CHINES GO BONKERS OVER AISHWARYA'S BEAUTY

Aishwarya Rai is among the few crop of current Indian actors to have a considerable following among the young Chinese in the sub-provincial district Shenzhen.

Just opposite to the majestic hotel Pavilion on the Huaqiang Road is a huge L'Oreal hoarding featuring Rai.

"She's beautiful. I pass through this road every day and never fail to have a look at the hoarding," says Zu Shan, who works as a marketing executive of an advertising company.

Aishwarya is the brand ambassador of L'Oreal's cosmetic products. "Aishwarya is a good actress. I have seen most of her movies," he says.

Zu's favourite male star is Abhishek Bachchan. "The two make a great couple," he says.

Zeng Fangjun also adores Aishwarya's beauty as well as her acting talents. "She is quite talented. I got to watch some of her movies on the local cable network," says the communications manager of an IT firm.

Local channels like CCTV feature Indian movies with Chinese subtitles. Zeng said she watched Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Aur Pyar Ho Gaya among others on cable TV.

Zeng's Indian friends also provide her with their stock of Aishwarya films.

AISHWARYA RAI BOWLS OVER BEN KINGLSEY WITH HER 'EXCELLENT AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE'

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai has been showered praise from none other than Sir Ben Kingsley, who co-stars with her in The Last Legion and calls her an "excellent and outstanding" actor.

Kingsley, who won an Oscar for Gandhi, said Aishwarya would surprise movie buffs with her performance in the film.

Kingsley, who was attending 58th Annual Emmy Awards, spoke to Sheeraz Hasan, founder of www.hollywood.tv, about the film and his Indian co-star and praised her profusely.
"It was a pleasure working with Aishwarya in The Last Legion, and her fans are in for a big surprise. She is an excellent and outstanding actor. She is a shining example of beauty from India and I'm sure we will be seeing her in more Hollywood movies real soon," Kingsley told Hasan.

Hasan was the only South Asian at this years Emmy's and was holding the flag of Bollywood on the red carpet.

DID YOU KNOW? ABHISHEK HAD 15 FLOPS BEFORE HE FINALLY GOT A HIT

AND THE ACTOR WAS SO DISGUSTED BY HIS DISCOURAGING CAREER THAT HE WANTED TO BID GOOD-BYE TO FILMS, UNTIL...

After a string of flop movies early in his career, actor Abhishek Bachchan thought he had joined the wrong profession. But, a dressing down from his father Amitabh made him decide to stick it out in Bollywood.

"Yes, I went to my dad and told him I think I made a mistake," he said. "He fired me. He said I didn't bring you up to quit. I have faith in you. He said just go back and keep working," Abhishek told NDTV.

"Dad asked me to spend time in front of the camera and learn to improve as long as I get an opportunity," said Abhishek, who was once considered a pale shadow of his father.

Asked what crossed his mind after his 15th flop, Abhishek said, "It becomes a habit. It's very weird."

Queried whether it is difficult to handle failure now that he had had quite a few hits, he said it is comparatively easier to handle failure in the early days of one's career.

"Initially when you start you still live in hope. You know your first film does not do well, it hurts -- second, third...it hurts but still you believe in yourself," he said.

The actor said he was enjoying his married life with Aishwarya Rai. "The best part is that you get to live with your best friend. Somebody you enjoy spending time with, which I think is the reasonable criteria to get married. It's wonderful. I am enjoying myself," he said.

When asked whether the film industry's most eligible bachelor is now its most besotted husband, Abhishek said every husband should be besotted. "I do not know if it is correct to call me the most eligible bachelor. I never believed that. I know many people were considered far more eligible then me. As far as besotted is concerned, every husband should be besotted," he said.

"I think it is important for every husband to care for his wife and family and they should not marry if they do not. You should get married if you are prepared to live with somebody for life," he said matter-of-factly.

