. “You should check out the ones I didn’t publish... and never will!” Those, we are told, are far more explicit! Along with the first ever First Lady photo to be auctioned in the buff, are also professional supermodels Brazilian Giselle Bundchen and Kate Moss, whose nude pictures will also go under the hammer. To check out the First Lady nudes and lot more of her pictures – including some where Carla actually donned some clothes,

Saturday, March 29, 2008

M&M's Arun Nanda Wins French Award

MR ARUN NANDA, Executive Director

Mahindra and Mahindra's Executive Director Arun Nanda has been conferred the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, the highest civilian award of France.

He will be presented with the order at a ceremony in Mumbai at a date to be announced, a release said here on Thursday.

"It is a recognition of your remarkable career in the business community in Mumbai and on the part you took in the establishment of the partnership between Mahindra and Renault," French Ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont said in a letter informing Nanda of the award.

"But, above all, it is your performance as President of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the efficiency which you have restored in this association, that the French President wishes to pay tribute by conferring this distinction on you," he said.

Did Aishwarya Rai Really went topless in the 90s!


A picture showing backs of Four girls has been making a round up in TV channels and in the net saying that one among them is Aish.The names present below that magazine cover page are Milind Soman, Aishwarya Rai, Madhu Sapre, Ruchi Malhotra, Anu Verma and Colleen Khan.

Many have been assuming that the last girl in this pic is Aishwarya Rai as the second girl is Madhu Sapre. Then, the first girl must be Milind Soman as mentioned beneath the pic. But Milind Soman is a male model. Hence there are no grounds to prove that there is Aish in this list. The names of a few models are mentioned on the cover page to state that the modeling photographs of those models are comprised in the magazine. There is no question of nudity of Aishwarya Rai in that. So hot hearts! Don't get an ectopic heat in your hearts when you come across the same pic through mails sometime.

Want to check the picture click below.
CLICK BELOW
After checking the picture you will only say that TV channels are doing all this for publicity or just the rivals of aish and bachan are doing up for making them indulge in a controversal issue."What do you think Comment"

Thursday, March 27, 2008

A Resplendent Lara Dutta Walks The Ramp: Photos


Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.


March 27, 2008 - A resplendent Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday lateevening, March 26.

Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.

Lara, 29, the former Miss Universe (2000) became the new face of Pantaloons in late 2007.


She made a strong and ethnic style statement clad in an ivory colored silk churidar set with heavy gold and tear-drop pearl bridal jewelry.

Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.

Her full sleeve dress had a form hugging brocade bodice with a scoop neckline, dropped waist, and a full A line skirt with gold band details just above the hem.


Her long hair was styled in large curls. Her jewelry included a tikka, jhumkas, a large majestic choker, gold bangles on both hands and rings with chain extensions and she wore strappy metallic gold stilettos.

Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.

Dutta's forthcoming films include:

BR Films’ Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai (Filming) directed by Ravi Chopra with co-stars Govinda, Tabu and Boman Irani.

Shree Ashtavinayak's Blue (Pre Production) directed by Tony with co-stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Suniel Shetty.


Pritish Nandy Communications’ Devdas remake (Pre Production) directed by Sudhir Mishra with co-stars Shiney Ahuja, Mahesh Manjrekar and Chitangada.

Abbas-Mustan Rohit Jugraj's Next (Announced) directed by Rohit Jugraj with co-stars Sushmita Sen and Priyanka Chopra.

Shilpa Shetty marry boyfriend Raj Kundra?


Will Shilpa Shetty marry boyfriend Raj Kundra?

Well, it's now Shilpa Shetty's turn. The echoes of ringing temple bells have culminated into a possible wedding bell rumour for the duo. Apparently, Raj Kundra joined Shilpa, Shamita and mom Sunanda Shetty on a visit to Shirdi. However, marriage, they maintain is still not on the cards. And the yet-very-much-single Shilpa is flabbergasted by the 'misreporting', her publicist tells us.

Not very long ago, the media got Rani Mukerji married off to Aditya Chopra, speculating a big fat Indian wedding in the city of Jodhpur. Bipasha's engagement to John was also another serious conjecture. The diamond ring on Sushmita Sen's finger began assumptions of her having been proposed to by then-boyfriend Sanjay Narang, and more recently the Kareena Kapoor - Saif Ali Khan secret nikaah was just the minds of many working overtime!

