SALMAN KHAN IS OFF TO PRISON, IS PRISONER NO 343

Salman Khan, one of Bollywood's top actors on Saturday became "prisoner no 343" at the Jodhpur Central Jail after he was arrested and jailed for five years for hunting an endangered chinkara deer in 1998.

Salman, 41, looked subdued and was mostly quiet as policemen took him into custody on his arrival from Mumbai by a Jet Airways flight and rushed him in a police jeep to a courtroom before sending him to jail.

The dramatic jailing, which drew hundreds of his fans to the court and the prison complex, came a day after a district court upheld the five-year jail term given to Salman by a lower court.

Salman has been convicted of poaching a chinkara deer at the Ghoda farm near Jodhpur on the night of September 28, 1998 while filming Sooraj Barjatya's blockbuster Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Jail sources told IANS that Salman had been sent to barrack no 1.5, where the hugely popular actor had spent three nights in April 2006 before he got bail. Giving him company is Mahesh, who was with Salman during his first jail also.

Jail officials said Salman may be a celebrity but he would wear the white prison dress like everyone else and get no special treatment.

"We will follow the Jail Manual strictly and no additional (facilities) will be provided to Salman," senior jail official Ota Ram said.

The actor, Ram said, would be allowed to meet three people in 15 days.

"His food would also be similar to what is given to other jail inmates," the official said. Other sources said this would mostly be chapatis and lentils. But since the actor had been sentenced to undergo "simple imprisonment", he would not have to do any hard labour.

When he landed in Jodhpur, Salman was dressed in a white T-shirt, jeans and sporting sunglasses. Accompanying him were his brother Sohail, bodyguard Shera and his counsel Dipesh Mehta.

A large number of journalists and fans gathered at the airport and later outside the court and jail to catch a glimpse of the star. The police had a tough time controlling the crowds.

"We took him into custody and took him to court, which ordered that the actor be taken to Jodhpur Central Jail," a police official told IANS.

Salman is the second Bollywood star to be jailed in a span of a month. Sanjay Dutt spent 23 nights in Mumbai and Pune prisons after being convicted under the Arms Act in the 1993 Mumbai bombings. He is currently out on bail.

Although the killing of the deer by Salman and his friends had evoked widespread revulsion, there was no dearth of Salman lovers on Saturday.

"He is my hero and is suffering because of his celebrity status," insisted Rupali Singh, a college student who described herself an ardent devotee of the Bollywood actor.

According to legal experts, Salman will have to spend at least two nights in jail as the court does not sit on Saturday and Sunday too is a holiday. Any bail plea can be taken up only on Monday.

However, Salman's lawyers Saturday filed a revision petition in the Rajasthan High Court on Saturday.

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.

NON-BAILABLE WARRANT ISSUED AGAINST SALMAN KHAN IN CHINKARA CASE

A non-bailable warrant was issued for Salman Khan after a court dismissed his appeal against a five-year prison term given to him for poaching an endangered chinkara.

District and Sessions Judge K R Singhvi upheld a lower court's judgement of April 2006 sentencing Salman to prison in the poaching case.

However, the actor evaded immediate arrest, as he did not appear in the court.

The court of the chief judicial magistrate, which convicted Salman last year, issued the non-bailable warrant against the actor in the afternoon and sent it to local police for execution.

In his ruling, Judge Singhvi described the grounds used by Salman for his appeal against his conviction as "baseless".

Salman's sister Alvira was present in the court as the judge forfeited his bail bond and directed him to surrender. The judge also rejected an application filed by Salman's counsel for giving him time to surrender.

Police officials said they would act after receiving the warrant. "We are prepared to send our teams to arrest Salman. As soon as we get the NBW issued by the court, teams will move out," Additional Superintendent of Police Sawai Singh Godara said.

Salman's lawyers said they planned to file a revision petition in the Rajasthan High Court. They will also file an application in the High Court seeking the suspension of his sentence and the hearing of his case on priority.

The star was convicted for poaching a chinkara in September 1999 during the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain.

