Aishwarya Rai pregnancy sparks clauses?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's pregnancy is reportedly making more filmmakers consider "no pregnancy" clauses in their contracts.The actress's announcement has meant that the shooting of Heroine is indefinitely on hold.

Murder 2 producer Mahesh Bhatt told Mumbai Mirror: "When the leading lady has to provide the glamour quotient and she [then becomes] another entity completely in the eyes of the consumer - from a desirable diva to a new mother - [it] serves as a body blow to producers."

However, Bhatt and fellow producers Ekta Kapoor and Vipul Shah argued that such a clause is not enforceable, saying that it should remain an "unspoken" agreement.

It was rumoured that the "dark" subject matter of the film may have made shooting it too stressful for the pregnant star, while speculation has also centred on whether she would be able to act out key scenes.The pregnancy was revealed last week by her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, who tweeted fans with the news.

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Madonna 'to open Malawi orphan care centre'

Madonna has revealed plans to open an orphanage in Malawi.
The '4 Minutes' singer, who adopted son David and daughter Mercy from the impoverished South African country, explained her charitable goals in an interview for Ovation's new series American Revolutionaries: The Hitmakers.

Madonna explained: "My short term goals are to build an orphan care centre that will service and reach at least 1,000 children and I'm also actively involved in funding several orphanages that already exist."

It was reported in March that Madonna's charity Raising Malawi had squandered more than £2.4 million ($3.8m) over plans for a school that was never built, leading to an upheaval in the foundation's board of directors.

Madonna was later said to be considering taking legal action against the directors following the financial mismanagement.

She revealed in January 2011 that she planned to restructure Raising Malawi so that the charity could operate on a "bigger scale" in the coming years.

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Lindsay Lohan ends home detention after 35 days

LOS ANGELES: Actress Lindsay Lohan was released from home detention on Wednesday after spending 35 days at her Los Angeles apartment for stealing a gold necklace, authorities said.

A private company that handles monitoring equipment for home detention inmates removed the electronic ankle bracelet from the "Mean Girls" star on Wednesday morning, said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department.

Lohan was sentenced in May to 120 days in jail, but the 24 year-old actress qualified for a shorter period of house arrest under programs for nonviolent offenders and to reduce overcrowding in Los Angeles jails.

Lohan, a former child star, pleaded no contest in May to the theft of a $2,500 gold necklace from a Los Angeles boutique. She had walked out of the store wearing the jewelry.

Her once promising Hollywood career has been derailed because of repeated run-ins with the law and trips to rehabilitation to deal with drug and alcohol problems.

Nevertheless, she is due to start filming a movie about New York crime boss John Gotti later this year with co-stars John Travolta and Al Pacino.

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Transformers: dark of the moon makes box office debut

NEW YORK: The third installment in the Transformers series “dark of the moon” is being released today. The movie will be released in both 2D and 3D formats.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" is set to hit theaters across the US on June 29. The move showcases a mysterious event from Earth's past which erupts into the present day; it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us.

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Veena Malik to do an item number

MUMBAI: She became a household name in India with her controversial stint on the fourth season of reality show 'Bigg Boss' and now actress Veena Malik is about to sizzle in a Bollywood's item number.

The 32-year-old actress will be seen in an item number in Bobby Sheikh directed film 'Phir Mulakat Ho Na Ho'.

This is Sheikh's first venture as a film director. He has been the assistant director in films like 'Rann' and 'Rang De Basanti'.

With songs by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, KK and Atif Aslam, the film also stars Rajpal Yadav, Kader Khan and Praveen Kumar and will hit the screens in September this year.

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Actress Nargis granted bail in obscenity case

Photo Credit : stop.pk

Pakistani Actress Nargis has been granted bail in the obscenity case against her, Geo News reported Wednesday.The case was registered against the actress one week ago in the Gulberg police station. The actress has been granted interim-bail by the court earlier and on Wednesday was presented in the court of an Additional Sessions Judge. The court granted bail to the actress and ordered that she should provide a bond of Rs 50,000.

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Bollywood films are a lot of fun,"Hilary Swank"

Hilary Swank has spoken out in praise of Bollywood as a chief guest at the International Indian Film Academy Awards.

The Oscar-winning star had been invited by Anil Kapoor to attend the event in Toronto, DNA reports.
Swank announced: "Both India and Toronto have a special place in my heart. I am too happy to be here. I just love the films that you guys make and that's the reason why I wanted to be a part of this function. It's a kind of a new experience for me."

The Boys Don't Cry star spoke about the power that cinema has for social change and acceptance.
Swank explained: "I think Indian cinema and Hollywood will bring people together. Bollywood has been bringing two worlds together. It's a great thing. I believe in the motto of 'one world, one people'. India has always held a very special place in my heart.

"I love all kinds of cinema and from all countries. I think Bollywood films are a lot of fun and are passionate."
The actress was complimented at the awards show by Shah Rukh Khan for using the Hindi greeting 'Namaste'.Peter Andre was previously invited to attend and perform at the 2009 IIFA Awards.

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Pamela Anderson 'sued for $22.5m by ex-boyfriend for condos loss'

Pamela Anderson and ex-boyfriend Laurence Hallier are engaged in a legal battle over a Las Vegas condominium endorsement.

The former Baywatch actress reportedly signed a deal in 2006 to make a series of promotional appearances for Hallier's Panorama Towers high-rise luxury homes in exchange for a condominium of her own.

Anderson eventually filed a $1m (£624,883) suit against her former lover, claiming that Hallier was unable to secure her a dwelling at the Panorama Towers and had agreed to pay her the sum in return.

Hallier has now alleged in his own countersuit that Anderson failed to live up to her endorsement agreement by refusing to make several public appearances as stipulated in her contract, TMZ reports.

He is contending that Anderson's failure to promote Panorama Towers resulted in a significant loss of sales and is seeking $22.5m (£14m) in damages from the star.

A rep for Anderson has declined to offer any comment.
Laurence and Anderson apparently dated on and off for several years, before finally spitting in 2010.

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She Dreams to Be Real Princess

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has revealed that she is holding out to marry Prince Harry.The Transformers: Dark of the Moon star confessed that she harbours a crush on the younger royal in an interview on Live With Regis & Kelly.

"I'm waiting for my proposal," said Huntington-Whiteley. "I keep writing and we'll see what happens. He's so handsome… Come on Harry."The actress recently revealed that Transformers director Michael Bay demands people bring their "A-game" to work, stating that she hopes Bay appreciated her work on Transformers: Dark of the Moon.Last week, Huntington-Whiteley compared the process of filming the latest Transformers instalment to "boot camp", claiming that the movie's shooting schedule was hectic.Huntington-Whiteley replaced Megan Fox in the Transformers franchise last June.

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Katrina denies grand birthday bash rumours

MUMBAI: Katrina Kaif, who will turn 27 on July 16, has not been celebrating her birthday since the past three years and has denied throwing any birthday party this time as well.

After all, the last birthday bash only resulted in some bitter memories for the actress, when her ex-beau Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan got into a never-ending rift.

