Aishwarya's ready for her baby shower

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is in the eighth month of her pregnancy, and, so far, she has been hiding her baby bump pretty well. But today (October 18), things might be quite different. Reportedly, Ash will have her 'godh bharai' (baby shower) this evening, and it is expected to be a grand celebration.

Ash has also not really spoken about the pregnancy since it was announced by her pa-in-law Amitabh Bachchan on Twitter in June this year. It's been hubby Abhishek Bachchan who has responded to all the congratulatory messages and even referenced it in an ad for a mobile service provider he endorses (the ad focuses on controlling India's population through 3G services and Junior B is asked about his own baby in it).

Ash has drastically reduced her public appearances post pregnancy, and was only recently spotted at the Mata Ki Chowki at Sanjay Dutt's home as well as a Durga Pooja in Mumbai.

The baby shower today, being hosted by Ash's ma-in-law Jaya Bachchan, is set to be one amazing affair. It is believed that all of Bollywood's top stars will be at the Bachchan home - Prateeksha - for it. Read more

Bipasha steps out with 'Brad'

Forget John Abraham, Bipasha Basu has hottie 'Brad' for company now! Bips had become the proud owner of a brand new Beetle, which she has named Brad (perhaps after the gorgeous Mr Pitt, who she confessed to being a huge fan of).

"My Beetle just arrived! Named it 'Brad'! Me n Brad will now drive all around Mumbai. Yipee!" Bipasha posted on her Twitter page.

Bips had previously revealed that she is learning to drive as she hates to depend on people for her work. She had also said in an interview that she was planning to treat herself with the car.

Meanwhile, the actress has just wrapped up the shooting for her new film 'Jodi Breakers' in Greece, in which she stars opposite R. Madhavan.Read more at Masala.com

Madhuri needs a school

Following her relocation to Mumbai, Bollywood's ‘Dhak-Dhak’ girl Madhuri Dixit is seeking suggestions for the best schools in Mumbai for her kids. The 44-year-old had shifted to the US after tying the knot with Denver-based cardiovascular surgeon Shriram Madhav Nene in 1999.

"Back in Mumbai! At the Taj on Fri for Emeralds for Elephants. Busy settling in. Boys still jet lagging. What is the best school in Mumbai?," Madhuri posted on Twitter.

Madhuri had made her acting comeback with the 2007 film "Aaja Nachle" and is currently flooded with offers. But it looks like she still has to get over her relocation blues before she faces the camera!(Masala.com)

Shama Sikander's photoshoot

Prateik talks big

Makes tall claims that the warring Khans Shah Rukh and Salman have agreed to listen to his patch-up plans for them

Call him overambitious or just plain foolhardy, but Prateik has a dream that he wants to make happen before the release of his next film My Friend Pinto.

The actor has vowed to bring the two warring Khans-Shah Rukh and Salman-together.

Says the actor, "I can't understand why they're not friends! They're both so comfortable with their stardom and not threatened by anyone else's success. They're wonderful human beings.

I know them both and I love them equally. I want to bring them together because I see it as a futile war."

Interestingly, the newbie claims to have done what many (more established and respected seniors) in the industry have tried and failed. He alleges that the two superstars have actually agreed to listen to his patch-up plan for them!

Wisely, he decides not to reveal all at the moment. "I am not telling you my exact plan because I'm superstitious But, yes, I'm working on it. Read more

Bollywood's dream run comes to a halt

All three releases this week -- Rascals, Love Breakups Zindagi and Soundtrack -- take a beating. On a positive note, John Abraham's Force picks up steam

If the opening figures of Rs 7.25 crore across India were any consolation, the following days didn't do much to boost the morale of Sanjay Dutt who ventured into production with Rascals.

The comedy, also featuring Ajay Devgn, under the aegis of David Dhawan failed to retain audience interest.

According to trade analysts, the movie, which cost R 50 crore (including prints and advertising), is not likely to break even, forget making money for the actor-producer and his investors.

Considering numbers like R 5.75 crore (Friday), R 5 crore (Saturday) and R 5.5 crore (Sunday), trade analyst Amod Mehra says, "The writing on the wall was there to be seen on Friday itself.

