Not unknown to Cannes Film Festival anymore, Indian beauty queen Aishwarya Rai, arrived at Cannes, France, with her husband Anbhishek Bachchan. She was given a red carpet welcome by the organizers at Cannes Film Festival, who always give special attention to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She also attended “Kung Fu Panda” Premiere on 15th may.

No doubt about it…. Kareena Kapoor’s career is on a never before ascent…. What more proof does it require than that she has been the choice for Ajay Devgan’s to be announced next directorial venture. What makes it more conspicuous is the fact that the actor-turned-director has chose Kareena over her talented wife Kajol Devgan.

The chemistry between Ajay Devgan and Kareena Kapoor had already set the cash registers ringing in ‘Omkara’. They will also be seen in Ashtavinayak’s ‘Golmaal Returns’ which is set for release later this year.

If this was not enough, Kareena Kapoor is also being considered by Karan Johar for his next venture ‘My Name Is Khan’ starring SRK, but that will be only when Kajol turns down the offer.

At 61st annual Cannes Film Festival bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai arrived on red carpet along with Eva Longoria and Mischa Barton for the premiere of new Julianne Moore flick “Blindness”. Check out aishwarya rai’s latest photographs.

Image Source: Celebrity Gossip

She has endorsed big ones like Maybelline, Levis Strauss, Pepsi and Tissot SA. Talking about Deepika Padukone, the girl definitely has things on a move both in professional and personal front. Where she has the current heartthrob of tinsel town, Ranbir Kapoor, in her arms, she has just grabbed another big endorsement deal. Padukone has just added another feather to her cap by becoming the new face of Dubai’s Aspire Real Estate.

The chairman of the company, Harshit Kantaria, is today a proud owner of Dhs5.5 bn portfolio with developments from Business Bay to Jumeirah Village and Dubai Marina, and special focus on waterfront properties as well. The promising company, Aspire Real Estate, chose Deepika Padukone as a brand ambassador because of her image as a true rising star of Bollywood, claimed the chairman Kantaria.

Since, Aspire Real estate is the new kid in Dubai real estate block and is making it big there in the same way as newcomer Deepika is making it big in Bollywood, the Union of ‘Rising Stars’ is the name given by the company to the association.

Sajid Khan has already cracked a hit in his maiden project ‘Heyy Babyy’ under Sajid Nadiawala Productions. Now, he is set for his second directorial venture, this again a multi-starrer romantic comedy, ‘Housefull’ with Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. The pair is already appearing in ‘Chandni Chowk To China’. In addition, he has chosen Riteish Deshmukh (Riteish has proved himself time and again in comedy) for the second lead. Recently, he signed Jiah Khan as the second female lead and is on the lookout for a third girl.

Rumours doing rounds were that Big B has also been signed for the movie, but Sajid denies this saying, “I had informed you earlier about the trio of Akshay, Deepika, and Riteish, being signed for my film. In addition to that, I have now signed Jiah Khan as the second lead heroine in the film. And I am on a lookout for the third girl.”

Sushmita Sen may not be an iconic Bollywood star, but the lady is sure known for her elegance and poise. These days Sushmita is all but full of talks for her first project ‘Rani Laxmibai’ under her Production House, ‘Tantra Productions’. While ‘Tantra’ is the parent company dealing with various fields of entertainment, ‘Sushmita Sen Productions’ will be producing feature films.

With Sushmita holding the directorial reins of the film herself, not to mention she is very busy these days. Sen has got Manmohan Desai’s son Ketan Desai’s MKD Productions to collaborate with her. Ketan will serve as the executive producer on the project.

Another Desai, Nitin, has been assigned the task of designing the elaborate period sets of the film. For the crucial war scenes Sushmita takes her mixed Indo-British crew to China. Since the film will be in Urdu and Hindi, Sush is working hard in getting her Urdu right. Sushmita will dedicate ‘Rani Laxmibai’ to her dear friend Rajiv Narayan who died of cancer recently.

This one is the third incident of abuse and insult with Celina Jaitley, friends! This time the devil comes from the guests from across the border.This Sunday, Celina Jaitley was in Delhi for her performance at the Indian Cricket League’s match between Pakistan and India. However, after she had finished her performance and was leaving with her security personnel around the stadium, she heard loud abuses in Hindi coming out of the Pakistani players’ enclosure.