IF SALMAN IS DRAWING A PAINTING FOR AMRITA ARORA, WHY IS THE CATHOLIC FORUM UPSET?

The Catholic Secular Forum has threatened to file a first information report against Bollywood actor Salman Khan for his decision to paint the famous 'Last Supper' scene for actress Amrita Arora.

Khan is reported to have announced that he would replace Jesus Christ and his disciples with Arora and members of her family. The fact came to light after Arora spoke about the painting in an interview to an English daily.

The Mumbai-based Christian activist organisation has also threatened to hold a demonstration outside Arora's house if Khan proceeds with his art project.

The forum has asked Union Minister for Minority Affairs A R Antulay to take up the issue with the actor. "If Khan does not offer an apology or deny the reports, we will register a case against him tomorrow," said CSF General Secretary Joseph Dias.

SALMAN WANTS TO WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF RAJNIKANTH

Rajnikanth has not only taken the world by storm with the release of his new film Sivaji: the boss, he has also set the Bollywood actors on an introspection mode. Look who's taking inspiration from Rajnikanth, now? Govinda's partner in crime Salman Khan. The Pathan can't stop to be adoring the superstar of south India. So much so that he wants to follow in his footsteps.

Says Salman, “I have a certain sense of contentment today. I want to do what Rajnikanth is doing. Whatever he earns, he gives back to the people.”

Way to go, Salman. We know that you have already given the money that you make from your paintings to charity. This will add another feather to your cap.

PARTNERS IN CRIME, GOVINDA AND SALMAN KHAN, TAKE A DIG AT EACH OTHER

Govinda and Salman Khan are the latest victims of the promotion bugs unleashed these days by film producers in the name of getting eyeballs and innovation. After having seen Amitabh Bachchan interviewed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra for Eklavya - The Royal Guard, and Bachchan yet again in an interview format with Tabu for Cheeni Kum, now we have Govinda and Salman Khan quizzing each other for their forthcoming film Partner.


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ASIN IS FLYING HIGH IN BOLLYWOOD, GETS READY TO DO AN ENGLISH FILM TOO

Asin is one heroine who has done exceptionally well in Tollywood and moved on to other industries, not because she doesn't have the acting talent or the good looks, only because she has done too many films, and the audience expects beautiful belles to dance around with the aged heroes. So, she has been busy in Tamil and Malayalam. And doing some great films there too.

Now that she has prove her mettle down south, she is slowly inching her way into Bollywood and also paving her way to act in cross-cultural cinema. The kind that directors like Nagesh Kukunoor makes. She is acting in an English film, which will be based on a short story by renowned Malayalam writer, M T Vasudevan Nair. There are huge plans of roping in Kamal Haasan to do the lead role, and if that happens it would be the right shot in the arm for Asin. In case Kamal turns down the offer, Mohanlal may be taken to play the lead. Either way, it is going to be a great break for Asin. And not without reason. The film, we are told, may star some renowned Hollywood actors too. And if that happens, all the attention would be on this Mallu Kutty.

She is already hogging the limelight for her role in the Hindi remake of Ghazni, and she is acting with none other than Aamir Khan. What more, she is also being tipped as the heroine for the Hindi remake of Pokiri, starring Salman Khan in Mahesh Babu's role, and being directed by the boneless wonder Prabhu Deva.

Her next big film in Tamil is Dasavataram, the Kamal Haasan starrer, which is tipped to be the next best thing to happen to Tamil film industry after Sivaji: The Boss.

Good going Asin, may all your ventures yield you tonnes and tonnes of money and admiration.

BIPASHA BASU GETS READY TO SIZZLE IN RAAZ-2, MAHESH BHATT'S SENSUOUS SEQUEL TO RAAZ

# AAMIR KHAN AND SALMAN KHAN TO COME TOGETHER?

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# WILL SRK's CHAK DE INDIA DO A LAGAAN FOR INDIAN HOCKEY?
Will Shah Rukh Khan revive people's interest in hockey with his new film Chak De India in which he plays a women's team coach? Former hockey greats believe the Bollywood Badshah might just score for the national sport in this regard. Hockey, we all know, lags far behind cricket, football and even tennis in the Indian popularity stakes. Our sportsmen are making their mark internationally in other disciplines, but the national sport is languishing. So there is all round appreciation that Bollywood has decided to do something about it. SRK and Chak De India might just be the shot in the arm that hockey so desperately needs, feel sports people who also follow films. It might encourage youth to take up hockey again.

