Posts

Showing posts from August 24, 2010

Jimena Navarrete Mexican woman crowned Miss Universe

Image
A 22-year-old Mexico woman won the Miss Universe pageant Monday night after donning a flowing red gown and telling an audience it's important to teach kids family values. Jimena Navarrete of Guadalajara was first to answer an interview question Monday night and the last of 83 contestants standing in the headline-grabbing pageant on the Las Vegas Strip. Her one-strap dress flowed behind her like a sheet as she walked during the evening gown competition. Earlier, she smiled in a violet bikini as she confidently strutted across the stage. Asked by Olympic gold-medal figure skater Evan Lysacek how she felt about unsupervised Internet use, Navarrete said the Internet is important but parents need to be careful and watch over their kids. "I do believe that Internet is an indispensable, necessary tool for the present time," she said through an interpreter. "We must be sure to teach them the values that we learned as a family." First runner-up was Miss Jamaica Yendi Phi

Amitabh Bachchan to star in Abbas-Mustan's next

Image
Abbas-Mustan are all set to direct Amitabh Bachchan in a film for the first time. This project could be pushed ahead of The Italian Job . The film with the Big B directed by Abbas-Mustan would be a hard-hitting socially-relevant subject written by Nishikant Kamat who directed the intense anti-terror film Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan . When asked about the project Abbas-Mustan feigns ignorance. "We have not approached Amitji for any film," says Abbas initially. Then when told that the Big B has confirmed his presence in an Abbas-Mustan film, Abbas sings another tune. "Yes we are working with him. But we haven't decided what." The decision has been taken. And the Big B's film with Abbas-Mustan may get priority over Abhishek's The Italian Job with the duo.

Akshay-Salman-Saif for Sajid Nadiadwala

Image
It appears that talks of recession are passé (thank goodness for that). If production plans of Sajid Nadiadwala are any indication, Bollywood can well heave a sigh of relief. The man is all set to announce not less than three films together, a first at least for him, with confirmed reports of him having finalised the likes of Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan for his next three mega crore ventures. When this indeed materialises, it would be the first instance of top superstars being signed in one go by an independent production house. This is not all as the directors chosen to do the job also come with good credentials as far as making commercial cinema is concerned. While Siddharth Anand would be at the helm of affairs for the Saif Ali Khan starrer, Sajid Khan would be working with Akshay, Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal and Boman Irani again for the sequel to Housefull (yes, you heard it right)! There are also talks of a big director coming on boar

Akshay's 'turban look' controversy in Patiala House dismissed

Image
The makers of Patiala House are just not amused. Even as the team is busy wrapping up this biggie that features Akshay Kumar in the lead and has been shot primarily in the UK, there are tit-bits floating around the lead actor's look, something that threatened to turn into an (unnecessary) controversy. Says a senior crew member, "It was a harmless still from the film which was uploaded by us on Twitter. It showed Akshay Kumar in (seemingly) a celebration mode as he donned a traditional North Indian outfit with a 'pagdi' on top. Nothing wrong with that as men in North India do wear a pink turban when there are certain festivities or celebrations at home." However, what caught the eye of a few was only half the fact. Since Akshay is said to be playing a Sikh in the film, his clean shaven look in the film was being challenged. Though no one knows the exact storyline of the film, there were insinuations galore around cinematic liberty being taken in P

Ali Zafar to feature in YRF's Imran - Katrina starrer

Image
After his impressive debut in Tere Bin Laden , Pakistani sensation Ali Zafar is suddenly hot and happening in Bollywood. The actor has caught the fancy of none other than Aditya Chopra who has signed him for one of YRF's forthcoming projects. The film in question is the Imran Khan- Katrina Kaif romantic comedy to be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. The film goes on floors in mid-September. Confirming this news, YRF's spokesperson says, "Yes...Ali Zafar has been confirmed for a leading part in the movie starring Imran and Katrina. We are also in the process of finalising a girl opposite him." Having bagged a project with YRF so early in his career, Ali Zafar must surely be feeling on top of the world. The future certainly seems bright for this ' Good Looking Ullu Da Pattha '.