Though she refuses to share the nastier comments or to put blame on anyone, some of the less abrasive comments she heard included, “Move her away, she is spoiling the mood of the entire match,” and “Why does she need such heavy security? Is she Osama Bin Laden?”

Recalls Celina with a shudder, “At first I couldn’t believe where it was coming from. I still want to give them the benefit of the doubt because it’s so hard to believe they could behave this way.” Celina wanted to rush out of the spot to her car, “But I couldn’t because the security guys wouldn’t let me pass. So I was stuck listening to myself being described in the most colorful language.”

This certainly isn’t a friendly gesture coming from sports to entertainment!

Bollywood’s list of sexy actresses would be definitely incomplete without the mention of dusky bong beauty Bipasha Basu, but never before this had Bips felt that her dusky complexion was in any way a hinderance in her career.Bips was signed for a jewelry brand, but she was swapped at the last minute for Karisma Kapoor. Bips was shocked when she learnt that it was her dusky skin which triggered the brand to replace her in the ad. According to the brand, the diamonds would not quite go that well with her dark complexion and also, her dusky look might not help the brand connect with the target women audience. Also Bipasha’s oomph image would have been an impediment for the families in patronizing the brand.

Now, Karisma Kapoor, with a fair and glowing skin, has been roped in to model for the brand instead of Bipasha Basu and the buzz doing the rounds is that she has already shot for the endorsement in a posh suburban hotel.

However, sources say that Bipasha Basu is very much hurt and disappointed by the whole episode. At the time, when the deal was being clinched with her by the company, they should have taken everything into account and should not have done something so humiliating like this at the last moment.

Also what worked for Lolo was the presence of Vasu Bhagnani’s brother Khemchand Bhagnani as a partner in the jewellery company. Khemchand pressed for Lolo as he considered her lucky for himself and his family. Karishma worked in Vasu Bhagnani’s ‘Coolie No 1’ and the movie was successful at the box office.

Well, that’s fairly unfair of the jewelery brand to do so with Bips. Isn’t it?

Malaika Arora Khan is hosting a reality show ‘Dhoom Macha De’ for NDTV and she is taking in all efforts to make the show appealing. Recently, she has shot a dangerous stunt for the pilot episode of the show.Action director Ravi Dewan helped her perform the special stunt. “I was tied to a harness and lifted up in the air. After that, I twist and jump off. It was quite fun, but one has to realise these things can go wrong if not handled well. I was lucky I had professionals working with me on the team,” recalls Malaika.

Malaika’s son Arhaan too was present on the set and cheered his mom on as she performed the stunt, “He was as cool as a cucumber. In fact, after watching me do the stunt, he too wanted to try his hand at it. So we got him a mini harness and let him jump off it. I think he’s got the daredevil streak from me.”

It is clear that the lady has a thing for action and stunts. She began her Bollywood career by dancing atop a train for ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ in ‘Dil Se’. For ‘Om Shanti Om’, she got into a harness and jumped down a building with SRK.

The show, to be aired from February 1, will have eleven of India’s popular and professional singers. The star contestants of the show include Anaida, Baba Sehgal, Babul Supriyo, Devang Patel, Jaspinder Nirula, Jassi, Kamaal Khan, Richa Sharma, Sapna Awasthi, Suneeta Rao and Taz, who will be judged by Sharmila Tagore, Shankar Mahadevan and Prasoon Joshi.

That Shilpa Shetty is no more single is a stale news now. Shilpa has found company in UK based businessman Raj Kundra. Kundra was introduced to Shilpa last year by her manager Farhath Hussain with a proposal to launch a perfume. Their professional association blossomed into a relationship in a matter of months.Now, this Raj Kundra is quite close to Shilpa and has been truly accepted by the Shetty Parivaar. Proof? Raj is currently in Mumbai and is busy planning to hold sister Shamita’s party at China House next week. Shamita’s birthday falls on February 5.

A source close to the Shettys reveals, “The guest list and the menu are being discussed in great detail. Raj has become close to the Shetty family and Shamita is especially fond of him. She feels he’s right for her sister.”

