NEWS: Miss Britain to act in Bollywood movie

Prithwish

Twenty-five-year-old 2006 Miss Britain, Preeti Desai, is willing to act in Bollywood films, an Indian news agency reported on Thursday.

"I hadn't thought about acting before, but some movie producers have approached me and I am going to meet them," the svelte model was quoted as saying. " It would be silly not to take up an opportunity like that."

"I've had a fantastic time as Miss Great Britain but now you might end up seeing me in Bollywood," she said.

Photo Courtesy: www.nriinternet.com

NEWS: Gere-Shetty kiss case suspended

Prithwish

India's apex court -- the Supreme Court -- has suspended all legal proceedings against Big Brother famed svelte Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who was facing charges for not resisting repeated kisses by Hollywood actor Richard Gere on her cheek during an anti-AIDS promotion event held in New Delhi aimed at raising awareness of the truckdrivers about the virus.

NEWS: Shilpa Shetty moves Supreme Court

Prithwish

Shilpa Shetty on Monday urged the Supreme Court to stay the criminal proceedings against her in connection with her kissing incident involving Richard Gere during an AIDS awareness programme held last month for truck drivers in New Delhi, an Indian news agency ANI reported.
Three criminal cases were registered against Shilpa after the event were publicised widely by the Indian media specially the television channels, which for the entire day, ran pictures of Gere wooing Shetty and then grabbing her by his arms and repeatedly kissing her on one cheek much to the delight of thousands of truckers who cheered for Gere during the incident.
An arrest warrant was also issued for Gere.

NEWS: Bollywood's Golden Age Is Now - Paresh Rawal

Prithwish

He're a comment that can start a fresh new debate about Bollywood. Fifty-six-year-old Paresh Rawal, best known for his comic antics, feels that Bollywood is in it's golden age now.
'The newcomers are really good and they have such wonderful new ideas. I think Hindi cinema is in its golden period. The work culture is changing, it is becoming more corporate and the mindset of the audience is also changing," he was quoted as saying in an interview.
It is interesting to read his comment cos as far the newcomers are concerned -- be it be directors or actors -- they are either producing mediocre scripts or are second-rate actors who are failing to even create a ripple. Young director Siddharth Anand or the svelte actress Kangana Ranaut and actor Shiney Ahuja are some of the colts who are doing well to stay in the competetion but the others haven't scripted any big success stories recently.
We can justify this by tracing box-office earnings this year. Only films like "Guru" -- starring Abhiash and to some extent "Ta Ra Rum Pum" -- starring Saif and Rani have been able to make a mark and earn some money not only at home but also abroad.
2007 seems to be a weak year ahead as far as making money is concerned with very few scripts in line which can create magic. Let's see if "Metro" can make the box-office sing!
Moreover, the films made in 1970-80's were much better than the ones made today.
Paresh has many movies set for release this year which includes "Cheeni Kum" -- starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu and John Abraham starrer "No Smoking". He'll also amuse the audience through his ribtickling acts in "Good Boy, Bad Boy", "Fauj Mein Mauj", "Fool and Final" and "Bhool Bhulaiya".

NEWS: Ash to shed surname, embrace Bachchan brand

Prithwish

Aishwarya Rai will no longer use her surname but is happily willing to be known as Aishwarya Bachchan, media reports say.

Her transition from Rai to Bachchan started when she signed an autograph after her marriage as Aishwarya Bachchan. We have seen many Bollywood stars taking up the surname of their husband but some have chosen to retain their surname too.

The question of Aishwarya Rai (already an established brand) choosing to use the Bachchan surname might come as a surprise and apprehension to many.

Firstly, all the fame and popularity that surrounds her today came when she wasn't a Bachchan. It took time for her to establish herself as a brand and a change might seem like starting to build a brand from scratch.

Secondly, when the media has been buzzing how Aishwarya's marriage was a bad career move for her, her changing of surname would certainly lead to a lot of debate -- will the people accept Aishwarya (now AB's daughter-in-law) romancing other men on screen being a Bachchan bride?

But Aishwarya must have thought about all this for sure and in hindsight it seems like a planned move. The Bachchan brandname has an aura of its own which is much bigger than Rai for sure. But the question remains whether Aishwarya will fit into the Bachchan brand. We will have to wait and see.