Contagion Movie Review

Contagion Movie Review

Cast: Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Jennifer Ehle, Marion Cotillard
Direction: Steven Soderbergh

Story:

Gwyneth Paltrow returns home to Minneapolis from a business meeting in Hong Kong with something as innocuous as a cough and a headache. Within two days she is dead and the doctors tell her grieving husband, Matt Damon, they don't know why she died. Before Damon can come to terms with his loss, the epidemic spreads the world over and nearly millions succumb to it within a short span of time. Panic spreads, governments are thrown into a tizzy, riots break out and the profiteers begin to reap gold. Can a civilised world cope with a deadly virus or are we still as ill-equipped as we were during the plague outbreak?

Movie Review:

Contagion is topical, slick, fast-paced and embellished with a stellar ensemble cast that keeps you engrossed in the drama, despite the fact that most of them don't take much of screen time. The three doctors, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Ehle and Marion Cotillard make brief appearances in the film, but their contribution to the development of the plot is by no means minimal. Laurence Fishburne, as the reputed official representative, torn between principles and a personal transgression for a loved one, is as human as you can get. How many people wouldn't use their clout and break the queue to get a vaccine for somebody they love? Hardly any. Matt Damon as the common man left at the mercy of fumbling officialdom and social anarchy etches a picture perfect role of a man desperate to save his daughter, even if it means locking her up at home and depriving her of all social contact. Then, there is Gwyneth Paltrow, quite unforgettable as the deliciously naughty business woman who doesn't mind hooking up with her ex, while her husband and son wait for her at home: another brief role that last longer than its screen time. And finally, Jude Law as the rogue blogger is mesmerising with his rebellious streak that chooses to question all the players in this high drama and throw light on the nefarious deals between governments and pharmaceutical companies which make the most when death strikes.

The high point of Soderbergh's film is its tone: never sensationalist, always restrained and therefore credible. With the world grappling with sundry new epidemics -- SARS, Mad Cow Disease, Swine Flu -- Contagion has an expediency to it which makes it eminently watchable. Doesn't seem too far-fetched, this threat of a new and deadly disease that originates from a bat and a pig and spreads through something as unavoidable as human touch. Time to be scared. Really scared.

Kareena turns down Tusshar starrer

The actress will not be a part of Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai Part 2, the lead actor from the original film will now play a double role in the sequel

In 2001, Tusshar Kapoor made his big Bollywood debut with Satish Kaushik's Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai. The sequel to the decade old film is all set to go on floors on October 18. This time without the original leading lady Kareena Kapoor.

Though the producer Vashu Bhagnani, director Satish Kaushik and lead actor Tusshar Kapoor remain a part of the sequel, the leading lady it seems has chosen to turn down the offer. Despite being good friends with lead actor Tusshar and his sister Ekta Kapoor, Kareena cited date problems and opted out of the project.

A source informed Mumbai Mirror, "Actually there was no question of Kareena being part of this project. She has moved way ahead of the MKKH league."

When contacted, director Satish Kaushik confirms the sequel, saying, "yes, we start shooting MKKH 2 from October 18. There's no Kareena this time. Tusshar features in a double role. He will have three leading ladies."

However, the director denied approaching Kareena for the said project. "It is not a single heroine film. I have great memories of working with Kareena in Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai. But I do have another script especially for her. She's super talented and I am proud of her," said Kaushik.

Tusshar Kapoor on the other hand, is not only a part of the sequel to his debut project but also plays his career's first double role in the same. "Tusshar plays a double role. He plays a Sardarji in one of his avatars. It is a very funny script and my first full fledged comedy."

Saif's wedding outfit revealed

Saif is, of course, reportedly planning to settle down with Kareena next year. On being asked about his marriage plans, he preferred to remain silent, but revealed about his wedding outfit. "Since I belong to Bhopal, I will definitely wear an achkan," Saif said. He added that men likehim, who are considered sexy and strong, never take styling tips from their girlfriends.

"I never take dressing or styling tips from Kareena as being a strong and sexy man, I know how to dress perfectly and look good," Saif said.

The 41-year-old actor, who was a show-stopper for designer Mandira Wirk at the ongoing Blender's Pride fashion tour in New Delhi, wore a black, sophisticated bandgala suit with matching shoes.

His suit was a tribute to the design inspiration of Wirk who took references from the 16th and 18th century Rococo and Baroque style.

Kara Kennedy dead at 51

Kara Kennedy became teary-eyed when she accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on behalf of her ailing father at a 2009 White House ceremony, but she also managed to smile as Sen. Ted Kennedy's life was honored. After the senator died two weeks later following a battle with brain cancer, his only daughter read a psalm at his funeral Mass in Boston. It was about peace and justice and caring for poor children.

The eldest of the senator's three children, Kara Kennedy died Friday at age 51 after collapsing following her daily workout at a Washington health club. The cause of death wasn't immediately released.

Although she never sought elected office like many in her family, she helped with her father's presidential and Senate campaigns and heeded his call to give back. She worked as a filmmaker and in television and was active in an array of causes from the arts to battling fetal alcohol syndrome.

She herself had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002, but underwent surgery the following year that doctors had said was successful.

But her brother, Patrick Kennedy, said her cancer treatment — surgery and grueling chemotherapy and radiation — left her physically weakened.

