Last Dance at Manhattan Club Copacabana

Last Dance at Manhattan Club Copacabana


The legendary Copacabana, the inspiration for Barry Manilow's smash single and a staple of Manhattan nightlife since World War II, is ready for its last dance.

With construction of an extended subway line imminent, the club will close its doors Saturday night as its owner hunts for a new home.

"What are you going to do?" said John Juliano, taking a break from setting up shop on the club's penultimate evening. "Like anything else in life, you're born and you die. We'll try to find another spot by the fall."

The three-floor space on Manhattan's West Side, a replica of the original club where Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin once ruled, is locking up shop after Latin superstars El Gran Combo play Saturday night. Owner Juliano, who bought the Copa with two partners in 1976, said he hoped to open a new club under the old name by October.

This is the nightspot's third incarnation. The original was the scene of a memorable 1957 brawl involving New York Yankees stars Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, and eventually became a disco in the mid-1970s.

"In the '40s and '50s, every star possible appeared at the Copa," Juliano said. "You had to play the Copa if you wanted to get anywhere."

Copa II was opened in 1992. The current Copacabana, which caters to the hip-hop and salsa crowds, opened on West 34th Street in 2001.

The latest Copa was condemned when the city decided to extend the No. 7 subway line west, providing a link with the remote Javits Convention Center.

In addition to all the real-life drama in the club, the first Copa on East 60th Street was prominently featured in the Martin Scorsese mob classic "Goodfellas," his earlier film "Raging Bull" and in the Dustin Hoffman film "Tootsie."

And the club provided the impetus for the hit song "Copacabana," co-written and performed by Manilow, the musical story of a showgirl working "the hottest spot north of Havana."

There are a number of possibilities for a new location, including a possible move to the Bronx.

"It would kill me," Juliano confessed, "but what are you going to do?"

The club's name and its palm tree theme will accompany Juliano wherever he ends up.

"Without a doubt," he said. "You have to keep it tropical."

Designer to Host Online Anti-Fur Protest

Designer to Host Online Anti-Fur Protest

Stella McCartney will co-host a virtual anti-fur protest next month in the online fantasy world known as Second Life.

The weeklong protest will begin July 12 on a dedicated island in the computer-generated alternative universe, it was announced this week by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The island will feature stables, a lake, picnic tables and Linda McCartney mini-veggie-burger stalls.

"Sometimes it's nice to have a bit of humor on serious subjects," the 35-year-old British designer said in a statement.

Like her late mother, Linda, McCartney is a longtime supporter of animal rights. She doesn't use leather or fur in her designs.

Visitors to SecondLife.com will be able to clothe their digital proxies, called avatars, in T-shirts bearing the slogan: "I'd Rather Be Pixelated Than Wear Fur."

They can also enter a competition to come up with alternatives to PETA's famous tag line, "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur." The best three, judged by McCartney, will win prizes, including two tickets to her fashion show in Paris in October.

Millions of players, called residents, interact with each other in the Second Life virtual world. They can do basically anything that people can in real life, including buying and selling property, participating in group or individual activities, or socializing.

Sameera Reddy talks about sex and turn ons

Sameera Reddy talks about sex and turn ons

ctress Sameera Reddy has become brave and courageous. One wonders if the hosting of the action awards on AXN has got anything to do with the sudden power and confidence to shoot straight from the lip.

She tells us, “Oh, hosting the awards ceremony was fun. I’m quite an adventurous girl and love action myself. It’s great to see Bollywood excel in that direction. It’s after watching my film, Naksha, that AXN approached me to host their action awards show.” “Even in movies, I enjoy doing all the stunts myself. My male co-stars treat me like one of the boys, and I just love that,” she continues. Sameera is looking forward to her next film Race in which she replaced the sexy Mallika Sherawat. Sammy says, “It’s a thriller and we are having a blast shooting it. There’s going to be a lot of action and adventure in this one.”


About her fave action hero? “It has to be Hrithik. He is such a great actor. But he deserves all that he has achieved. He really works so hard, it’s commendable. I love the action he has done in Dhoom 2.”

The girl has just confessed to having an affair with Shamshul Lalani, a Mumbai-based builder.

But it wasn’t courage but frustration that made her confess her six-month relationship.

Sameera has been constantly linked with director Sanjay Gupta, and these constant alleged link-ups were adversely affecting her personal life and romantic relationship with Shamshul.

To put rumours to rest, Reddy told Times News Network, “Link-ups with Sanjay Gupta are really upsetting my personal life and putting a lot of pressure on my family.

