SENSEX BREACHES 17K LEVEL IN ITS FASTEST 1,000-POINT RALLY

The stock market continued its record-breaking run today with the BSE Sensex breaching the 17,000 mark for the first time in its fastest 1,000-point rally as foreign funds stepped up purchases of local shares.

The 30-share index, however, failed to hold on to the early gains and closed at 16,921.39, still higher by 21.85 points from the previous close, as investors booked profit.

Profit-booking sparked as the Sensex crossed the 17,000-point level, covering the last 1,000 points in just six trading sessions. It touched an intra-day high of 17,073.87, and a low of 16,887.07 points.

In similar fashion, the National Stock Exchange's index Nifty closed higher by 1.65 points at 4,940.50, after touching a record high of 4,980.85 and day's low of 4,930.35 points.

A steep fall in Reliance Industries, the country's biggest firm by market value, mainly drove the Sensex down. The RIL scrip, which has about 15 per cent weightage in the Sensex, fell after reports that the company may put on hold investment plans to expand retail venture in Uttar Pradesh.

Oil and gas index dropped by 160.57 points at 9,616.94, followed by realty index by 112.09 points at 8,973.38. Capital goods index lost 109.26 points at 14,654.35 and auto index ended lower by 35 points at 5,215.27.

Major support to the market came in from the bank index, which rose 172.82 points at 9,117.80. This was followed by IT index by 153.35 points at 4,501.97. PSU index gained 80.39 points at 8,055.51 and teck index rose 69.05 points at 3,720.46 points.

THERE IS MORE TO PRASHANT TAMANG BEING 'VOTED' AS THE INDIAN IDOL: HERE'S THE TRUTH THAT TRANSCENDS BOUNDARIES

When he decided to try his luck at the Indian Idol reality show, winner Prashant Tamang probably did not dream that he would make it to the top.

Even if he did imagine that, the 24-year-old from Tungsung village in Darjeeling district could have never thought, even in his wildest dreams, that for many in Nepal his win would become a symbol of political victory over their southern neighbour India, frequently regarded as an arm-twisting bully.

For nearly two months, Nepal agonised over Indian Idol while its own contest Nepali Tara went ignored. Indeed, the Nepalese contest had to change its timing since no one watched it while it clashed with Idol.

Why would a nation ignore its own talents and devote its energies to promoting a singer whose ancestors originated from Nepal?

The answer is because, for many Nepalese, Darjeeling is still part of Nepal. In the 19th century, Darjeeling and other parts of Sikkim had been annexed by Nepal. However, as the British East India Company tried to open trade routes to Tibet via Sikkim, Nepal waged war against the Company and lost.

As a result, it was forced to sign the Sugauli Treaty and withdraw from all the territory it had occupied in Sikkim, Kumaon, Garhwal and much of the Terai.

Though the British found it difficult to govern the Terai and restored some of it to Nepal, Darjeeling, Kumaon and Garhwal remained part of British India.

When India obtained independence in 1947, Nepal hoped to get back its wrested land but did not.

Since then, the dream of achieving a "Greater Nepal" some day in the future with the lost area still remains in the mind of the Nepalese.

Royalists had been demanding a Greater Nepal and the Maoists, the opponents of the royalists, want it as well, demanding that the Sugauli Treaty be scrapped.

There has been no formal treaty between Nepal and India after 1947, even after Sikkim's merger with India in 1975, which Nepal regards as the annexation of Sikkim.

Nepal still does not formally recognise Sikkim's "annexation", nor has India sought recognition from Nepal.

Therefore Nepalis still regard Darjeeling as a part of Nepal that should be restored and Prashant Tamang is considered a Nepalese.

His victory Sunday therefore is the victory of Nepal over India in a way, which is why, despite his Indian citizenship, the fact that Prashant speaks Nepali at home, which constitutionally is an Indian language as well, is being regarded as evidence of his being a Nepalese.

Ironically, actress Manisha Koirala, who carved a niche in Bollywood, was never an icon in Nepal. One reason was probably because she came from one of Nepal's most influential families and the average Nepali did not identify with her.

Her popularity also took a dive after she supported King Gyanendra when the king tried to seize absolute power through an army-backed coup.

Nepalis feel that Manisha obtained stardom with the help of the Indian film industry, she did not "defeat" thousands of Indian contenders to attain success.

PAYAL ROHATGI DOESN'T WANT TO GET TYPECAST, SO SHE'S CHANGING HER IMAGE FROM A SEXY GAL TO GLAMOROUS BELLE: WHATEVER THAT MAY MEAN

Actor Payal Rohtagi of Corporate and Dhol fame is working hard to get an image makeover. Also, she has no qualms in accepting that things did go wrong in the past as her earlier films Tauba Tauba and Fun -- can be dangerous were branded as sleaze flicks.

"Yes, I was typecasted. But I am going through an image transformation now. It has taken about three years to get out of my previous image," avers Payal adding that she is moving ahead in her career.

She maintains that the process of transition hasn't been easy. "But, it's my struggle and I am fine with it," she says adding that she had an inkling that something was going wrong in her career.

"I had to face the consequences as nobody forced me into it. It was my decision. But I am happy I made those mistakes so early in her career. What if I had worked with Shah Rukh Khan and then goofed up!" quips the computer engineer-turned-actor adding that the mistakes have made her a mature person.

"I do not come from the industry. But I have realised that it's very important to work with senior directors and good production houses. It makes a lot of difference. Like in Dhol, I have a glamorous introduction, but it's not cheap but beautiful," she shares.