When Kat was asked about her plans of throwing a grand bash and inviting all those who has made a difference to her life, she said, "No, I am not planning on throwing any lavish b'day party, unlike what the rumours say."

When asked if she'll spend her birthday with her family in London or Mumbai the actress said, "I have not planned anything yet. My movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is releasing on 15th July so most probably I will be busy with the promotional activities."

However, a source close to the actress revealed that the gorgeous actress is planning to do some charity work on her birthday.

“Kats mother is involved in charity and Kat too is inclined towards it. She wants to give back to the society which has given her so much love and what better day than a birthday to do that,” said the source.

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Beyonce serenades Glastonbury to a close

GLASTONBURY: US soul diva Beyonce on Sunday brought Britain's Glastonbury festival to a flamboyant finale with a greatest hits and covers set before of 100,000 sun-baked revellers.

The Bootylicious singer, whose husband Jay Z played a famous set at the 2008 festival, performed her solo repertoire, hits from her time as a member of Destiny's Child and an eclectic mix of cover versions.

The crowd helped the superstar through "Say my Name", "Survivor" and "Independent Women" along with her interpretations of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams", Alanis Morisette's "You Oughta Know" and "Sex on Fire" by the Kings of Leon.

Addressing the massed ranks, the singer said: "I want you all to know right now you're witnessing my dream.

"I always wanted to be a rock star and tonight we are all rock stars," she added. "I still can't believe I'm performing at Glastonbury."

Earlier in the day, veteran singer-songwriter Paul Simon took to the main stage to perform hits "Diamonds on the soles of her shoes" and "You can call me Al", with a huge crowd seemingly unperturbed by his illness-affected voice.

British rapper turned soul crooner Plan B cemented his reputation as one of the country's hottest talents with an epic early evening set on the main Pyramid Stage.

"I came here in 2000, broke in, and watched Cypress Hill on the main stage," the singer told BBC. "To perform there and look from the other side was mental."

Despite a wet start to festivities on Thursday and Friday, the weather gods smiled on the 170,000 ticket holders with unbroken sunshine greeting artists performing at the farm in Somerset, south west England, on Saturday and Sunday.

Rockers Coldplay occupied the coveted Saturday night headline slot, while Irish megastars U2 kicked off proceedings at the world's largest performing arts and music festival with a two-hour set on Friday.

Crowd violence marred the band's debut Glastonbury performance as security guards stamped out a protest against the rockers' tax status.

As the band came on stage, campaign group Art Uncut inflated a 20-foot (six-metre) balloon emblazoned with the message "U Pay Your Tax 2."But as they tried to release it over the crowd, a team of security guards swooped into the crowd and tackled them to the ground before confiscating the balloon.

"Bono is well known for his anti-poverty campaigning but Art Uncut is accusing him of hypocrisy," campaigner Charlie Dewar said.

The group highlighted U2's decision to switch their tax affairs from Ireland to the Netherlands to pay less tax following a change in the law in 2006.

On a sombre note, the body of Christopher Shale, chairman of West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, was discovered Sunday morning in a portable toilet in the festival's VIP backstage area.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha said they were "devastated" to hear of the death of their "great friend". (AFP)

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Madonna in Comic Book

Madonna will soon star on the pages of a comic book.The star will have her life story told in 32 pages by Bluewater Productions Inc., the latest celebrity to be part of its semi-regular line of "Female Force" comics.

"Our goal is to show the little-known events and influences that resulted in Madonna becoming the phenomenon she remains to this day, more than a quarter-century after she burst upon the scene," said Jason Schultz, Bluewater's executive vice president.

"A visual medium provides perspective that is not only accessible but more relatable to the average person without losing any of the information involved."

"Most pop stars owe everything to this woman. It's amazing all of the things that she's done in her lifetime".

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Coco Is a Shoe Freak

Photo Credit : socialitelife.com

It's a well-known fact that Ice-T's wife Coco has a thing for shoes.But just how much of a thing, we had no idea! In this sneak peak from Sunday's episode of Ice Loves Coco, the platinum blond internet phenomenon is seen recording a dance number called "Shoe Freak" (produced by Kenny Dope and Coco's own rapper hubby, natch).At one point in her breathless recitation of the designers that really get her adrenalin pumping, she ends up so overheated that she busts out a revealing bit of free styling.

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Beyonce serenades Glastonbury to a close

GLASTONBURY: US soul diva Beyonce on Sunday brought Britain's Glastonbury festival to a flamboyant finale with a greatest hits and covers set before of 100,000 sun-baked revellers.

The Bootylicious singer, whose husband Jay Z played a famous set at the 2008 festival, performed her solo repertoire, hits from her time as a member of Destiny's Child and an eclectic mix of cover versions.

The crowd helped the superstar through "Say my Name", "Survivor" and "Independent Women" along with her interpretations of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams", Alanis Morisette's "You Oughta Know" and "Sex on Fire" by the Kings of Leon.

Addressing the massed ranks, the singer said: "I want you all to know right now you're witnessing my dream.

"I always wanted to be a rock star and tonight we are all rock stars," she added. "I still can't believe I'm performing at Glastonbury."

Earlier in the day, veteran singer-songwriter Paul Simon took to the main stage to perform hits "Diamonds on the soles of her shoes" and "You can call me Al", with a huge crowd seemingly unperturbed by his illness-affected voice.

British rapper turned soul crooner Plan B cemented his reputation as one of the country's hottest talents with an epic early evening set on the main Pyramid Stage.

"I came here in 2000, broke in, and watched Cypress Hill on the main stage," the singer told BBC. "To perform there and look from the other side was mental."

Despite a wet start to festivities on Thursday and Friday, the weather gods smiled on the 170,000 ticket holders with unbroken sunshine greeting artists performing at the farm in Somerset, south west England, on Saturday and Sunday.

Rockers Coldplay occupied the coveted Saturday night headline slot, while Irish megastars U2 kicked off proceedings at the world's largest performing arts and music festival with a two-hour set on Friday.

Crowd violence marred the band's debut Glastonbury performance as security guards stamped out a protest against the rockers' tax status.

As the band came on stage, campaign group Art Uncut inflated a 20-foot (six-metre) balloon emblazoned with the message "U Pay Your Tax 2."But as they tried to release it over the crowd, a team of security guards swooped into the crowd and tackled them to the ground before confiscating the balloon.

"Bono is well known for his anti-poverty campaigning but Art Uncut is accusing him of hypocrisy," campaigner Charlie Dewar said.

The group highlighted U2's decision to switch their tax affairs from Ireland to the Netherlands to pay less tax following a change in the law in 2006.

On a sombre note, the body of Christopher Shale, chairman of West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, was discovered Sunday morning in a portable toilet in the festival's VIP backstage area.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha said they were "devastated" to hear of the death of their "great friend". (AFP)

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Jackson 'Thriller' jacket sells for $1.8 million

LOS ANGELES: The red and black leather jacket worn by Michael Jackson in his ‘Thriller’ video has been sold for $1.8 million, a day after the second anniversary of the pop icon's death.