Asked whether the Bachchan family discusses films at the dining table, Abhishek said talk about movies was totally banned at the table. "Ma does not allow film talk at the table. After my sister got married, there were only three of us, and I was just starting my career and then a little bit of that would slip in," he said.

"You just get a typical glare that a mother gives a child when you do something wrong," he explained.

ABHISHEK SAYS ASH TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER EVERYTHING IN HIS LIFE

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, newly married to co-star and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, is so much in love that he says when it comes to sharing things his wife takes precedence over all.

"You always give things first to the wife, and then you have," the actor said, adding that this was how marriages worked among Indians.

Though he may not admit it, Bachchan struck gold at the box office with several hit films around the time he began dating Rai. Now, all he will say is that his time has come.

The two tied the knot in April and industry analysts say their marriage created Bollywood's ultimate power couple.

The wedding celebrations sent India's celebrity-obsessed media into frenzy, and even months later, public interest in the couple -- likened to Hollywood duo Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie -- remains as strong with talk that Rai could be pregnant.

But Bachchan scotched the speculation. "That's incorrect ... there's no such good news. When there is, I will tell you," he said, on the sidelines of an endorsement event late on Thursday.

Rai, 33, and Bachchan, 31, have worked together in at least five films. Rai was crowned Miss World in 1994.

ABHISHEK, AISHWARYA TO KICK OFF 'THE UNFORGETTABLE' BOLLYWOOD TOUR OF THE WORLD

The upcoming Unforgettable Tour, which celebrates the world of Bollywood, will kick off with a performance here by Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan in the summer of 2008.

The actors, dubbed the "Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt of Bollywood" by the media in Toronto, were greeted by a mob of fans when they made the announcement about the tour on Saturday.

The Unforgettable Tour is an 18-country series of stage shows by Bollywood's hottest stars. "If all goes well, and god willing, we will premiere The Unforgettable Tour in the city of Toronto because we feel that it is the best city to premiere the tour in," Abhishek said during a press conference that also included Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, a Canadian website reported.

The Bachchans said The Unforgettable Tour also aims to raise awareness about global warming. "Terrible, terrible things are happening to this earth of ours and we want to use this platform to try to acquaint people about what it's about and what they can do," said Abhishek. "We're using this opportunity to spread the word."

Abhishek, the son of Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan, said Toronto was home to a large number of fans of Indian cinema. It was also where the Abhishek and Aishwarya, who were married in April, premiered their film Guru in January.

The globe-trotting tour will feature concerts showcasing the lavish song-and-dance numbers from popular Bollywood films. The three Bachchans and other South Asian film stars are set to take the stage during the shows.

Lara Dutta, Bipasha Basu and Ritesh Deshmukh were among those on the line-up when the musical extravaganza was first announced in June during festivities around the International Indian Film Academy Awards at Sheffield in Britain.

Set to begin next summer, The Unforgettable Tour is scheduled to stop in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, London, Cairo, Sydney, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The organisers also plan to make a TV special revealing life behind the scenes on the road with the performers as they proceed with the tour.

BOLLYWOOD TO RECREATE ITS MAGIC AT INDIA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AT LOS ANGELES

A star-studded six-day celebration of India's Independence Day in Los Angeles is expected to witness participation of Bollywood's leading stars like Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan as well as spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Christened 'India Splendor,' the event planned by MGLOBAL Trust will also feature a fashion show, exhibition of several Bollywood movies and an art workshop. It will culminate in a gala evening on August 15.

The event is being organised in association with UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, International Creative Management and ArtWallah, a non-profit body promoting art.

Organisers say they expect Rishi Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Bipasha Basu from Bollywood to participate, besides Aishwarya and Abhishek. Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is also expected to give a discourse.

Former tennis star and film producer Ashok Amritraj is the goodwill ambassador for the event.

