Shilpa visits Golden Temple

A day before leaving for South Africa for the IPL tournament, Shilpa Shetty made a sudden visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar along with her parents, sis Shamita and fiance Raj Kundra.

In fact, Amritsar saw a whole host of celebs descend on the city – literally, because a flight had been chartered specially by Shilpa’s friend Kiran Bawa and her dad GS Bawa, so that they could all visit the famous gurudwara.

There was Shakti Kapoor, Aditya Pancholi, Mukesh Rishi, Ekta Kapoor with her parents – Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor, Prem Chopra, Anand Raj Anand, Jaspinder Narula, Monica Bedi, Abhijeet, Gurdeep and Arjun Punj, Hiten Paintal with his father Paintal, Poonam Dhillon and Anita, Pankaj and Niketan Dheer, among others.
The plane landed at Amritsar airport at 2 in the afternoon. Shilpa was dressed simply in a yellow salwar-kameez, and was accompanied by Raj. Shamita wore a pink suit, and walked alongside their parents Sunanda and Surender Shetty.

The airport was buzzing – a huge crowd was waiting to welcome the guests with garlands and flowers. A special police band played a merry tune. The party reached the gurudwara around 3.30 pm. Shilpa immediately covered her head with her duppatta. Inside the gurudwara, again, there was a huge crowd waiting for a glimpse of all the stars. “Just the fact that I’m here is wonderful. I’m happy that my entire family and friends from Bollywood are here with me to do the sewa too,” Shilpa said. Her mother added, “We actually wanted to do some sewa, but looking at the rush here, we couldn’t.” Shamita, protecting her mother from getting pushed around by the crowd, said, “It’s been a great experience, but the rush was maddening and it spoilt our mood.”

Bollywood’s ‘Golden’ effort

At the airport we saw Kiran welcoming the guests along with her father, GS Bawa. While everyone got busy with their luggage, TV actor Arjun Punj and his wife Gurdeep Kohli looked rather relaxed as they chatted with Hiten.

When we caught up with Arjun, he said, “It’s a great feeling. This is the first time that I have seen so many people from Bollywood come together and make an effort to do something different.” We also saw Jeetendra, along with his wife Shobha and daughter Ekta. Ekta was busy talking on the phone and when our cameraman tried to click her, she even tried to hide her face.

Playback singer Abhijeet, who had come with his wife said, “This is the first time I am here and it feels very good.” Monica Bedi looked rather demure in a white kurta and she said, “I just love coming to the Golden Temple... It refreshes my mind body and soul.”

Later, we asked Kiran why she had got so many celebs to the temple, and she told us, “We basically wanted to create an awareness amongst the people about doing sewa at the Golden Temple and so, we brought all our friends from Bollywood. It was my father's initiative. He organised this function and brought all his friends to do sewa.”

Much later, at the exit, we spotted Raj patiently waiting for Shilpa and her family to be escorted to the car. He said, “I loved the experience of coming here. This is my first time and that too with Shilpa and her family members – that made it all the more special. I hope and pray that my team wins the IPL this year too.”

When we asked him about his wedding plans he confessed, “Well, hopefully there will be some good news and you shall hear it from us very soon.” Immediately after the darshan, Shilpa left for the airport with Raj and her parents and sister, as did Ekta and Monica. The rest of the guests preferred to stay back for a day. There was also a party at a hotel in the evening.

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John's jitters in the sky!

John Abraham is a self-confessed stickler for time. He likes his movies to be on time – as in on schedule – and he likes to be punctual when he’s attending an event.

So when he had an event in Delhi recently, and his flight from Mumbai was delayed, he says he got the heebie-jeebies stuck up there in the air, knowing he was going to be late. “I had a 6.55 pm flight from Mumbai, which took off at 8.30 pm and landed at Delhi at 10.55 pm,” he says – obviously, he was counting the minutes!

“And we were discussing on the flight – this was like the Dubai flight, which takes four hours to reach India! It was the first time I’ve felt that kind of pressure, because I’m someone who’s never late. For me to be stuck 27,000 feet above sea level and not know what to do was quite unnerving. The only thing I told my manager, who was sitting next to me, was, ‘I wish there were parachutes here so we could skydive.’ Because that seemed like the only option, there was no other way of getting down in time!”