The jacket, which fetched several times its estimate of between $200,000 and $400,000, has "Love Michael Jackson" written on the sleeve, and a dedication in the lining to his long-time costume designers, to whom he gave it.

No details were disclosed about the buyer, after the amount of the winning bid was posted on the website of Beverly Hills auction house Julien's.

The auctioneer described the jacket as "among the most recognizable and famous garments of the 20th century," saying it sparked a 1980s fashion craze when it was copied and sold to adoring Jackson fans worldwide.

"The black and red style of the jacket became so identifiable with Jackson's groundbreaking (video) that he continued to use jackets of the same design when performing the song 'Thriller' for the duration of his career," it said.

The jacket is one of two which Jackson used during the ghoulishly iconic video, the other being on display in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

Part of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Shambala Preserve in California, where Jackson’s two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, have been living since 2006 when Jackson left the Neverland Ranch, it said.

On Saturday, fans paid their respects on the second anniversary of Jackson's death at the age of 50. (AFP)

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‘Bol’ continues to receive overwhelming response

LAHORE: The latest presentation of Geo Films ‘Bol’ has received tremendous response from the audiences and most of the cinema houses displayed house full boards at the third day of release.

Shoiab Mansoor’s ‘Bol’ starring pop-icon Atif Aslam finally hit the big screens across the city on Friday and the third day witnessed even a bigger crowd trying to get the tickets.

The movie expects a bumper business this season across the country due to its unusual subject mainly focusing on women’s rights and raising voice against the odds.

‘Bol’ has brought together some flaming issues, weaving them together in an engaging narrative along with exceptional acting. That is why, the flick is receiving overwhelming response from the viewers.

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Double Dhamaal (Movie Review)

Some things never change. Like Indra Kumar's style of storytelling. From "Dil" in 1990 to "Double Dhamaal" now, the fun never stops…that is, if fun is what you derive out of overgrown boys played by actors ranging from 20 to 50 who repeatedly get hit in their testicles.

Ouch!Balls are walls that the script scales to achieve a lowbrow calibre of hectic humour.
This slapstick comedy never escapes the ouch pouch. Cocooned in a juvenile comic mood that takes the characters through a maze of hazily-written humour, the narration leaves no pause for any emotion, not even exasperation that bubbles up in you as you watch the antics of the four semi-retarded protagonists, played at various octaves of lunacy by the talented trio of Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey, plus there's Ashish Chowdhary, looking a little lost in the maze of amazing comic timing.

Chowdhary shows up in the second-half in drag masquerading in siliconed splendour as 'Barbara Gori' offering 'her' soul and, ahem, body to Sanjay Dutt.

Oh, didn't we tell you? Dutt's the way we like it. He plays a kind of senior jester in the durbar of drollery. In almost every frame he is flanked by the two beauties Mallika Sherawat and Kangna Ranaut playing his sweetheart and sister, respectively. Feminine comfort swathed in designer ludicrousness.

Significantly the two ladies don't dress in character. They don't need to. Attired in the best designer gowns carrying the best bags that money can buy they resemble two models who show up at a beauty pageant in a moneyed little hamlet in Gujarat.

The film spares no expenses to look sleek. The characters are either silhouetted by skyscrapers or their equivalent created indoors by set-designers whose concept of lavishness won't match with what you've probably seen in the pages of Home & Interiors magazine.

There is no attempt to cohere to any acceptable standards of aesthetics here. As a director Indra Kumar has not made the mistake of evolving over the years. Crude food brings forth a belch of satisfaction from the audience.

The sleekness that we see in the songs and dances should not take away from the general rumbustiousness that pervades the plot.

Everyone hams it to the hilt. There is no room for subtlety and nuances. And by the time Arshad Warsi, one of the finest comic talents in our cinema, gets down to promising Dutt he won't 'blow' his 'job' we know the writers of this flamboyant farce are happily scraping the bottom of the barrel.

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Jennifer Aniston reveals new tattoo honouring late dog

Jennifer Aniston has joined the ranks of the inked by getting a tattoo. The “Horrible Bosses” star strolled through New York City in sandals on Friday, revealing a tattoo on the inside of her right foot that has a special significance. The tattoo reads, “Norman,” in memory of her beloved Welsh corgi/terrier mix who passed away in May at the age of 15, a rep for the actress told People. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Jennifer appeared emotional while speaking about her departed dog at a taping for “Inside the Actors Studio” in New York City on Thursday. When asked by host James Lipton to reveal her “favourite word”, Jennifer said, “Norman”, with a tear in her eye. The entire “Inside The Actors Studio” experience was humbling for the star, who told Access, “You’re talking with students and it’s just wonderful. “It was so refreshing and to have someone to reflecting back to you [about] your work and asking questions about where you came from and what sort of led you to be you who you are today as an actor,” she continued on Friday as she promoted her new film. “I loved it, I was very humbled.” daily times monitor

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Asin Thottumkal’s ‘no bikini’ clause

While her peers are donning bold avatars onscreen, south Indian actress Asin has said no to wearing bikini on-screen, Zee News reported. Call it being conservative, but Asin has made it clear to the makers of ‘Housefull’ that she will not be wearing a bikini in the sequel of the film. The first part of the hit film had Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone and Jiah Khan donning the sexy swimsuit for a song. The sequel will star Asin and Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez along with Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Ritesh Deshmukh. Asin has even gone to the extent of including a ‘no bikini’ clause in her contract. Director Sajid Khan will now be hoping that the other leading lady, Jacqueline Fernandez, agrees to wear the sexy number. So while Jacqueline will scorch the screen in her sexy avatar, Asin will just have to make do with her usual western outfits.

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IIFA awards 2011 winners: 'Dabangg' bags six awards

TORONTO: Salman Khan starrer Dabangg ", last year's biggest hit, bagged six awards, including best female debut for Sonakshi Sinha , at the glittering 12th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards here Saturday night.

Ranvir Singh won the award for best debut male award for his role in "Band Baaja Baaraat".

Accepting the award from veteran actor couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, the young actor said: "It is special to me as the award is presented by my idol. (But) it is just the beginning."

Presenting the award to Sonakshi Sinha, yesteryears' diva Hema Malini said: "I saw this girl and never thought she will become an actress.

A beaming Sonakshi said: "Toronto, itna pyar. Thanks for giving me the gift of IIFA. I will cherish it forever."

Mamta Sharma won the award for best female playback singer for her song "Munni Badnaam" in "Dabanng".

"I love you so much... Shah Rukh I love you much... Toronto I love you so much," said Mamta as Arshad Warsi handed her the award in the company of show co-hosts Boman Irani and Ritesh Deshmukh as well as Shah Rukh Khan.

The award for best male playback singer went to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for "Tere Mast Mast Do Nain" from "Dabanng".

For best lyrics, the award went to Niranjan Iyengar for "Sajda" and "Noor-e-Khuda" in "My Name is Khan". The award was accepted by Karan Johar on his behalf.