And it was reiterated on Saturday, which registered numbers over 30 per cent less than Thursday." He added that the crash Monday onwards was imminent due to poor content and lack of positive word of mouth.

Mehra dubs the other releases Soundtrack and Love Breakups Zindagi as washouts.

"A few shows of Soundtrack were cancelled. Love Break-ups Zindagi too barely saw much occupancy, averaging under 10 per cent," he adds.

The head honcho of a national multiplex chain on condition of anonymity attributes the average occupancy for Rascals to a negative response from the audience.

"People were finding it difficult to sit through two-hour long film that lacked a decent script," he says.

Though his G7 Cineplex in Bandra and Maratha Mandir in Mumbai Central witnessed 95 per cent occupancy for Rascals, Manoj Desai attributes Monday's drop to poor public response. Keep Reading+

Kangna doesn’t like Bollywood’s style

Actress Kangana Ranaut, who walked for designer Shantanu Goenka at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) says the people in Bollywood are not very stylish except for her contemporaries Priyanaka Chopra and Sonam Kapoor.

"I don't want to hurt anyone with my remarks, but I find that the style quotient is missing in Bollywood except for Priyanka and Sonam who know how to carry themselves well," says Kangana.

The Kolkata-based designer presented a line inspired by the French queen Marie Barrios. According to him, Kangana was the perfect muse for this collection.

"I wanted Kangana to look feminine, I didn't want to go overboard and I thought she completely justified the theme," he said.
Dressed in a white and beige gown, she looked confident while sashaying down the ramp. "I never feel uncomfortable while walking the runway as I have done it in films like 'Fashion' and 'Raaz 2'. So it has become a part of my character," Kangana said.

"Also, I love Shantanu's design and admire his creativity. He always makes something which suits my complexion and figure," she added.
When asked about her future projects, she said: "I am working on the sequel of 'Tanu Weds Manu' and 'Ishqiya'." (Masala.com)

picture: Getty Images

Jagjit Singh passes away

MUMBAI: Jagjit Singh, a prominent Indian ghazal singer, composer, music director, activist and entrepreneur, popularly known as “the ghazal king” passed away on Monday at the age of 70.

Mr Singh had recently suffered an intracranial hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding within the skull.

He was born on February 8, 1941 in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Jagjit and his wife Indian ghazal singer Chitra Singh have together been regarded as the pioneers of modern ghazal singing.

He has sung in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Sindhi and Nepali languages and was awarded India’s third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 2003.

With a career spanning over five decades and a repertoire comprising 80 albums, his work has been regarded as genre-defining.(Dawn.com)

“I missed being on the silver screen”

Shilpa Shetty, who is returning to the big screen after four years with the Sino-Indian venture ‘The Desire’, admits she missed working in films but she has learnt to prioritise her life with time. Of course, the question whether Bollywood wants her back or not remains unanswered!

"I have taken a backseat from showbiz purely out of choice because I am really enjoying what I am doing. I've been there and done that," Shilpa told reporters at the launch of website www.grouphomebuyers.com. "I miss being on the silver screen but I have learnt to prioritise things and my marriage is obviously my first priority. Then all my ventures where I have put my hard-earned money and my sweat and toil into, obviously require time. So it's not possible for me to dabble into too much," she said.

The 36-year-old, who has appeared in nearly 40 films, is soon going to make her debut as a producer. "My production isn't on hold. We are still working on it and there will be an official announcement very soon," she said.

Her film, ‘The Desire’, chronicles the journey of an Indian classical dancer, Goutami played by Shilpa, and the love story between her and a Chinese artist, Jai Leang, whom she meets during a travel assignment.(Masala.com)

Neha Sharma and Sarah Jane Dias are the chosen ones

It’s a season of sequels and a sequel to the 2005 comedy ‘Kya Kool Hai Hum’ has been announced. Neha Sharma and Sarah Jane Dias have been picked as the leading ladies of the rather unimaginatively-titled Riteish Deshmukh and Tusshar Kapoor-starrer ‘Kya Super Kool Hai Hum’.