In the Priyadarshan directed film, she plays a a club singer opposite Arbaaz Khan. "It's a good role and has added to my growth as an actor," she avers.

How was the experience of working with the much acclaimed director? "It was great. He's one director I worship right now," exclaims the model who featured with cricketer Virender Sehwag in an ad campaign.

"The role has turned out exactly what he had told me. I am thankful to him for that," adds the actor. Some of her earlier films including Subhash Ghai's 36 China Town which was directed by Abbas-Mustan and Madhur Bhandarkar's Corporate were reasonably successful at the box-office. But she hasn't signed any more films as of now.

"Talks are on some films, but I'll finalise only after seeing the results of Dhol," she says adding that she has great expectation from the film.

So what's her ambition as an actor? "Dhol has me in the second lead. But I wish to upgrade to playing lead roles and want to be in the league of respected actors of the industry.

"At one point of time, I would like to shoulder a film on myself. I am putting my best efforts towards it," says Payal.

"I won't say that I dream of playing etched characters like Meena Kumari's in Pakeezah. Though I have seen the film 20 times but you can't compete with something as classic as that. So my focus is on doing some good work with good directors where I can grow as an actor," she concludes.

SOME CHILLING TRUTHS ABOUT THE COLLAPSE OF THE PANJAGUTTA FLYOVER IN HYDERABAD

THE EX-FACTOR GETS A JLo PUSH: THE HISPANIC ACTRESS TO REPLACE SHARON OSBOURNE

Hollywood's highest-paid Hispanic actress Jennifer Lopez may soon replace Sharon Osbourne as a judge on the British reality television show The X-Factor.

"Sharon is set to quit the show at the end of the current season. Jennifer knows that she's got a massive fan base in the UK," the media reported on Monday, quoting a source close to the actress as saying.

Apart from Osbourne, other judges on the show are Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue.

"Getting Dannii Minogue on board has proved a big hit. Now Simon Cowell wants to take the show to the next level and make X-Factor an international success. People Stateside will tune in just to see Jen.

"She won't come cheap but Simon knows it will be a great investment -- just the thing the show needs to become a hit in the States," the source told The People newspaper.

JLo, who is rumoured to be pregnant with her first child, had recently said that she would not do any more nude scenes in her movies.

"In the beginning I did some and I was really lucky because they would cut my (nude) scenes out -- so there is only one out there or something like that.

"I'm not comfortable with it, I'll be honest with you -- not at this point in my career. I love the idea of being a bold actress and I am quite fearless when I work but there is just something about it that just feels not quite right to me -- a bit exploiting," JLo told a British chat show.

MEN MORE INTELLIGENT AND MORE STUPID THAN WOMEN: STUDY

It's a research that is guaranteed to delight as well as infuriate both men and women, and could spark a row over the breakfast table.

Yes, the study carried out by scientists in the United Kingdom has revealed that men are actually more intelligent than the fairer sex but they are more stupid as well, the Daily Mail reported in London today.

"The phenomenon may have its roots in society's expectations for the sexes. Men have long been expected to be high achievers, while women were expected to base their lives around the home.

"The female developmental programme may be tilted more towards ensuring survival and the safety of the middle ground," one of the study's authors, Psychology Professor

Timothy Bates of Edinburgh University, was quoted as saying. The researchers came to the conclusion after measuring the intelligence of over 2,500 brothers and sisters by testing them on science, maths, English and mechanical abilities -- they found a disproportionate number of men in both the top two per cent and the bottom two per cent.

According to the findings, there were twice as many men as women in the smartest group. But there were also twice as many men among the dunces. However, the average scores of the men were virtually identical to that of the women.

The research tallies with past findings that men at university were more likely than women to receive first class degrees or thirds -- while women tended to achieve second.

The argument was always that men were more likely to take risks with their academic arguments, which could either be successful or fail dismally. Women, it was suggested, were more steady in their learning.

SEVEN HOURS OF SLEEP MUST FOR SOUND HEALTH: STUDY

In today's hectic world, it may be difficult for many to get adequate sleep. But, those who manage to clock up seven hours of shut-eye every night can slash the risk of health problems.

Yes, according to a study by scientists in Britain, seven hours of sleep is a must for sound health as it reduces the risk of heart problems -- but getting an hour more or less can be fatal, the Daily Mail reported in London today.

"Sleep represents the daily process of physiological restitution and recovery, and lack of sleep has far-reaching effects. Our findings indicate that consistently sleeping around seven hours per night is optimal for health," lead researcher Professor Francesco Cappuccio, of the University of Warwick's medical school, was quoted as saying.

However, he said that "insufficient sleep is a risk factor" particularly in weight gain, high blood pressure and type two diabetes.

"Fewer hours of sleep and greater levels of sleep disturbance have become widespread in industrialised societies. This change, largely the result of sleep curtailment to create more time for leisure and shiftwork, has meant that reports of fatigue, tiredness and excessive daytime sleepiness are more common," the researcher said.

In fact, Prof Cappuccio and his team came to the conclusion after studying how sleep patterns affected death rates among 10,308 people. The researchers examined data for 1985-88 and for those still alive in 1992-23.

Once adjustments were made for factors such as age, smoking and illness, the study was able to isolate the effect of changes in sleep patterns.

So, sleep yourself healthy.

