Five Flop Thrillers

The term 'Thriller', as per the filmy dictionary means the license to entertain with some racy pulsating edge of the seat drama! Well, Bollywood has seen many of these in the recent months gone by. Of these, some hit the Bull's Eye, whereas many others bit the dust!

With another thriller, Race, which opened last week, Bollywood Hungama thrillingly brings you the list of five recent thrillers which completely failed to thrill the audiences and turned out to be big horrors for the producers and distributors.

Aggar: Anyone who was expecting a power packed performance from the actors and thrilling story telling from the director was in for a disappointment. Well, its high time that thriller makers get rid of the two words 'betrayal' and 'obsession' which marks the introduction of every romantic-thriller that hits the silver screen. Aggar revolves around Shreyas Talpade who conspires to kill his wife played by Udita Goswami while using Tusshar as his guinea pig. But since good has to prevail over bad Shreyas' plan backfires. The lopsided star cast only goes ahead to distort the script even more… It's a wonder how the audiences managed to sit through the movie.

Cash: Oodles of oomph-matic style sans any substantial substance aptly describes Anubhav Sinha's thriller flick Cash in totality. Cash joins the bandwagon of the Indian films which are well-known for their abysmal quality. Cash failed to cash in on its pre-release hype at the B-O. The music probably was the only saving grace for this multi-starrer. The film is about a mad race behind diamonds between Ajay Devgan and his gang (Riteish Deshmukh, Zayed Khan, Esha Deol, and Dia Mirza) and the underworld don Sunil Shetty. The idiotic angle is that, till the end Shamita Shetty who claims to be a top security officer never realizes that Ajay is the mastermind behind all the thefts. His pretentious writer-profession manages to keep her in wraps. Some officer she is...wonder if she was given any training before taking on such a role. Won't be too shocked if the Crime Branch sues the filmmaker for portraying them as so dumb. As for the end, if you happen to watch it then fill us in on the details.

Naqaab: Now, this one was apparently a much-awaited film considering the super success of Humraaz in 2002. Unfortunately, the love triangle with a twist failed to recreate the magic. An emotional tale of a middle class girl, Urvashi Sharma, who is confused between the love of a millionaire, (always Bobby Deol) or an aspiring actor Akshaye Khanna (note the similarity with Humraaz). But while walking the aisle, Urvashi realizes her love for Akshaye (perfect timing) and runs to him leading to Bobby's suicide. Little did she know that Akshaye's love for her happens to be a contract made by Bobby with a 'veiled identity'. Apparently, Bobby was making a romantic film on Urvashi and Akshaye and had only used her…For crying out loud, didn't the filmmaker have a better idea to remove the 'Naqaab' of the culprit? Well, the film climaxes with the murder of Bobby Deol. One can only wonder as to why the script was even being attempted in the first place!

Speed: The faster it came the faster it disappeared. Inspite of being a complete rip off the Hollywood film, Cellular it had a terrible fate at the B-O. Well, Speed not only lacked flow it also lacked the pace, so much for the title. Sanjay Suri, an undercover MI 5 agent, is compelled by Sophie and Aftab to murder the Prime Minister at the bargain to get his wife (played by Urmila) back. Zayed accidentally happens to get a call from Urmila and tries to rescue her. Aashish Chowdhury on the other hand is a corrupt a security officer who in charge of the Prime Minister's security. With so many characters in the film, the viewer only gets confused as to who is the good guy and the bad guy here. And what connection does the title have with the film anyway.

The Train: And last but not the least, The Train. Why do Bollywood filmmakers replicate Hollywood flicks? Here's sighting one more example. The Train, is a copy of the Jennifer Aniston starrer, Derailed, with a Bollywood 'tadka'. Inspite of oozing with sex and skin show, the film managed to get beaten up at the B-O. Guess the audiences are no longer falling for Emraan Hashmi's 'Killer-Kisser' instincts anymore. Emraan Hashmi and Sayali Bhagat's already disturbed married life goes through turmoil when he begins to have an affair with Geeta Basra. Well, it's not always the wife who catches you cheating on her, like in this case Emraan and Geeta's intimate moments are intruded by a crook, who then rapes her and blackmails him. Post this; the film goes for a toss. After paying the blackmailer a ransom, Emraan decides to tell his wife the truth. The final climax is something that you should watch yourself to have a nice laugh. This is one 'Train' that the audiences were happy to miss.