"Her heart gave out," said Patrick Kennedy, a former Democratic congressman from Rhode Island.

"She's with dad."

In a telephone interview from her Boston home on Saturday, Joan Bennett Kennedy said she and her daughter were "best friends" who liked to take long swims together and walks on the beach. She said her daughter had fully recovered from cancer and didn't have any lingering health issues.

"She was very healthy. That's why this is such a shock," Joan Kennedy said.

Kara Kennedy was a member of the Sport & Health fitness center, though spokeswoman Nancy Terry declined to release further details about the incident, citing member privacy. A spokeswoman for the District of Columbia medical examiner said in an email that the cause of death was pending.

Kennedy's ex-husband, Michael Allen, said she frequently visited the club and went swimming every day if she could. He said details about her death would be released by The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. He said funeral arrangements are being made.

"Insofar as I'm concerned her legacy is one of courage and grit and determination in the face of her own illness and in the face of many family tragedies and limitless, absolutely limitless, devotion to our children," he said.

Kara Kennedy was born in 1960 to Edward and Joan Kennedy, just as her father was on the campaign trail for his brother John F. Kennedy during the presidential primaries.

The late senator wrote of his oldest child in his 2009 memoir, "True Compass," that "I had never seen a more beautiful baby, nor been happier in my life."

Later, she appeared with her father during his unsuccessful 1980 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, and she and her brother Edward Kennedy Jr. helped run the senator's 1988 re-election campaign.

Her lung cancer diagnosis came in 2002, and the prognosis was grim. But the family refused to accept that, the senator wrote. She had an operation in 2003, and Edward Kennedy accompanied his daughter to chemotherapy treatments.

"Kara responded to my exhortations to have faith in herself," he wrote. "Today, nearly seven years later as I write this, Kara is a healthy, vibrant, active mother of two who is flourishing."

Her children, Grace and Max, are now teenagers.

Kara Kennedy's two brothers have dealt with health issues of their own: Edward Kennedy Jr. lost a leg to bone cancer as a child, and Patrick Kennedy had surgery in 1988 to remove a non-cancerous tumor that was pressing against his spine.

"Her magnificent strength in her successful battle with lung cancer was a quiet inspiration to all of us and provided her family and fellow patients with hope," the Edward M. Kennedy Institute said in a news release.

Five months before her death, Kara Kennedy wrote of her father and the institute named in his honor in an article published in The Boston Globe Magazine. She described Christmas 1984, when her father insisted on spending the night helping relief workers feed hungry people in the Ethiopian desert. And how each summer, Ted Kennedy loaded the family into a Winnebago for road trips to hike through historic battlefields and buildings.

"What mattered to my father was not the scale of an accomplishment, but that we did our share to make the world better," she wrote. "That we learned we were part of something larger than ourselves."

In August 2009 Kara Kennedy accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, on behalf of her father. She teared up as the senator's accomplishments were read aloud. She smiled when President Barack Obama, whom Ted Kennedy had endorsed in 2008, put his arm around her shoulder in a comforting way.

Kara Kennedy, a graduate of Tufts University, also helped produce several videos for Very Special Arts, an organization founded by her aunt Jean Kennedy Smith. She also served as a board member for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute; director emerita and national trustee of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation; and as a national advisory board member for the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Terry Lierman, the co-founder of NOFAS who knew Kara Kennedy for more than two decades, said she was always positive, even when she was ill, and always available when the organization needed her.

"She was always there, but she was there for the cause and not for her own visibility," Lierman said Saturday. "I always found it so refreshing."

Mr. Olympia 2011 Finals in HD

2011 Mr. Olympia Top Ten
Hidetada Yamagishi- 10th

Ronny Rockel -----9th
Brandon Curry ------8th
Tony Freeman ----------7th
Dexter Jackson ---------6th
Dennis Wolf ------------ 5th
Victor Martinez ----------- 4th
Kai Greene ---------------3rd
Jay Cutler -----------------2nd
Phil Heath ----------------1st

Irom Chanu Sharmila Biography

Irom Chanu Sharmila Biography (Profile)

Irom Sharmila Chanu (born March 14, 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" or "Menghoubi" ("the fair one") is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. Since 2 November 2000, she has been on hunger strike to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which she blames for violence in Manipur and other parts of India's northeast. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been called "the world's longest hunger striker".

Decision to fast

On November 2, 2000, in Malom, a town in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, ten civilians were allegedly shot and killed by the Assam Rifles, one of the Indian Paramilitary forces operating in the state, while waiting at a bus stop. The incident later came to be known to activists as the "Malom Massacre". The next day's local newspapers published graphic pictures of the dead bodies, including one of a 62-year old woman, Leisangbam Ibetomi, and 18-year old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National Child Bravery Award winner.

Sharmila, the 28-year-old daughter of a Grade IV veterinary worker, began to fast in protest of the killings, taking neither food nor water. As her brother Irom Singhajit Singh recalled, "The killings took place on 2 November 2000. It was a Thursday. Sharmila used to fast on Thursdays since she was a child. That day she was fasting too. She has just continued with her fast". 4 November is also given as the start day of her fast. On the Friday third of November she has a last supper of pastries and sweet things then she touches her mother's feet and asks permission to fulfill her bounden duty. Her primary demand to the Indian government was the repeal of the AFSPA, which allowed soldiers to indefinitely detain any citizen on suspicion of being a rebel. The act has been blamed by opposition and human rights groups for permitting torture, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions.