SENSEX CROSSES THE 16,800 MARK, NIFTY AT 4,900 IN EARLY TRADE

The stock markets continued their record-breaking spree with the benchmark Sensex touching a new peak of 16,820.53 within a few minutes of trade today, up by a whopping 256 points on the back of firm global cues and a slew of positive news.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 30-share barometer opened with a wide upside gap at 16,697.89 from last Friday's close of 16,564.23 and rallied further to a new intra-trade life-time peak of 16,820.53.

However, profit-taking pared early gains and it was quoted at 16,656.34 at 1030 hours.

Similarly, the broad-based S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) logged a new intra-day high of 4,913.35, a rise of 75.80 over previous close of 4,837.55. It was quoted at 4,861.90 at 1030 hrs.

Top heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) remained the most favourite of the investing fraternity on news that the company has struck oil in D4 block of Krishna Godavari (KG) basin.

Banking counters also remained in the limelight on expectations of interest rate cut by the central bank in near future.

Most of the Asian indices were firm today in morning deal due to firm trend on Wall Street last Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite Index rose by 53.49 points and 16.93 points respectively.

Market also got support from hectic short-coverings by operators and retail investors ahead of the expiry of September contract on September 27.

AGARKAR, ROHIT TO GET RS 10 LAKH EACH FROM MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT

The Maharashtra government today announced cash incentive of Rs 10 lakhs each for Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma, both hailing from Mumbai, for playing a part in India's Twenty20 World Cup victory.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. "Maharashtra is proud of the performance of our boys. They have brought laurels to the state," he said.

Deshmukh would be present at the Mumbai airport to welcome the Indian players when they arrive here from South Africa, an official in the state Secretariat said.

DHONI IS JHARKHAND RATNA, AND MORE SURPRISES IN STORE FOR HIM FROM JHARKHAND CM

Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today said he would present a surprise gift to the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni when he returns home.

"I have promised a surprise gift for Dhoni and it is proper that I should reveal it before him only. If I reveal now, the surprise element will be lost.

A couple of years ago, the state government had given a piece of land in the state capital after Dhoni's sizzling performance at the international level.

The Chief Minister, who watched the entire match in the capital, said he spoke to Dhoni's parents over phone and congratulated them on the success of the Indian team.

"We have arranged a grand celebration for Dhoni...We are already conferring him the Jharkhand Ratna on November 15."

NAGARJUNA WANTS A SUPERHERO SUBJECT AHOY!

Nagarjuna is willing to give a chance to anyone who can give him a blockbuster. But, he should be able to deliver a blockbuster. Nothing less. Of late, he has been harping on the "mass entertainment" factor too much in his interviews. "I want to do a film like Shiva, which has a wider appeal," he had gone on to say in a recent interview. And it is not easy to understand why.

The younger actors like Mahesh Babu, Junior NTR, Allu Arjun, and the likes have stolen the thunder from under the feet of the Big Four -- Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Balakrishna and Nagarjuna -- leaving them tottering on the brink of extinction. And what they need is a massive hit to stabilise their position. While Balakrishna and Venkatesh are managing to hang on there with their cleverly crafted subjects, Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna have been struggling to maintain their image.

Especially for Nagarjuna, who is unable to bracket himself in any category unlike the other Three, it has been a Herculean task to withstand the competition. Which is why he is singing the "mass entertainment" mantra. Don't think he has any love lost for you, on the contrary, he wants to count his money. And the bigger the packet, the grander their words. So, don't be surprised if you see Nagarjuna twisting and tearaing the hands and limbs of villians in his next film a la a super hero. Remember, he is only trying to be in the reckoning.

ILLEANA IS REALLY GOING PLACES: TAKING BABY STEPS TO BOLLYWOOD

Tollywood has become the launch pad to Bollywood, especially for the heroines. In recent times, it started with Bhumika Chawla notching up a couple of some real good Bollywood films. Following in her footsteps, Asin is making her debut in the Hindi remake of Gazni. Sada, too, is busy shooting with Shreyas Talpade for a Sangeet Sivan film called Click, and she has another one, Love Game, in the pipeline with Randeep Hooda. Before we can actually exclaim, "Wow, the Tollywood babes are really going places", here comes the news that Illeana has signed a Bollywood flick opposite Shiney Ahuja.

Illeana shares her delightful news with us.

ON HER DEBUT IN BOLLYWOOD
Finally, I’ve made it to Bollywood. I have never been overzealous about my entry there. For me, the storyline is what matters and not the industry. But now since it’s happening, I’m only too happy.

ON HOW SHE SEES HERSELF IN BOLLYWOOD VIS-A-VIS OTHER HEROINES
I’m content with what I have. If others are also following suit, I’m happy for them too.

ON HER ITSY-BITSY ROLE IN POKIRI
Pokiri was Mahesh Babu’s film. So, there was no power struggle for me. I enjoyed shooting for it, liked working with Mahesh, and I am tremendously happy about it’s box-office success. And, unlike Mahesh, who seldom talks and is an introvert, I had a whale of time constantly chatting and having masti on the sets.

ON HER 'SERENDIPITOUS ACCIDENT' IN TOLLYWOOD
At 16, I was offered Dhairyam, a Telugu film, but it didn’t happen due to certain reasons. Later, Raima Sen did this film with Nitin.

ON WHAT FILM GAVE HER THE BEST SATISFACTION IN RECENT TIMES
I’m really proud about my film Rakhi. I feel I have given my best in the film.

ON WHAT TOPS HER PRIORITY LIST
The most vital thing in this world is unconditional love, which only family members can give. And without my small family, I’m no one.

