Pakistani Actress Mona Liza Pairs Up With Himesh Reshammiya

Singer-composer-actor Himesh Reshammiya has got another debutante for himself. This time it is a girl from across the border.

After many unsuccessful auditions, Pooja Bhatt has found the leading lady of her next movie Kajra Re . And the girl is popular Pakistani TV actress Mona Liza.


Since the movie is set in Pakistan, Pooja wanted a Pak actress. And she wanted a new face because of Himesh’s decision to work with newcomers only. Tried hard though she did, Pooja couldn’t find the right actress unless Pak actor Javed Sheikh (who’s acted in Namastey London and Om Shanti Om ) reportedly sent her a few photographs of promising Pak actresses, of whom Pooja liked Mona.

Pooja says Mona fits the bill because she is good-looking and knows how to dance well.

The film has Mona playing a girl who disappears from Morocco and is found again in the Lahore mandi, the red light area of Lahore. Himesh plays the lawyer who falls in love with her before her disappearance and later traces her to Lahore.

Ben Hur star Charlton Heston dies at 84

Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing 'Ben-Hur' and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, has died. He was 84.

Heston spokesman Bill Powers says the actor died on Saturday night at his home in Beverly Hills and his wife Lydia was at his side.

Heston revealed in 2002 that he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, saying, ''I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure.''

With his large, muscular build, well-boned face and sonorous voice, Heston proved the ideal star during the period when Hollywood was filling movie screens with panoramas depicting the religious and historical past. ''I have a face that belongs in another century,'' he often remarked.

Kareena Kapoor Hot With Shahrukh Khan

About this Video:

Sexy diva Kareena Kapoor is going to be hot with Shahrukh Khan as she has signed a hot item number with him in his forthcoming film, Billoo Barber. King Khan will be seen getting cozy not only with Kareena but with sensational Deepika Padukone too. Both of the gals have been signed by Red Chillies Entertainment. With this song, Deepika will make her debut in item numbers.

Sachin Tendulkar retires from Test cricket

In a shocking revelation that has shook the cricketing fraternity, the ‘Little Master’ has decided to call it quits in the Test format of the game. Following his dropping for the second Test against South Africa with fielding maestro Mohammad Kaif taking his place– Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement early this morning.

The BCCI had initially mentioned a groin-injury, which had supposedly left Tendulkar on the sidelines; yet after today’s announcement, one wonders if this was their veiled attempt to push India’s greatest batsman into what seems to be a very early retirement…

“After years of giving India my 100%, I have decided that I can no longer compete in the Test format of the game. The formula of a youth dominated ODI – T20 squad has reaped many rewards, I’m inclined to believe that this should translate into our Test squad,” Tendulkar said as he opened his Test-retirement announcement.

“Now as we chase the number one spot in Test standings – the selectors and Board are under the impression that youth is the winning formula for Tests. Since I have had my fair share of Test cricket, I’m willing to take a side step to give India’s youth a chance. I have given my life to cricket – maybe it’s time I gave a little more attention to my family.” Sachin closed.

Sachin Tendulkar, quite possibly cricket’s most supreme batsman, didn’t seem to be in the best of moods during the conference – and once his short and curt speech ended, he vehemently refused to take any questions from the few journalists who were present. He quickly put on his shades and surrounded by personnel dashed to his Mercedes in which his wife Dr. Anjali was waiting.

source:msn

SRK, Yash Raj films & Rajinikanth clash!

SRK, Yash Raj films & Rajinikanth clash!

As interesting as the headline is the story itself. If reports smoking out of Bollywood are to be believed then we can witness the clash of Titans, we mean with regards to the film industry.

Red Chillies VFX, Yash Raj Films and Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya’s Ocher Studios will be vying with each other in the National Association of Broadcasters show to be held in Las Vegas on April 15.

The three production houses will also be making their presentations. Reports suggest that the production houses will also extend their service to not just desi but foreign films as well. The highest billing among these three production houses has been given to given to SRK’s Red Chillies VFX. Not to mention that SRK’s production has ventured into making animation films as well.

Rajinikanth’s Ocher Studios has ventured in to the production and making of the animated film ’Sultan - The warrior’, with a whooping budget of 70 crore rupees. Reports indicate that there is tough competition existing between Red Chillies VFX and Ocher Studios. And with Yash Raj films too coming out with an animation film titled ’Roadside Romeo’ the competition is getting stiffer.

Now the best we can do is just wait till the calender turns April 15th and watch who gets picked as the best!

