Couple of the week: Shilpa, Raj

If the recent pictures of the power couple--Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty—have made you look back at Raj twice, then you aren’t alone. The business tycoon has gone lean and it’s noticeable.

 

Raj now looks fitter, and healthy, and it’s all thanks to the Midas touch of his wife Shipa, says the business tycoon.

 

“Shilpa makes me run behind her. Where ever she goes, I go and this in turn has made me fit and healthy,” jokes Raj

 

“I love the food Shilpa prepares at home. Be it idli sambhar, dosas or the rotis she recently learnt to make. I must confess, she is the perfect partner to have- be it in life or in business,” Raj adds.

 

Those who know me personally will tell you how simple I am in my real life. I still love to cook food, spend time with my loved ones and behave like a total homely girl, Shilpa has once said during an interview.

 

The couple is also planning to launch a production house soon. In fact, says Raj, “We have finalised the script, the stars and the rest of the essentials for our first film. However, we shall divulge the details a little later. At the moment, I can only tell you that our film will have all the elements of a blockbuster- comedy, romance, thriller and entertainment, all in one.”

 

Raj and Shilpa got married in the year 2009. It was Raj's second marriage.

 

They both are part owners of the Indian Premier League franchise cricket team Rajasthan Royals

Aishwarya: Through the years

Aishwarya Rai shot into the limelight when she won the title of Miss World in 1994.

 

While in college, Aishwarya wanted to be an architect but later on gave up on those plans to pursue a career in modeling.

Ash became a popular model and still continues to be one.

 

She went on to win Miss World title in 1994.

 

She made her debut with Mani Ratnam's 'Iruvar' and her Bollywood debut opposite Bobby Deol in 'Aur Pyar Hogaya'

 

Even though she did not taste success in her initial flicks, she went on to deliver hits - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Taal, Devdas - the list is pretty long

 

She has shared the screen with almost all the famous names from the Indian movie industry.

 

She has dated Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi before getting married to Abhishek Bachchan.

 

Earlier this year, her father in law - Amitabh Bachchan announced that she is pregnant.

 

Aishwarya started keeping away from the public eye

 

Even when Madhur Bhandarkar questioned her professionalism - Ash acted very cool.

 

She returned the fee Madhur had given her for 'Heroine'

Aishwarya has over time proved that she is just not a pretty face.

 

So what does this birthday mean for this soon to be mom?

 

Astrologers predict she will have a baby girl.

According to a report, she should ideally be staying at home and taking care of the baby.

 

Will she be a stay at home mother or a public figure?

Will Aishwarya continue acting even after the child is born.

 

The year ahead will give us the answer.

Lara, Hesh leave for London

Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi spotted at the airport as they leave for London for a vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celina shows off her baby bump

Celina, who recently announced her pregnancy recently looked stunning in a blue dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sayali Bhagat to sue Shiney Ahuja over indecent advances?

 

After first hinting that Shiney had made indecent advances towards her and then denying all such reports, Sayali is now reportedly filing a complaint against the actor over the issue according to industry sources.

The story so far: Shiney and Sayali were signed up to co- star in a film named Ghost sometime last year. In April 2011, Sayali levelled allegations against Shiney for the first time saying he had made passes at her on the film set. She had then said Shiney had also misbehaved with the film’s debutant director, Puja Jatinder Bedi. Last month in an interview, however, Sayali took a U- turn.

She said Shiney had never misbehaved with her and that such allegations would harm his career. The flip- flop came in an interview Sayali gave to a film glossy earlier this month. She claimed that Shiney had definitely made advances and that she was smart enough “ to understand where Shiney was heading to” and that she “ knew he was throwing hints”. The magazine report even suggested that Sayali admitted to Shiney pinching her butt. No sooner did the magazine hit the stands, however, she said she was “ shocked” about allegations that were reportedly being passed off as her statements. She further said that both Shiney and she were being “ victimised by detractors”. She also said ever since the magazine hit the stands, Shiney and his wife Anupam Ahuja were flooding her with text messages and calls, disturbing her peace of mind.

Now comes the latest twist. Sources in the industry say Sayali is considering action against Shiney because, during an intimate scene in Ghost , he reportedly called her into his make- up room and held her hand in a way that was too close for her comfort. Both Sayali and Shiney remained unavailable for comments.

