The Aishwarya Abhishek Photo Collections

Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan with his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attend a Childrens Day function, in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 14, 2007
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Dont smoke in public Shahrukh !

A legal notice was issued by an NGO - National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication for smoking in public against Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan during two recent events.

Shahrukh Khan has been found smoking at two public places i.e., the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai and Hindustan Times Summit in Delhi.

"Images of Shahrukh Khan inhaling smoke were shown on Doordarshan channel during the telecast of the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai on October 20. The national television channel's telecast of such outrageous images is another act worth condemnation," general secretary Dr. Shekhar Salkar said.

Priof to this incident, Shahrukh was shown with a lighted cigartte in his hand while sitting on the dias during the Hindustan Times summit in Delhi on October 12 and 13.

"A superstar, imitated and adored by millions cannot lend a helping hand to promote smoking," Salkar added.

- Bollywood Gossips

I am so sorry I messed up Vidya

Lately, Vidya Balan has earned a reputation for getting into controversies over refusal of roles or disagreeing with costume designers.

She had a huge problem with Aki Narula’s clothes while shooting for Ramesh Taurani’s film in Canada.

Says Vidya, "Such things happen. It's not a big deal. I don't know why the media went ballistic about it. Aki left the clothes and came away to India. I didn't like some of the clothes because I felt that they didn't go with the character. So, I went to shop on my own. That was fun."

In Sajid Khan's Heyy Babyy too Vidya received a lot of flak for her styling skills.

But this time her designer Manish Malhotra took the entire responsibilty and even sent a message apologising for going wrong with her look in the film.

However Vidya holds no grudges. “The onus isn’t his alone. He sent me a very sweet message saying, ‘I’m sorry I messed up. I hope we get another opportunity.’ He needn’t have apologised. He got a lot of flak for my look. So did I. I accept the criticism as much as I accept all the praise that comes my way”

Vidya is sure she can break free of the sari mould to look Western. Her new shoulder length hairdo makes her look breathtakingly glamorous. She seems to have suddenly stepped out of the Parineeta era into the contemporary world.

She has also shed a lot of weight in the recent past as well.

"I think I had allowed things to drift. I should have looked after myself more. But it's fine now. I am gyming a lot now and keeping as fit as a fiddle," she tells with a broad smile.

- Santabanta.Com

"Don't link me with older men please" says Kangana Ranaut

At 20, Kangana has acquired some unusual reading habits. "I'm currently reading the thoughts of Swami Vivekand. He prescribes restraint for a fruitful life. So I'm off spicy food and off any thoughts of a boyfriend. I believe restraint is much more important in life than self-indulgence."

Not that she has much a chance to be hedonistic right now. Kangana was tricked by her family into visiting her home town Bhambla (Himachal Pradesh). "I was told to immediately come and see my 100-year old great grandfather.

I presumed the worst and immediately left my dubbing for Anurag Basu's Metro to attend to my great-grandfather (my father's grandfather) only to be told that the old man is fine. They just wanted me to visit him."

"He wasn't talking or eating much. Since I was his favourite great grand-daughter my father immediately called me. So here I am, taking an unscheduled holiday much to Anurag Basu's annoyance. Unfortunately my sister isn't allowed to fly because of her health problems. I had to leave her behind in Mumbai with my best friend."

In Metro Kangana is dubbing her own lines. "That's a relief after Shaka Laka Boom Boom. When I heard an alien voice speaking for me I lost all self-confidence. In Metro I speak my own lines…and sport a completely different look."

In Metro Kangana's character has an affair with an older man (K.K Menon). In real life she has no such aspirations. "It's very embarrassing to be linked with men who are much older. Please, when I do have a boyfriend he'd be someone I can look in eye, not look up to."

Kangana is a voracious foodie and one of the reasons she enjoys being at her home is the cuisine. "My mother and aunts are cooking my favourite food. And I feel so pampered.

In Mumbai you're not only alone there's no one to give you a tablet if you're ill. That's why I've persuaded my sister to stay with me in Mumbai. The city can be really cold and hostile to outsiders."

- SantaBanta.Com

Rani Mukherjee weds Aditya Chopra on February 10, 2008

It may be a Bollywood Gossip or a Bollywood News, Rani Mukherjee and Aditya Chopra are set to marry on February 10, 2008 at Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel in Jodhpur, following an as yet unacknowledged engagement ceremony in June.

Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel has been famous few months ago when English actress, fashion model Elizabeth Hurley tied knots with the Indian businessman Arun Nayar there.