Three days after she began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an "attempt to commit suicide", which is unlawful under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, and was later transferred to judicial custody. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and the police then forcibly had to use nasogastric intubation in order to keep her alive while under arrest. Since then, Irom Sharmila has been regularly released and re-arrested every year since under IPC section 309, a person who "attempts to commit suicide" is punishable "with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year [or with fine, or with both]".

Continued activism

By 2004, Sharmila had become an "icon of public resistance". Following her procedural release On October 2, 2006, for around four months, Irom Sharmila Chanu went to Raj Ghat, New Delhi, which she said was "to pay floral tribute to my idol, Mahatma Gandhi." Later that evening, Sharmila headed for Jantar Mantar for a protest demonstration where she was joined by students, human rights activists and other concerned citizens. On 6 October, she was re-arrested by the Delhi police for attempting suicide and was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where she wrote letters to the Prime Minister, President, and Home Minister. At this time, she met and won the support of Nobel-laureate Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Laureate and human rights activist, who promised to take up Sharmila's cause at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

On August 23, 2011, Sharmila was involved in the wave of Anti-corruption movement on invitation by Anna Hazare via letter.

International attention

Sharmila was nominated to the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize by a Guwahati-based woman's organization, the North East Network.

She was awarded the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, which is given for "an outstanding person or group, active in the promotion and advocacy of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights". She shared the award with Lenin Raghuvanshi of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights, a northeastern Indian human rights organization. In Addition the largest monetary prize the first Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize was given to her in 2010 by the New Delhi IIPM. She was awarded the Sarva Gunah Sampannah ‘“ Award for Peace and Harmony" aka the 12th Signature Women of Substance award (Assam) also in 2010. 2009 she was awarded the first Mayillama Award (Kerala). And in 2010 in the presence of the Law Minister Sri V Moilly in Bangalore she was awarded in absentia a lifetime achievement award. She was most recently awarded an Adivasi Ratna award accepted by her brother.

On 28 November 2010, UK Green Party leader and European Parliament member Keith Taylor wrote to the Indian government seeking the release of Sharmila and the repeal of the AFSPA. Her main supporter in the European Union is Sir Graham Watson KB MEP chair of the India/EU delegation of MEPs. He has consistently made interventions on her behalf most recently to Dr J Bhagwati Indian Ambassador to the EU who responded on 1 July 2011 to his request to respond to the death threats made against Irom Sharmila. Indian Ambassadors reference BRU/AMB/48/2011 Embassy of India, 1050 Brussels. He responds only that he understands that Irom Sharmila is a hunger striker and that the modification of AF(SP)A is under consideration. Previously in April 2011 Sri Graham Watson and the EU delegation had tried to visit Manipur but were not allowed to do so by the Indian Authorities. They visit each year this year they were allowed to visit, Delhi, Patna and Mumbai. Although Keith Taylor did write three letters on one occasion he has never responded to further input. Sri Graham Watson and other members of the EU delegation do always respond to further requests for help. For example a Dutch member of the India EU delegation Peter Van Dalen whose special interest group is Dalit and subaltern groups released this press statement for publication at the gathering at her tenth anniversary of fasting in November 2010 Smt Sharon Bowles MEP sent Sharmila a personal letter of support which is now with Sharmila. She had added her personal regret that Sharmila was not nominated for the Sakharov last year due to insufficient support from other MEPs a nomination requires at least 40 MEP signatories. This year's nominations close on 13 September 2010. Another MEP member of the EU/India Delegation has stated that he does not believe Sharmila will be nominated this year either as very few MEPs know of her or Manipur.

The European MEPs were initially brought in by one of her Western campaigners Nicholas Crawford a philosophy student at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. He also chairs a small student think tank. The Wilberforce Society. At the annual garden party Mr Crawford gave a speech about Irom Sharmila and the AFSPA in attendance was their patron Lord Wilson, a former head of the civil service, and Sir Christopher Hum, former UK ambassador to China. Before Xmas they hope to have a seminar on India and Human Rights. And plan to visit Manipur and Sharmila next summer. Sharmila has many letters from offices of Western Dignatories including those of HM Queen Elizabeth II, The Duchess of Cornwall, The President of Eire, Tony Blair and most recently the Scottish First Minister and the Mayor of London all stating that they are sorry about her circumstances but are unable to offer her any assistance. But she has always cared more about genuine letters seeking to make connections. The only campaign that has the endorsement of her office is http://kanglaonline.com/2011/06/facebook-event-write-to-irom-sharmila-chanu/ the one asking inviduals to write emails, letters, postcards etc and provide her with some support in her lonely campaign.

In Turkey 8–11 December 2010 The Which Human Rights Festival organized by the Turkish Human Rights Group the Documentarist was dedicated to Irom Sharmila

She has written a lot of poetry most recently a 12 poem bilingual anthology (Meiteilol and English), "Fragrance of Peace" (Nungsigi Leinam), was released by Zubaan books to coincide with the tenth year of her detention, with profits used to support her cause. This appears to have been a project first suggested by Norwegian designer Mr Lars Muller, who was appointed in December 2007 by the World Organization against Torture OMCT as her 'Defending the Defenders' sponsor.