For best music direction, the award went to Sajid-Wajid and Lalit Pandit for "Dabangg".

The award for best story went to Shibani Bathija for "My Name is Khan". It was presented by Brett Lee, Fardeen Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala .

The award for best screenplay went to Abhinav Kahsyap and Dileep Shukla for "Dabangg". Zeenat Aman, Prakash Mehra and Sant Singh Chatwal presented the award.

The award for best dialogue went to Vishal Bharadwaj for "Ishqiya".

Mallika Sherawat and Brian White - her co-star in a Hollywood movie - presented the award.

Sonu Sood received the award for best performance in a negative role for "Dabangg".

Dharmendra won an award for his half-century in Indian cinema, while the Outstanding Achievement Award went to Sharmila Tagore.

Handing Sharmila Tagore the award, Shabana Azmi said: "I am honoured to present this award to an actress for whom I have the highest regard - a path-breaker, achiever, a person who has been successful in every avatar she has chosen."

Sharmila Tagore said the award was "such a satisfying thing. It's fantastic. After Dharamji, it is a tough act to follow".

She recalled Dharmendra's large heartedness when he agreed to a change in schedule for the shooting of a film when she had to "rush to Calcutta for personal reasons as Tiger (her husband) was in the West Indies".

For the first time at the IIFA, Star Plus channel presented the Hottest Pair award to Anushka Sharma and Ranvir Singh for which 15 million votes were cast online.

"Anushka, you make me feel hot," said Ranvir accepting the award in her company.

The first Green IIFA Award by Panasonic went to actress Priyanka Chopra.

Ritiesh Deshmukh bagged the award for best performance in a comic role for the film "Housefull".

Irrfan Khan , whom Anil Kapoor lauded for his performances on the global stage, received the IIFA award for his international performances.

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New Harry Potter website and e-books unveiled

Harry Potter creater JK Rowling Thursday unveiled an interactive website featuring new material about the boy wizard's world, while his adventures will also now be sold as e-books for the first time.

The multi-million-selling British author made the announcement at a press conference in London after days of fevered speculation about her new project, which had been shrouded in secrecy and rumour.

The free website, www.pottermore.com, will go live from July 31 for one million Potter fans who pass a special online challenge, and to the general public from October.

The seven e-books will be available through the website from October in partnership with Sony.

"It's a great way to get back to the Harry Potter readership," Rowling told reporters.

She said Potter fans will be able to register on the free website using one of the young sorcerers from the books as their online identity, then play games and interact with elements of the fictional world.

The site will also have previously unpublished material that she has written on the backgrounds to the characters and their lives at Hogwarts Academy, a fictional school for young wizards.

"I had more than half of the new material already written," Rowling said, adding that some of it had been "literally" dug out of boxes.

"I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation," she said.

"I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping to shape Pottermore as I have."
Rowling revealed that she had "no plans" to write another Harry Potter novel but said that a rumoured Potter encyclopaedia was a possibility.

The author laid down her pen -- and Harry's magic wand -- when she finished the seventh book in 2007, with a stunning record of 400 million copies of the series sold around the world.

She said, however, that she was unable to leave Harry Potter and his world behind.

"It is exactly like an ex-boyfriend," she said.

"I only cried like that when my mum died. It completely changed my life. It is impossible to overstate what Harry Potter meant to me. I adore my readers."

Next month sees the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the final film in the epic saga, starring Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley (.AFP)

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Pippa to get 95,000 pound bomb-proof car

Pippa Middleton, sister of Kate, will get an armoured car with bullet-proof windows as a gift from her parents who are worried about her safety.

The Middletons fear that ever since the royal wedding of her sister Kate with Prince William, when 27-year-old Pippa's rear grabbed worldwide attention, she has become vulnerable to attack from obsessed fans, The Sun reported.

Pippa's parents - Michael, 61, and Carole, 55 - are now looking at a 95,000-pound bomb-proof BMW or Audi.

The car would still be drivable even if the tyres were shot.( 

• AP

)

"Carole and Michael have taken a raft of measures following advice from one of William's most trusted bodyguards. Pippa's car will have all the latest security devices, including armour plating. It will be bomb proof," a source said.

Pippa caused a sensation on internet as the bridesmaid at her sister's wedding. A Facebook group in praise of her rear has more than 230,000 followers.

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Paula the Octopus in action for women's World Cup

During last year's World Cup in South Africa, Paul the Octopus shot to fame for his accurate match predictions, so for the women's competition starting in Germany on Sunday, step forward ... Paula.

The tentacled tipster was put through her paces on Friday in Konstanz in southern Germany, but made the shock choice that Canada will win Sunday's opening match against the hosts in Berlin.

The octopus, whose gender is actually unknown, had to choose between two compartments in a plastic box in its tank, one with a Germany flag and one with a Canada one, with each containing a tasty morsel.

The prediction is a bold one as Germany, whose women are hoping to win their third consecutive World Cup, have never lost any of their previous nine matches to Canada.

Paula, however, is only one of eight salty soothsayers housed at eight different Sea Life centres in Germany competing to become the official successor to British-born Paul, who lived in an aquarium in Oberhausen.

All eight will be asked to predict the outcome of all Germany's matches in the June 26-July 17 women's competition.

While Paula and an eight-legged colleague in Munich both backed Canada on Friday, the fishy forecasters in Berlin, Koenigswinter and Oberhausen plumped for Germany, making the combined predictions 3-2 in the hosts' favour.

But the method of enticing the underwater oracles to predict the winner proved to be far from fool-proof -- three octopuses in other locations in Germany snubbed the treats on offer and ignored both boxes.

This was determined by aquarium officials to mean that they expect a draw.

Meanwhile one-year-old African elephant Nelly got in on the forecasting act at the Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen, near Hanover, by predicting a win for Germany after opting to kick a ball into the Canada net when given a choice.

But it is all a far cry so far from last summer's performances by Paul -- who has become something of an icon here -- after he kept a clean sheet in the men's competition in South Africa.

He correctly foretold the outcome of all Germany's games, even a defeat to Serbia in the group stage and to Spain in the semi-finals, as well as Spain's eventual victory in the final.

In the process he cost bookmakers a fortune and won worldwide fame, with rolling news channels in Germany carrying live coverage when he was asked to choose -- as they did with Paula on Friday.

Paul died aged nearly three in October, sparking hundreds of messages of condolence from his fan club on social networking website Facebook, whose ranks have more than tripled since his death to more than 200,000. (AFP)

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Michael Jackson, "Fans celebrate second death anniversary "

Today marks the second death anniversary of legendary pop singer Michael Joseph Jackson, widely known as the ‘The King of Pop’.

The stars demise on 25 June, 2009 due to cardiac arrest, shocked fans all over the world. Today the legendary pop star lives on through his music and fans remember him by holding tributes and vigils across the globe.

Hometown Gary Indiana will remember the star by holding a ‘Tribute to Michael’ where performers, vendors and fans will celebrate his career, culminating in a candlelit vigil at his childhood home.