Neha has earlier featured in ‘Crook: It's Good To Be Bad’ while Sarah was seen in ‘Dum Maaro Dum’. "Neha Sharma and Sarah Jane Dias have been cast opposite @Riteishd and me in our 'Kya Super Kool Hai Hum'!" Tusshar posted on his Twitter page.

Riteish confirmed the development too, and said he is excited to work with the beauties. "Day-1-KYA SUPER KOOL HAI HUM- met beautiful Neha Sharma and gorgeous Sarah - looking forward to working with them. Good luck director SACHIN YARDI," he tweeted

Source: Masala.com

Sonam Kapoor game for item numbers

It seems Sonam Kapoor is itching for an image makeover. The actress says she would love to do a sexy item number. "No one asks me to do an item number. I am just asked to do classical type of films. So, I guess people have to start looking at me in that way and see me as a sexy item number girl," says Sonam.

The actress was recently seen in Pankaj Kapoor's ‘Mausam’ along with Shahid Kapoor. Although the film hasn't got great reviews, she is not upset. "Fortunately for me I have got unanimously great reviews for 'Mausam' this time," Sonam said.

"People have unanimously loved me in the film. I have not actually encountered too much criticism with it. So I don't know how I will deal with it but hopefully I will deal with it gracefully," she added.

Well, it seems Deepika and Katrina’s success has inspired the fashionista too. Hopefully her item numbers will fetch her more success than her films.(Masala.com)

Salman turns multi-lingual!

For those who criticise Salman’s accent, here’s some news. The ‘Dabangg’ star has turned multi-lingual and will talk effortlessly in five languages.

The 45-year-old, who is the brand ambassador of the History Channel will be seen in teasers promoting the channel and its ideology by talking in Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and Hindi. The actor has got into ‘Jaisa Des Waisa Bhes’ character and says, "Thrill and adventure comes your way ... watch HISTORY being made every day" in all these regional Indian languages.

Surely, this is one Khan who knows how to strike a chord with the audience!

Pooja Missra sidelined in Bigg Boss!

It’s been just a day at the Bigg Boss house and one has already begun witnessing the various shades of caring, back-biting, bitchiness and groupism.

Day 1 began with House Captain Shakti Kapoor (the only male member of the House) establishing a rapport with Vida Samadzai and Shradha Sharma, while nominating Rajasthani dancer Gulabo Sapera, actress Pooja Missra, third gender activist Laxmi Narayan and Charles Shobraj’s Nepalese wife Nihita Biswas, for the first eviction to be announced this weekend.

As the ground was set for more arguments and debates over the likes and dislikes amongst the Housemates, it was Pooja Missra who was sidelined with the highest number (eight) of final nominations from other contestants. Her competing housemate, up for eviction this week, is Nihita. As is the norm, their fate will now be decided by SMS votes by the audience.

“Joh (Shakti Kapoor) fluke se captain ban gaya, uske nomination ko serious kya lena,” quipped a visibly bugged Pooja.

Shakti too, was seen giving advice to another contestant, saying, “Be prepared for the worst to come... which is round the corner.”

The war will certainly heat up among the beauties and Shakti, it seems!(Masala.com)

Sonakshi off to Paris Fashion Week

Sonakshi Sinha is elated at getting a chance to be part of the Paris Fashion Week being held from Sep 27 to Oct 5. "Louis Vuitton is taking me to Paris for Fashion Week. Next few days full of fun, excitement n glamour. Taking off now, see u when I am back! I sleep now in Mumbai, wake up in Paris," Sonakshi wrote Twitter.

Of course, the runways of Paris will be familiar territory for Sonaskhi who was a fashion design student and worked as a backstage co-ordinator before Salman Khan and ‘Dabangg’ happened. She is off and on also seen on the ramp as a showstopper at various fashion weeks.

Sonakshi, it seems, is on cloud nine after having six films in the pipeline. She is shooting for ‘Joker’ and ‘Rowdy Rathore’, both of which star Akshay Kumar. She has ‘Race 2’, ‘Son of Sardar’ and is also doing ‘Dabangg 2’ and ‘Kick’ with Salman. Good going, girl!