No wonder – there’s so much that John is doing, it must be essential for him to manage his time. He’s doing movies, he’s a biker, he walks the ramp, and now, like many others in tinsel town, he’s also turning producer! That’s why he has a new perspective on the producer-multiplex issue now. “I’m also a co-producer now and I understand the ins and outs of the issue. I’m co-producing my upcoming films – with Abbas Tyrewala, Nishikant Kamat and Devan Khote. I feel I understand the concerns of the producers. I think what Aamir and Shah Rukh have done is acknowledged them. And that’s a good thing – to bring in change. I’m glad that they got together as producers rather than as actors and said that we need to get things right. I stand by the producers and the distributors. And whenever we actors are needed, we’ll be there to support the entire film fraternity,” he says.

‘Mahi’s made me watch cricket’

John walked the ramp recently at the Kolkata Fashion Week, and it wasn’t because he’s been a model and has walked the ramp many times. He did it for good friend Mahi – Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni – who’s the brand ambassador of the Kolkata Fashion Week. “I don’t know whether I have time to go to South Africa (for the IPL) or not. But when his team came to Mumbai and they played against the Mohali IPL team last season, I went to watch. It was good fun. I don’t watch much cricket, but with Mahi, I’ve started,” he says. “And it was great fun walking the ramp. I was a model before I was an actor. So if anybody can walk the ramp, honestly, I think I can!”

John’s been busy with the shooting of Hook Ya Crook in Hyderabad. “I was in Hyderabad for a month – getting totally tanned! I’ve gone so brown, yaar. It’s pretty dry and hot there. We have about 15 days of the shoot left. The good part is that we’re ahead of schedule. And you know that a movie finishing on schedule rarely happens. But if people start coming on time, then it’ll happen quite often,” says John.

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Every daughter is a laadli: SRK

On the launch of the Laadli Week celebrations, Shah Rukh ‘King’ Khan said, “Not everybody is blessed with a daughter; only lucky people are blessed with this bundle of joy. Every daughter is a ‘Laadli’, she is very special. Especially for a father, she is his laadli, his life’s ultimate desire; she is his life.”

Star Plus’ Laadli Week, which begins April 13, in association with the KC Mahindra Educational Trust’s Project Nanhi Kali, will see a series of fundraising and awareness creation events through promotions to educate underprivileged girl children in India. The week comprises of activities which will bring a smile on the children’s faces and give them memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Taking out time from the IPL mania, Saurav Ganguly said, “Everybody questions me about my most memorable moment — making a century in my test debut, winning a series in England or getting into the world cup finals. But the most memorable time is the time that I spend playing hide and seek with my seven-year-old daughter. Her smile is priceless; no trophy and no award can come closer to matching it.”

Known for her support to women’s causes in India and also an idol for many people across the country, Kiran Bedi, the host of Aap Ki Kachehri, a show that created waves on Indian television said, “I was my parent’s ‘Laadli’. It’s because of my parents’ upbringing that I am what I am today. It entirely depends upon the parents on how they bring up their girl child, educate her, make her financially self-reliant and get her the self respect she deserves. I am happy that the channel is celebrating the girl child week as ‘Laadli Week’ as the number of girl children in India is decreasing. And this is not happening because of poverty but mentality. If you think that you girls are weak, it’s not them but your upbringing which is weak.”

She further added, “If my parents had the same thought process, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Their thinking was strong and therefore I grew up to be a strong individual. You can also do the same. Bring up you girl child with care, make her self reliant; self reliance will come with education and self reliance is power. If you do this, your girl children will respect you more and will care of you for life. Make your faith in your girl child strong.”

That’s not all; even the telestars who are the laadlis of their parents onscreen as well as in real life are supportive of this initiative. Popular Sara Khan aka Sadhana of Sapna Babul ka–Bidaai said, “This is an excellent initiative. I think we should promote girls as people think that girls are not doing anything and therefore girls are a bane in our lives. These days, maximum high rankers in schools are girls. We have often heard in the news that girls are making new records in academics and every other field as they are very capable. This initiative, supporting the education of 600 girls every year, will make a great difference. I think this will work as an eye opener for those who are still silent when it comes to educating and helping orphan girls.”