Los Angeles will see a customized motorbike fashioned with photos of the star, drive through Forrest Lawn Memorial Park where the star was cremated and laid to rest.

A select few will be able to celebrate the stars 2nd death anniversary by taking a private helicopter departing from Santa Barbara airport to the stars estate, The Neverland Ranch. 36 flights have been scheduled by Channel Marine Helicopters with tickets costing $175 to $500 for private flights allowing passengers to drop red roses over the stars property from the side window.

Brother Jermaine Jackson also honored his brother by paying a tribute to him at the 12th Indian International Film Awards Festival in Toronto. Paired with Indian Singer Sonu Nigam, Jermaine’s nostalgic performance of Michaels chartbusters entertained fans in Toronto however it failed live up to the stars unique style and charm.

The star suffered through his share of controversies while he lived, but the enigmatic effect he had on his fans allows him to live on in their hearts and minds as an entertainer, philanthropist and humanitarian.

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Fans to miss Shahrukh, Ash performance in IIFA

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s fans are likely to get disappointed as buzz is in the air that he may not perform at the IIFA Awards, due to his knee problem.

Fans are eagerly waiting for the superstar who was supposed to perform at the stage of the prestigious IIFA Awards after 7 years.

Shah Rukh Khan has posted a tweet stating that he is in hospital getting his knee tapped up. He is feeling awful as he is not fully fit for performing at the IIFA.

But he also told his fans that he will try and give his best. He had attended the IIFA Weekend twice in the past—in Singapore in 2004 and in Amsterdam in 2005.

King Khan had performed last at the Singapore show. The superstar has been nominated as the best actor for his character of Rizwan in My Name Is Khan who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome.

On the other hand, news is that Aishwarya Rai Bachhan is also not performing in the upcoming awards due to her pregnancy. Ash and Abhishek will not attend the grand award ceremony that is scheduled to take place from 23rd to 25th June at Toronto.

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Aamir turns into item boy for Delhi Belly

MUMBAI: Producer-actor Aamir Khan, who has performed an item number titled I Hate You for his latest home production Delhi Belly, says it's time for "item boys" to rock Bollywood.

I want to become the number one item boy," Aamir told reporters here after unveiling the first look of the song on Wednesday.

Aamir, who will be seen in a retro look, aping veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty as 'Disco Fighter' in the much anticipated item number, says he is waiting for Salman's comments on it.

The 46-year-old actor will be seen in a new look that of a pass 80s disco dancer for the song.

Aamir said he had approached almost every actress and even item girl Rakhi Sawant but all of them avoided his calls and hence he decided to turn "item boy".

The film produced by Aamir Khan Productions stars Imran Khan, Vir Das, Kunal Roy Kapur, Poorna Jagannathan and Shenaz Treasurywala.

Directed by Abhinay Deo, Delhi Belly an adult comedy, releases on July 1.

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Courtney Love home damaged by small fire

A New York City townhouse owned by rocker Courtney Love was damaged in a small fire.

The blaze reportedly erupted in Love's fourth floor bedroom in the late hours of Thursday evening, a Fire Department rep told The New York Times.

Love discovered the fire and alerted authorities, before attempting to quell the flames herself. As a result, she suffered minor burns on one of her hands.

Firefighters arrived soon after receiving a distress call, but by that time the flames had largely been extinguished.

The Hole singer's townhome suffered only minor ruin, with curtains and bed dressing sustaining burns.

While the incident is currently under investigation, authorities believe that the fire was sparked after one of Love's curtains came in contact with a lit candle.

An unnamed male associate of Love's was in the home at the time, but was apparently unharmed.

Love's band Hole released their fourth major label LP Nobody's Daughter in 2010. The album reached the top 20 on the US charts.

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Plastic surgery is obvious, "Julianne Moore"

Julianne Moore has insisted that she has no plans to undergo cosmetic surgery.

The Kids Are All Right actress revealed that she does not believe such procedures actually reverse the aging process and confessed that she prefers to age naturally and let nature take its course.

"My feeling is live and let live. Some of those procedures that make you look younger, I don't know that they really made anybody look younger," Moore explained in a new interview with Health. "I think most of the time they make you look like you've had something done to your face."

Moore went on to joke that aging gracefully also has its advantages, as she is not held to the high standards that she faced in her youth.

"The big thing about being 50 is the bar is much lower. People are like, 'Oh my God, you look great!' So that's sort of good," she said.

Moore recently revealed that she and her husband Bart Freundlich send their two children to a Quaker school as they believe in the principles that the establishment teaches.

She also admitted that she and Freundlich only married in order to give 13-year-old Caleb and 8-year-old Liv a sense of stability.

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Geo’s bold and beautiful ‘Bol’ premieres in Lahore

LAHORE: In a similar vein as when Napoleon Bonaparte said, ‘give me good mothers and I’ll give you a good nation’, Shoaib Mansoor has proved true through “Bol” his own version of this saying, ‘give me a good script and good cast and I’ll give you a great movie’.

Proving to be the biggest event of the year, the premiere of “Bol” was a festival of stars, glitz, glamour and epic achievement at the Cinestar Thursday. Notables from not just the film and fashion industry but all walks of life showed up to witness the exquisite work put together by the team crafting “Bol”. Senator Shafqat Mahmood, Geo TV CEO Mir Ibrahim Rahman, Geo TV President Imran Aslam, eminent journalist and diplomat Maleeha Lodhi, performing arts icon Nighat Chaudhry, renowned poet Wassi Shah, film producer Hassan Askari, filmstar Ghulam Mohiyyudin, pop icon Ali Zafar, TV sensation Umaima and Rashid Khawaja were some of the many who showed up to be the first to watch the much anticipated Geo production.

“Bol”, is set among apparently ordinary characters and is a celebration of innovative movie making which manages to draw all flavors of entertainment, storytelling and a lasting impact of morals and social conduct.

As if unfazed by the culture of fear and conservativeness woven intricately in the present day Pakistani society, Shoaib Mansoor has yet again shown character and perseverance in telling a story that makes a bold social statement against stereotypical pressure groups who believe in imposing their brand of life on others.

Challenging the culture of preconceived judgments about everyday characters, the writer has expressed how titles associated with individuals based on profession and status become insignificant when the test of time is more of an opportunity rather than crisis for those who shine through their humane values.

While character played by every actor in the movie seemed engorged deep within there natural selves, they contributed to the treatment and grip of the movie in a befitting manner. Mahira although a rookie in the world of silver-screen, has surfaced as an exciting prospect and a great find for the industry which is short in supply of such talent.

The movie seeks to fix responsibility of the everyday crisis and the bigger catastrophes of life in a concrete manner yet leaves a lot of judgment to its audience to ponder upon. Promoting freedom of thought and snubbing all ideologies based on tunnel vision, “Bol” assumes a position more than just a movie in the present circumstances and in addition to raising a lot of questions regarding our social norms, it asserts a liability, on all who watch it, of doing our part to create a positive change instead of sitting it out apathetically.

