Khiladi Akshay to represent India at Winter Olympics

Akshay Kumar

Bollywood’s Khiladi No. 1 Akshay Kumar feels privileged as well as nervous to run with the XXI Winter Olympics torch on Thursday in Canada. The XXI Winter Olympics are slated to start from on February 12, 2010 in which around 80 countries are participating. The competition includes eight sports, which includes ice hockey, figure skating and Alpine skiing. Last time in 2006, India had sent a team of four members to the competition held in Turin, Italy for sports luge, cross-country skiing and Alpine skiing, but India didn’t win any medal. So it seems like the pride of the nation is in Akshay’s hand this time.

When we wonder how an actor is chosen for the honour, Akshay explained, “I definitely didn’t get nominated because of my cricket skills. I may be a celebrity, but with great power comes even greater responsibility. I have put a lot of effort over the years supporting and being brand ambassador for the ‘Special Olympics’in India . I would go to any lengths to promote sport in my country, my efforts have been appreciated worldwide, and I am touched that India shares my enthusiasm. To be honoured to carry the Olympic torch is so prestigious in every country; you can’t ask for this honour, you can only be recognised for your true love and dedication to children, to sport, to bettering your country’s involvement in the world. You can’t imagine how grateful I am. And how nervous as well!”

Akshay will be the only actor among 14 other international celebrities to run with the torch.

Juhi invokes industry to invest in new talent

Juhi Chawla

Talented actress Juhi Chawla who is the chairperson of an film and animation national committee feels that Indian film industry is being ignorant to the new talent. She also feels that film making nowadays has become a mere business.

“Film financing and funding is easy only for reputed film firms and not for genuine film-makers with a lot of passion, but no monetary support,” says theactress.

“Storytelling is an art. Entertainment is not easy. The balance between money and art has to be maintained. Both should be respected,” she adds.

Recalling the moment of how director Paresh Mokashi had to struggle for financial help while making Harischandrachi Factory, which is India’s official entry to the Oscars in the foreign film category this year, Juhi said, “I was told by my husband to meet Paresh, whose parents are family friends, and help him out. Paresh appeared to be a genuine filmmaker. He wanted to directthe film on Dadasaheb Phalke making India’s first motion picture, only in Marathi.”

Juhi believes that investing in talent will only improve the Indian cinema.

Avatar: decade’s most expensive film to release this Friday

Avatar movie still

James Cameron who had given us different film experiences with The Terminator and The Titanic earlier is coming up with new visual extravaganza Avatar this Friday. The film is considered as the biggest blockbuster of the decade. Also, it is the most expensive film ever costing Rs 2,000 crores. The film was premiered at London last week and critics wowed it. When some said it was ‘jaw dropping’ and ‘mind-blowing’, others said thatthe film would revolutionise the world of cinema.

Praising the director one newspaper proclaimed, “James Cameron has proven his point: he is the king of the world; movie magic is back!” However, a UK tabloid stated it as “the most dazzling film of the decade.”

The film has already created a buzz in India and Fox Star Studios is planning to release the film on large scale in India. CEO of Fox Star Studios India, Vijay Singh, confirmed it and said, “There is an incredible buzz around the film in India and we are going all out to give it the best possible release. Avatar will be released in 700 prints, in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, which is by far one of the biggest releases for a Hollywood filmin India.”

Looks like the film should not be missed.

Watch Avatar movie trailer:

Jacqueline Fernandez on FHM

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Poll of the Day

Who has the best saree figure in Bollywood?

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Neha Dhupia sizzles on Stuff

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SRK’s latest Dish TV advert

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Sridevi at Vikram Phadnis boutique launch

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Old Aamir has an accident

Aamir Khan was travelling as a old man in a auto-rickshaw when his auto collided with another auto-rickshaw.

A source says, “At around 5 am on Sunday, while returning from the Dasaswamedh Ghat where he had taken a boat ride, the auto ahead of Aamir’s rickshaw tilted due to the potholes on the road. To avoid a collision, Aamir’s rickshaw was forced to grind to a halt. Due to the impact, a co-passenger was hurt.”

Aamir’s spokesperson confirms the news, he says, “He was lucky to be saved. He did not sustain any injuries.”
The actor has been travelling in disguise as part of his marketing blitzkrieg for his forthcoming film 3 Idiots.
The publicist adds, “Two crew members of 3 Idiots are accompanying Aamir. One of them was badly injured and spent five hours receiving medical aid after which which he was discharged.”

Aamir is promoting 3 Idiots reality game and will be spotted throughout the country giving clues about his location. The winner of the game gets a chance to spend New Year with Aamir.

Katrina Kaif at the launch of Vikram Phadnis’ boutique

Katrina Kaif attended the launch of Vikram Phadnis Boutique in Juhu wearing a beautiful white Vikram Phadnis creation. Like Katrina in white?

Kareena at 3 Idiots game launch

Katrina Kaif along with other co-stars of 3 Idiots launched the game based on 3 Idiots.Psst: Check out the ring on her index finger!

SRK is amongst the 500 most influential Muslims worldwide

SRK was recently listed amongst 500 most influential Muslims in the world. The list has been compiled by Georgetown University and also includes Indian Muslims like former president Abdul Kalam and Oscar winning composer A R Rahman.

SRK talks about being listed amongst 500 most influential Muslims and says, “I don’t think a list of this nature is of a competitive type to feel proud about. It’s not about a list of awards that I have won. I am a Muslim by birth and because of the kind of cinema I do, I assume must be influencing lives of people across the world. I have been actively working in the film industry for 18 years and my work has gone across the world, my films and done well in many places including Germany, Poland, Dubai, USA, Morocco and South East Asia. People know me well because of my films but I never felt that I was different. I’m in the field of mass communication and am doing my work. That’s it.”

When he was quizzed about the reason he has been chosen, he said, “I think it could be because of the kind of films I do. I try to do films that have variety and are about goodness and hope. They give a direction to a life. I have done films on romances to patriotic dramas like Chak De! and funny entertainers like Om Shanti Om — films that try to give a kind of positive message to people. I hope in this I am able to influence the lives of many, especially youngsters and children. It’s about giving some kind of direction to their lives. Like I might tell my children to study hard or teach them how to lead a good life.”

When asked who is the most influential person in the world, SRK said, “Like every movie star’s influence changes with every B-O release, I think even across the globe people’s influence changes. Today, there is not just one global influence but a collective of influences. I don’t believe the world can be run by oneinfluential person right now. The world has become too intelligent to be demarcated by one person. It’s the good thoughts of many. Like Bill Gates, Mukesh Ambani, Obama are veryinfluential and wonderful in their field of work but collectively, they are fantastic.”

Folks do you think SRK deserves to amongst the 500 most influential Muslims in the world?

Poll of the Day: Who rocks in Golden Gown

At Vikram Phadnis’ store launch Malaika Arora sashayed in a golden gown that looked similar to what Shilpa Shetty wore at her reception. Who looks better in the golden gown? Shilpa or Malaika?