ON WHAT SHE DOES WHEN NOT SHOOTING
I love catching up on films on DVD or reading a Sidney Sheldon.

ONE OF THE BEST SONGS PENNED BY SIRIVENNALA: JAGAMANTA KUTUMBAM NAADI, EKAAKI JEEVITAM NAADI

DIL CHAHTA WAS A REAL EYEOPENER: IT TAUGHT ME SOME AMAZING THINGS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

CHECK OUT SOME AMAZING WALLPAPERS OF CHIRUTHA

INDIA ESTABLISHES NEW 'SPICE ROUTE' TO NEW YORK VIA INCREDIBLE INDIA @ 60

Riveting and colourful New York will get a dash of spice this week when India treats the city of yellow cabs, teeming sidewalks and smoking manholes to Kathakali, Bhangra and Bharata Natyam combined with a tongue tingling selection of Indian food.

New Yorkers would get to sample for free, Indian handicrafts and handlooms, its folk and classical dances, Bollywood and, of course, cuisine from the sub-continent as part of an extended celebration of the country's 60 years of independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.

The classical and folk arts would be complemented by the music and dance forms of the contemporary India, with performances by the likes of Remo Fernandes, Shivamani and Louis Banks.

Indian fashion designers too would showcase their designs at special shows that would follow business meetings between Indian industry captains and their US counterparts.

The week-long event, called Incredible India@60 starting today, is being organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture.

"The idea is to have four days of high impact...In terms of banners, posters and visual impact... There are public events in Bryant Park and South Seaport to give ordinary New Yorkers a sense of India," the event's steering committee Chairman and Infosys Technologies Co-Chairman Nandan Nilekani said here.

He said the programme was a culmination of a 3-year exercise by the CII to promote India as a brand, including in Davos during the World Economic Forum last year.

TROPHY DESIGNER PREDICTS INDIA WILL WIN TWENTY20 WORLD CUP

Millions of cricket crazy fans in India and Pakistan would be praying for their team's victory in tomorrow's high voltage Twenty20 World Cup final, but there is one man who is banking on history repeating itself with the Indians coming home with the trophy.

Amit Pabuwal believes the team will return with the trophy made by him after conquering arch rivals Pakistan in the final at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Here is how he supports his claim.

"All the trophies that I have manaufactured for different tournaments, in recent times, India has emerged winners in all those.

"India won the Future's Cup by beating South Africa, they won women's Asia Cup in Jaipur and did not lose in the Friendship Cup against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi which resulted in a tie with the trophy being shared by both countries.

"It has been happening for quite some time and I am praying that this time also the trophy comes back to India," Pabuwal said.

He said he would also make trophies for the upcoming India-Australia seven-match ODI series.

AFRIDI TOPS PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT TABLE, YUVRAJ SINGH IN HOT PURSUIT

Shahid Afridi leads the race for the Player of the Tournament award but tomorrow's final of the Twenty20 World Cup gives Yuvraj Singh, lone Indian in hot pursuit, yet another chance to pip the Pakistani to the honour.

Afridi has so far polled seven votes to top the table, but there are still four players -- including three of his teammates Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik -- who can catch up with him.

Yuvraj, along with Stuart Clark, Sanath Jayasuriya and Morne Morkel, has garnered six votes.

Afridi is the joint leading wicket-taker -- alongside Australia's Stuart Clark -- with 12 victims, and has also scored rapidly whenever he has reached the batting crease, making 91 runs from just 45 balls faced.

In contrast, Yuvraj's 134 runs came from just 57 balls, giving him the best batting strike-rate of any player with 75 runs or more 235.08 runs per hundred balls.

His total includes 12 sixes, seven during his 16-ball innings of 58 against England that included six maximums in one over from Stuart Broad, and another five in his 70 from just 30 deliveries against Australia in the semi-final.

Malik (187) and Misbah (175) are among the leading run-scorers in the tournament and only Matthew Hayden of Australia, with 265 runs, has more than Malik's total.

ILLEANA SIZZLES IN THIS SONG WITH JUNIOR NTR, AND SHE IS REAL GOOD WITH AN HOUR GLASS FIGURE

CRAZY CAR ACCIDENTS: BEWARE! THE NEXT TIME YOU TAKE THE TUNNEL, YOU WILL DREAD IT!

DEV ANAND'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 'ROMANCING WITH LIFE' PROMISES TO BE A GUIDE TO GOOD CINEMA OF YORE

Not content with his first book which is going to be released on September 26 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, veteran actor Dev Anand plans to start writing another book soon.

"I am very excited and anxious to know the people's response to my book. It covers my 62 working years in the show business. But there is still so much to say. Such a long journey cannot be entirely covered in one book," said Dev Anand.

"My life is still going on and will go on, no matter what people say. I am still functioning and growing with very experience, which means I am still strong enough to continue further. One book is finished. But the life has not stopped," the evergreen actor said.

Dev Anand's autobiography Romancing with Life, published by Penguin, will be released on September 26 by the Prime Minister in Delhi. UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi will be the chief guest at book release function.

"Imagine a man of 62 years of standing in the show business, on his own strength making original movies, no remakes, no plagiarism. We have made 36 motion pictures, with every movie different from the other. We are still making films," he said.

The legend goes that the darling of the masses, Anand began his career in the military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai, for a salary of Rs 160. Even as he stayed as a paying guest in the innumerable cheap guest houses in Mumbai and also with some of his friends, Anand always knew that he would soon be part of the elite circle of glamour and flashbulbs.