Sonam’s Controversial Role

The Mausam girl will play Milkha Singh’s ‘secret’ lover
So what if her films are not a success at the box-office? Sonam Kapoor seems to be going places. Ever since she was signed up for the prestigious project Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, based on legendary athlete Milkha Singh’s life opposite Farhan Akhtar, it was believed that she was playing his wife. Now, sources say, she plays a part of The Flying Sikh's (as Milkha was known) love life that not many people are aware of. Since the movie is not just about his professional achievements but also his personal life, filmmaker Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra wanted to include those bits about his life that were not public.

Mehra says the Milkha's secret romance would be reconstructed through conversations with Milkha, of which the lead pair would be an integral part. What’s more Sonam and Farhan would also be expected to enact some passionate scenes in the film. How far with Sonam go? Let’s wait and watch!(Masala.com)

Bipasha rubbishes wedding reports

Bipasha Basu has rubbished reports that she is planning to tie the knot with actor Rana Daggubati soon.

"Reading reports of my supposed wedding plans, there is absolutely no truth in them," Bipasha, who broke up with John Abraham, wrote on her Twitter page.

Rumours were rife that Bipasha and her 'Dum Maaro Dum' co-star Rana were dating and planning to get married.(Masala.com)

L'Oreal denies allegations of lightening it for their ad campaign

The French cosmetic brand L'Oreal is in the news for the wrong reasons again - it has been accused of altering Freida Pinto's skin tone in its latest campaign, but the brand has denied the allegations.

"This is with reference to certain incorrect reports on the internet about L'Oreal Paris lightening Freida Pinto's skin-tone in the campaign 'Colors Take Flight Project Runway'. L'Oreal Paris strongly reiterates that Freida Pinto's skin-tone in the campaign has not been altered in any way," said a statement from the company today (September 29).

"This campaign was meant to highlight Freida Pinto's make-up colors applied on her eyes and lips. Thus, some powerful studio lights with ring-flash have been used for this purpose to create a runway effect on the picture. There has been no whitening retouching process whatsoever on her face," it added.

The 'Slumdog Millionaire' actress has been L'Oreal Paris spokesperson since 2009.

This is not the first time the cosmetics brand has been accused of lightening the skin tones of its models. Recently, the brand was accused for using airbrushed pictures of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for one of their campaigns.(Masala.com)

Dia Mirza's got the inside scoop on her 'Love Breakups Zindagi' co-stars

Dia Mirza, who is looking forward to the release of her debut production venture 'Love Breakups Zindagi', says she treated her actors like kids on the sets of the film.

"Actors are like kids. You have to take care of them like kids, look after their smallest needs and make them feel wanted and comfortable. We tried to provide all actors an atmosphere where they felt good and also tried to create an environment of love and trust," Dia said.

'Love Breakups Zindagi' is a slice-of-life film, which is made under Dia, Zayed Khan and Sahil Sanga's banner Born Free Entertainment and Sahara Motion Pictures has co-produced it.

Directed by Sahil, who is Dia's boyfriend, the film will release on October 7.

Who is better - Zayed as a producer or Zayed as an actor?

"It is our relationship and our camaraderie that drives us. And the bond that we share reflects in our film. I wouldn't choose either of them as he is my friend first," she said.

Source: Masala.com

'Love Breakups Zindagi' promotions

View More Photos at Masala.com

Dimpy Mahajan suffers miscarriage

It's sad news for Dimpy Mahajan and hubby Rahul Mahajan. The model and reality TV star has reportedly suffered a miscarriage in the first month of her pregnancy.

The couple, who got married on NDTV Imagine's reality show 'Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega' in March 2010, had not made a public statement about the pregnancy news when it got out early this month. But they had responded to congratulatory messages on Facebook. They had also ben spotted at a well-known hospital in Mumbai around the time.

Dimpy had also been working on a Bengali film called 'Hello Memsaab', and had planned to visit Kolkata later this month for its promotions. She is now believed to be recuperating in Mumbai.

This Articel Orignaly Published at Masala.com