MCorp Global Chairman of Indian conglomerate Bhupendra Kumar Modi announced that his company has donated $1 million to the ArtWallah, which will be earmarked for art education at Los Angeles public schools. "Our vision has been to bring all the facets of Indian culture, including our booming film industry, to the US in jointly celebrating this momentous mark in history."

The event will also feature film makers like Mani Ratnam and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. There will be a special tribute to Indian film legend Raj Kapoor.

It is also expected to attract Hollywood community, including industry professionals, studio executives and talent agency heads. The opening night will feature screening of Shah Rukh Khan's film Chak De India. Other movies to be screened include Guru, Eklavya and Gandhi.

RAMGOPAL VARMA GETS READY TO COMMENCE SHOOTING OF SARKAR RAJ IN HYDERABAD, BUSY WITH FINALISING THE DATES AND LOCATIONS

All eyes are on Sarkar Raj, the sequel to Sarkar, which is getting ready to go on the floors. Ramgopal Varma is already in Hyderabad scouting for the right locations. And, we hear, that he has zeroed in on Ramoji Film City to shoot some of the crucial scenes in the film. There is a lot of curiosity about the film as the Bachchan family -- Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya (Rai) -- will be acting together for the first time after Aishwarya became the family bahu. Also, the fact that Aishwarya will not be acting as Abhishek's wife, but as another character in the film is another interesting thing about the film.

The film will commence soon in Hyderabad, as Varma wants to finish the film and release it by the year end.

ALL OF US WERE WONDERING WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN AND IT FINALLY HAPPENED: ABHISHEK REFUSES TO WORK WITH HIS WIFE'S EX-BOYFRIEND VIVEK OBEROI

Apoorva Lakhia 's attempts to sign up Abhishek Bachchan and Vivek Oberoi for his next film titled Mission To Istanbul have come a cropper. That is because of the junior Bachchan's refusal to do the film.

READ ON

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT SHILPA SHETTY THAT CAN MAKE ANYONE GO WEAK IN THE KNEES, SAYS MIKE TYSON

He is the latest celebrity from the international arena to fall in love with Bollywood. A brief appearance in a promotional video for Ahmed Khan’s Fool N Final has whetted the appetite of former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson for donning the greasepaint in Bollywood films.

Having experienced the “Bollywood magic” once, Tyson now wants to act in more films. And, topping his wish list of co-stars is actor Shilpa Shetty.

Tyson says "the energy on the sets" of the music video of Fool N Final that he shot in Las Vegas, made him think about trying out more Bollywood work.

But what made him Join Shilpa’s long list of admirers in the West? "It’s Shilpa’s beauty, grace, wit and the way she carries herself. There’s something about her that can make anyone go weak in the knees," Tyson said.

Commenting on Tyson’s keenness to work with Shilpa, the dusky lady’s spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar said, "Shilpa is known to have the best physique in Bollywood, while Tyson is known for his physique in the world of boxing. Quite a lethal combination it could be."

And what kind of role could Tyson play opposite Shilpa? “Obviously he is a little old to be paired with her as her love interest. Maybe he will do just fine as her Big Brother,” Bhagwagar said in jest.

A romantic pairing for Tyson opposite Shilpa in a Bollywood film may have been ruled out but it would nevertheless be really interesting to watch the dusky actor-turned-diva alongside the 'kid dynamite' on the big Screen.

Tyson is the latest in the line of Hollywood celebrities who have express interest in working in Bollywood. Last year, Hollywood’s Will Smith had also expressed his desire to work with former Miss World Aishwarya Rai (now, Aishwarya Bachchan) in a Bollywood film.