Neha Dhupia has enough reasons to await the coming month of February. The lady has two back to back releases this February.She will be seen on the big screen with her ‘Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama’ as early as Februrary 1. This film which comes from the makers of ‘Tom, Dick and Harry’, is a comedy with centered on the theme of extra marital affairs. Rajpal Yadav plays Neha Dhupia’s philandering husband in the film. The movie also stars Ashish Chaudhary and Amrita Arora.

Again within a gap of just one week, she will hit the screens as the solo lady in Rajat Kapoor’s ‘Mithya’. With Ranvir Shorey as her co-star, this one is also a comedy though with elements of thrills in it.

Later in the year, Neha Dhupia would also be seen in ‘Maharathi’, ‘Singh is Kinng’and ‘I Am 24’.

Ranvir Shorey should have known it. The entire Bollywood knows Mallika Sherawat’s i-m-the-queen attitude. Making a lady with this attitude wait for three hours is not what one really dares to do. However, Ranvir could not help it and sure he along with the producer had to pay for it.During the shoot of Pritish Nandy Communications’ ‘Ugly and Pagli’, that particular day Mallika arrived on the sets on time as usual. However, Ranvir was delayed because of ill-health. The actress waited for as long as three hours, and by the time Ranvir arrived (after taking his medication) she was in no mood to shoot. She walked out of the sets and poor Ranvir had to shoot his solo scenes that day.

Ranvir however maintains that though Mallika sherawat is a very co-operative and friendly actress, and that was the first time he saw the temperamental side of hers.

In the film, Mallika plays a wacky, outspoken, outlandish girl called Pagli while Ranvir plays an under-confident loser, Ugly.

Jiah Khan is all excited about her photoshoot for the denim brand Wrangler with the Bollywood hunk John Abraham. These days Jiah is all praises for John and praises his performance in ‘Jism’ saying “He was so intense and good in that role. I think that’s his best performance.”She is really looking forward to working with John, “We will be shooting the ad in the next few days. I think it should be fun.”

Talking about praises, Jiah also has reasons to praise Aamir Khan while she is busy with his ‘Ghajini’. She says, “It’s fantastic being around him, as there’s so much to learn. Everyone finds him intense, but he can be very warm. He gives you complete attention.”

Mallika Sherawat is turning out to a nightmare for her producers these days. First, she made it clear to the producers of ‘Welcome’ that she would not promote the film if the promos carried Mallika Arora Khan’s item number. The producers gave in and the promos of ‘Hoth Rasile’ item number went on air much after the release of the film. Then, she walked out of Kundan Shah’s ‘Masquerade’ owing to differences with the director leaving the film’s destiny in mid-air as the producers too quit the film owing to Mallika’s exit. Next, it was the rift with Rangita Nandy on the sets of ‘Ugly Aur Pagli’ that was doing the rounds.The latest buzz that’s doing the rounds is that Mallika Sherawat wants her film ‘Fauj Mein Mauj’ to be re-shot and that too when 70 % of the film has already been canned. It was apparent from the beginning that the gal wasn’t too happy with the film but she continued with it as she was and is the only known star in the film.

Now, the debutant producer, though totally zabbed with this, has given in to Mallika’s demands to re-shoot the entire film. Mallika states that she has asked this as she is unhappy with the way she looks in the film. This way, Madamme Mallika will not be able to run for long, coz, this is Bollywood where ‘I m the best’ attitude applies for nobody except SRK.

Neha Dhupia had enough releases in 2007 and she has even more to expect from 2008. 2007 saw her in an item number in ‘Nehle Pe Dehla’, with substantial roles in ‘Delhi Hieghts’, ‘Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local’, ‘Shootout At Lokhandwala’, ‘Dus Kahaniyan’ and a special appearance in ‘Heyy Babyy’.2008 too will see a similar trend for Neha with her ‘Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaa’ hitting the theatres on 18th January. Her next ‘Mithya’ is set for 8th February release which also stars Naseruddin Shah, Ranvir Shorey, Harsh Chhaya, Saurabh Shukla and Vinay Pathak.

Directed by Shivam Nair (Ahista Ahista fame), her expected next release is ‘Chala Murari Murder Karne’. This was earlier titled ‘Maharathi’ and also boasts of a heavy weight star cast comprising of Naseruddin Shah, Om Puri, Paresh Rawal and Boman Irani.