Some reveal it as "It's one of the most expensive place in India, but Aditya Chopra and Rani Mukherjee think its the perfect place to get away from the prying eyes of the media world.

It seems like the couple have booked the hotel in advance to make sure that everything is done in a very hushed manner. Only some close friends have the information about it. Ofcourse, Rani's family members know about it but its not sure about Aditya Chopra's family."

Earlier talking to press Rani vehemently denied that she was engaged to Aditya.

At the launch of Raga Crystals range of women's watches, when Rani was quizzed on rumors of marriage to Aditya Chopra, she sarcastically responded.

"You might not know but I have five children also. Go find them and I will reward you," Rani said.

Priyanka comes clean on Harman

Since Love Story 2050 is her good friend Harman Baweja's debut film did Priyanka Chopra put in that extra mile for it?

"Oh I put in lots of extra miles in all my roles. For the first time in Indian cinema you'll see the concept of time travel. And working with robots was very cool. Love Story 2050 is very Indian at the same time very futuristic. "

Harman says Priyanka helped him with his scenes.

"Well, yes, "concedes Priyanka."Being a senior I gave him whatever support I could. But let me tell you, if I'm more experienced in front of the camera he's far more experienced behind the camera. He has been part of the movie-making process assisting his dad for almost fifteen years. So I guess we both learnt from each other."

Initially Priyanka was apprehensive about how well she would match Harman on screen."I've known Harman for a very long time. He knows so much about cinema.

But he was completely raw to acting. So I wanted to do my best to make him feel comfortable. I remember how helpful everyone was when I did my first film The Hero."

Talk veers to her family. Is Priyanka's dad cutting a music album?

Priyanka says it's been in the pipeline for a long time. "He has been working on it for a long time. Then he fell ill. And the album went on the backburner. I'd love to be part of it, though I don't think I'll sing in it."

Priyanka loves to sing and would some day like to cut her own album. "But I don't think I'm ready for it yet. Singing professionally would require a lot more practice than I can muster right now. Right now I'd rather focus on my career."

She has three releases coming up. "Until November I've Drona, Love Story 2050 and God Tussi Great Ho. The third would probably be my first release now. Salman and I make a great pair. And he's so funny in the film. The chemistry between Salman and Sohail is so fantastic."

Both Drona and Love Story 2050 have loads of special effects."But while Drona is a super-hero film, Love Story 2050 is basically a love story. Both have been fun to shoot in different ways.

I had to sport two different looks in Love Story…. I've been in fantasy-spectacles before…Krissh and Don belong to that genre. It's not as if I'm choosing these spectacles. What I look for are projects beyond the conventional."

Priyanka is hoping the three releases this year would take her career further."I may have had some hiccups lately. But on the whole I think I'm on the right track."

Om Shanti Om - Movie Review

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal, and Malaika Arora Khan Director: Farah Khan This film focuses on Om (Shah Rukh Khan) who grows up in the seventies. This is the time when he meets Shanti (Dipika Padukone ), the love of his life but shortly thereafter suffers an untimely demise. Om is immediately reincarnated and the story flash forwards to the present day. Haunted by memories of his past life and his true love, Om attempts to solve the mystery of his death, and also reunite with Shanti, the love of his past life. Om Shanti Om is said to be inspired by the Hollywood movie, Chances Are, where a man is reincarnated and instantaneously attempts to find the wife from his previous life. Om Shanti Om has over 30 well known Bollywood stars including Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Kajol, Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan putting in a guest appearance for a special song and dance sequence in the film, a concept recently used by Farah's brother, Sajid Khan in the opening number of his film, Heyy Babyy. Farah Khan's husband, Shirish Kunder (director of Jaan E Mann) is in charge of Om Shanti om's editing. He was previously involved in the same department for Farah's debut movie, Main Hoon Na. Om Shanti Om features Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role and introduces Deepika Padukone as his love interest. The supporting cast includes Arjun Rampal (recently seen in the film Don) and Shreyas Talpade. - SantaBanta . Com

Bipasha Basu with Cristiano Ronaldo

Bollywood Babe Bipasha Basu being kissed by Cristiano Ronaldo at a Portugese nightclub.

The Man United ace was reportedly getting very cosy with the supermodel at a VIP bash held after the new Seven Wonders of the World ceremony in Lisbon.

The photograph has surfaced just one day after Ronaldo's girlfriend, Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson was forced to deny rumours that she cheated on Ronaldo with his fellow Man United team mate Alan Smith.