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Greatest Enemies of bollywood

1. Shah Rukh Khan v/s Aamir Khan

This rivalry began way back in 1996 when SRK won the Filmfare award for his act in DDLJ. As King Khan was being crowned by the nation, our chocolate boy vowed to never again attend award ceremonies. Why? Because Aamir felt he deserved to win the award for his taporigiri in Rangeela. Not just that, but the fact that the Best Film award was also bagged by the NRI love story was what really ticked off our perfectionist actor. If it hadn’t been for the spark that SRK offered to DDLJ, Aamir’s dream of a hatrick for his films at the Filmfare Awards was almost confirmed. Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke had won the Best Film awards in 1993 and 1994 respectively.

2. Abhishek Bachchan v/s Hrithik Roshan

Once upon a time, the boys who hail from the Hindi film industry's most renowned families were chaddi-buddies. Today, their friendship has been reduced to socializing at formal-dos. Abhishek and Hrithik almost started their careers at the same time. While one got instant fame and craze, the other was criticized to the core for no-show of 'spark'. The difference only got wider as time went by. While Hrithik came to be known for his smart, sensitive and urbane boy roles, Abhishek had to settle down with lesser glamorous and roughed characters. The war got public only with Dhoom 2, the movie that saw the two sharing on-screen space along with Abhishek's to-be wife Ash. Not only was the Junior Bachchan overshadowed by the green-eyed hero (who stole the show in spite of playing a negative character) but also found himself helpless as Ash shared her career's first on-screen kiss with Hrithik. A post-Yuva and Guru Abhishek is all geared to beat the young Roshan at his own sci-fi game by featuring in Drona, a super-hero tale.

3. Deepika Padukone v/s Sonam Kapoor

The most recent newcomers in Bollywood, the two are just one film down. But that doesn't stop them from entering into rivalries, does it? Sonam was extremely confident that a sound filmy background, one of the most aesthetic directors in Indian cinema and a co-star from the Kapoor khandaan would mean a successful debut. But this wasn't meant to be.

Saawariya received just too many brickbats. To top it all, her cute co-star was wooed by the OSO stunner Deepika Padukone. Needless to say, a terribly upset Sonam pestered papa Anil Kapoor to stay away from the 56th Filmfare Award night that would see Deepika and Ranbir celebrating their success.

4. Shah Rukh Khan v/s Ajav Devgan

Yes, SRK actually had a fight with one of his best pal - Kajol's - husband. The story goes back to the duo's earlier years of struggle. Apparently, Rakesh Roshan had approached the two heroes for being part of his film Karan-Arjun. However, Ajay Devgan who was more of an action hero back then, did not really get fascinated by the script narration.

Not too comfortable with the idea of telling this to Roshan, Mr Devgan tried to take SRK into confidence about not signing the film. But just like our filmy tales, there was a twist. Shah Rukh decided to take up the project without telling Ajay about it and the rest, as we all know, is history.

5. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan v/s Sushmita Sen

Almost a decade and a half ago, two of the most beautiful women on this planet found themselves in the midst of nerve-breaking competition. Participants of a beauty pageant, Aishwarya and Sushmita knew it from the beginning that they were born to be rivals. And this only got confirmed when one was crowned Miss India and the other one, a runner-up. What followed were careers in Bollywood. While one chose the conventional dancing around the trees in films like Jeans and Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, the other one opted for roles that allowed her to be the protagonist. Even though Dastak was a box-office failure, it introduced Sush as an actress who was out there to carve a niche for herself. Even off-screen, Ash is recognised as classy to the point of being perfect while Sush is known for her woman of substance appeal.

6. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan v/s Rani Mukerji

While Sush has been an old-time rival, Aishwarya's relationship with good pal Rani Mukerji, probably one of the few actresses she really got along with, also left her bitter. This time it wasn't about - Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest of them all? It was about the hunk who had gone extremely possessive about his queen of hearts. While we loved every bit of the SRK-Rani Mukerji chemistry in Chalte Chalte, it was Ash who was first signed for the role. However, Salman's temper fits on the film's set saw his girlfriend being replaced by one of her best friends. From then on, Rani lost the liberty to address Ms. Rai as 'Ashuma', a nick that was once regular at the husky throat. What helped heal Ash's burns was a film from the Yash Raj banner (Rani's adda) Dhoom 2 . The ultimate feather in Ash's Victorian hat happened with the item number Kajra Re in the Rani-starrer Bunty Aur Babli.

7. Kareena Kapoor v/s Bipasha Basu

Used to expecting a diva-like treatment, Kareena who just had a non-glam role in Refugee to her credit (Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai and Yaadein notwithstanding) saw her first female co-star in the form of debutant Bipasha Basu. Ajnabee saw Bipasha getting to play the sultry seductress while Bebo had to be happy in the shoes of a good girl. If this wasn't enough, Kareena soon found that everyone on the sets were smitten by Bipasha's sex appeal and simplicity. Not one of those who put up with secondary treatment, Kareena screamed 'Kalli Billi' at the first opportunity on the sets of Ajnabee. To this, Bipasha did not take kindly either. When on Koffee with Karan, Bips and boyfriend John made it clear what they thought about Kareena's acting skills. We are expecting a slight drop in the weather with John and Kareena agreeing to co-star in a film.

8. Rani Mukerji v/s Preity Zinta

Supposedly, the two most accommodating actresses in Bollywood. Rani and Preity shared a great deal of on-screen understanding in the two films - Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke.

While we don't know what exactly ticked them off each other, what we can assure you is that the two shared extremely cold vibes during the shooting of Karan Johar's KANK. Though Preity has chose to remain silent on the issue, Rani admitted on Koffee with Karan that the two don't hang out together anymore.

9. Kareena Kapoor v/s Priyanka Chopra

Now you know why it is rare that we get to see Kareena in multi-starrers. The sensual actress scored her hatrick during the days of Aitraaz. Happy thinking that she would get to hog all the limelight since she played the lead of a devoted wife, there was no consoling Bebo for what followed. Surprisingly, the Indian audience had grown 'mature and all that' to be impressed by the gray shades of Priyanka's character. After a lot of fee-fo-fum, Bebo decided that when it comes to Don, she will have the upper hand as the ultimate sex kitten. But as luck would have it, Priyanka's Aaj Ki Raat overshadowed Bebo's cameo in the song - Yeh Mera Dil. So when apna dahling K Jo asked Kareena what she thought of actresses like Priyanka Chopra, the very catty woman refused to acknowledge the presence of a certain Ms. Chopra in the industry.

Shah Rukh Khan v/s Amitabh Bachchan

The baap of all cold wars, SRK and Big B's enmity needs no introduction. Happy being the Baadshah of Bollywood, Khan suddenly woke up to know that the angry young man was back in action. Not only was the industry creating unconventional roles with Amitabh in mind, but he was also minting money with endorsements by the dozen. Further, this was making him popular among the masses and had the potential to damage SRK's market value. As a befitting reply, Shah Rukh decided to walk straight down Mr. Bachchan's path. Kaun Banega Crorepati - 3, campaigning for Nav Ratna Tel, remaking Don and a statue at Madame Tussauds - is his way of equaling scores with the Shahenshah. By bagging the contract to host Kya Aap Paanchi Paas Se Tez Hai, Shah Rukh is expecting to find himself a notch higher in the commercial market. Meanwhile, shrewd businessmen who have always been politically correct, the two manage to give a slip to controversial situations every single time.