FREEZE FRAME: ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL IN BOLLYWOOD IN ONE SHOT

AISHWARYA BACHCHAN PLOUGHS A LONELY FURROW IN BOLLWOOD: ALL THE TOP ACTORS REFUSE TO WORK WITH HER

It may sound ridiculous. But it is true. No one is willing to be teamed with the reigning queen of Bollywood. Aishwarya Rai, has more enemies than friends in the industry. Some of her own making and some because of her marriage to Aishwarya Bachchan. The truth is, today, none of the superstars of Bollywood are willing to work with her. Let me repeat, none. You know why Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi can never be paired with her. Shah Rukh Khan has a running feud with the Bachchan family ever since he replaced the Big B in the Kaun Banega Crorepati programme, and swears he would have nothing to do with the Bachchan family, and this includes Aishwarya Rai. Similarly, Aamir Khan is pissed off with her for turning down his request to act with him in Mangal Pandey -- The Rising. Saif Ali Kahan has pulled out Karan Johar venture, where he was supposed to act with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, as he thinks that the duo would steal the thunder from under his feet. And we hear that he is telling Bollywood filmmakers that he doesn't want to act with Aishwarya Rai anymore. Must have been the Khan effect. And this leaves us with Hrithik Roshan. It seems he was perturbed with all the hulla-bulla the Bachchan family made over the kissing scene in Dhoom 2. Poor Aishwarya Rai, marriage seems to have done more bad than good to her. Do we hear Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji and Priyanka Chopra rolling on the ground with laughter?

SHREYA REAPS A WINDFALL OF OFFERS FROM THE TREMENDOUS SUCCESS OF SIVAJI: THE BOSS

If at all anyone is reaping a windfall from the success of Sivaji: The Boss, it is Shreya. She is hogging all the limelight from the filmmakers in South India. Till now, she hardly had any films on hand in the south, none whatsoever in Telugu. But, now this babe is surrounded with offers left, right and centre we hear. And she has a problem of plenty thanks to her mod look in Sivaji, which has done wonders for her image. She should thank Aishwarya and Rani Mukerji for her newfound popularity in Sivaji. Because the roles initially went to them, and only after they rejected that Shreya was cast opposite Rajnikant. And what a way to step into the shoes of the Bollywood babes. All the best Shreya. You now have the option of demanding your pound of flesh. And a fat one at that.

LAGE RAHO ARSHADBHAI: Arshad Warsi is still the comic favourite of the judges

Rang de Basanti walked away with top honours, including for best film, in most of the categories it was nominated for the eighth IIFA Awards as glamour, emotion and an electric atmosphere combined to make for an unforgettable star-studded ceremony at Sheffield in England.

Besides being adjudged the best film, Rang de Basanti, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's take on modern day patriotism, bagged as many as 11 awards, including for best actress in a supporting role for Soha Ali Khan.

The glittering ceremony, which began last night and ended early on Sunday, was interspersed with electrifying performances from Abhishek Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Govinda and Shilpa Shetty, and was watched by thousands of expatriates from all over Britain.

While Rani Mukeri won the Best Actress trophy for her performance in Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna, the Best Actor award went to Hrithik Roshan for his superhero act in Krrish.

Other major winners included Raj Kumar Hirani as Best Director and Arshad Warsi as Best Supporting Actor for Lage Raho Munnabhai.

Some of Bollywood's biggest names, including IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya, attended the marathon four-hour function, along with more than 50,000 people.

Amitabh'f family to dance away to global glory!

In an attempt to bring the magic of Bollywood to audiences across the world, some of India's biggest stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya will embark on a year long global tour, during which they will perform some of their best known numbers.

"We aim to make this a global media event where some of India's best stars will perform and thousands of expatriates will get to see them in action. The tour, which is called the Unforgettable Tour, will kick off in April next year and travel to all parts of the world including Africa, the Middle East, US, Canada and Europe," Viraf Sarkari, Director of Wizcraft, which is organising the tour, told reporters in Yorkshire.

Reminiscing about his very first tour abroad, Amitabh Bachchan said he had accompanied Lata Mangeshkar to her tour of the US and later with Kalyanji Anandji in 1983. "It was then I realised that the expatriate population really wants to see us and that we should do more tours. I am very glad that I will be part of this group of youngsters," Bachchan said.