Another big venture from Neha to hit theatres on 15th August will be Anees Bazmee’s eagerly awaited ‘Singh is King’ starring Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Javed Jaffrey, Ranvir Shorey and Om Puri along with Neha.

Neha is also busy with her sole female lead role in Saurabh Shukla directed ‘I AM 24’. An Arindam Chaudhri production, the film stars Neha along with Ranvir Shorey, Rajat Kapoor, Vijay Raaz, Lilette Dubey, Delnaz Paul and Manjari Phadnis.

With all these in her kitty, the lady is surely glowing these days!

Yuvraj Singh has definitely scored a century off the ground. He has managed to get in the most happening girl of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone, as his girlfriend. Yes, it is no more a news now. Deepika and Yuvi are very much in relationship.Deepika flew down to Sydney on Wednesday on Yuvi’s special invite to watch the ongoing India-Australia test series. The couple was also spotted at a popular Sydney restaurant having a gala time together. Deepika has gone there to shoot for a Yashraj film the schedule of which starts from January 7. Meanwhile, Deepika celebrated her 22nd birthday with Yuvraj on Jan 5.

Hope our readers remember that Deepika had played host to Yuvi’s birthday party in December, which in itself, is an indication of their growing intimacy. Now, it is Deepika’s turn to get the greetings!

Actress Tulip Joshi is currently working for Rohit Jugraj’s ‘Superstar’ which is being made under the banner of ‘Shri Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd.’ The actress shocked one and all with the display of one of her hidden talents. For one scene of the film, Tulip was to emit a loud whistle. Petite as she looks, Rohit Jugraj assumed that she may not be able to do so and suggested she just pretend to whistle, and that would later on be dubbed. But to everyone’s suprprise, Tulip whistled so loudly and so well, that the take was okayed in shot one itself.Tulip cheekily says, “Yeah everyone was quite surprised at hearing me whistle so well, like an experience roadside Romeo I guess. Haha! I have always whistled as well as any guy, sometimes better. It was loads of fun shooting that day I must say!”

Both Riya Sen and Aarti Chabbaria flayed their tempers at the Police Mela recently. It so happened that both Riya and Aarti were given the same song to perform on. The song in question was ‘Dekha Tujhe to Baji Guitar’ from ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’. However, the girls were not at fault. There was a miscommunication between their choreographers- Swaroop and Pappu Mallu.

Aarti said, “I had practiced on the number for five hours. The number was a part of the medley which I was given. After that I was informed that they were giving that song to Riya. That was not fair. Why should the artists bear the brunt if the choreographers have not communicated with each other? So, I walked out.”

Incidentally Aarti’s manager spoke to the concerned authorities and settled the matter. Aarti got the ‘Dekha Tujhe…” number and Riya gyrated to the ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’ title song.

All’s well that end well!! For your info, the show also had performances from Kareena Kapoor, Himesh Reshammiya, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Raanut, Dia Mirza, Geeta Basra, Sunil Paul, Mona Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan among others.

Shilpa Shetty’s popularity can be judged from the fact that when she recently launched her perfume S2 on Saturday, November 3 in London for charity at a special auction, it raised an amazing 15,000 pounds sterling (more than Rs. 12 lakh).Fashion tycoon Danni Passi purchased the fragrance in the auction, while Shilpa attended the event to lend her support to the cause. This amount even surpassed the 9,000 pounds mark raised by Shilpa at British MP Keith Vaz’s charity event last June.

Topping the auction items, including a diamond & ruby necklace and Cartier watch, the fragrance proceeds will be used towards restoring to underprivileged Indian children their basic rights to – survival, protection, development and participation.

Shilpa said on the occasion, “I’m amazed and delighted that my fragrance, S2 has raised such an amazing amount for CRY. The proceeds of my fragrance and proceeds of the entire auction will make a real difference to the lives of underprivileged Indian children.”

In her ambitious international project ‘The Quest of Sheherzade’, sexy Celina Jaitley will play the role of a mythological beauty Sheherzade. The role requires a lot of stunt and action and the gal is all set and prepared for the role.“It’s a role that requires extensive stunts. Fortunately my father is an army officer. I learnt horse riding in school. But doing so without a saddle requires plenty of training. And I’m off to the US in February 2008. Shooting starts probably in Turkey next Summer,” says Celina.