Mira Nair: ‘Person Of The Year’!

Mira Nair, the famous Indian director of acclaimed films like monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, Mississippi Masala and Salaam Bombay is honored by the India Abroad Person of the Year 2007, on March 28.

The award was presented by Indra Nooyi, Chairperson and CEO, Pepsi, and India Abroad Person of the Year 2006 at a glittering ceremony held at the Gotham Hall in New York City.

Nooyi said while discussing her contribution to cinema and community that she had captured a special space for herself.

Nair reached New York to receive the award after a week-long trip to Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Toronto, Canada, where she will shoot her next film Amelia, starring Hillary Swank.

Her husband Mahmud Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University, was present on the occasion while only child Zohran, on whose insistence actor Kal Penn was selected for The Namesake, could not make it.

Nair paid her regards to all those mothers and women who inspired her.

Hosted by Columbia Professor Sreenath Sreenivasan, the evening began with Ajit Balakrishnan, publisher of India Abroad, the oldest Indian-American weekly, owned by rediff.com, lauding the winners and the Indian-American community’s achievements.

The awards ceremony was attended by diplomats, artistes, high ranking professionals, businessmen and stalwarts of the community. It was held at the stately Gotham Hall, formerly the headquarters of Greenwich Savings Bank, which hosted an event honoring soccer legend Pele and tennis great Boris Becker last week.

The legendary Economist Padma Desai and his husband Jagdish Bhagwati were chosen for India Abroad Lifetime Achievement Award from writer Salman Rushdie, winner of the same award last year.

Dr Renu Khator, President and Chancellor of the University of Houston, was awarded the India Abroad Publisher’s Special Award for Excellence.

India Abroad Youth Achiever 2007 award was given to 24 year old Somdev Burman. He is the first Indian to win the prestigious US collegiate tennis title.

Award for Service to the Community was given to Naveen Shah and Joy Cherian.

Aamir Khan At The Press Conference Of Olympic Torch Relay 2008

See Bollywood event of Aamir Khan at the press conference of Olympic Torch Relay 2008 Video.

Adriana Lima Beautiful Photos & Mini Profile

Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981) is a Brazilian supermodel. Lima is best known for her modeling work with Victoria's Secret and Maybelline. Lima is probably best known for her work with Victoria's Secret. She first graced the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 1999 and has appeared on subsequent shows ever since. Her most notable walk down the runway was in 2003, where she was the show opener. Lima had appeared on several television ads for the brand but her most memorable one, was appearing alongside the legendary rock musician Bob Dylan in 2003 Victoria's Secret Angel in Venice commercial which received both praise and criticism. She is currently a contract 'Angel' and spokesperson for the brand. She appeared in Victoria Secret's Super Bowl XLII ad.

Tanushree Dutta Under Controversy -Blacklisted?

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken strong exception to allegations of "indecent behaviour" levelled against Bollywood actor Nana Patekar by upcoming star Tanushree Datta.

The MNS has written letters to different associations of cine producers to ’blacklist’ Tanushree for accusing a senior actor like Nana of bad behaviour during the shooting of an item number for the movie "Horn O.K. Pleassse" on Wednesday.

The organisation, which was recently in the news for its violence against the north Indians living in Mumbai, has threatened to agitate against the actress if she does not give an unconditional apology to the actor, whom it describes as the "pride of Maharashtra".

Meanwhile, producer of "Horn O.K. Pleassse," Sami Siddiqui, filed a complaint Saturday with the Association of Motion Picture and TV Programme Producers (AMPTPP) against Tanushree.

He alleged that his production firm, Sunshine Pictures Pvt. Ltd, incurred a heavy loss because the actress failed to complete shooting for the item song being filmed on her and Nana.

In his complaint, Siddiqui also stated that the goodwill of his production firm was tarnished because Tanushree went to the media saying that she was "coerced" by director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya to do steps in the item song she did not feel comfortable doing.

Acting quickly on the complaint, the AMPTPP dashed off a letter to the actress, asking her to pay a compensation of Rs.65 million. This would include Rs.15 million to Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Rs.50 million for defaming it in public.

Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. had signed Tanushree for Rs.1.5 million for the item number to be shot over four days. She had been paid an advance of Rs.500,000. According to Siddiqui, he as well as Sarang and Acharya had explained to Tanushree what her steps would be in the dance number.

"She had agreed to it," Siddiqui said."They (Sarang and Acharya) also agreed when she requested them not to compel her to wear a costume she would not be comfortable with. So we were surprised when she walked out of the sets on the last day of the shooting (March 26) after taking part in it for two days," Siddiqui told IANS Saturday.