Here are the exclusive pictures of Bipasha Basu getting cosy with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Malaika Arora Khan - Maxim Mom oozing maximum appeal

Malaika Arora Khan is undoubtedly our industry’s hottest mom who not only oozes style and oomph, but she does it with élan and pride. The lady has many firsts to her credit—the first to perform an item number on a moving train, the first non–model to VJ for a popular music channel and the first model whose stilettos became as big a hit as she was. Now, the latest addition to this list of firsts is being the first mother to appear on the Maxim cover of this month’s edition. Titled ‘Black Velvet’ the photographs show Malaika in black lingerie, striking provocative poses on a couch. The concept of the shoot is by Wendell Rodericks while photographs are snapped by Farroukh Chothia.

- Maxims India

Prashant Tamang - NEW INDIAN IDOL 3

Breaking News : "And the Indian Idol is Prashant Tamang"... Thats what John Abraham said while announcing the name of the Indian Idol 3 . Finally his dreams and the hard work for months have come to a happy end.

Full Credits to the Kolkata Police.

As per reports, people from north eastern states of india started celebrating the victory of Prashant by lighting fireworks

"I'm happy about Sanjay's Arrest" - Rakhi Sawant

Bollywood Item Girl Rakhi Sawant said in an interview that she is happy about Sanjay Dutt's Arrest and everyone in the Bollywood knows that this arrest is reasonable. She added that people in Bollywood dont dare say anything against Sanjay Dutt because they have invested some good amount of money on the actor.

Rakhi Sawant challenged that no one has the guts to ask her why she said like this.

Rakhi Sawant, the bollywood celebrity who has been very famous among bollywood celebrities due to her sexy dance numbers, celebrity controversy, rumors has commented on many other bollywood celebrities in the past which also includes Amitabh Bachchan.

When Rakhi found that she might get into some kind of trouble for giving such a daredevil interview, she tried to change her statement saying that she did not say such things about Sanjay Dutt. All she said was that the guilty must be punished.

- Bollywood Gossips

Whats up ? Ramu !!

Before the release of his much awaited and talked about film Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag , Mr. Varma definitely must have had ‘Butter- flies’ in his stomach. Moreover, since it was not just any usual copy or remake heard of but was a remake of the legendary film, Sholay . Well the film did release and as expected ( especially by Ramesh Sippy) Varma did get his share of flaks pelted at him, but what was really unexpected was that people who usually butter him up too melted away. So when we have the famous and popular ‘Butter ad’ take a dig at him saying, “Ab tera Kya hoga Ramu” one cannot help but be the mean Gabbar Singh to him.

- indiafm.com

Glamorous Mat Kaho Na: Lara Dutta

It hasn't been a easy time for the luminous Lara.

If she's been missing from the line of hyper-action for the past year it's because, Lara Dutta has been looking after her ailing parents. "They were both in hospital. So I was either with them, or shooting in Dubai and London. My first priority was my parents. And I had no time or appetite for networking and socializing."

Apart from other problems at home her cell number has been quite an irritant.

"They gave me a new number that apparently belonged to Mahesh Manjrekar. I kept getting calls from him."

The cell faux pas came to such a head that Lara would first clarify that it was Mr Manjrekar's number before proceeding with conversations.

She laughs heartily at the Priyadarshan-like confusion. Laughter comes easily to her after the success of No Entry and Bhagam Bhag.

"No film in recent times did more for me than No Entry. I wanted to do lighter films. And No Entry gave me that leeway. I did Bhagam Bhag because I wanted to work with Priyan. Secondly after Andaz it was my first lead with Akshay.

At the end of the day it was a massive learning experience with Paresh, Govinda and Akshay. But yes, I wish my character was utilized better. But I guess in an ensemble cast I got a fair share of space."

Remind her of her brief walk-on appearance in Kunal Kohli's Fanaa and she defends herself. "I had earlier said no to Kunal to a part in Hum Tum. I couldn't do that again without sounding arrogant.

And let's face it, it was a kind of initiation for me into the country's biggest banner Yashraj. It also gave me chance to share screen -space with two of my most favourite actors Aamir and Kajol. So why not?"

"Also," she clears her throat. "I've the clearly disadvantageous reputation of being an intelligent actress. That I couldn't fit into the airheaded parts was a bit of a hurdle. Also, I come from the glamorous industry (modeling).

For some strange reason, a part of the films industry feels you can't do the girl-nextdoor or take-home-to-mama roles if you're glamorous. That way I do feel limited.

I'm constantly offered glamorous prop-like roles. But that's changing. In Partner I was working opposite Salman and I didn't have the glamorous role."

Lara definitely sees the glamour thing as an impediment. "But I'm ready to wait for the bright and right parts. I didn't come into the industry to be a No.1, 2, 3. All it takes is hard work and I'm at it. I don't want to take the short cut of coat-tailing some big heroes to success.