But then Ash and Abhi did eventually tie the knot. Wonder what Sai Baba has planned for the Shilpa-Raj jodi.

Actor Richard Widmark Dies At 93 - Richard Widmark Biography


‘Kiss of Death’ star often portrayed killers, cops and Western gunslingers

Richard Widmark, who made a sensational film debut as the giggling killer in “Kiss of Death” and became a leading man in “Broken Lance,” “Two Rode Together” and 40 other films, died at his home in Roxbury after a long illness. He was 93.

Widmark’s wife, Susan Blanchard, said he died Monday. She would not provide details of his illness and said funeral arrangements are private.

“It was a big shock, but he was 93,” Blanchard said.

Widmark earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for his role in the 1947 thriller “Kiss of Death.” He played Tommy Udo, who delighted in pushing an old lady in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs to her death. It was his only Oscar nomination.

“That damned laugh of mine!” he told a reporter in 1961. “For two years after that picture, you couldn’t get me to smile. I played the part the way I did because the script struck me as funny and the part I played made me laugh. The guy was such a ridiculous beast.”

Actress Shirley Jones, who appeared with Widmark and James Stewart in “Two Rode Together” and became a good friend, said she was devastated about Widmark’s death.

“He was a down-to-earth guy, and I respected him for that,” Jones said in a phone interview from Los Angeles. “He was a real guy, but he was such a wonderful actor.”


A.C. Lyles, a producer with Paramount Pictures, worked with Widmark on the 1975 western “The Last Day.”

In this 1972 image originally released by NBC, Richard Widmark stars as Sgt. Dan Madigan in a scene from the NBC series “Madigan.”
“Dick was just one of the nicest guys I ever worked with: very, very professional, very, very prepared and he couldn’t have been more cooperative,” Lyles said.

“He would have little comments to make during rehearsal about a scene and it was never a suggestion that would enhance him,” he said. “It was always to enhance someone else in the scene and I thought that was very courageous of him.”

A quiet, inordinately shy man, Widmark often portrayed killers, cops and Western gunslingers. But he said he hated guns.

“I know I’ve made kind of a half-assed career out of violence, but I abhor violence,” he remarked in a 1976 Associated Press interview. “I am an ardent supporter of gun control. It seems incredible to me that we are the only civilized nation that does not put some effective control on guns.”

Widmark was born Dec. 26, 1914, in Sunrise, Minn., where his father ran a general store, then became a traveling salesman. The family moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., Henry, Ill., and Chillicothe, Mo., before settling in Princeton, Ill.

“Like most small-town boys, I had the urge to get to the big city and make a name for myself,” he recalled in a 1954 interview.

“I was a movie nut from the age of 3, but I don’t recall having any interest in acting,” he said.

But at Lake Forest College, he became a protege of the drama teacher and met his first wife, drama student Ora Jean Hazelwood. Their daughter, Ann, became the wife of baseball immortal Sandy Koufax.

Two years out of college, Widmark reached New York in 1938 during the heyday of radio drama. His mellow Midwest voice made him a favorite in soap operas, and he found himself racing from one studio to another.

Rejected by the Army because of a punctured eardrum, Widmark began appearing in Broadway plays in 1943. His first was a comedy hit “Kiss and Tell.” He was appearing in the Chicago company of “Dream Girl” with June Havoc when 20th Century Fox signed him to a seven-year contract. He almost missed out on the “Kiss of Death” role.

“The director, Henry Hathaway, didn’t want me,” the actor recalled. “I have a high forehead; he thought I looked too intellectual.” The director was overruled by studio boss Darryl F. Zanuck, and Hathaway “gave me kind of a bad time.”

An immediate star, Widmark appeared in 20 Fox films from 1957 to 1964. Among them: “The Street with No Name,” “Road House,” “Yellow Sky,” “Down to the Sea in Ships,” “Slattery’s Hurricane,” “Panic in the Streets,” “No Way Out,” “The Halls of Montezuma,” “The Frogmen,” “Red Skies of Montana,” “My Pal Gus” and the Samuel Fuller film noir “Pickup on South Street.”

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In 1952, Widmark starred in “Don’t Bother to Knock” with Marilyn Monroe. He told an interviewer in later years:

“She wanted to be this great star but acting just scared the hell out of her. That’s why she was always late — couldn’t get her on the set. She had trouble remembering lines.”