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Lindsay Lohan due in court for failing alcohol test

LOS ANGELES: Troubled US starlet Lindsay Lohan is due back in court Thursday for breaching probation after failing an alcohol test while already on home detention, officials and reports said.

A court hearing will determine if Lohan, currently serving 35 days of home custody with an electronic ankle bracelet, breached the terms of her probation for a 2007 drunk driving incident, the LA District Attorney's office said.

DA office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said she did not know the exact nature of the alleged violation, but a news website said it was because Lohan tested positive for alcohol in the past week.

One of two tests on Lohan was conducted shortly after she hosted a rooftop barbecue, and the website cited sources as saying that LA County Probation Department officials will ask Thursday that she be sent to jail.

Lohan's publicist Steve Honig, when asked whether she had been summoned to court, replied: "I'm neither going to confirm nor deny."

The 24-year-old began her home detention on May 26 as part of a plea bargain over the alleged theft of a $2,500 necklace from a jewelry shop near her home in Venice Beach.

Lohan had already spent a few hours in jail in April, after a judge ruled that she had violated her probation for a 2007 drug and drunk driving offense, when she allegedly stole the necklace on January 22.

It is the latest in a long list of legal tangles for Lohan -- once the promising child star of hit Disney movies "The Parent Trap" and "Freaky Friday" - who has a reputation for hard partying. (AFP)

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Kate Winslet and Jennifer Lopez nominated for Hollywood stars

LOS ANGELES: Kate Winslet and Jennifer Lopez are among nominees announced to get their star on Hollywood's storied Walk of Fame next year.

Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson and Malcolm McDowell can also get their names on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk in 2012, while actor Richard Burton along with soul legend Barry White will get posthumous stars.

"The committee has selected a fabulous slate of stars to add sparkle and luster to the Hollywood Walk of Fame over the next year," said John Pavlik, chairman of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Selection Committee.

"Simpsons" creator Matt Groening was also nominated, along with John Lasseter and Sumner Redstone from the film world, and musicians Boyz II Men and Ann and Nancy Wilson of the band Heart.

The selection committee is part of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the golden stars on the stretch of Hollywood Boulevard near Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, home to the Oscars.

The nominees were chosen from hundreds of applicants considered at a June 17 meeting of the committee, whose decision was ratified by the Chamber's board of directors.

While the nominations are for 2012, those chosen have up to five years to schedule ceremonies to unveil their stars, after which their selection will expire. (AFP)

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Jackson voted greatest singer of all time

LOS ANGELES: Late singer Michael Jackson has been voted the greatest singer of all time in a new poll. Fans have honoured him by making him top the list of the Greatest Singer Of All Time in a poll conducted by Nme.com. The King of Pop died June 25, 2009, after suffering a cardiac arrest following an overdose of anaesthetic Propofol.

Queen frontman Freddie Mercury came second, while Elvis Presley placed third. Guns N' Roses star Axl Rose came in fourth and John Lennon rounded out the top five, reports contactmusic.com.

David Bowie, Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin also featured in the top 10 list.

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'Cars 2' is a clunker

Pixar's track record has been close to impeccable for turning out intelligent, emotionally rich, beautifully detailed animated films, with plenty of humor and heart to appeal to movie lovers of all ages.

But the weak link in the chain, at least from a narrative standpoint, has always been 2006's "Cars," with its two-dimensional talking autos and hokey, borrowed tale of small-town life.

Sure, it was bright and zippy, which was enough to appeal to the little ones, and it became a merchandising juggernaut. Just try finding a kid who doesn't have some sort of "Cars" stuff. My 19-month-old son has a Lightning McQueen sippy cup and I have no idea how he got it - these things just show up on their own. That's how ubiquitous they are.

So sure, why not make a sequel? Trouble is, "Cars 2" is such a mess, it makes the original look like it ought to rank among Pixar's masterpieces by comparison.

What has set the studio's films apart from all the other animated fare is story: It's paramount. Innovative tales like "WALL-E" and "Up" get you choked up just thinking about them, they're that good. "Cars 2" tries to encompass many kinds of stories at once, none of which is terribly clever or compelling. And the fact that Pixar mastermind John Lasseter is back as director is the most baffling part of all. This is the man who kicked it all off with the soulful and groundbreaking "Toy Story" back in 1995. This is not someone from whom you would expect empty glossiness.

Here, working from a script by Ben Queen, Lasseter makes a transparent attempt at catering to the ever-expanding global moviegoing audience by having the hero of the original "Cars," Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), compete in an international grand prix through Japan, France, Italy and Britain. The sponsor is a Richard Branson-type Range Rover-looking vehicle (Eddie Izzard); McQueen's main rival is an arrogant Italian Formula 1 racecar (John Turturro).

At the same time, "Cars 2" panders to middle America by placing Mater, the rusty, aw-shucks tow truck, front and center. McQueen is flashier but this is Mater's time to shine, as it were; Larry the Cable Guy, who voices the character, even gets top billing over Wilson. But a little of the comedian's twangy shtick goes a long way - for the audience, and for McQueen, who gets annoyed with Mater's boorish behavior in all these refined settings. Still, Mater is there to teach us some lessons about valuing the underdog. Or not judging people because we think they're different or stupid. Or something.

But wait, there's more. "Cars 2" is also a James Bond spoof, with Michael Caine providing the voice of the elegant English sports car, superspy Finn McMissile. Finn and his rookie sidekick, Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer), run into Mater, who has tagged along with McQueen on this globe-trotting journey, and mistakenly believe he's the American undercover operative they're supposed to meet during their latest mission. This ties into a whole `nother subplot involving alternative fuel sources and the German villain (Thomas Kretschmann) who has big plans to keep cars reliant on Big Oil.

With all these new characters and various narrative strands competing for our attention, there's not much room for fun. "Cars 2" is one thing a family-friendly summer blockbuster should never be: boring. Yes, it looks beautiful, lavishing in photorealism as so many Pixar movies do. In 3-D (because of course it's in 3-D), the chase scenes have their thrilling moments, and the many shiny surfaces do have a tactile quality. Young kids - at whom so much of this material is clearly aimed - will probably enjoy the bright colors and incessant motion.

But as the structure grows repetitive and Mater's corny puns and malapropisms become tiresome, we - like the anthropomorphized autos - feel like we're just spinning our wheels. (AP)

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Tom Cruise's singing will surprise, says Baldwin

Stephen Baldwin has described Tom Cruise's vocal performance in the big-screen musical Rock of Ages as "intergalactic".

Baldwin, whose brother Alec will portray Dennis Dupree in the Broadway adaptation, said that audiences will be pleasantly surprised by Cruise's singing voice when the film is released next year.

"The word behind the scenes is 'intergalactic'," Baldwin told People yesterday.

"He covered a song by a particular band, and the feedback was that the band was completely blown away," he explained. "The whispers and the rumours are that what he's doing with Rock of Ages is out of this world. Pretty cool, huh?"