Works on her life

Deepti Priya Mehrotra's Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur details Sharmila's life and the political background of her fast.

Kavita Joshi's short documentary My Body My Weapon (released by Why Democracy? in 2007) alleges violations by security forces that fuel Sharmila's resolve to keep fasting until AFSPA is repealed. Tales from the Margins, a twin project of the above film, also focuses on Sharmila, locating her resistance in the larger context of women's protests against the AFSPA in Manipur.

Ojas S V, a theatre artist from Pune has been performing a mono-play titled Le Mashale (Take the torch), based on Irom Sharmila's life and struggle at several places in India. It is an adaptation of Meira Paibi (Women bearing torches), a drama written by Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran.

Recently Save Sharmila Campaign has been launched by a joint network of civil societies (NAPM, Gandhi Global Family, Asha Parivar, Jagriti Mahila Samiti, Yuva Koshish, Asian Centre of Social Studies and Mission Bhartiyam. They all are raising voice for Irom Sharmila. Save Sharmila Campaign has organised a candle light solidarity prayer on 25th JUNE 2011 at Rajghat New Delhi. Approximately 200 people participated in it from all walks of life. Later on Volunteer of Save Sharmila Campaign met with Irom Sharmila on 5th JULY 2011. Volunteer Md Tanveer Iqbal Editor Situationsasia fortnightly e-mag shared the campaign strategy with Irom and received her message for the campaign. Well he met her briefly during one of her habeas corpus hearings at Lamphel. A Srinagar to Imphal jouney and National Signature Campaign also planned by Save Sharmila Campaign volunteers in the month of October. Save Sharmila Campaign Volunteers demand with government To take positive steps of talks To send all party delegation to meet Irom To send special team of doctors for health check up of Irom. Other activites also planned and campaign is still running.

Politically the Janata Dal minority opposition party has publicly agreed to campaign for AF(SP)A repeal during the monsoon session of the Indian Parliament. Within Cabinet Dr Singh the PM has publicly asked for a reform of AF(SP)A to make it more humane. Sr V Moilly who also chaired the second adminstrative reforms committee one of whose recommendations was the repeal of AF(SP)A also supports change. As do the Home Secretary Sri Pillai and the Home Union Minister Sri Chidambaram. Though Sri Pillai has asked for local CMs not to apply for disturbed area status and therefore AF(SP)A whether on the books or not would cease to apply. Mr A K Antony the defence minister and General Singh commander in chief of the Indian Armed Forces lead the opposition to change or repeal of AF(SP)A

On August 21, 2011, Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy, in her The Hindu editorial on Anna Hazare, contrasted Anna's media-publicized fast with the decade-long fast of Irom, including the motivations for both.

Bollywood Movie 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' Review

Cast: Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif

Director: Ali Abbas Zafar

Despite its over-familiar premise, 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' packs a light tone and some easy laughs, before the weight from all its clichés causes it to topple over like a house of cards.

Kush (played by Imran Khan) is an assistant director in Bollywood films, whose London-based brother Luv (played by Tere Bin Laden's Ali Zafar) assigns him the job of finding him a suitable bride when he breaks up with his long-term girlfriend. With his mother by his side, Kush visits the homes of a half-dozen prospective brides – each a worse stereotype than the last – before they zero in on Katrina Kaif's character Dimple, the seemingly perfect daughter of a Delhi diplomat.

Kush, who had met Dimple five years ago while in college, remembers her as the rebellious rocker who was taken away by the cops when she staged an impromptu concert for thousands. Still a free-spirited livewire, Dimple is looking to settle down now, and Kush and his family thinks she'll be perfect for Luv.

Directed by first-timer Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' starts off breezily, with enough comic moments to keep you engaged. There's an amusing scene in which Dimple subjects Luv to a Koffee With Karan-style rapidfire interview on Skype, and another sequence in which she distracts Kush while riding pillion on his scooter. But it's when the film introduces its conflict at intermission point that everything begins to go downhill.

The tiring and predictable second half is basically a string of elaborate set-ups to call off the marriage. Given that it's a Yash Raj Films' production, you shouldn't be surprised by all the self-referencing to previous in-house hits. Say hello also to every wedding-movie cliché like best friends and mentally challenged siblings who help the hero win his girl, extended families who bond over jalebis and bhaang, and the jealous ex who shows up just in time to stake her claim.

'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' is redeemed to a large extent by the charismatic presence of Katrina Kaif, who is easily the star of this show. Offering an uninhibited and winning performance as the mad but endearing Dimple, she makes you forget many of the film's flaws. Imran Khan brings that boyish charm to his part, playing your next-door nice-guy with unmistakable sincerity; he makes Kush a hero to root for. Now if only they could muster up some sizzling chemistry! Ali Zafar, on the other hand, hams it up like there's no tomorrow, and fails on account of trying too hard.

The film doesn't always work because it relies too heavily on silly stereotypes and clichés, and because you can see exactly where it's going from the moment you settle into your seat. I'm going with two out of five for director Ali Abbas Zafar's 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan'. Aside from a few enjoyable moments, this film recycles so much that you've already seen before.

Rating: 2 / 5

Bollywood pays a tribute to Gautam Rajadhyaksha

Leading fashion photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha passed away this morning and Bollywood stars mourned the loss of the great photographer.

Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: 'Gautam Rajadhyaksha the most gentlest of humans, and one of the finest photographers in the Industry, a friend,family favorite ..RIP. Too shocked to learn of Gautam ! Were talking about him just the other day. Many of his pictures adorn our house and our books.'

Rajadhyaksha was a close friend of Lata Mangeshkar. 'hum sabke priya mitra ,bahot bade photographer ,acche gayak, acche lekhak, aur bahot hi acche insan gautam rajadhyaksha ji ka aaj subha dehaant hua,humare liye ye bahot dukh ki baat hai,mujhe kadam kadam pe ek acche insan ki yaad aati rahegi,main ishwar se prartana karti hun ki ishwar unki aatma ko shanti de,' she tweeted.

Juhi Chawla regretted she couldn't meet him. 'Got the shocking news that gautam passed away !!! But was even more surprised he was in mumbai .. I thought he d shifted to kunnoor ...wish I d known he stays in town ... Would ve met up with him ..his home is close by ..one more cruel reminder .. Don't wait ..do it now .. Some day it will be too late !!!still can't believe it ... Good ol gautam ! Shot with him many many times ..some of my earliest and best,' she tweeted.

Javed Akhtar tweeted: 'Gautam was my friend from 70s.all childhood pictures of Zoya and Farhan in our albums are by him.he was like family to us .He is gone.'

Celina Jaitly tweeted: 'Saddened by the news of the demise of legendary ace photographer Gautam rajadhyakshya .. He made us timeless with his talent..we will miss u.'

Madhur Bhandarkar was shocked: 'Shocked 2 hear abt d demise of best portraitist photogpher Gautam Rajadhyaksha. He was a great human being & will b missed always. RIP!

Farhan Akhtar wrote: 'Rest in Peace, Gautam. Will miss you and remember you with fondest memories.'

Karan Johar tweeted his condolences: 'A deep sense of loss...we lost the one man who captured every movie star with his lens and his heart...RIP Gautam...you will remain forever!'

Rajadhyaksha's cousin Shobhaa De wrote: 'My darling Gautam Rajadhyaksha no more.Saddened beynd belief.Farewell confidante-cousin.Thank u 4 your generous love nd soft focus memories.'

Boman Irani tweeted: 'Rest in peace Gautam. You made everything look so beautiful. "All this and heaven too!"'

Elisabetta Canalis' new campaign nude for PETA

Elisabetta Canalis' new campaign for PETA has been unveiled today.

The new Dancing With the Stars hopeful, who previously dated George Clooney, strikes a seductive pose in the ad, which features the organisation's famous slogan, I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur.

The 32-year-old said decision to shoot the ad stemmed from watching a shocking documentary as a child of animals being killed for their fur.

The Italian TV hostess, who posed for the shoot earlier this year, said: 'I was a little girl, but by that moment I thought that I would never, never, never wear fur in my life.'



Elisabetta is currently in the throes of training for her ballroom debut later this month.

She told Italian magazine Chi this week: 'I have a very strict teacher, we practice dancing for six hours a day and in the beginning I started badly as I confused the salsa with the cha cha cha.'

She also admitted she is using the competition as a way to take her focus of her high profile split from Clooney.

'Throwing myself into my work is the only way I can cope, it distracts me from all emotions.'

It was the first time she had spoken about the break-up - and Clooney may not have been too pleased by some of her comments.

In the interview, she described herself as a 'doormat' when she's in love, adding: 'I have always seen cold and controlled men as the right ones for me.'

The pair broke up earlier this summer after almost two years together amid reports that she wanted more commitment from the actor and stormed out when he refused to do so.

Will Smith Biography ..Profile ..Awards ..Personal life ..Career

 Born     Willard Christopher Smith, Jr.

September 25, 1968 (age 42)
Wynnefield, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other names     The Fresh Prince
Occupation     Actor, rapper, film producer, record producer, television producer
Years active     1985–present
Spouse     Sheree Zampino (m. 1992–1995)
Jada Pinkett Smith (m. 1997–present)
Children     Trey Smith
Jaden Smith
Willow Smith
Website
http://www.willsmith.com/

 Famous for: His role in 'Bad Boys' (1995) Fresh Prince Background: "My skin is hard when it comes to my music. But with my movies, I'm still a virgin in a lot of ways. I'm not used to being shot down for no reason." Will Smith Grammy winning rapper and accomplished actor Will Smith first came to recognition as the Fresh Prince while forming a popular rapper duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff. The duo earned praise with the single Summertime (1991) and the album He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988), which spawned the hit singles Parents Just Don't Understand (1989) and Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble. The Fresh Prince also gained rave reviews from MTV with his singles Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It (1998), Just the Two of Us (1998), and Miami (1999). As an actor, Smith rose to popularity while portraying himself in the mega hit television series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air in 1990. He later received more attention acting in such films as Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Independence Day (1996, with Jeff Goldblum), Men in Black (1997, sequel in 2002), and Wild Wild West (1999). Smith continued to earn publicity when he starred in the biopic Ali (2001), Bad Boys I & II (1995 and 2003), as well as I, Robot (2004) and Hitch (2005) The African-American actor, standing 6' 2" inches tall, was listed as one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in The World in 1998. He married actress Jada Pinkett Smith (Niobe in the Matrix movies) on December 31, 1997.