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Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain

English is the official language of India . True or False?

Do all adult kangaroos have pouches? Yes or No?
Which of the following - ligaments, tendons, or marrow, attach muscles to bones?.

After reading the above questions, most of you will feign dyslexia, some of you will promptly want to take help from 10-years olds in the neighborhood and still, many will refuse to say, "I'm not smarter than the Fifth grader."

If you have trouble remembering the formula for the area of a triangle or figures of speech that you learnt in primary school, its definitely time to go back to school with none other than Bollywood Ka Badshah - Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan is back on TV to host television's biggest entertainer ever, 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?' It is a show, which has adult contestants testing their wits with a group of sprightly 10-year-olds.

Excited about hosting 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?', Shah Rukh Khan says, "I was very keen to do this show because of the educational aspect attached to it, which has been an integral part our culture. Once the decision was made, Star Plus was the only television platform I could think, that could take me to every single television home in this country.

Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? is a television game show based on the international Mark Burnett format 'Are you smarter than a 5th grader?' where grade school level questions are put to adults from all walks of life, who are well heeled and confident and who attempt to relive school with success. The format originated in the United States , has launched successfully in 50 countries, and will now hit Indian television, courtesy Bulldog Media & Entertainment.

The essence of the show is the test that adults will be put to answer primary school questions, the pressure of going back to school and keeping their reputations intact. Even the likes of 2008 presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Rudy Guiliani have turned down the offer to be the on show as contestants. Such is the pressure!

First time on Indian television, viewers will witness contestants win this whopping sum - Five Crores to answer up to Fifth Standard questions, just imagine… Speaking on the launch of 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass se Tez Hain?', Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India Pvt Ltd., said, "We are fortunate that the country has always given us the mandate of taking television to the next level. We have done it time and again by launching a show like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', by introducing a whole new time band in the afternoon and by bringing people back to television on the weekends. With a show like 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?', its time to redefine Indian television yet again."

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Katrina Kaif Biography

Katrina Kaif was born on July 16, 1984, in Hong Kong, grew up in Hawaii and then moved to London. Even at the young age of 14, she got modeling offers and started out by modeling for a jewelry campaign. She was attracted to her father’s native land and the moment she landed in India she was flooded with modeling assignments.

She started off with photographer Atul Kasbekar. Later she got offers from Lakme, LG, Cola, Fevicol, Pantene, Veet, Kodak, and L’Oreal. She was chosen as the face of the year for the Lakme India Fashion Week (2005). The Lakme commercial made her very popular. Soon Kaizad Gustad, the director of ‘Boom’ noticed her and offered her a role in the film. Since it was the role of a model, she promptly agreed.

Katrina Kaif is half Indian and half British. Her father is and NRI and her mother is English, which makes her poor at Hindi. Initially critics were very harsh on her for her poor Hindi. But she has worked hard on her Hindi and started taking dancing lessons—both very essential to survive in the industry. Now she has started dubbing on her own. She has done few movies down south and is a popular face there already.

Although she wears bold outfits on films and ads, she is very particular about her clothes and she feels more comfortable in not-so-revealing clothes in personal life. And unlike others in her field she absolutely hates wearing make up.

Although she has been seeing Salman Khan for sometime now, she still refuses to talk about him in the media. She has made it clear that her personal life is not meant to be known to all and that no one has a right to pass any kind of judgment on it.

She has lot of exciting projects lined up. One of them is ‘Partner’ with boyfriend Salman Khan and Govinda. She is also doing ‘Apne’ in which real life father and sons Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol all stars together in the movie, for the first time. Then there is Anees Bazmee’s ‘Welcome’ with Akshay Kumar. Another film with Akshay Kumar ‘Namaste, London’ is all set to release on March.