Cruise recently posted the first photo of himself in costume as rockstar Stacee Jaxx, complete with a glam-rock hairstyle and several fake tattoos.

The Adam Shankman-directed musical also stars Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman and Bryan Cranston.

Rock of Ages is due for release in cinemas on June 1, 2012.

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Bridesmaids (Movie Review)

If the title hints at a frilly chick flick about love and forever, then the opening two minutes of Bridesmaids quickly and very wittily knocks aside those expectations. Kristen Wiig (the virginal Ruth Buggs in Paul) is thrashed about the bedroom by Mad Men's John Hamm wearing little but a weary expression. That turns to despondency as she's shown the door and ends up riding it like a carousel horse because she doesn't want to bother him with showing her out. It's the start of a deliriously funny nervous breakdown exacerbated by news that her best friend is getting married.

Wiig, who cut her teeth on Saturday Night Live and co-wrote the script, is merciless in her portrayal of Annie. She appears to suffer from an involuntary masochistic impulse and Hamm (stupid as well as smug in a departure from his adman guise) is just an extension of that capacity for self-harm. Best pal Lillian (fellow SNL member Maya Rudolph) is the voice of better judgment, urging Annie to stop taking those booty calls. Of course that's easy for her to say with her shiny new wedding ring, but the friendship feels warm and genuine, even as they profess their mutual love with raisins stuck in their teeth. Then Rose Byrne comes along as co-maid of honour...

Unlike her brassy turn in Get Him to the Greek, Byrne is all grace and elegance as Helen, Lillian's new gal pal and a threat to Annie who grudgingly shares the task of planning the wedding. Their face-off at the engagement party is brilliantly droll as each strives to get the last word in a toast to the happy couple. But however annoying Helen is, Wiig resists lapsing into bitchiness by making herself the butt of the jokes. Her life is falling to pieces, but it's her own drunken flailing that makes a bad situation worse and threatens to drive Lillian away. Stepping in to take some of the flak is Melissa McCarthy, hilariously butch and frisky as Lillian's future sister-in-law Megan.

At times this plays like an oestrogen-fuelled spin on The Hangover, or one of Judd Apatow's bromance comedies (he's one of the producers), only because the group dynamics are more finely tuned than in the average rom-com and the laughs stem from that interaction rather than a contrived situation. Where the women must usually play it straight to irresponsible men, they have licence to goof off here, even stepping out for a hen party in Vegas (though free booze on the plane means they never get there). Toilet humour is factored in too, which wouldn't feel so inspired except for the rare disclosure that women don't always smell of sugar and spice.

Wiig's brand of comedy is loud, proud and just gosh darned funny. Her crowd is also more mature than we're used to seeing onscreen (in age only!), but she avoids the self-important pseudo-philosophising of Sex And The City. Even so, the film is no less shrewd in subverting gender roles. Having older women in the frame (Byrne aside) also means their emotional baggage carries more weight and makes for harder hitting punch-lines. But the dream of true love is not entirely dead either. Our very own Chris O'Dowd plays the man who might save Annie from herself, but their romance is only a subplot in a bigger picture. Ultimately it's up to Annie to realise her true value. Certainly, as regards comedy, Wiig is worth her weight in gold.

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Shilpa Shetty food chain to close down?

Shilpa Shetty's former restaurant business is reportedly in financial trouble.

The company, which took over the already troubled Bombay Bicycle Club chain, has filed for bankruptcy, according to The Times of India.

"When Shilpa invested a huge sum in the group, the prospects seemed brighter," a source told the paper.

They added: "Apart from not-so-positive reviews from the press, the establishment has also had to deal with monetary issues like debts and loan approvals."

It is claimed that Shetty and her tycoon husband Ray Kundra invested £6 million to grow the modern Indian cuisine chain globally.

The former Celebrity Big Brother winner refused to verify the stories, but admitted that she has moved onto "bigger and better" things since leaving the chain in December 2010.

In February 2011, the actress launched a range of Indian vegetarian meals in collaboration with chef Andy Varma.

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Raveena Tandon praises Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Raveena Tandon has revealed that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has wanted children for a long time.

News broke that the former Miss World and her husband Abhishek Bachchan are expecting a child when the couple were congratulated by his father Amitabh in a tweet.

Tandon tweeted from her own account: "I remember, she and me together on flights, going for concerts, chatting, long hrs (sic) away, then too she dreamed of a happy settled family life."

She added that Rai Bachchan is "a strong [Scorpio] lady" and has "moulded" her life as she wants.

Tandon recently returned to cinema, starring opposite Amitabh in Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap.

He recently complemented the 36-year old actress on her first Bollywood role in five years, describing her as having the same "gusto" as earlier in her career.

It was recently reported that Rai Bachchan will continue shooting on Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine throughout her pregnancy.

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Celebrities Expecting in 2011

Babies bring such joy to the world and welcoming babies can be an exciting time for many people. In 2011, many celebrities will welcome new bundles of joy. Some are more private preferring to keep the details to themselves. So good luck finding out the due date or gender, while others are happy to share as many details that are available. Whether they choose to share details or not, bringing a new life into this world is always a cause for celebration.

Victoria Beckham, wife of soccer sensation David Beckham is expecting the couples fourth child. The pair have not decided whether or not they will learn the gender.

On the other hand, singer-songwriter Dido can’t wait to find out the sex of her upcoming bundle, but she and her husband have not announced it yet.

Actress Kate Hudson is expecting her second child in July. She currently has a son who is 7 years old.

Tia Mowry, one half of the duo most known for the sitcom Sister, Sister is expecting her first child in July. She and her husband Cory Hardict are excited about the new baby boy.

Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren are also expecting a new bundle later on this year. The couple currently has a 2 ½ year old daughter named Honor Marie.

Boxer Laila Ali, daughter of legendary boxer Mohammad Ali is expecting her second child with her husband Curtis Conway. The couple currently has a 2 ½ year old son named C.J. The couples second child will be a girl named Sydney.

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IIFA festival to host premieres, special screenings

The Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend has announced a range of premieres, special screenings and previews of upcoming Bollywood films.

The Toronto-based event is also expected to attract a large number of Hindi film celebrities and performers.

"With a number of film briefings taking place, the media will be privy to sneak previews of some highly anticipated films including upcoming flicks Love Breakup Zindagi, Aazaan, Politics of Love and Tell Me O Khuda," organisers said in a statement.

Politics of Love is scheduled to become the first international film to debut at the festival, following rumours that the project was going to release straight to DVD.

"Starring Mallika Sherawat and Hollywood stars Brian J White and Loretta Devine, this much-awaited 'rom-com' revolves around an unlikely romance during the time of the last presidential election in the United States," the statement added.

The long-delayed Esha Deol comeback vehicle Tell Me O Khuda, which features the actor alongside real-life father Dharmendra, will also screen.

In addition to the main awards show, the IIFA Film Festival will take place at cinemas across four cities in the Greater Toronto area from June 24.