Charming Will Childhood and Family William Christopher Smith Jr. was born on September 25, 1968 toxparents William C. Smith Sr. (refrigeration engineer) and CarolinexSmith (school-board employee). The second of four children, Will hasxtwo sisters, Ellen Smith (twin of Harry; born in 1971) and Pam Smithx(born in 1964), and one brother, Harry Smith (twin of Ellen, born in 1971).

Personal life

Nobel Peace Prize Concert December 11, 2009, in Oslo, Norway: Smith with wife Jada and children Jaden and Willow

Smith was raised by his parents in West Philadelphia. Smith credits his father's dedication when discussing his own involvement in the lives of his three children: "I look at my father and how he was able to keep four kids fed and clothed and still managed to find time to spend with us." Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher Smith III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Trey appeared in his father's music video for the 1998 single "Just the Two of Us". Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997. Together they have had two children: Jaden Christopher Syre (born 1998), his co-star in The Pursuit of Happyness, and Willow Camille Reign (born 2000), who appeared as his daughter in I Am Legend. Along with his brother, Harry Smith, he owns Treyball Development Inc., a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son. Smith and his family reside on Star Island in Miami Beach, Florida and in Los Angeles, Stockholm, Sweden and Philadelphia.

Smith was consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40. He donated $4,600 to the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama. December 11, 2009, Smith and his wife hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, when Obama had won the prize

Smith has said he has studied multiple religions, including Scientology, and he has said many complimentary things about Scientology and other faiths. Despite his praise of Scientology, Smith said "I just think a lot of the ideas in Scientology are brilliant and revolutionary and non-religious"  and "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different."  He has denied having joined the Church of Scientology, saying "I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions, and I respect all people and all paths."  Smith gave $1.3 million to charities in 2007, of which $450,000 went to two Christian ministries, and $122,500 went to three Scientology organizations; the remaining beneficiaries included "a Los Angeles mosque, other Christian-based schools and churches, and  the Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Center in Israel" Smith and his wife have also founded a private elementary school in Calabasas, California, the New Village Leadership Academy, which has attracted controversy and speculation over its use of Study Technology, a teaching methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

During the filming of A Different World (1987) in 1991, Will met actress Sheree Zampino (born on November 16, 1967) and married her on May 9, 1992. The couple has one son, Willard C. Smith III (a.k.a. Trey Smith, born in December 1992) but later divorced in 1995. "You're so much stronger when your partner is strong. I honestly believe there is no woman for me but Jada. Of all the women I've met, and there've been a few, no one can handle me the way Jada does. Once you feel someone locked in on you, it's no contest. As fine as other women can be, as tempting sexually, I'm not going anywhere. This is it. I can't imagine what anyone else could offer." Will Smith

On an audition for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), Will met and fell in love with actress Jada Pinkett Smith (born on September 18, 1971). The pair exchanged wedding vows in Baltimore on New Years Eve in 1997. They have two children, daughter Willow Camille Reign Smith (born on October 31, 2000) and son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born July 8, 1998).

Men in Black

Career:

"I love being black in America, and especially being black in Hollywood." Will Smith

Having been rapping since age 12, Will Smith, under the name of The Fresh Prince, started his demo recordings with aspiring rapper Jeff Townes (a.k.a. DJ Jazzy). The duo introduced their first record, Rock the House, in 1987 with the hit single Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble. They finally gained wide recognition in 1988 with their Grammy winning album, He's the DJ I'm the Rapper (was certified double platinum), which spawned the hit single Parents Just Don't Understand.

In 1990 Will entered the Hollywood scene. After appearing in his first TV movie, the romance-comedy The Perfect Date (1990), writer Benny Medina pointed him to the lead role of himself in the NBC's long-living series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996). The show was an instant hit and helped Will catapult his name toward the spotlight. On portraying himself in The Prince of Bel-Air, Will admitted, "I was trying so hard. I would memorize the entire script, then I'd be lipping everybody's lines while they were talking. When I watch those episodes, it's disgusting. My performances were horrible."

Will subsequently graced the big screen, debuting with Marc Rocco's feature drama, Where the Day Takes You, in 1992. He followed it up with the acclaimed 1993's film, Six Degrees of Separation, in which he received praise for portraying the character of Paul. Will also appeared in the film Made in America (1993) and lent his voice in the animated series Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995).

Meanwhile, Will continued to rap and released the disc, Home Base, in 1991, which spawned the chart's hit single Summertime. The single earned Will and DJ Jazzy their first Grammy award. Two years later, in 1993, the duo launched the poor-received album Code Red. "Women have never liked me. Until I ran with my shirt open in Bad Boys, I was not anybody's first choice." Will Smith

 A better role came in 1995 when Michael Bay cast Smith as Martin Lawrence's partner, Det. Mike Lowrey, in his blockbuster action-comedy Bad Boys, which he later starred again in its second installment in 2002. Soon afterward, Will was offered a string of distinguished roles in many major films, including Captain Steven 'Steve' Hiller in Roland Emmerich's sci-fi action film Independence Day (1996, starring Bill Pullman) and as Tommy Lee Jones' partner, Agent Jay, in Barry Sonnenfeld's adaptation of Lowell Cunningham's popular comic Men in Black (1997, he also sang), which he later reprised the role in its sequel in 2002. Smith also starred as Robert Clayton Dean in Tony Scott's thriller, Enemy of the State (1998), and as Captain James 'Jim' West in Barry Sonnenfeld's western-comedy Wild Wild West (1999, teamed with Kevin Kline and Salma Hayek).