He was soon offered a break as an actor by Prabhat Talkies to star in their Hum Ek Hain (1946) during the shooting of which he struck a friendship with fellow actor Guru Dutt.

From swapping shirts to double dating and sharing dreams, they went on to make a pact: if Anand produced a film, Dutt would direct it; if Dutt produced a film, Anand would act in it.

As destiny would have it, Anand was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar, his favourite star. Kumar spotted Dev hanging around in the studios and picked him as the hero for the Bombay Talkies production, Ziddi, costarring Kamini Kaushal (1948) after which he never looked back.

In 1949, Anand turned producer and launched his own company Navketan along with his elder brother Chetan Anand which continues to churn out movies even now.

As promised, Dev placed his bet on Guru Dutt as director for the crime thriller, Baazi (1951). The dice rolled in favour of this creative collaboration; the Sahir Ludhianvi, lyricist song, Tadbeer se bigdi huyee taqdeer bana de, (transforming bad fortune into good though prayers) proved prophetic and Anand became a true blue star.

He never shied away from playing out roles with grey shades. His grey character role in films like Jaal (1952) in which he played a gambler, a smuggler and a blackmarketeer was well appreciated by the audience.

The year 1954 was a crucial one. Anand was one of the earliest Indian stars to visit Russia. His starrers, Rahee and Aandhiyan, were screened there along with Raj Kapoor's Awaara.

In the same year, Taxi Driver was declared a hit. Dev's heroine was Kalpana Kartik and the two soon got married in a quiet ceremony.

There was no doubt that Anand was a 'man of style' but his detractors cast doubts on his acting abilities and even questioned his inclusion in the hallowed Raj Kapoor-Dilip Kumar league.

But Anand, proved his detractors wrong with his classic act in Kala Pani (1958), as the son who is willing to go to any lengths to clear his framed father's name. He won the Best Actor Award for the film.

He followed it up with an interesting double role in Hum Dono (1961) as a mustachioed major and his clean-shaven lookalike.

But what was the most celebrated was the film Guide (1965), directed by younger brother Vijay Anand.

Dev Anand played Raju, a voluble guide who supports Rosy (Waheeda Rehman) in her bid for freedom but is not above thoughtlessly exploiting her for personal gains. Combining panache with probably his best performance, Anand gave an affecting performance as a man grappling with his emotions in his passage through love, shame and salvation.

He reunited with Vijay Anand for the much-hyped Jewel Thief, featuring a bevy of beauties led by Vyjayanthimala Bali, including Tanuja, Anju Mahendru, Faryal and Helen.

With their next collaboration, Johnny Mera Naam (1970), Anand proved that he was worth his weight in gold. The film was released in the same year as Raj Kapoor's magnum Mera Naam Joker, and was a golden jubilee hit while Kapoor's film bit the sand at the box office.

HOWZZAT! TWENTY20 WORLD CUP IN WOMEN'S CRICKET

Encouraged by the success and popularity of the Twenty20 World Cup, the Board is seriously considering introduction of the shortest version of the game in women's cricket too.

"BCCI is planning to introduce the shorter version of the game in women's cricket and also trying that Twenty20 World Cup of womens' cricket be organised either before or after the Womens' World Cup, scheduled in England next year", BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah told PTI.

He said the shorter version of the game will not affect one-day or Test match schedules.

"People want something new everytime and there is always a chance of change in the game and BCCI welcomes the change," Shah added.

SUNIL'S NUDE SCENE IN AATA IS A DIRECT LIFT FROM MR BEAN

Diretor Vijayabhaskar is not the only to rip off some scenes from the hilarious English comedy, Mr Bean, to deck up the role of Brahmanandam in Nuvvu Naaku Nachav. For Aata, even V N Aditya has stolen some scenes from the English comedy, especially the nude scene where Sunil's brother-in-law pulls of his towel and Sunil desperately tries to hide himself from the people as his room gets locked inadvertently. This scene is a direct lift from one of the episodes of Mr Bean.

CHECK IT OUT

TRISHA, HERE IS SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT: SHRIYA LOVES THE WAY YOU DRESS AND CARRY YOURSELF

Shriya Saran knows the art of dressing up and dressing down. When it comes to clothes, she can make the prim-and-proper desi look desirable and the whimsical Western seem elegant. Toss the word style, and it sets the star yakking animatedly.

ON STLE
I think it’s all about comfort. It’s not about what you wear, but how you wear it -– and how you carry it off. I don’t go by trends or colours of the season. Style has a lot to do with individual taste -– and good taste stands the test of time!

ON PERSONAL STATEMENT
Basic. I grew up wearing shorts. I also wore a lot of salwars during my dance days. Simplicity still rules my wardrobe choices. When I’m not caught in tinsel hustle, you’ll see me in fuss-free tees and trousers/jeans or dresses. I balance the minimalism in my clothes with dramatic accessories. Just love wearing anklets. People tell me I wear too much white, blush-on red and nursery blue. But that’s just a coincidence. I love all the colours in the spectrum!

SCREEN STYLE
Thankfully, I’ve worked with good designers. Manish Malhotra, Neeta Lulla, Anand Kabra, Erum Ali and Chaitanya Rao have made a difference to my look. I don’t wear clothes I’m not comfortable in. And most often, I use my own clothes -– particularly when it comes to jeans and casual tops. I’ve got a good collection, so I use them for the shoots as well. There’s nothing quite like wearing your own clothes and accessories!