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# HERE'S BIPASHA'S LATEST RAAZ
Sultry siren Bipasha Basu, who shot to fame with Mahesh Bhatt's Raaz, will sizzle once again in the sequel too.

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WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD? READ ON WHAT THE PHILOSOPHERS, POLITICIANS, AND POPULAR PERSONALITIES HAVE TO SAY

PLATO - For the greater good.

ARISTOTLE - It is the nature of chickens to cross roads.

KARL MARX - It was a historical inevitability.

TIMOTHY LEARY - Because that's the only trip the establishment would let it take.

SADDAM HUSSEIN - This was an unprovoked act of rebellion and we were quite justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.

CAPTAIN JAMES T KIRK - To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.

HIPPOCRATES - Because of an excess of phlegm in its pancreas.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR - I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question.

MOSES - And God came down from the Heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing.

RICHARD M NIXON - The chicken did not cross the road. I repeat, the chicken did NOT cross the road.

MACHIAVELLI - The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why? The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was.

BILL GATES - The newly released Chicken 2003, will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook.

DARWIN - Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads.

EINSTEIN - Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your frame of reference and relativity.

GEORGE BUSH - We are committed to establishing a democracy where chickens freely cross roads without oppression from terrorist organizations.

AZHARUDDIN - I am totally innocent, you know, I'm unnecessarily being dragged into this, you know, because I'm from the minority.. I neither know the chicken nor the road, you know?

GEORGE FERNANDES - I am deeply hurt that this question is being asked after my 40 clean years of public life. I don't own a house, or a car, leave alone a chicken!

MULAYAM SINGH YADAV - I demand a 50% reservation of the road for the chicken class, so that they can cross the road freely without their motives being questioned.

ARJUN SINGH - Our policy will ensure the development of socially underprivileged chickens so that they can also cross roads.

ABDUL KALAM - Yes, why did the chickens cross the road? .. please tell me why? .. they crossed to go to the other side of the road... now repeat after me ....

L K ADVANI - see Pakistani hand in this ...

VATAL NAGRAJ - No Tamil or outside chickens will be allowed to cross our roads, our roads are meant only for Kanadiga chickens!.

BAL THACKERAY - Chickens crossing the roads is against our culture, my followers will stone all such chickens which cross the road.

JAYALALITHAA - From reliable sources I've got the information that the chicken belongs to Karunanidhi. He is making his chicken cross the road to create law & order problems. The chicken has now been imprisoned under POTA.

AMITACH BACHCHAN - The chicken has crossed the road?.. are you sure.. very sure ... really sure...

M VENKAIAH NAIDU - "We are very sure of the fact that the chicken did not cross the road. It's a conspiracy by the congress. The poor chicken has been made a scapegoat in this whole issue"

HARIKISHEN SINGH SURJEET - We are adopting a wait and watch policy. We have convened a meeting of the third front today. We will decide the future course of action after the chicken comes back..

MANEKA GANDHI - Chicken crossed the road alone...!! If a vehicle had passed over it, we would have lost one of our dearest creatures. Ban all vehicles from using the road. Protect our chickens...

SALMAN KHAN - I ran over the chicken (Hic!). It was not intentional ...... It was accidental (Hic!)... ... you're now asking this question to me only because I'm a celebrity(Hic!)

RAJNIKANTH IS THE BOSS OF THE INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY, AND NEITHER BIG B NOR ANY OF THE KHANS COME ANYWHERE NEAR

Neither Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood’s highest paid actor, nor anyone in the Khan trio of Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman, gets paid over Rs 15 crore per film as Rajni does.