Further added Parul Chauhan, the newly wed Ragini of Sapna Babul ka - Bidaai, “Being a girl, I completely support this cause. I believe the happiness of building a new life for an orphan girl is completely out of the world. If all of us could spare a small share of our income towards the life of a girl child then we can really make a difference.”

The fresh new face on television, Hina Khan, who plays Akshara in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, said, “I am very glad to be a part of this platform where one can speak up for the girl child. It is really sad that even today people do a sex determination of their unborn child and choose not to have a girl child. The strength of a woman is something that is not recognized even today. A platform has been created for people to speak up for the girl child and to come forward and help in whatever way they can... financially or just by moral support. I am proud to be a part of this and proud to be a woman.”

As a part of the initiative, winners of a contest will also have the chance to have their daughter featured in the show Sabki Laadli Bebo.

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Let's not talk about Gerard: Priyanka

Priyanka Chopra has many reasons to smile – her movies’ve been doing well, and she’s been winning awards for her work too. She’s also been declared the number one actress in Bollywood, but this damsel would rather concentrate on her work than count numbers.

“With every hit film, you become a number one or a number two, and with each flop film, you become a number six or number seven. And hits and flops come and go like nobody’s business in this fraternity. If you start keeping track of the number and the position, you’ll really lose your mind. Nothing succeeds like success, and that’s why I pay no attention to this whole number game. We’re all striving to be successful, but the measure of success does not come from being called number one for three months and then being forgotten about,” she explains.

Next year, it’ll be 10 years since Priyanka won her Miss India and Miss World crowd. “Oh yes, that’s right! It will be about 10 years next year. It makes me feel so old! Wow, now it’s scary – I feel like I was standing on that stage like a lost little girl. And where did the time go? My God, I haven’t had time to think about that,” she says.
Priyanka maintains that she is the same simple girl that she was when she entered the industry.

“I’m not very shrewd. If I look back at my life, it makes me feel that I’ve stayed away from the conventional stuff, deliberately. For instance, the films I do, the way I lead my life – I’m a lot more private. I don’t like focussing only and only on film, I pick different things to do. I’m writing now. I like getting involved in a lot of public forums, and because of all this, I feel is unconventional,” she says, adding, “And the unconventionality continues in my movies. I like to take up all kind of genres to test myself as an actor. Even a commercial film like Dostana was unconventional. I like to take up movies that I know I’d like to watch as a member of the audience. I’m an entertainer, but I’m also the audience. And I do go to movie halls, buy my own ticket and watch a lot of movies.”

Talking about movies, Priyanka will be seen in two this year – Kaminey and What’s Your Rashee? “I had to study Marathi for my role in Kaminey, it was like I was giving my exams. I had a tutor with me all the time and a dialect coach on the sets. But it was exciting. I’m a sucker for knowledge. And I learnt the language in a month and a half!”

Talking about Kaminey, Priyanka was recently linked with none her co-star in the movie, Shahid Kapur. However, she was also recently linked with the Hollywood actor Gerard Butler. So is either of them a ‘close friend’? “I’ve always been very private about my personal life. I don’t like giving importance to non-issues.” And what about Gerard Butler, ain’t she friends with him? “I don’t know if I want to talk about that,” she demurs.

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SRK's Korbo, Lorbo... is passe

Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo Re – these were the lyrics of the Kolkata Knight Riders anthem last year.

But that was when the IPL was held in India. Now, since the tournament has shifted to South Africa, SRK’s team has also changed its anthem, so that supporters there can easily chant it when the team takes to the field. “The tournament has moved to SA. Keeping that in view, the anthem Korbo, Lorbo... has been changed. The beats are different and the lyrics too will have a more international feel to it,” said a source close to the team.

Looks like Shah Rukh Khan is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the success of his team this time round. That might be the reason why there are rumours that the video of the song will also be re-shot. “SRK has heard the song and there are talks of a new video being shot for it. But nothing is confirmed as of now,” informed the source. The original video for the song featured SRK in the team’s golden-and-black colours – wearing a dhoti in Kolkata ishtyle. Do you have a golden-black bermuda in mind now, Shah Rukh?

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'Kareena Kapoor Khan sounds good'

What the actress will call herself after marriage and what it is like being on Bollywood power list…

She admits that no position in the film industry is permanent but at the same time Kareena Kapoor is excited after replacing Aishwarya Rai in Filmfare's power list. The actress says the position is both flattering and scary as it comes with a lot of responsibilities.

