Archive for January, 2007
Shilpa Shetty wins ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ reality show
Jan 29th
Indo-Asian News Service
London, Jan 29 (IANS) Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty has won Channel 4’s reality TV show “Celebrity Big Brother” and bagged an estimated 100,000 pounds (almost Rs.9 million) in prize money. The results didn’t come as a surprise because the leggy Indian star was tipped as the favourite to win.
Shilpa, 31, the first Indian to participate in the British TV show, was reportedly paid in excess of 40,000 pounds for her participation.
“She was leading all the betting sites,” Shilpa’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar told IANS.
Shilpa’s being on the show, which started Jan 3, didn’t make as much news as the racist slurs hurled against her by her housemates, namely British contestant Jade Goody who has since been voted out by the audience.
Housemates Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara seemed to have ganged up against Shilpa during her stay. She became the subject of their snide and biting comments because of her svelte figure, poise and charm, good dressing sense and background as a popular Bollywood actor.
The racist comments caused outrage in India and Britain, with the issue figuring in the House of Commons and feminist diva Germaine Greer, and even two Indian ministers, demanding corrective action.
Shilpa, who made her debut in Bollywood with the 1993 super hit “Baazigar” which also starred reigning superstar Shah Rukh Khan, never managed to touch the skies as a star. Her slinky dance numbers were more appreciated than her emoting.
But now her popularity ratings have soared suddenly – thanks to the controversial reality show.
“Hollywood film offers have started coming in. Apart form the US and Britain, offers are coming from Spain and Singapore too. Also, the Indian film industry suddenly seems to have woken up to the new Shilpa,” said Bhagwagar.
Other contestants who participated in it were Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine, A-Team star Dirk Benedict, Donny Tourette of punk band The Towers of London, ex-Steps star Ian “H” Watkins and “Kenny Everett” Show actress Cleo Rocos.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Ayesha’s reasons to marry Farhan
Jan 29th
Ayesha Takia is very frank and open about her love life. Where other Bollywood ladies try to hide their affairs and marriage, Ayesha openly says, “I will marry Farhan and only him. He runs a five-star hotel in Mumbai. Well, there are two reasons why I want to marry him. First, we are in love with each other. And secondly, I love the cheese cake in Farhan’s restaurant. I really can’t do without it.”
Where else do you find such candid confessions? Say cheese, guys!!
Popularity: 8% [?]
Meghna Naidu’s spooky experience!
Jan 29th
Remeber Meghna Naidu? Yeah, the same girl who shot into the lumelight with music videos. After appearing in a few forgettable flicks, she’s back to where she started her career – music videos. Recently during one of the shoots, Ms. Naidu had a rather unforgettable experience. She was shooting in a remote place and the video’s concept demanded this particular old fort to give it a mystic and scary feel. SHooting was definitely no fun as the place naturally looked scary, especially when shooting at night. Naidu was made to climb an old banyan tree for the shoot and when she did so the unit’s light mysteriously went off and she was stranded in the dark, atop the tree. Luckily the entire unit gathered around to keep her ’spirits’ high. We are sure this is one scary experience Ms Naidu won’t forget for a ling time.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Malaika and Arbaaz to play a different game
Jan 29th
After their steamy MR coffee ad blissfully married couple Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan were last seen together in a Shubha Mudgal music video. The duo will now team up to present a cricket quiz show ‘The Cricket Grandmaster’ for the upcoming World Cup. And while Arbaaz is completely addicted to cricket, for his bootylicious wife, it is going to be an altogether different ball game. Batting on a new wicket, eh?
Popularity: 10% [?]
Lavani lady, Tanushree Dutta
Jan 29th
Her acting talents might not have been on display in her recent movies but former beauty queen Tanushree Dutta sure can dance. She is all set to sizzle in a lavani number ‘Mala Laagli Kona Chi Hichki’ in Vishram Sawant’s ‘Risk’.
“Lavani is a dance form which has been performed by all the leading actresses- from Helenji to Dia Mirza,” she says. “My role has more than just the glamour quotient, it is a mature and performance-based role,” adds the Bong beauty.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Vidya Balan’s calendar call
Jan 29th
She is the latest to join the calendar girl brigade. Vidya Balan has discarded her girl-next-door look and turned into a water nymph for ace photographer Dabboo Ratnani’s coveted celebrity calendar and is contending with hotties like Mallika, Aishwarya and Bipasha.