“But none of it mattered. With a very few special people, something happens between the lens and the film that is pure magic. ... And she really had it.”

After leaving Fox, Widmark’s career continued to flourish. He starred (as Jim Bowie) with John Wayne in “The Alamo,” with James Stewart in John Ford’s “Two Rode Together,” as the U.S. prosecutor in “Judgment at Nuremberg,” and with Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas in “The Way West.” Also: “St. Joan” (as the Dauphin), “How the West Was Won,” “Death of a Gunfighter,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Midas Run” and “Coma.”

“Madigan,” a 1968 film with Widmark as a loner detective, was converted to television and lasted one season in 1972-73. It was Widmark’s only TV series.

He also was in some TV films, including “Cold Sassy Tree” and “Once Upon a Texas Train.”

In later years, Widmark appeared sparingly in films and TV. He explained to Parade magazine in 1987: “I’ve discovered in my dotage that I now find the whole moviemaking process irritating. I don’t have the patience anymore. I’ve got a few more years to live, and I don’t want to spend them sitting around a movie set for 12 hours to do two minutes of film.”

Hazelwood died in 1997 and Widmark married Blanchard in 1999.
source

Sameera Reddy's Race Was Released


SAMEERA REDDY AT BIG FILMS

Last Friday, Sameera Reddy's Race was released and the movie has gotten great response at the Box Office. Sameera Reddy played the role of a dumb and innocent sidekick of Anil Kapoor. Her next movie is One Two Three.

Richie Sambora arrested on suspected DUI


Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora has been arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol. The 48-year-old guitarist was arrested just before 11 p.m. Tuesday after an officer noticed his black Hummer weaving in traffic lanes, said Laguna Beach police Sgt. Jason Kravetz.

Sambora was given field sobriety tests and arrested without incident. He was booked at the Laguna Beach jail and released at 4 a.m., Kravetz said Wednesday.

"He was very cooperative with all the staff," Kravetz said.

A woman and two girls were passengers in the car, said Kravetz, who declined to release their names.

Sambora was given notice to appear in court May 7 on one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, Kravetz said.

Ken Sunshine, a spokesman for Bon Jovi, had no comment.

Sambora is a founding member of Bon Jovi. The band's last album, "Lost Highway," was released in 2007.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Rakhi Tandon Divorce With Raveena Tandon’s Brother Rajiv


failed marriage hasn’t affected me’

After a divorce and a self-imposed break from the small screen, Hum Paanch’s Sweety is back in an all-new avtar

We best remember her for her unforgettable role as Sweety in Hum Paanch. Then, Rakhi Tandon was in the news for her not-so-amicable divorce with Raveena Tandon’s brother Rajiv. And then the talented actress who made comedy seem so easy, simply vanished, both from the big screen and from television. But she’s back now, with a new serial, a new role, a new look and a renewed zest for life.

Admitting she hasn’t been in the limelight since a while now, Rakhi goes on to say that it was a deliberate move to give up work for personal reasons. “But now I’m back with a bang, not just on the small screen but in films too,” smiles Rakhi, as she proceeds to relate her numerous upcoming film projects which include Golmaal Returns and Money Hain Toh Honey Hain.

“I’m doing a lot of comedies with some fantastic characters!” But doesn’t she feel her talent is being limited, that she is being typecast? “I look at it in a positive way. I’m more comfortable doing comedy, and honestly, I take it as a huge compliment that I’m categorised in the comic bracket. It’s very easy to make people cry, but it’s very, very difficult to make them laugh!” says Rakhi, on a serious note.

Yet, her role in her comeback serial Jiya Jale on 9X sees her in a different avatar. “She’s not a negative character, but she’s not all good either. She’s a very grey character, someone who always reacts according to the situation. It’s an integral character in the storyline, in essence, she unveils the story,” is what Rakhi is willing to reveal. All she promises is that she will be seen in a never-before avatar in terms of her role and her styling — her character will don a sari.

Professionally, she’s doing fine, but on the personal front, does she still believe it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? “Of course, love is the most beautiful thing, it should happen to everybody. I still completely believe in love and marriage; my failed marriage hasn’t affected me.”

As we promised, the new-and-zesty Rakhi’s back!