When I walk out of the industry I want to be remembered as a good actress like Nutan and Smita Patil, not someone who was good at net-working. If I said no to a role it went to Bipasha.

If she said no it came to me. I don't want to do the interchangeable glam roles. I've made a conscious decision to stay away from them."

Then she gets briefly wistful. " I wish good-looking actresses had better-fleshed roles to perform and those did not just go to the Plain Janes."

Casting Ouch: Shilpa Vs Ash

'Pink Panther 2' casting has now become the hotly debated issue in Bollywood. Contrary to latest media reports, Aishwarya’s international agent Simone Sheffield says, "Ms Rai was the first and only choice to play Sophie in the Hollywood film Pink Panther 2."

The casting director Ilene Starger too endorses this fact by saying, "We did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya. Period. Ash was the actress I envisioned when I read the script. Her intelligence, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us are thrilled to work with her.”

A couple of actresses claim to have refused the role Ash is starring in. It’s sad. If either of them had been offered a role in such a big budget international film, they’d have jumped at the opportunity instead of passing it up.”

Giving her side of story to SantaBanta, Simone says, "Please look at the original document received from Shilpa and you will see a standard letter signed by an office assistant and NOT by Ilene Starger."

"NO WHERE in the letter is there an offer for Shilpa to read, appear or even consider appearing in the film.....it is merely an invitation for Shilpa to submit a tape of herself. PERIOD.....this process is standard in the industry," she adds.

Last week, Ash shot for the film in Paris shooting alongside Steve Martin (who reprises his role as Inspector Jacques Clouseau) and Andy Garcia (Vincente) and has now returned to Mumbai to complete Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha Akbar and Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj.

- SantaBanta.Com

Can Lara match Aishwarya's Paro?

After Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit, Lara Dutta and Soha Ali Khan have been chosen to play Paro and Chandramukhi in Sudhir Mishra's modern version of Devdas titled Aur Devdas.

While Soha is yet to sign on the dotted line, Lara has done the needful.

They will portray the two classic parts in Sudhir Mishra’s version of Devdas being produced by Pritish Nandy Communications. The film will be shot in September.

Mishra's Chandramukhi will not be a dancer. She'll be an investment banker. Paro evolves into a politician. The film will be a gritty political drama.

Says Lara, “I’m very excited. I’ve wanted to work with Sudhir Mishra for a long time. And now we’ve the perfect script.” Playing Paro after Aishwarya in Bhansali’s Devdas is just the challenge Lara was looking for.

Both Lara and Soha were not the first choices for their roles.

Earlier Rani Mukerji was approached to play Paro while for Chandramukhi's portrayal, the makers wanted Esha Deol. But she did not have the dates. Though she wanted to do this role and tried hard to adjust her dates, but could not work it out.

'I wanted none other than Aishwarya'

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in "Pink Panther 2", its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.

"Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! Aishwarya was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role," Starger told from Los Angeles in an e-mail interview.

Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris Aug 20 for the film by Harold Zwart.

"Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her."

Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. Also, Hrithik Roshan was asked to play detective Clouseau's assistant Vincent in part two of the comedy, but he too turned it down.

However, Aishwarya's international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.

Sheffield said: "Negotiations went on for a month to secure Aishwarya and her dates. The script is absolutely wonderful and the wardrobe is great.

"The film's costume designer Joe Aulisi has chosen some really hot items from Dolce & Gabbana. If any one of the actresses mentioned had really been offered this A-level role in such a big-budget international film, they would have jumped to join it and not have passed on the opportunity as they state, believe me.

"What I love about Aishwarya is that she just calmly continues along the path she has chosen, does her work, lives her life and never has a bad word to say about anyone."

Sheffield also has a lot to say about the actresses' absence at the unveiling of her statue at Times Square and for the promotion of her latest international film "The Last Legion".

"I see this trend happening more and more in the media with events falsely confirming Aishwarya's attendance to boost sales and media attention.

For one, Aishwarya was never confirmed to appear at the unveiling in New York City, nor did we confirm she was appearing on the late night talk show and a morning news programme during her brief visit to Los Angeles.

"She did, however, confirm she was appearing at India Splendor celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's Independence. When Aishwarya confirms an appearance, it is confirmed and she will without fail attend and always has.

"As for the promotions for 'The Last Legion', it is up to the producers and distributors of the film to make such arrangements and in this case numerous phone interviews with the international media took place over the past two months. There was nothing else requested of Aishwarya prior to the film's US release."

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