FASHION INFLUENCES
My mom. She always dressed up well and is so tuned in when it comes to fashion. Besides, during my childhood in Dehradun, we lived in a colony comprising people from diverse cultures. So, I developed an eclectic taste. As for the tinsel world, the superstar is the biggest style icon. He can make even an unassuming shirt look stylish! He brings his own sense of style to what he wears. I also admire the way Trisha dresses and carries herself.

STYLE DILEMMAS
None. Just use my common sense and put things together. Style is about autonomy, not compliance!

WANNA KNOW HOW PRIYAMANI GOT HER FIRST BREAK? READ ON...

HOW IT HAPPENED
Being a Bharatiraaja find feels great, and working with technicians such as Balu Mahendra was wonderful. Yet the film that put me on the road of success is Paruththi Veeran. On hearing that Ameer was looking out for a heroine for his film, I met him at his office. I had planned to leave for Bangalore that evening. Just then I got a call asking me to report at Theni the next morning for a photo shoot! Unsure of what it meant, I went to Theni. After that, I heard nothing from the director. Later, I was at Ooty for a shoot, when congratulatory messages began pouring in. Perplexed, I asked what was happening and was told my pictures were in the Paruththi Veeran invites! Only then did I know I was in the film!

HOW IT FELT
Great. A real learning experience! Except the five main characters, the cast comprised actual villagers. Ameer made us observe their body language, dialect and mannerisms and perform accordingly. During dubbing too, he sat with me and helped me with the Madurai slang. It isn’t easy, you know!

HOW LIFE CHANGED
I was recently in Tiruchi for the shooting of Malaikkottai. People thronged the location to have a glimpse of Muthazhagu, the character I play in Paruththi Veeran. The accolades the film has won for me are unbelievable, and they are translating into worthy projects. What more can I ask for?

(Courtesy: The Hindu)

THIS CHILD PRODIGY IS DRUMMING UP MUSIC LIKE A PRO: MEET INDIA'S YOUNGEST DRUMMER AND PERCUSSIONIST PAR EXCELLENCE

HEAVY RAINS CLAIM 36 LIVES IN ANDHRA, 6 DISTRICTS ON ALERT

Heavy rains in several parts of Andhra Pradesh, triggered by a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, have claimed 36 lives even as six affected districts have been put on alert.

While 21 people died during the past three days following torrential rains, 15 were killed as lightning struck at several places during the last fortnight, Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao told reporters here today.

Kurnool and Guntur districts accounted for seven deaths each, followed by Anantapur four, Warangal two and Mahaboobnagar one.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy held a high-level meeting here to review the situation and announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to the families of those killed and released Rs 5.6 crores to the affected districts to take up immediate relief measures.

Control rooms had been set up at district and mandal levels and the collectors had been asked to take necessary steps to avoid breach of irrigation tanks, Rao said, adding detailed enumeration of losses to crops and public property were being carried out.

The weather office has forecast moderate to heavy rain at few places in south coastal belt and Rayalaseema regions and isolated rainfall in Telangana.

Six districts -- Kurnool, Anantapur, Karimnagar, Warangal, Guntur and Prakasam -- have been receiving heavy rainfall since the past three days.

As many as 29 relief camps have been set up to accommodate affected families from vulnerable areas. According to preliminary estimates, 7,350 houses have been marooned and crops over an extent of 16,580 hectares were damaged in rains, Rao said.

JUNIOR NTR WANTS TO DO A ROMANTIC FILM, AND IS LOOKING FOR SCRIPTS

Junior NTR is beaming with joy writ all over his persona. And there is a reason for his newfound spring in his step. His Yamadonga has become a big hit, which he has been looking for a long time. What more, he has lost all those tonnes of weight he had put on and appears handsome enough to qualify for love stories. Stuck in a mass hero mould for some time now, he wants to diversify into softer roles, but his weight has come in the way. So, he is looking forward to filmmakers who can narrate to him a beautiful love theme that will send the pretty young things into a tizzy. So, filmmakers if you have any such scripts, you know where to go. What are you waiting for?

SHRIYA IS ON A ROLL AGAIN, IN AN ITEM NUMBER FOR TULASI

Sivaji: the boss may have been a smash hit across the country, but it did little to revive the fortunes of Shriya in Tollywood. Though she managed to bag a couple of roles in Tamil, she couldn't manage even one creditable assignment in the Telugu film industry. And so she is forced to settle down for item numbers hoping that someone would notice her and give her back her due again. So, after swinging with Prabhas in Munna, she is getting ready to do a sizzling number with Venkatesh in Tulasi.

Hope she gets to get a larger-than-expected recognition in the film.

WHERE IS THE SUPERHEROINE IN TELUGU CINEMA GONE?

What has happened to the superheroine in Telugu cinema? There was a time when the likes of Sri Devi and Vijayashanti strode the silver screen with the dare devilry of any hero. And even actors like Jagapati Babu played second fiddle to them.

They were followed by Soundarya, who excelled in the role of a superheroine in her own way in family subjects. Remember how she stole the limelight even from actors like Venkatesh and Nagarjuna in some of the films like Pavitrabandham and Nuvvostavani?

To some extent, Simran too did shine bright with some good roles on par with the heroes of her time.

But today, it is a different ball game altogether, what with every actor worth his name -- from Gopichand to Chiranjeevi -- has assumed the superhero avatar, reducing the heroine to a prop. We have woman-oriented films like Missamma, but Bhumika is no superheroine in the film, though she gets to essay a wonderful role to perfection.