“She has a stunning face with very expressive eyes,” says the lensman. Looks like Balan’s aquatic adventure is sure to make the months to come more interesting.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Mallika Sherawat still the quotable queen
Jan 25th
Here is funny one we heard recently. Apparently, Mallika sherawat was shooting for the cover of a magazine recently, when the photographer asked her the ‘position’ she was comfortable in. Without batting an eyelid, the quote queen immediately replied, “I am aiming to be number so I prefer being ‘on top’,” or words to that effect. Must say, there’s never a dull moment when you are around the witty girl. Yes guys, the quotable queen definitely retains her enviable position!
Popularity: 8% [?]
Koena mitra’s rag to riches story
Jan 25th
Koena mitra is known for her sense of style. And when she was a kid she was as particular about her clothes as she is now. Once, when her mother scilded her, saying that she would turn into a beggar if she didn’t get good marks in ger results, the next day Koena quietly went into her room and began packing her clothes. When asked what she was up to, she innocently replied that since she was to turn a beggar, she might as well dress well, so that she could be a well-dressed begar and earn more 
. The rest of the household couldn’t stop laughing. But that just goes to show how koena’s always been a girl with oodles of style.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Sameera Reddy is caught in a threesome
Jan 25th
Sameera reddy’s been painting the town red with her sisters Sushma and Meghna. They were back in Mumbai recently for a short visit and three ladies had a gala time. They went partying together, were seen at various places letting their hair down and having a whale of a time. These three girls certainly don’t need any friends when they are together – who does when you already make a great gand with your own sisters, right?
Source: ‘Times Of India’
Popularity: 8% [?]
Amisha Patel was not so pleasant at the Mumbai airport
Jan 25th
It all started when Amisha Patel with her friend Sejal Shah asked for a frequent flier upgrade for the AI 191, Mumbai-Paris-NewYork. Amisha being a frequent flier was upgraded but her friend was denied on grounds of not being a frequent flier. But on this our very sweet Amisha reacted a bit unpleasant and threatened the officer about using her high contacts. She went as far as to say that her would inform Praful Patel about all this and see to it that the officer looses his job. Well then these high contacts are special treats that our celebrities get to enjoy in India. So nothing unusual when Amisha is relishing her contacts.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Celina Jaitley prefers being sensuous
Jan 25th
You would be surprised to know that the bollywood beauty who can carry off western clothes with style is actually fond of wearing sarees. Ask Celina Jaitley what outfit she prefers to wear, and she immediately replies that it’s a saree. She loves to drape herself in nine yards of cloth. “Wesring a saree makes me gell sebuous and beautiful, I lokk good in it,” says the actress. But when she makes public appearences she is mostly seen in western wear. Whether she wears a saree or mini skirt, celina looks a million bucks in any outfit.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Where is Viveik Oberoi?
Jan 25th
Thats the top-of-the-mind question for everyone in the Bollywood these days. Ever since the news of Abhishek and Aishwarya hit the headlines, the Oberio boy has vertually gone underground and has refused to surface or make any comments about it. “It was bound to happen sooner or later and that’s why it hasn’t really affected him. He wants to just comcentrate on his work right now and move ahead,” says a friend of the star. Good to know that Viveik sulking, for him life goes on with or without Ash…
Popularity: 8% [?]
Sanjay Dutt receives extended bail till February 6
Jan 25th
Sanjay Dutt’s, bail has been extended till February 6th in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast case. The actor appeared before the TADA court yesterday for the hearing. Sanjay Dutt was found guilty under the Arms Act for keeping unauthorized arms under his custody. Many prominent personalities including some from bollywood presented testimonials in Dutt’s favor in a special court to plea for the bail. Among the supporters were Dilip Kumar, Former Mumbai Sheriff Nana Chudasama, and social workers- Dr. Yusuf merchant and Vipul Khadri.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Isha koppikar performed all stunts by herself for Salaam-e-Ishq
Jan 25th
Isha koppikar together with her co-star Sohail Khan was adamant to do all the stunts of Salaam-e-Ishq themselves. Whether it was falling from the ceilings or being trapped on a burning bed both actors insisted on not using any doubles and perform the stunts personally, informed by unit members. Isha Koppikar (phoolwati) and Sohail Khan (Ram dayal) play newly weds in the movie who are eager to fulfill the lust between them but are constantly disturbed by a series of tragicomic events.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Bipasha Basu praises Sunidhi for the success of ‘Bidee’
Jan 25th
Bipasha Basu gives credit to playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan for the huge popularity of the item song ‘Bidee’ in ‘Omkara’. The song has become a must at all party and gatherings. Bipasha is flattered when everyone performing to her ‘Bidee’ number and dancing to it like crazy. Bipasha praises Sunidhi for her powerful singing and adds that Sunidhi’s singing gave new dimensions to her dancing. Bipahsa insists that she is still nervous about singing and dancing even after giving a long list of hit item numbers. Well then what more bombs would she explode if she were not tense about dancing.