Other stars who are going on the tour include Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, and Riteish Deshmukh.

Aishwarya Rai also expressed her happiness that this would be the first time that she would be touring with her father-in-law and her new husband, saying "I think this will be a very good tour for me both personally and professionally. I am hoping to entertain audiences all around the world."

"We are also spreading the message of global warming through this tour and that I think is a very crucial message. We will appeal to people to consider that there are certain things that we have to do for the environment," Abhishek said.

Item songs are so boring, says Alka Yagnik

She may have sung one of the most successful item songs in Hindi cinema, but the voice behind Ek do teen number, Alka Yagnik, is not happy with current trend of husky and seductive item songs and she is reluctant to give her voice to Beedi kind of songs.
"In the initial stage of my career, I might have considered singing these type of item numbers. But, at this stage, I don't intend to. But, I have no problem with immense popularity of songs like re or Beedi says the veteran singer Alka.
"People still remember Ek do teen and start dancing when they hear it. Whereas item songs today are short-lived. In the same way we don't have actresses like Madhuri Dixit or Sridevi. Husky and seductive voices are sought for new generation of actresses," she says.
Alka started her journey of success with Mere Angne me, a super hit number from Amitabh Bachchan starer Lawaris released in 1981. She has two national, seven Filmfare and two IIFA awards in her kitty.
She was considered the voice of then numero uno actress Madhuri, and is an integral part of the super stardom of Dhak Dhak girl. Apart from Tezaab, Qayamat se Qayamat tak, Saajan, Beta, Hum Tum and Lagaan are some of her musical blockbusters.
Her latest releases include Aishwarya Rai starrer, Umrao Jaan, remake of yesteryears classic. She denies that she was influenced by legendary Asha Bhonsle during the recordings.

(Courtesy: PTI)

Mallika Sherawat gets Rs 1.5 crore for an item song

Like it or leave it, Mallika Sherawat is the new sex bomb of the country. Now I hear whispers: what is there in that woman to command so much attention? She neither has the killer looks nor the oomph to floor with the audiences. Come on, give the lady her due. Even we are wondering what has shot her to the stratosphere in Bollywood, that she refuses to climb down. If she wants it, she gets it. Just about anything. For now, we are talking about the remuneration. Believe it or not, she has recently charged the desperately-trying-to-make-it-big-as-a-hero singer Himesh Reshamiiya...Rs...don't fall down after I say it...Rs one crore fifty lakhs for his film Aap Kaa Surroor. Can you beat that? Even the likes of Aishwarya Rai and Preeti Zinta don't get that kind of money for an item song. All this for an item song? Baap re? What else do you think Ms Sherawat is worth? Reshammiya has bought the rights of the song. Sources in the industry attribute the phenomal surge in her remuneration to her signing the Hollywood flick Unveiled.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

The scene took place in Hyderabad. The producer of a low-budget film is trying to convince the newly-hired director of the quality of the work by telling him the big names they've gotten for the cast.
"First of all," he tells him, "We've got Kalyan in the lead."
The director is surprised, "You got Pavan Kalyan?"
"Well, no," the producer responds, "We got Kalyan Mohan, he's a distant cousin who lives in Tirupati, but he's very up and coming. And besides, we've also got Junior."
"You got Junior NTR?" the director asks.
"No, we got Junior Venu Madhav, but he's very talented and has lots of acting experience from years of stage appearances as mimicry artiste." "But," he says enthusiastically, "we've got Aishwarya, and that too in a singing role."
"Aishwarya Rai?" he asks.
"No, Aishwarya, the former heroine," the producer responds. "But she's got a great voice. And we've got Babu."
By this time, the director is not surprised any more, and decides to go in for the least of the popular names.
"You got Mohan Babu?" the director asks.
"Yeah," the producer replies glumly, "we got Mohan Babu."