On Friday, Tanushree shot off a letter to the Cine and Television Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) explaining the sequence of events that led to her stomping out of the sets and the scuffle that subsequently took place between media persons present on the sets and her secretary.

In her letter, the actress also referred to the "unbecoming" manner in which Nana Patekar behaved with her during shooting of the item number on the first day and why she felt the need to ask her parents and her secretary to be present during the shoots later.

CINTAA is yet to act on her letter, but it is likely to ask Patekar for his explanation.It is rarely that a member of a cine association complains against a fellow member. In this case, what makes it unique is that an upcoming star has lodged a serious complaint against a senior member at the risk of her budding career.

Supermodel Carla Bruni - Nude Picture Of The First Lady of France

She Empress Has Few Clothes

Expected to go under the hammer for $3,000 to $4,000, a nude picture of the First Lady of France, President Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni, is up for grabs at Christie’s auction house next month.

“This one is racy?” asks photographer Michel Comte. “You should check out the ones I didn’t publish... and never will!” Those, we are told, are far more explicit! Along with the first ever First Lady photo to be auctioned in the buff, are also professional supermodels Brazilian Giselle Bundchen and Kate Moss, whose nude pictures will also go under the hammer. To check out the First Lady nudes and lot more of her pictures – including some where Carla actually donned some clothes,

M&M's Arun Nanda Wins French Award

MR ARUN NANDA, Executive Director

Mahindra and Mahindra's Executive Director Arun Nanda has been conferred the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, the highest civilian award of France.

He will be presented with the order at a ceremony in Mumbai at a date to be announced, a release said here on Thursday.

"It is a recognition of your remarkable career in the business community in Mumbai and on the part you took in the establishment of the partnership between Mahindra and Renault," French Ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont said in a letter informing Nanda of the award.

"But, above all, it is your performance as President of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the efficiency which you have restored in this association, that the French President wishes to pay tribute by conferring this distinction on you," he said.

A Resplendent Lara Dutta Walks The Ramp: Photos

Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.

March 27, 2008 - A resplendent Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday lateevening, March 26.

Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.

Lara, 29, the former Miss Universe (2000) became the new face of Pantaloons in late 2007.


She made a strong and ethnic style statement clad in an ivory colored silk churidar set with heavy gold and tear-drop pearl bridal jewelry.

Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.

Her full sleeve dress had a form hugging brocade bodice with a scoop neckline, dropped waist, and a full A line skirt with gold band details just above the hem.


Her long hair was styled in large curls. Her jewelry included a tikka, jhumkas, a large majestic choker, gold bangles on both hands and rings with chain extensions and she wore strappy metallic gold stilettos.

Lara Dutta walked the ramp to showcase the new collection of Pantaloons at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli, Mumbai Wednesday late evening, March 26.

Dutta's forthcoming films include:

BR Films’ Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai (Filming) directed by Ravi Chopra with co-stars Govinda, Tabu and Boman Irani.

Shree Ashtavinayak's Blue (Pre Production) directed by Tony with co-stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Suniel Shetty.


Pritish Nandy Communications’ Devdas remake (Pre Production) directed by Sudhir Mishra with co-stars Shiney Ahuja, Mahesh Manjrekar and Chitangada.

Abbas-Mustan Rohit Jugraj's Next (Announced) directed by Rohit Jugraj with co-stars Sushmita Sen and Priyanka Chopra.

Shilpa Shetty marry boyfriend Raj Kundra?

Will Shilpa Shetty marry boyfriend Raj Kundra?

Well, it's now Shilpa Shetty's turn. The echoes of ringing temple bells have culminated into a possible wedding bell rumour for the duo. Apparently, Raj Kundra joined Shilpa, Shamita and mom Sunanda Shetty on a visit to Shirdi. However, marriage, they maintain is still not on the cards. And the yet-very-much-single Shilpa is flabbergasted by the 'misreporting', her publicist tells us.

Not very long ago, the media got Rani Mukerji married off to Aditya Chopra, speculating a big fat Indian wedding in the city of Jodhpur. Bipasha's engagement to John was also another serious conjecture. The diamond ring on Sushmita Sen's finger began assumptions of her having been proposed to by then-boyfriend Sanjay Narang, and more recently the Kareena Kapoor - Saif Ali Khan secret nikaah was just the minds of many working overtime!

But then Ash and Abhi did eventually tie the knot. Wonder what Sai Baba has planned for the Shilpa-Raj jodi.