Bachchan gets up to Rs 6 crore per film. The fees of the Khan trio range between Rs 3 crore and Rs 5 crore per film. But then Bachchan does about half a dozen films every year while Rajni’s average now is about one film every two years.

Even in technological inputs, Rajni’s films are often ahead of their Hindi counterparts. Sivaji: The Boss, for instance, was made in Super 35 cinemascope format with the latest processing and scanning skills, and with a very high-pixel resolution.

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BOLLYWOOD BILLBOARD: NOTABLE QUOTES FROM BOLLYWOOD BADSHAHS

"I don't like it (the term Bollywood). I describe it as the Hindi film industry or the Indian film industry. Why call it something derived from a western name? Somehow I feel it is a little degrading. It has now found its way into the Oxford English Dictionary, so it's going to be there for eternity now."

-- Amitabh Bachchan talking to New Statesman

"Shah Rukh has recently bought an Audi A6 car for Aryan and Suhana (his children). Shah Rukh who already has five foreign-made cars wanted a safe and state-of-the-art car for his kids. The car has been delivered to him yesterday. The car is in the league of the most luxurious cars. Shah Rukh himself uses a BMW, which he is very fond of."

-- A source told Mumbai Mirror

"Hi Guys, this is Aamir. It's been 6 years since Lagaan released in theatres across the world, and while the DVD has been released all over, in India it has only just come out. Reason? My ignorance as a producer resulted in my signing a contract, which restricted me from releasing it for 5 years in India. In a day and age when DVDs release within weeks of the theatrical release, do you'll think people will be interested in Lagaan?"

-- Aamir Khan writes in his blog

"Yes, I really like it (his new film Aap Kaa Surroor, which is releasing today). When I had started shooting, people said I had gone crazy. I have not turned into an actor to merely fulfill my ambition. There was a conviction within me that acting will come naturally to me."

-- Singer Himesh Reshammiya on why he turned actor

"Absolutely. I mean this decision (to take up acting again) was taken after we (my husband and I) discussed the matter at length. We both kind of sat down and made a conscious decision whether I should be doing this or not and he has always supported me. He told me that if I don’t want to, I can sit at home and look after the kids. But, if you feel you want to do something, then I am with you all the way whatever the decision will be."

-- Madhuri Dixit tell Karan Johar on his show Koffee with Karan about how her husband supported her to take up acting

"If they (Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan) had any problems, why would they agree to do the second film together? I don't know what goes on in their heads, I don't know. But they were fine on the sets, sharing biryanis and jokes.

-- Producer Sajid Naidiadwala on the reported differences between Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan

POKIRI BEGINS WITH A KATTY FIGHT BETWEEN JIAH KHAN AND KATRINA KAIF: WILL PRABHU DEVA BE ABLE TO TAKE HOLD OF THE REINS OF THE FILM?

Prabhu Deva is really going places. From an obscure dance director, to a respected choreographer, to an agile actor to an amazing director, he has travelled a long way. And has made his mark all along the way. And now he is going to direct the Hindi remake of Pokiri, the Mahesh Babu starrer that has redefined the box-office collections in Andhra Pradesh. It is no mean achievement considering the fact that he will be directing Salman Khan in the Hindi version. Of course, with Salman in the lead, he will have little to do, as most of the crucial decisions are taken by the Khan himself, though Boney Kapoor is producing the film. Like for example, Jiah Khan was almost finalised for the film, and even this was confirmed by the producer's office, when she let slip the golden opportunity with her silly remarks on Sallu's girlfriend Katrina Kaif. But, what exactly did she say? When asked how would it be if she were recommended to play opposite Salman Khan, the London-bred babe said, "That'll be really cool if it were to happen. But his girlfriend (referring to Katrina KAif) would be really pissed off. I don't know Salman at all." Now, that would put off even the mildest of actors, and Salman got wild and immediately the next day the marching orders came for Jiah Khan and in stepped the Super girl Ayesha Takia. While all this was going on, there's not a word from the Prabhu Deva, who is supposed to be wielding the megaphone. Prabhu, we only wish you get to complete the film with your sanity intact. All we can say is all the best.

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?