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Preity Zinta Biography

Preity Zinta, the zing thing of the Bollywood, was born on 31st Jan 1974. The Delhiite who hails from a defence background, had already made her mark as a model while still in school & shot to fame as the refreshing, cool, wet model in the Liril ad. This, along with her mischievous expressions and twinkling eyes in the Cadbury's Perk ad brought her to Shekhar Kapur's notice. The famed director was then looking for fresh faces to launch his film 'Tara Rum Pum Pum'. Preity signed on the dotted line, but the film never took off. However, her name was already doing the industry rounds and she bagged a couple of films in quick time.

Luckily for Preity, 'Dil Se..' was her first release. The film bombed at the box-office, but Preity's dazzling smile and pleasant disposition in a small but significant role left behind a decidedly happy impression. With 'Dil Se..' Preity had already proved she could act. 'Soldier' (1998) and 'Sangharsh' (1999) have merely reiterated this fact. In the former she played an impish, spoilt rich girl with great conviction. In the latter she was equally at ease executing the part of a gritty young CBI trainee in search of a dreaded killer. She made a mark in the industry with her film "Kya Kehna".

She's hit the highway 2003 year with two good performances The Hero and Armaan and one big hit Koi... Mil Gaya. The road ahead looks even better, plum projects with Yash Chopra, Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar have taken care of that. Recently seen in movies 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' & 'Lakshya'. However, Preity, a relentless self-improver, doesn't take her success lightly. Or too seriously either, for that matter. Maybe that's why she enjoys it so much.

Preity, a graduate in Psychology, is so pretty, outspoken and a beautiful actress-dancer who keeps smiling all the time with a dimple on her right cheek. She acted in one movie in Tollywood too. She dated Marc Robinson, one of the hottest models in India, Model and TV anchor (2001) now, broke up with Marc Robinson.

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Bollywood Love Predictions of 2008

Isn’t it weird that only one day is dedicated to love in an entire year? So lets take a look and see what numbers have in store for these star couples in the year to come. Renowned numerologist Niraj Mancchanda gives us his exclusive inputs on whether these couples will make it or break it in 2008.

Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja
Harman still remains a good friend.
They will make a good partners but still a long way to go!

Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna
Akshay (b.9 Sept) and Twinkle (b. 29 Dec) are number 2 and 9. These two numbers have a strong attraction. But attraction fades and they remain as friends. They also make as very good partners in business. Don’t we all know that Akshay's luck changed after he got married? It continues this year as well.

Kajol and Ajay Devgan
Kajol (b. 5 August) and Ajay (b. 2 April) are simply awesome with each other.
No matter what be the situation, they will always be united and strong.

Bipasha Basu and John Abraham
Bipasha (b. 7 Jan) and John (b. 17 Dec) are numbers 7 and 8. The relationship of these numbers fades off with time. Need not say more!

Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan
Katrina (b. 16 July) and Salman (b. 27 Dec) are numbers 7 and 9. These numbers get along very well. They end up as excellent friends and life partners too.

Deepika Padukone and Yuvraj Singh
Deepika (b. 5 Jan) and Yuvyaj (b. 12 Dec) are numbers 5 and 3. These numbers have strong attraction. No emotions whatsoever and are purely practical numbers.
If they want, this would be an extremely rational relationship based on assumptions and understandings.

Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia
Preity (b. 31 Jan) and Ness (b. 30 May) are numbers 3 and 4 which are good as friends.
But Ness Wadia's name comes to number 29.He better be careful as 29 means that you can be ditched anytime and by anyone.

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan (b. 5 Feb) and Aishwarya (b. 1 Nov) are numbers 5 and 1 which are like a house on fire. These two are made for each other. Aishwarya will be extremely lucky for Abhishek. Check out Abhishek's growth this year.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor
Saif being born on 16th August is a number 7 while Kareena born on 21 September is a number 3.These two numbers get along like a house on fire.
But a small spark can spoil the relationship. So it’s a very delicate one.

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Shilpa Shetty Biography

Shilpa Shetty (Tulu: ????? ??????) (born 8 June 1975 in Tamil Nadu, India) is a four-time Filmfare Award-nominated Indian film actress and model. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar (1993), she has appeared in nearly 50 films, her first leading role being in 1994 in Aag.[1] She resides at the centre of the Hindi-language film industry in Mumbai, India. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is also a Bollywood film actress.