Is it because the subjects which revolve round real estate wars and faction politics don't have a place for superheroines? It is time to ponder over the death of the superheroine.

NIKHITA WAITING TO STRIKE GOLD IN TOLLYWOOD. IS ANYONE LISTENING?

Nikhita is one actress who has the looks but unfortunately doesn't have the right kind of roles to 'reveal' her talent. The girl is desperately trying to impress Tollywood filmmakers, but with the emphasis now on fresh faces or saleable stars, she loses out on both counts. But she is hoping against hope with a prayer on her lips that she will be noticed by one of those maverick directors.

CHECK OUT FOR SOME AMAZING PICTURES ON REAL PHOTOS REAL FUN

ME REFUSING TO DO A FILM WITH CHIRANJEEVI? I SHOULD BE MAD: NAYANATARA SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Nayanatara is one of the prettiest actresses in the South. And she has done some really wow roles both in Tamil and Telugu. The young would die for a body like hers. And anyone who is popular is inevitably dragged into controversies. But, fortunately, her affair with Simbu has faded away from the public memory, though traces of it are still visible in the Tamil gossip magazines.

But one controversy that she has been silent about for some time now is her reported refusal to do a film with Chiranjeevi, which is currently underway. But now, the actress speaks up and explains it was a figment of gossipmongers' fertile imagination. Says she, "My career in Telugu cinema is still in its formative years. I'm aware of my position in the industry and Chiranjeevi's larger-than-life status. How can I refuse an offer to act with him? The fact is that nobody has still approached me with such an offer! If indeed an opportunity comes my way in the future, I will be the happiest girl to act against the megastar."

So, that puts to rest all the nagging voices, I suppose.

EVERYTIME I WATCH BOMMARILLU, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE GOOD DAYS FOR TELUGU CINEMA

Some films just don't fade away from memory even after years. And everytime you see them they have a fresh appeal to the senses. One such film is Bommarillu. Siddharth, as the son bulldozed into a straitjacketed life by his overbearing father, Prakash Raj, delivered an amazing performance.

And Genelia as the bubbly girl, who takes life as it comes, was at her astounding best. And full marks go to Prakash Raj for another intense role in his career. His acting was restrained, simple and to the point, which is precisely why it is wonderfully etched out. As an overprotective father, it does not appeal to him that his son has likes and dislikes of his own and that he would love to do foolish things before he can do anything wise in his life.

The best part of the film is its simplicity and credit goes to Bhaskar for having got a brilliant screenplay written. Unlike many big stars' films, where the emphasis is on boosting the hero's megalomaniac ego, the film has a free-flowing screenplay with no one calling the shots, but everyone contributing his best to take the film forward. There is comedy, pathos, emotions, and everything that goes to make a brilliant film.

A most unforgettable film that I have watched in recent years.

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE SONGS IN THE FILM

JESSICA ALBA REVEALS THE SECRET BEHIND HER SEXY WIGGLE

A lot has been said about Jessica Alba's sexy body, but the actress herself doesn't pay attention to news about her weight. In a recent interview, the 26-year-old said that she doesn't take notice of speculations surrounding her alleged weight loss, and added that she doesn't diet at all.

"I don't listen to it. I don't read it. I think it would make me crazy if I did," People quoted her, as saying.

Alba further said that she doesn't do anything to keep her sexy frame intact. "I haven't really worked out in two months, but I do like to do yoga. I'm not on a diet," she said.

The actress, who recently won the female hottie award at the Teen Choice Awards, however, admitted to one healthy habit.

"I drink a lot of water," she said.

AT 65, AMITABH BACHCHAN MAKES HIS HOLLYWOOD DEBUT WITH 'THE LAST LEAR'

Working in English and simply growing old are offering new opportunities to movie icon Amitabh Bachchan whose first English-language film, The Last Lear, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival this week.

Bachchan, described on industry website www.imdb.com as "arguably India's greatest ever superstar," said making a film in English had brought back memories of school and college. An English-language film was different, but logical at the same time, given the role of English as a common language in India.

"It's always wonderful to experiment with something different," said Bachchan, the day after the sold-out Toronto premiere.

"At 65 you get an opportunity to experiment with all kinds of films and that's what's happening, and I am happy that there are people that want me to work with them, and it gives me the chance to do something different."

In The Last Lear, Bachchan plays Harry, a reclusive stage actor who quotes Shakespeare with relish and who -- somewhat reluctantly -- is making his movie debut at the age of 65.

He stars alongside Preity Zinta, who is also acting in her first English-language film, as are others in the cast.

Director Rituparno Ghosh has chosen to add subtitles, even for a North American audience. "I did it because we Indians speak English in various ways -- the same language can take various forms," said Ghosh. "And the tongues of the various communities of India may not be so easily comprehensible to a Western audience."

Bachchan said the role of Harry, and the way he used Shakespeare's language to illustrate his points, had brought back memories of his own early acting days, including the role of Cassio in Shakespeare's Othello.

He named Hamlet as one role he has always wanted, but admitted that "at my age, I would probably be playing the ghost."

At just over two hours, The Last Lear is short by Indian standards, and there are none of the song and dance routines that form the usual highlights of a Bollywood extravaganza.

Bachchan bristled at the idea that the new movie might be considered "Bollywood."
"We don't like that word," he said. "It was coined by some smart journalist and it just stuck, and now it's in the Oxford dictionary."