Always a rap artist, The Fresh Prince released his solo debut album, Big Willie Style, in 1997, which contained the hit singles Miami, Just the Two of Us (with son Trey), and Getting Jiggy Wit It. In 1999, he launched the CD Willennium as well as Men In Black and the Wild Wild West soundtracks.

In the new millennium Will was given several title roles, including one in Robert Redford's adaptation of Steven Pressfield's novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000, costarring Matt Damon and Charlize Theron). He also portrayed legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's biography movie Ali (2001, also starring Jamie Foxx and Jon Voight).

During 2004, Will could be seen in Alex Proyas' adaptation of Isaac Asimov's book, I Robot, and his voice can be heard in the animated movie Shark Tale. As for 2005, Will's fans can watch him portraying the title role in Andy Tennant's romantic comedy Hitch (costarring Eva Mendes). Smith will star in the upcoming films, Tonight He Comes, and Affirmative Action (costarring Ben Affleck).

Successful Will Smith once commented, "People laugh, but if I set my mind to it, within the next 15 years, I would be president."

Awards:

-  Kids' Choice: Wannabe Award, 2003

-  ShoWest Convention: ShoWest Award, Male Star of the Year, 2002

-  MTV Movie: Best Male Performance, Ali, 2002

-  BET Awards: Best Actor, 2002

-  ASCAP Film and Television Music: Most Performed Songs from Motion

-  Pictures, Wild Wild West, 2000

-  ShoWest Convention: ShoWest Award, Actor of the Year, 1999

-  MTV Video Music: Best Male Video, Miami, 1999

-  Grammy: Best Rap Solo Performance, Men in Black, 1998

-  MTV Movie: Best Song from a Movie, Men in Black, 1998

-  MTV Movie: Best Fight, Men in Black, 1998

-  MTV Video Music: Best Male Video, Just the Two of Us, 1998

-  MTV Video Music: Best Rap Video, Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It, 1998

-  Blockbuster Entertainment: Favorite Actor, Sci-Fi, Men In Black, 1998

-  MTV Movie: Best Kiss, Independence Day, 1997, tied with Vivica A. Fox

-  National Association of Theater Owners: NATO/ShoWest International Box

-  Office Achievement Award, 1997

-  MTV Video Music: Best Video from a Film, Men in Black, 1997

-  NAACP Image: Outstanding Rap Artist, Men in Black, 1997

-  Grammy: Best Rap Performance, Summertime, 1991

-  American Music: Best Rap Single, Summertime; award shared with DJ

-  Jazzy Jeff, 1991

-  NAACP Image: Outstanding Rap Artist, Summertime; award shared with DJ

-  Jazzy Jeff, 1991

-  Grammy: Best Rap Performance, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper; award

-  shared with DJ Jazzy Jeff, 1988

-  American Music: Best Rap Single, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, 1988

Mallika Sherawat heats up 'Politics of Love' Movie Gallery

Love in the time of 'Politics': In her next flick 'Politics of Love' - Mallika Sherawat will be seen romancing Brian J White.

Switching between Bollywood item numbers and Hollywood roles - Mallika Sherawat seems to have her hands full.

She has landed her first full fledged Hollywood role in the movie - 'Politics of Love'.

The movie will see her in her skimpy best - getting wet in a car wash

Rumours have it that she said that she agreed to her skimpy car wash scene for her fans like to see her wet

he movie is slated for a global September 1st release this year.

The movie has Brian J White and Loretta Devine

The movie is believed to be a rom-com inspired by the slew of publicly documented election love stories.

These stories had sprung up during Obama's Presidential push in 2008

Politics makes strange bedfellows - but not as strange as two political opponents falling in love.

The love blooms a month before the presidential elections in 2008.

A beautiful, idealistic local Obama volunteer coordinator played by Mallika Sherawat...

reluctantly falls for her Republican counterpart: a sexy, savvy, African American conservative, played by Brian J White.

Sparks fly, tempers flares, heads turn, and romance blossoms.

Love creates havoc for the mismatched pair of campaigners in the frantic days leading up to Election Day.

Brian J white plays the role of Kyle Franklin.

And Mallika Sherawat is Aretha Gupta

Loretta Devine plays the role of Shirlee Gupta...

And Gerry Bednob is Vijay Gupta.

'Politics of Love' released in US theatres on August 26th followed by its digital distribution on demand from September 1st.

The film has been directed by William Dear.

Brian J White can be remembered for his role in 'Stomp the Yard', the 2007 movie where he plays the role of Sylvester, leader of the Theta Nu Theta fraternity.

The movie also goes by the name of 'Love Barack'.

Salman Khan flies to the US for treatment

Seeing Salman Khan beat up a dozen goons at a time, one may feel that he is invincible. However, even superstars like him can suffer bouts of ill health. The star has been suffering from acute pain in his jaw area for the past three months. In fact, the dabangg Khan is scheduled to fly out to the United States of America tomorrow, for further diagnosis and treatment.

A week back, reports of Khan's ill health had surfaced in the media. However, his family had refused it claiming the star was fit and fine. But now, his health seems to have deteriorated.