Vishal Bhardwaj signs Deepika opposite Saif for his next

Image
He is one director who has always worked with the best in the industry. A writer, director, producer and music director, Vishal Bhardwaj has worked with Tabu in Maqbool , Kareena Kapoor in Omkara , Priyanka Chopra in Kaminey and Saat Khoon Maaf . So, who is the latest leading lady signed by Vishal? It's none other than the gorgeous Deepika Padukone. Yes! The lady has been signed for Vishal's next film opposite Saif Ali Khan. Though the buzz in the industry was that Piggy Chops is this director's favourite but considering the kind of chemistry Saif and Deepika shared in Love Aaj Kal , this certainly seems to be a smart choice. Going on twitter, Deepika confirmed the news to her fans, "Yes its true! signed a film with vishal bhardwaj! I'm really really excited...he's a genius!!:-)" The film will be produced by Ekta Kapoor and is scheduled to go on floors early next year.

Boman Irani to host 'The Pitch' on television

Image
After hosting the popular game show 'Bollywood Ka Boss' on TV, Boman will now be seen hosting what one may call as 'Game shows ka Boss'! The show is called 'The Pitch' and will be telecasted on UTV Bloomberg channel. In this quest for excellence, Boman Irani will see the aspirants through the challenges thrown to them by some of India's most prominent business leaders like Naina Lal Kidwai, Kishore Biyani, N. Damodaran, Karan Johar and others across diverse industries. Each week on a fresh episode, a business leader will design and assign business tasks to the participants. The tasks will be designed to challenge the aspirants on the most critical skills required to be a successful entrepreneur who will receive funding of upto Rs. 5 crore to start their business. In short, the makers of the show are looking for the talented entrepreneur to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in the country. Speaking exclusively to ApnaDesi , Boman said,

John Abraham will be seen as geeky guy in Jhootha Hi Sahi

Image
Here's John in a startling unexpected avatar. We've seen John Abraham flaunt his physique in so many variations and permutations that we don't know what he looks like with his clothes on. Tarun Mansukhani who has to strip John in a new way in Dostana 2 is being driven up the wall. "After Dostana how much more can John strip without getting into his birthday suit?" says Tarun in exasperations as he sits on the storyboard poring over ways to make John look like a reborn beefcake. But beefcake is the last thing that John has in store for his fans in Jhootha Hi Sahee . Now it can be told. But not seen. John Abraham's carefully-concealed look in Abbas Tyrewala's film will remain out of bounds for a while. And with good reason. John actually gets out of his body-beautiful space to play a nerdy ordinary whitecollar bespectacled guy with a flabby physique in Jhootha Hi Sahi . John in fact wanted to go all the way for the role to add

Subhash Ghai signs Priyadarshan to direct his next

Image
He is referred to as the showman of Bollywood; he is none other than Subhash Ghai. Ghai who has given umpteen number of entertainers, has now signed none other than Priyadarshan to direct his next venture under his banner Mukta Arts. The film in question will be officially launched on October 24, when Mukta Arts celebrates its 32nd anniversary. Ghai and Priyan are currently finalising the star cast for the film. 

Amruta Khanvilkar to be brand ambassador of Nyle shampoo

Image
We are sure that the very name of Amruta Khanvilkar won't ring a bell instantly in the minds of many. She features in the famous song ' Waajle Ki Baarah ' from the Marathi film Natrang . In Bollywood, she has featured in films like Hattrick, Mumbai Salsa and Phoonk 2 . The news is that Amruta Khanvilkar has been chosen as the brand ambassador of Nyle range of shampoos. Sources close to ApnaDesi state that the Nyle officials were highly impressed with her hosting skills on TV, and that they wanted someone as prompt and bubbly as her to be the brand ambassador of their brand. Hopefully, this association will have us seeing more of this PYT in Bollywood too!

Prachi Desai chosen as brand ambassador of Goa

Image
Prachi Desai has been very choosy as far as brand endorsements are concerned. This time however, Prachi has tied up not with a brand but Goa tourism. The Government of Goa has signed Prachi as the brand ambassador of their ever-colorful state. Speaking exclusively to ApnaDesi , an elated Prachi said that, "I am definitely overjoyed at this. It's definitely a rejoicing phase, especially, after the success of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai . I go to Goa pretty often; this place has always proved lucky for me. Being the brand ambassador of Goa means a huge responsibility on my shoulders. The Goa officials want to deliver the plain simple message that Goa is definitely a place to be in and people would want to come here again and again. Prachi concluded by saying, "I have just shot a TVC for them and have also been a part of the tourism conference that was recently held in Goa. As a brand ambassador, I will do whatever is expected me."