EVEN IN DEFEAT VARMA DOESN'T SHED HIS ARROGANCE: I HAVE HIT AN ALL-TIME LOW, I CAN ONLY MOVE UP NOW, HE SAYS

Ram Gopal Varma's remake of a cult classic is a box office flop, and Varma has drawn flak for Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, his ambitious remake of the 1975 film Sholay which nosedived at the box-office. The films tell the story of two reformed crooks who save a village from a bloodthirsty bandit.

"Every flaw the film is being criticised for is mine," said Varma. "I take full responsibility for my film. It is my vision that faltered from the script to the music to the songs."

The maverick director said he had hit rock bottom with the film's failure.

He also said he now believes his project was doomed to failure, as it ran into legal problems. Many critics also labelled his attempt at rehashing a blockbuster classic as stupidity.

"Everybody told me not to go ahead with it. The film then went into legal tangles. Characters needed to be changed, the title needed to be changed, and even the script to some extent.

"Now I think it was not wise for me to go ahead," he said.

Varma, known for his gangster movies and horror flicks, said he could only improve from now on. "I have hit an all-time low. I can only move up now," he said.

Varma's next film Sarkar Raj, a sequel to the hit 2005 film Sarkar about a megalomaniac politician, is scheduled to be released in December this year.

AZIM PREMJI IS THE WORLD'S RICHEST MUSLIM ENTREPRENEUR

India's software czar Azim Premji now has a new nomenclature -- the world's richest Muslim entrepreneur -- as he holds more wealth than any other Muslim outside the Persian Gulf royalty, a US media report said.

The financial daily Wall Street Journal has written a front-page profile on chairman of India's third largest IT exporter Wipro, saying Premji defies all the conventional wisdom about Islamic tycoons -- he does not hail from the Persian Gulf, did not make his money in petroleum, and does not wear his faith on his sleeve.

"Azim Premji has tapped India's abundant engineering talent to transform a family vegetable-oil firm, Wipro Ltd, into a technology and outsourcing giant. By serving Western manufacturers, airlines and utilities, the company has brought Premji a fortune of some $17 billion," the report said.

Premji is ahead of Russia's metal and real estate baron Suleman Kerimov ($14 billion), Kuwait's Nasser Kharafi ($11 billion), Saudi Arabia's Mohammad Amoudi ($8 billion), UAE's Abdulaziz Ghurair ($8 billion), Russia's Iskander Mahmudov ($8 billion), Saudi's Maan Sanea ($7.5 billion) and Saudi's Suleiman Rajhi ($7.5 billion) among the richest Muslim entrepreneurs in the world.

The daily quoted Premji in the report titled "How a Muslim Billionaire Thrives in Hindu India" as saying that such success shows globalization is turning into "two-way traffic" that can bring tangible benefits to developing countries.

"We have always seen ourselves as Indian. We've never seen ourselves as Hindus, or Muslims, or Christians or Buddhists," Premji told WSJ in an interview.

SANJAY DUTT WILL BE BACK TO BUSINESS ONCE AGAIN: NO, NOT JAIL, BUT ACTING

Bollywood bad boy Sanjay Dutt said he could resume work as early as this weekend after being temporarily bailed from his six-year jail term for arms possession. "I will resume my movie shoots very soon, starting possibly this weekend to meet contractual commitments," said Dutt, sporting prison-cropped hair. "I have to grow my hair back and get into shape," joked the burly actor, who has already spent three weeks behind bars.

The film Kidnapped, directed by Sanjay Gadhvi -- known for last year's top grosser Dhoom 2 (Have a Blast) -- will be one of the first Dutt will start shooting. "Alongside, I will shoot for Dus Kahaniyaan (Ten Stories)," said Dutt, known for his macho image and gangster roles.

With six movies in production, some Rs 75 crores of Bollywood money is riding on Dutt.

The hugely popular star was sentenced to six years in prison on July 31 for possessing illegal weapons received from the plotters of the 1993 Mumbai bombings, which killed 257 people and injured 800.

Dutt has always maintained his innocence, arguing he kept a Kalashnikov assault rifle to protect his family from sectarian violence.

Last month, the Supreme Court agreed to his conditional release after the anti-terror court in Mumbai failed to provide the actor with a copy of its judgment.

The Supreme Court ordered Dutt to turn himself in when his lawyers receive a copy of the judgment later this month.

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.

TENDULKAR'S RETIREMENT FROM ODIs IS A FIGMENT OF MEDIA IMAGINATION, SAYS FAMILY

Legions of Sachin Tendulkar's fans can heave a sigh of relief now with reports about the champion batsman's possible ODI retirement turning out to be mere rumours.

Speculation was rife with media reports claiming that Tendulkar, the highest run-accumulator in the history of international cricket, might retire from the shorter version of the game after the seventh and final match of India's ongoing ODI series at Lord's on Saturday.

Team India captain Rahul Dravid, however, rubbished the claims in his post-match press conference in London yesterday, dismissing the reports as "completely false".

The reports prompted BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty to get in touch with the player and the official said, "I've spoken to him and he said the reports have no substance. It's media speculation."

Further clarification came from Tendulkar's family with his wife Anjali saying that he would have told her if that was the case. "The rumours about Sachin's retirement are not true. He could retire tomorrow but for that, we have to wait for him to say that. There is no point guessing it. How can anyone else say he is retiring from one dayers?" she was quoted as saying by a television channel.

"If he was to retire he would have told us first. Had Sachin had been retiring we would have been there at Lord's to watch the match," she said.