Shilpa Shetty was crowned the winner of the British Celebrity Big Brother on 28 January 2007 with 63% of the final vote,[2] after an international racism controversy involving her and fellow contestants Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.

Biography
Shilpa Shetty was born in a strict and traditional close-knit family[3] that hails from the Bunt community[4] of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka although she was born in Tamil Nadu.[5] She is the eldest daughter of Surendra and Sunanda Shetty, manufacturers of tamper-proof caps for the pharmaceutical industry,[3] and her native language is Tulu although she can speak nearly ten other languages [citations needed] at differing levels including English, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu and basic French.[citation needed] One of her nicknames is "Silly Pooh".[6]

She attended St. Anthony Girls' High School, located in Chembur, and later attended Podar College. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She is also into sports and was the captain of the baseball team in school and earned a black belt in Karate and currently a dancesport expert and enthusiast. [7]

Shilpa Shetty currently lives in Mumbai with her parents and sister. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is a budding Bollywood actress and they worked together in the film Fareb (2005).
At 5 ft 10 inches (178cm) she is one of the tallest actresses in Bollywood and regularly wears 3 inch heels making her around 6 ft 1.

Career
Film career
Shilpa Shetty started her career by modelling for Limca in 1991 at age 16,[8] and made her film debut in 1993 with Baazigar, portraying a woman murdered by her psychopathic boyfriend. Although she was a supporting actress alongside Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, the film was a major success and earned her a nomination for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.[9]

Her first leading role was in the film Aag in 1994, which was averagely received at the box office. She had a hit that same year with the film Main Khiladi Tu Anari opposite Akshay Kumar.[10] This was followed by many films which were average to poor performers at the box office. Shetty starred another big film that year Aao Pyar Karen followed by Hathkadi in 1995 where she was working alongside actors such as Saif Ali Khan, Govinda and Madhoo but they failed at the box office. 1997 was one of her busiest years, she appeared in six different films, beginning with the small Telugu language film Veedeva Dani Babu. Her first major Bollywood film of that year was the action thriller Auzaar. Shilpa portrayed the character of Prathna Thakur alongside actors Salman Khan and Sanjay Kapoor. In 1998, she had one release, Pardesi Babu, for which she received critical acclaim and won the Bollywood Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2000 Shetty received much acclaim for her role in Dhadkan which earned reasonable takings at the Indian box office.[11] She received several nominations under the Best Actress category in different award ceremonies. She would later go on to star with Anil Kapoor amd Karisma Kapoor in the film Rishtey (2002). Her comic performance as an eccentric fisherwoman was appreciated and she received a nomination under the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award category, and various nomination for Best Comedia as well.[12]

2004 was also a good year for Shetty with the release of Garv in which she portrayed a Muslim orphan and disillusioned table dancer starring opposite Salman Khan. Unlike the similar Chandni Bar, Garv was a cop drama that did not make the same social impact but which Shetty chose to do because she liked the subject.[13] However, she received much acclaim for her performance in Phir Milenge which critics consider as her best performance so far[14], where she makes a sensitive portrayal of a successful city high-flyer who contracts HIV via unprotected sex and becomes a social outcast as a result. The film, based on 1993's Philadelphia, was perceived to have tackled a social taboo as yet unaddressed by Bollywood[15][16] and earned Shetty a Filmfare Best Actress nomination, and also provided an impetus for her HIV-related charity work (see below). The actress was also a guest judge on the Indian Idol television show.

This marked a break from the previous trend of superficial song-and-dance items in favour of "meatier roles"[13] exemplified by her film Dus (2005), an action thriller. Although it received average returns at the box office,[17] Shetty stated that she had taken the role in order to reinvent herself by portraying the rather unconventional character of an anti-terrorist squad member.[13] She also starred with her sister in the film Fareb in 2005. Shilpa had one release in 2006, the much delayed Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar. The film was a box office flop but she got good reviews for her role as a wife with negative shades.[18] In 2006, she was a judge on Jhalak Dikhlaja, a Sony Entertainment Television dance show based on the original UK show Strictly Come Dancing.