This is not the first time that Shiney has been in the eye of storm over such allegations. In 2009, the actor’s maid filed a case against him alleging rape. Shiney was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Mumbai sessions court on March 30 this year. About a month later, however, he was released on bail.

Amrita's earnest success

At a time when showing off one’s skin and shedding clothes in films give a ticket to success in Bollywood, actress Amrita Rao is amongst the few actresses in India’s tinseltown, who set the screen on fire without any vulgar-heat and controversial smoke. After delivering critically acclaimed performances and commercial hits like Main Hoon Na (2004), Vivah (2006) and Welcome To Sajjanpur, Amrita has instituted herself as one of the most promising actresses. Whether she is in a modern or homely role, thanks to Amrita’s girl-next-door-look that makes every parent to personify her as their daughter or daughter-in-law and for an eligible bachelor, she leaves her impression as his better-half.

 

So is she a born actress? “No. It happened to me in a gradual manner. Though I was into modeling and extracurricular activities in my school days at C.G. High School in Mumbai, I never thought of making it big someday in a film-industry.

 

While pursuing my Bachelors with Psychology in Sophia College, I auditioned for an advertisement for Fairever Face Cream. And to my surprise I was selected amongst the top contestant, which paved a way for me to take this profession sincerely,” says Amrita. People from the fashion circuit noticed her seriously and offers started pouring on her. 

 

It was her appearance in the Bru Coffee advertisement and a Cadbury’s product ad that helped Amrita get offers from Bollywood. However, as she wanted to complete her studies first, she refused them but soon after her colleging she realized acting and modeling as a serious profession.

 

Wasn’t her family against her decision? She says no, not at all! “Both my mom and dad were quite supportive. They never ever stopped me in realizing my dreams in the film industry,” the actress says.

 

On being asked about gaining a foothold in Bollywood, especially being an outsider, she says, “Thanks God, everything came to me easily unlike many strugglers. I am fortunate that I started my career with a seasoned thespian (Raj Babbar)’s son, Arya Babbar with Ab Ke Baras. Though it didn’t stand up to the expectation, both Arya and I were noticed. Then came Ken Ghosh’s Ishq Vishk, which gave trio of protagonists, Shahid Kapoor, Shehnaz Treasurywala and I due recognition.” And the rest is history.

 

The way her career has shaped up with commercial successes like Main Hoon Na, Vivah and Welcome To Sajjanpur, Amrita certainly feels on top of the world. With each of these films including even Masti and others, audiences relate themselves with me. “I’ll always be grateful to Shah Rukh, Farah (Khans), Suraj Barjatya and Shyam Benegal for honing and exhibiting my acting skills in completely different formats. It is their immense guidance and support that I could carve a niche for myself,” the actress adds.

 

So, is she happy with her ‘girl-next-door image’? “Why not? It’s a great opportunity for me to encash this image. What could be better than this for any actress to connect with one’s audiences? Every family people easily relate me with their daughter, sister or the girl they always knew in their neighbourhood. Whether it’s Poonam in Vivah, Sanjana in Main Hoon Na and Payal in Ishq Vishk, all these portrayals came across as warm and sweet girls. So, it is important for an actress to be identified by the audiences with a special tag,” she boasts.

 

Coming on the heels of seasoned actresses Madhuri Dixit and Tabu, Amrita is the third one whom legendary artist M.F. Hussain shown the world through his painting, making her his muse. How does she take it? Says she, “Though I am nothing and nowhere before Madhuri and Tabu, Hussain saab has immortalized me. I was overwhelmed and almost deadpan when the reports first came in via Media. I think it was my so Indianized character in Vivah that left a stamp on him. Later when I met him in Dubai, I felt he was much more than a good human being. He was down-to-earth and would observe things minutely and meticulously.” Hussain’s death is my personal loss, she adds.

 

Staying away from rat-race and cats-fight that is very much part of the industry, the Vivah actress believes in healthy competition rather than the intense rivalry. “Amongst all the costars I have worked with I shared a warm rapport with them. Even whether it’s Kareena, Vidya Balan or the others with whom I haven’t worked, I find them more professional towards their approach. By the way, everybody has his or her own appeal,” Amrita signs off.