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Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is pregnant

Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is pregnant with her first child in her marriage to fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan, it has been revealed.Amitabh Bachchan, her father-in-law, delivered the news to followers on Twitter, dispelling months of rumours.

He tweeted: "T 410 -NEWS NEWS NEWS !! I AM GOING TO BECOME A GRANDFATHER .. AISHWARYA EXPECTING .. SO HAPPY AND THRILLED !!!"

The couple have been married for four years, but have persistently batted away rumours that they are planning to start a family.

The 37-year old actress described her husband as potentially a "good father" in 2009, because of his role playing the parent of his own dad Amitabh in their film Paa.

Amitabh last year criticised the media for its speculation that his daughter-in-law and son were unable to conceive despite reportedly stalling her career in preparation.

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I still can't drive,"Robbie Williams"

Robbie Williams has said that he regrets the fact he has never learnt to drive a car.
The Take That singer made the comments during an interview about his promotional track 'Collision of Worlds' for the Disney Pixar sequel Cars 2.

"I don't have a driver's licence," Williams admitted, when asked the type of car he drives.

"In London you just don't drive because the traffic is terrible so you get cabs to go everywhere," Williams explained. "Which has left me being 37 and still without a driver's licence in Los Angeles."

Despite being unable to drive himself, Williams revealed that he has always been fascinated with cars and is interested Formula 1 racing.

"We have Formula 1 over in England and it's always been a very important part of growing up and seeing these heroes and respecting and admiring them and the glamour that surrounds them," he added.

When asked what type of car he sees himself as, Williams said that he would be a comfortable and steady minivan.

Williams recently revealed that his Take That bandmate Gary Barlow is helping him work on his new solo album.

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Paris Hilton, Cy Waits confirm split

Paris Hilton and Cy Waits have appealed for privacy following confirmation of their
break-up.

Hilton's representative Dawn Miller verified recent press reports in a statement to People.
"I can confirm that Paris Hilton and Cy Waits have ended their relationship," Miller told the publication.
"It was a joint and amicable decision. They both have respect and care for one another and ask for you to please respect their privacy."

Hilton and nightclub owner Waits began dating in August 2010.
It had been reported last week that the couple were "re-evaluating" their relationship. Insiders claimed that Waits had been finding it difficult to cope with life in the public eye.

Hotel heiress Hilton spoke of her happiness with Waits last month, describing her then-boyfriend as "incredible".She has not yet commented personally on the split, but did tweet to say that she is due to appear on The George Lopez Show tonight to discuss her television show The World According to Paris.

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I'm cool aunt to Michael's kids, "Janet Jackson"

Janet Jackson has revealed that she is often referred to as the "cool aunt" by her nieces and nephews.

The 'Make Me' singer told Closer that she has a good relationship with her family, particularly the late Michael's kids Prince, Paris and Blanket.

"'We are a very close family. I love them all very much," Jackson explained.

"A lot of my nieces and nephews come to me when they need someone to talk to. I've been told I'm the cool aunt!'

The For Coloured Girls star previously confessed that she thinks of her late brother every day as they shared "every dream, every confidence".

Jackson has previously revealed that she would not want to have children while in the public eye as she believes that fame is too difficult for kids to handle.

She is currently in the middle of an international greatest hits tour and also signed a production deal with Lionsgate Films earlier this year.

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Mallika Sherawat's 'Double Dhaamal' bikini scene cut

Mallika Sherawat's extended bathing sequence in the upcoming comedy Double Dhaamal has been cut by its producers.

The Hisss actress is upset about the decision to shorten the scenes, The Times of India claims.
"We haven't entirely removed Mallika's bikini scene. But we've voluntarily diluted it. Earlier it was an elaborate bathing sequence. But, now it is just a passing shot," producer Ash Thakeria told the paper.

He added: "We don't want Double Dhamaal to be considered a sex comedy. Double Dhamaal is a clean fun family comedy."

Sherawat reportedly refused to have any shots of her lower body taken for the film.
In January, she won a court case against a man who had accused her of dancing obscenely in footage broadcast on television in 2006.Double Dhamaal will receive its premiere when it opens the International Indian Film Academy Awards in Toronto tomorrow.

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Amy Winehouse European Tour

Amy Winehouse has axed the remaining dates on her scheduled summer tour of Europe following a disastrous comeback performance in Serbia over weekend, during which the five-time Grammy winner was booed and jeered as she wandered around stage in a drunken stupor.

She initially pulled out of two festival shows, but decided to axe all dates and focus on conquering her ongoing addiction to drugs and alcohol, her rep says. Amy, 27, has had a long battle with substance abuse, which has at times overshadowed her career. Just three weeks ago, she spent a week at the Priory clinic in south west London detoxing in preparation for the tour.

“Amy Winehouse is withdrawing from all scheduled performances. Everyone involved wishes to do everything they can to help her return to her best and she will be given as long as it takes for this to happen.” says Winehouse’s manager Ray Cosbert, who has reportedly ordered the star to take a substantial amount of time out from the spotlight to address her personal problems.

“It has been hard for Ray to watch her get into trouble over the years. There’s only so much he can do – but enough’s enough. She’s going away and this time it could be for years,” a source tells British tabloid The Sun.

The charttopping singer of hits including “Rehab” and “Love is a Losing Game” had been due to perform a series of European dates, including Turkey, Greece, and Bilbao on July 8. The tour had been scheduled to wrap up on in Portugal on Aug. 4.

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Lyricist Khawaja Pervaiz is no more

Seasoned Lyricist Khawaja Pervaiz, the creator of more than 15,000 ever-green songs in Urdu as well Punjabi languages, passed away after protracted illness at the Mayo Hospital here on Monday.

The lyricist par-excellence, 78, was a chronic diabetic and suffered from asthmatic complication. He was admitted to the Mayo hospital last week with the symptoms of low- sugar where he breath his last this morning.

Khawaja Ghulam Mohyuddin (pen-name Pervaiz), born in 1932 in Amritsar (Indian Punjab), migrated to Lahore (Pakistan) in 1947 and settled in Gawalmandi.

By virtue of his poetic genius, Khawaja Pervaiz was ranked among the top lyricists of the Pakistani film industry who created thousands of filmi songs, ghazals,national and war songs as well as poems.

During his illustrious film career, spanning over 45 years, he created memorable songs for Urdu and Punjabi films which endeared to the music lovers for ever.

His best remembered songs are: 'Jub koi Pyar Sai Bulai Ga/ Tum Ko Aik Shakhs Yaad Aiy Ga', 'Kisay Da Yaar Na Wichray','Tum Hee Mehboob Mairay', and one of the best Punjab ever-greens 'Mahi Aavey Gaa Main Phulain Therti Sajawan gi.'

Madam Noor Jehan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali khan,Ghulam Ali, Masood Rana and other great vocalists sang his songs.

Khawaja Pervaiz was laid to rest in the Miani Sahib graveyard in the presence of political, film, tv, stage figures as well as admirers.

The renowned lyricist is survived by two wives and six children. (APP)

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