Popularity: 10% [?]
Jiah Khan: Inspired by Shahrukh Khan?
Jan 25th
Even as she readies for the release of her debut film Nishabd opposite Amitabh Bachchan, newcomer Jiah Khan seems to be inspired by Shah Rukh khan. The khan is known to be a workaholic and co-stars swear that he litereally never sleeps, now Jiah Khan seems to be following in his footsteps – the little bundle of energy hardly sleeps for three hours a day – if she is not at her dancing sessions (Salsa, belly dancing, you name it), then you will find her doing riyaaz, or surfing the internet since she’s a net freak. And we thought she had eyes only for Bachchan!
Popularity: 8% [?]
Racial abuses? Not Danielle Lloyd
Jan 25th
The House of Commons and the Indian Government have been rocked by the alleged racist comments against Shilpa Shetty at the Big Brother show. Danielle Lloyd, the Miss Great Britain who was stripped off her crown, has allegedly called Shilpa a dog. But the same Danielle Lloyd had, in an interview to BBC, given things an anti-racial twist. When she was asked, “WHo was Winston Churchill – a rapper, US president, the PM or King?” Lloyd replied: “Wasn’t he the first black president of America? There’s a statue of him near my place – that’s black”
Lloyd, who has apparently not appreciated the way Shilpa Shetty has left the chicken ‘undercooked’, had on an earlier interview expressed her desire to eat Indian food. Said the model, “I love indian food but I think it probably tastes better than in the UK? IS that right?”
Considering the disparity between her actual behaviour and what she had claimed earlier, does one conclude that celebs like her are acting when it comes to feeding viewers and fans with impressive sound bytes? Says Danielle Lloyd’s spokesperson, Angela De Fouw, “Danielle would be distraught to have been associated or linked with any form alleged racism. Many of Danielle’s closet friends are from multo-cultural backgrounds and are of diverse races. Danielle is the last person who would condone any form of racism or bullying.”
Yet, issuing such a comment when viewers have watched Danielle use such phrases doesn’t change the coloured perspective.
Source: ‘Times Of India’
Considering the disparity between her actual behaviour and what she had claimed earlier, does one conclude that celebs like her are acting when it comes to feeding viewers and fans with impressive sound bytes? Says Danielle Lloyd’s spokesperson, Angela De Fouw, “Danielle would be distraught to have been associated or linked with any form alleged racism. Many of Danielle’s closet friends are from multo-cultural backgrounds and are of diverse races. Danielle is the last person who would condone any form of racism or bullying.”
Yet, issuing such a comment when viewers have watched Danielle use such phrases doesn’t change the coloured perspective.
Source: ‘Times Of India’
Popularity: 8% [?]
Tanushree assaulted by her hairdresser
Jan 25th
Tanushree Dutta had her hair burnt and was assaulted on the sets or Priyadarshan’s film ‘Dhol’. The incident occurred since the actress’s regular hairdresser could not accompany her for that day’s shoot to Pune. Tanushree had to settle for a new hairdresser as a last minute replacement. Later the high-on-drugs hairdresser, in a dazed state burnt Tanushree’s hair while managing it. When Tanushree looked back at the hairdresser she found her eyes blood-shot and trying to grab her neck and strangle her. Eventually police had to be called to settle the incident and restore peace.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Much Acclaimed Rang De Basanti out of Oscars
Jan 25th
When being short-listed for the nominations of the Best Foreign Film India’s official entry Rang De Basanti lost out in the Oscar Race. Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra has directed the film and the movie gained great critical acclamation and commercial success both within and out of India. Rang de Basanti has been stared by Aamir Khan, Atul Kulkarni and Soha Ali Khan. However there’s some good news too for the Indian’s to cheer since Canada’s official entry Water directed by Deepa Mehta of Indian origin has been selected among the shortlist of nine films.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Shipla shetty maintains her dignity at the big brother show
Jan 25th
Shipla Shetty stands strong against all charges as she represents the Indian/Asian community at the big brother show. Even when she is being called as ‘nightmare’, ‘a dog’, ‘that Indian’ and a propagator of ‘racism’. Shilpa has stood to all these tests of the show with great dignity and poise. Also she is being ill-treated on the show by contestants from the foreign land when they refuse to eat a chicken roasted by her calling it to be too spicy and undercooked. But our dear Shilpa remains calm saying she does not want to let the people who love her down by retaliating. Great going gal!
Popularity: 8% [?]