A source close to the actor revealed, "Salman had this problem about seven years back. He used to get spasms in his face. But the pain would go away. In fact, it vanished completely after a year or two. It suddenly came back about three months back. This time, it's more painful. he couldn't have neglected it further."

Speaking about Salman's condition, the source explained, "Salman is in extreme pain. Every time he eats something extremely hot or cold, the pain intensifies. His jaw region hurts a lot."

Last week, the actor was rushed to Lilavati hospital in Bandra for a medical opinion. "His pain was too acute. Salman, who is normally a very tough guy, was almost screaming. The doctors at Lilavati suggested that he visits Saifee hospital in Charni Road. At Saifee, he was advised to undergo angiography."

Salman is suspected to be suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, a condition often described as 'the most terrible pain known to man'. When contacted, Dr Rahul Seth did not deny the possibility of Salman suffering from the condition. Dr Seth simply said, "No comments". Bound by the Hippocratic oath, the doctor couldn't divulge anything about his patient to the media.

When contacted, Salman's brother Sohail said, "Trigeminal neuralgia bahut bada shabd hai. I don't know what you're saying. It's my brother's health. All I can say is that yes, he is going to the US on August 27 for a second opinion, diagnosis and treatment for his nerve problem."

The actor whose film Bodyguard is ready to hit the theatres this Eid, will for the first time be absent for the release. In fact, this is the first time Salman will miss out on the famous Eid and Ganapati celebrations at his residence Galaxy Apartments. "Salman completed the planned promotions for Bodyguard yesterday. He did as much as he could. Health is his first priority right now," added the source.

Trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes a stabbing or electric-shock-like pain in parts of the face.

The condition usually affects older adults, but it may affect anyone at any age. Trigeminal neuralgia may be part of the normal aging process. Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include acute pain while brushing teeth, chewing, eating, drinking and even touching the face.

Bollywood celebrates Dahi Handi

John Abraham, Neha Dhupia, Ameesha Patel, Udita Goswami and Rohit Roy celebrate Dahi Handi

Bollywood Actor Emraan Hashmi Biography

Personal

Date/Place of Birth:
24th of March, 1979

Relationship Status:
Married

Spouse/Partner:
Parveen Sahani

Debut Film:
Footh Path (2003)

Biography

Born as Emran Anwar Hashmi, he later changed his name to Farhaan Hashmi and then reverted back to his original name with an extra ‘a’. Emraan’s father was a Muslim while his mother a Catholic. The actor has many relatives and close friends in Karachi, Pakistan. Emraan finished his college from Sydenham College where he studied graphics and animation.

Emraan is not new to the glitz of Bollywood as he is the nephew of director Mahesh Bhatt and cousin to Pooja Bhatt. He married Parveen Shahani on 14th December ’06 and held a lavish reception at a posh hotel in Bandra. The event was restricted to only close family members and friends.

Emraan made his debut in the film Footpath in ’03, but the movie was a flop and bombed at the BO. His next film Murder, however was much better and catapulted him to fame, this was his first hit. The next few movies like Zeher, Kalyug and Gangster have also managed to do well at the box office. But the sound tracks of all these films were instant hits and helped the actor create a huge fan base. The play back singer for most of his songs was Himesh Reshammiya, Kunal Ganjawala and Atif Aslam.

Recently Emraan was back in the news with his famous kissing scenes in almost every movie that he did. It was such a rage that he was termed as the ‘serial kisser’ of Bollywood. Apparently in an interview Emraan said that he was nervous about the kissing scene and almost opted out of the film, but after trying it out, it looks like he couldn’t get enough.

Emraan has decided to get rid of his image of lover boy and being the ‘Serial Kisser’ and develop an image of a mature actor. For this purpose he has requested to play the role of a ghost in the movie Raaz 2, however it has not yet been decided as to what role he will get.

Emraan has always been followed by controversies as though the filed he is in has them as a free tag along. Besides this it is rumoured that he charges a total of RS.80 lakh for a film. Hope this hi-paid actor can live up to his new image whatever it may be.

112-year-old former Army man wishes to join Hazare's fast

Banaskantha, Gujarat:  A 112-year-old ex-Army man has come out in support for Anna Hazare in the fight against corruption. He also wishes to fast with the 74-year-old Gandhian.

Ranchhod Desai, a veteran foot tracker from Limbala village in Gujarat's Vav district, had served in the Indian Army in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.

"Anna is doing a great job to set the country free from the clutches of corrupt people, who are at the helm of affairs. I wish I could join him," Desai told PTI.

However, considering his age, Mr Desai, who is also known as the Old War Camel, has been advised not to fast.

Nonetheless, the veteran not only observed a fast for one day, but has been offering prayers for Mr Hazare's success every day since the agitation began at the Ramlila Ground in Delhi.

"Anna is an ex-Army man, who fought the 1965 Indo-Pak War. I pray to God to shower blessings on this noble son (Anna) of the country fighting for the second freedom fight," Desai said.

Expressing his solidarity with Mr Hazare and his team, Mr Desai has also appealed to the people of his village to join Mr Hazare.

"Despite his physical inability, he wanted to join Mr Hazare. But we have persuaded him not to do so, as his health will not permit that. He agreed and observed fast for one day," Mr Desai's nephew Babba Desai, former Sarpanch of the Limbala village said.