"I think Aishwarya has had a great innings. I think it's a great honour to be where she was in the power list. Power equations in the entertainment industry change minute by minute. I'm definitely going to try my best to hold that position," Kareena told IANS.

Kareena, who was seen in last year's hit "Golmaal Returns", admits the power comes not just from the movies, but also the products that one endorses.

"But I make sure the products reflect my personality. I'm endorsing 10 brands. Saif and I are endorsing just one brand together. We're going easy on signing together," she said.

Excerpts:

It's quite an honour to zoom to the top 10 of the power list and to be the only woman there.

It's flattering. And it's scary. Lots of responsibilities. My power comes from my honesty to myself and to my work. I've always done things that come naturally from my heart. It's amazing that I'm in the power list although I've never applied much thought to the process of getting there. I'm all heart, as you well know. At the end of the day, being true to myself is very important.

Earlier Aishwarya Rai was in the Top 10 list.

Yes, I know. Everyone has a chance to be in a certain position. I think Aishwarya has had a great innings. I think it's a great honour to be where she was in the power list. Power equations in the entertainment industry change minute by minute. I'm definitely going to try my best to hold that position.

The position makes me feel very responsible. I want to keep doing the kind of work that will keep me in that list. Last year I was seen in a successful film 'Golmaal Returns' where I didn't have a pivotal role. Strangely audiences expect me to take centre stage all the time.

How much of this power comes in a package with beau Saif Ali Khan?

We can't deny he's also one of the hottest actors in the industry. I think we are blend of looks and spirit. Saif and I are very alike. He also follows his heart and is very honest in what he does. Whether it's his professional or personal life, he comes clean.

The power comes not just from the movies but also the products that you endorse.

I agree. But I make sure the products reflect my personality. My products are young, zestful, fun and classy. Yeah, I do a lot of endorsements. I'm endorsing 10 brands. Curiously Saif and I are endorsing just one brand together. We're going easy on signing together.

So will you continue to be known as Kareena Kapoor after marriage?

I haven't thought of it. Kareena Kapoor Khan sounds good. I leave the decision to Saif.

Did (close friend) Amrita Arora's marriage make you wishful for your own?

I am with Saif constantly. For us, marriage is just a piece of paper.

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Getting to know Kaminey...

Preview of Shahid and Priyanka's new film

Schedule to release on June 5, 2009, director Vishal Bhardwaj’s latest venture “Kaminey” stars Shahid Kapur and Priyanka Chopra along with Amole Gupte.

“Kaminey” features Shahid Kapur in a double role for the first time in his career. He would be seen sporting a completely new bronzed and rugged look in the film.

Guddu and Charlie, Shahid's two characters in the film, are completely opposite from each other. While Charlie has a lisp, Guddu would be seen stammering.

An interesting aspect of “Kaminey” is the fresh pairing of Shahid and Priyanka Chopra. The two actors share screen space for the first time and there is immense curiosity about their on screen chemistry amid rumours of a real-life romance.

Priyanka, who is currently on a high after her award winning act in “Fashion” and “Dostana”, would be seen in a completely different get-up this time round.

She plays Sweety, a simple Maharashtrian girl, and hence would be seen dressed in simple Indian dresses. The actress has even spoken quite a lot of Marathi in the film.

Amole Gupte, who wrote the story and screenplay of “Taare Zameen Par” makes his acting debut with this film. Amole would be seen as a comical don called Bhope Bhau who has quite a menacing laugh.

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Priyanka benefits from Gowarikar’s favouritism

She's the only one spared from his tough code of conduct

Those who have visited the sets of “What's Your Raashee” say it’s quite apparent director Ashutosh Gowarikar is biased towards Priyanka Chopra.

He has rules and a code of conduct laid down for everyone on the sets including Harman Baweja, but Priyanka is the only one not bound by Gowarikar’s dictates.

Apparently, Gowarikar has banned the cast and crew members from looking into his eyes while talking to him. This rule even applies to Harman but not Priyanka.

Gowarikar even wants that no one (including Harman) should sit in his presence on the sets, and when he sits everyone (including Harman) should stand.

If someone dares to break these rules then Gowarikar’s anger knows no bounds.

After hearing all this we want to go on the sets to find out why Priyanka is spared from these rules!

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