Shetty was once featured in Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai.
The year 2007 proved to be her most successful year at the box office so far. Her first release, Life In A... Metro had decent reviews at the box office, receiving a hit status. The film was also critically acclaimed and Shetty's performance was appreciated by audiences and critics as well. Her second release, Apne was a good performer at the box office, receiving a semi-hit status.
Celebrity Big Brother 2007
Shetty was a contestant in and the winner of Celebrity Big Brother UK.[19] and is the first Indian celebrity included in the Celebrity version. Reportedly paid Rs.31.5m (£367,500 GBP) for her participation,[20] she said to presenter Davina McCall, "I just want every Indian to be extremely proud that I'm in here".[21] As for her participation, she stated: "I have zero expectations. The only thing I really hope to keep is my self-respect and my dignity."[22] Sister Shamita told the Times of India that this "is the boldest decision Shilpa has taken hitherto."[23] The Scotsman reported that PETA backed Shetty to win the contest and urged British viewers to vote for her.[24][25]

Shetty in 2007
During her time, Shetty instructed fellow housemates Carole Malone and Ken Russell in meditation,[26] flirted with Dirk Benedict[27] but tempers started to fray by Day 7 as a clique formed in the house disapproving of Shilpa's presence.[28][29] Following a worldwide controversy that publicised her as a target of racist bullying (see below) within the house, Shetty won the contest after gaining 63% of the public vote and described the experience as "incredible and overwhelming". She further thanked the public for "a fantastic opportunity to make my country proud".[30]

Post Celebrity Big Brother
In February 2007, Shetty attended a reception at the House of Commons, by invitation of Keith Vaz MP to meet with British prime minister Tony Blair [1]. She was also invited to meet with Queen Elizabeth II at Marlborough House in London in March 2007. During an interview on This Morning, Shetty confirmed that she had been asked to take the role of Preeti Choraria's sister in EastEnders. Shilpa said that after much thought she would be unable to take the role as it would mean all her other arrangements would have to go on hold.[31]

She was also the subject of a Sky One documentary entitled "The Real Shilpa Shetty", which was produced by British television production company Twofour. The large number of commercial offers that Shilpa received after winning Celebrity Big Brother themselves became reason for controversy with an increasing number of accusations about her riding the 'racism' wave to commercial gain.[32] She was on the cover of the first issue of OK! Magazine to be sold in India.[33]

On 27 March 2007 News of the World, National Tabloid, UK had reported information about her date with Akshay Kumar back in 1999. Accordingly, someone very close to both Shilpa and Akshay has revealed private information that was kept as a secret from many people including Shilpa's parents. Her first release after the reality show got a great opening. The movie, Life In A... Metro became the first Bollywood movie to premiere at Leicester Square.[34] Danielle Lloyd was also invited by the actress to attend the premiere.[35]

Shilpa Shetty will launch her own production house 'S2 Productions' to make a DVD video on Yoga. Soon after the DVD video, Shilpa will be seen in a musical titled Miss Bollywood. On her agenda next, is a cookery book titled Soul Curry and role of Sita in Uru Patel's international venture Hanuman.[36]

Personal life
Shetty is a frequent subject of speculation regarding romance.[42] However, she has remained tight-lipped whenever questions of marriage are posed to her. Her previous relationships include an affair with actor Akshay Kumar, whom she met on the Main Khiladi Tu Anari set in 1994. The couple split in 2000 after he started dating Shetty's friend and fellow actress Twinkle Khanna after a previous indiscretion,[43] and which led to Shetty's successful suing of Stardust magazine for publishing a "damaging" report about the affair.[15]

In an interview for the Times of India, Shetty quashed rumours of a romance with director Anubhav Sinha and claimed to have changed her mobile phone number in order to concentrate on her busy schedule.[44] But in a later interview for the Sunday Mirror a friend of Shetty revealed that she was "in love" with Sinha and that he was her "soulmate", but that she could not be with him for fear of parental disapproval, social stigma (Sinha is married with two children, although currently separated) and adverse public perception.[43] Currently single and not dating, Shetty has stated that she plans to marry in three years and would love to adopt a teenage daughter.[42]

Awards and honours Won
* 1998: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Supporting Actress for Pardesi Babu
* 2004: Giant International Award for Phir Milenge
* 2005: AAHOA Award for Phir Milenge
* 2007: IIFA special award from local authorities.
* 2007: Silver Star Award for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian causes [2]
* 2007: Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University in Leicester, UK. Shetty is the youngest actor from the Indian film fraternity to join. [3]
* 2007: Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award [4][5]

Nominations
* 1993: Filmfare Best Debut Award for Baazigar
* 1998: Zee Gold Bollywood Award, Best Supporting Actress for Pardesi Babu
* 2000: IIFA Best Actress Award for Dhadkan
* 2002: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Rishtey
* 2002: Star Screen Award Best Comedian for Rishtey
* 2002: Sansui Viewers Choice Movie Awards, Best Comedian for Rishtey
* 2004: Sansui Viewers Choice Movie Awards, Best Actress for Phir Milenge
* 2004: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Phir Milenge
* 2004: Sports World Film Awards, Best Actress for Phir Milenge
* 2004: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Phir Milenge
* 2004: Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female for Phir Milenge
* 2004: IIFA Best Actress Award for Phir Milenge
* 2004: Bollywood Awards, Best Actress for Phir Milenge

Mailing Address:
12 Dev Darshan,
262 Anthony's Road,
Chembur, Mumbai 400071

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Bipasha Basu Biography

Bipasha Basu (born January 7, 1979) is a Bollywood actress and supermodel. She was the winner of the Ford's Supermodel of the World Contest for 1996 and is currently one of the mainstream Bollywood actresses.

Early life
Basu is the second of three daughters in her family. Her siblings are her elder sister Bidisha, and younger sister Bijoyeta . She was born in New Delhi, but her family later moved to Kolkata, where she won a regional beauty contest at a very young age. She has said that she had come into modelling and acting "quite by accident," because initially Bipasha had planned to either study chartered accountancy or medicine. However, she said that she dropped the idea of doing medical studies because she fainted when attempting to dissect rats.

Career
Basu, a Calcutta based commerce graduate model won the Ford's Supermodel of the World Contest and was named Tulips Ms Super Vivacious in the same event at the remarkably young age of 17. Basu was then flown to New York by the Ford Company. She commented in an interview, "I was spotted by the world famous photographer, Steven Meisel, and featured in Vogue magazine. I was thrilled and soon had plenty of projects coming my way." Bipasha gave it all up and came back to India. She said, "Yeah, I did a lot of ads, but my heart was not in it. I started missing my family because it was the first time I was away from them. So I happily gave it all up and came down to India".

Basu made her debut film in Abbas Mustan's Ajnabee, with Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol and Kareena Kapoor. She played a married woman who goes all out to woo her husband’s married friend, and eventually won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for her performance.

Besides acting, Bips, as her friends call her, did the famous video "Tu" for Sonu Nigam's album, Kismat and made a guest appearance in Jay Sean's music video Stolen.[1] In 2006, she won popular acclaim for her Item number Beedi in the song Omkara.

Personal life
Basu is currently dating actor John Abraham, They have been dating since late 2002. She previously dated fellow Bollywood actors Milind Soman and Dino Morea.

Even though Basu is a practicing Hindu and Abraham is a Christian, both families have accepted the couple. Basu has stated in an interview that though she was raised a Hindu, she believes that all religious groups deserve respect.

Basu claims that she was harassed by organizers of the controversial 2006 India Day Parade in Edison, New Jersey. [2] Organizers are now saying that they will sue Bipasha for breach of contract for not participating in the event and alleging harassment.

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