I repeat again that I am seeing someone who comes from an affluent builder family in Mumbai and we are happy together.”

But then why did the sexy damsel hide it from the media for so long? “What’s the big deal if I am in love, why doesn’t everyone just leave me alone?”

Sameera Reddy was always a plump child, especially during her school days. It was only during her college years that she realized that she had to do something about her weight and consciously lost thirty kilos.

Being one of four sisters, Sameera could well have suffered from an inferiority complex.

Both her elder sisters were successful models and known for their ‘sexiness.

Sameera admits: I was the ugly duckling of the family.

Sameera’s first film was Maine Dil Tujhko Diya in which she was paired opposite debutant Sohail Khan.

But it was post-Musafir that the actress was described as ‘sexy’.

She recently said, “I'm feeling as fit as ever and my energy levels are soaring. I was tired of doing the same workout for the past six years. My body had plateaued, as far as losing weight was concerned. I needed to jump-start my exercise routine.”


So what does the lady indulge in? Power yoga, specialised weight training and an hour of daily cardio, coupled with a healthy diet. Her weight loss then, is definitely well-deserved.

What makes Sameera Reddy all hot and fiery?

It was while shooting for Sanjay Gupta’s film Musafir that the damsel was in quite a ‘hot’ predicament. While shooting for one particular scene, along with a few fire jugglers, the actress’ pants apparently caught fire and had to be quickly doused by the crew. Needless to say, Sameera had one fiery experience, but the brave lady didn’t stop shooting, much to her producer’s delight.


When her co-star (and co-producer) Sanjay Dutt learnt of the incident, like the others, he too was all praise for Sameera’s ‘enduring’ spirit. However, the Deadly Dutt went one step further and presented the pretty actress with a flat-screen television set as a present and a token of his appreciation.

What does Sameera want from life? All she wants is to continue living life the way she is doing right now - on her own terms.

Sameera has had her set of link ups. At one point in time she was linked with four people - actor NTR Jr, a French DJ, a Mumbai-based industrialist and filmmaker Sanjay Gupta. She denied all these romantic liaisons.


Sexy or sleazy? Sameera maintains that there is a thin line between the two. She says, “Being sexy is something that comes from your attitude, while sleaze is reflected in your body language. I don’t mind being called sexy, because my sex-appeal lies in my confidence and my being sure of myself, not in my body alone.”

So who does Sameera find hot?

“There are many…John Abraham, Ajay Devgan, Sunjay Dutt, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan.”

Sameera has kissed on screen before, but the damsel is insistent that she wouldn’t be able to kiss on screen ever again. She tells us, “I don’t know why, but I don’t think I’ll be able to kiss on screen ever again. It’s too taxing!”



Sameera is naughty, alright. A fun loving girl who like adventure. But just whom would she like to get naughty with? “It has to be Mel Gibson…he looks naughty enough,” she tells us.

A foodie herself, what would she cook on a romantic date for that special someone. The dominant side of her says, “Nothing, I’ll make him cook for me!”

A workaholic, what else is Sameera addicted to besides work? “It has to be fitness.” And what is she passionate about? “Cars! I love them!” That makes Sammy quite a fast girl, eh?


The actress is known to be close to her friends and family. “Friends and family are man’s greatest assets,” she says, “and should not ever be taken for granted.”

Not many know that Sameera is a gadget queen. Ask her whom she can give a run for their money, and she is quick to say, “James Bond. I’m a gadget queen. I can hook up anything!”

Ask her to complete the following…Sex… and she says, Sex is what you make of it. And Sex appeal? “Sex appeal isn’t about what you don’t have!”


So what if a girl proposed to her? “I’d run away. It happened once and that’s what I did.” What does the actress get turned on by? “A man’s breath, the smell of musk, chocolate sauce and strawberries.” And which guy would she like to be wooed by? “Brad Pitt, without doubt!”

Money for Sameera is important but it’s not everything. And the role she desires most? “Madhubala’s role in Mughal-e-Azam” . Her opinion on item numbers? “They’re not so bad. I would do it, after taking into consideration various things.”

And what about Life? “It should be lived king-size!”

Mallika’s ‘split personality’!

Mallika’s ‘split personality’!

She’s Bollywood’s uncrowned controversy queen, and she knows which way her bread is buttered, say know-it-alls. But Mallika Sherawat surprises everyone every time. Be it her Hollywood films or her item numbers, or even her ten minute appearances at shows, this girl makes her own rules. But we couldn’t help wondering if the actress didn’t have a split personality because of the drastically different news items floating around about her. On the one hand you have her quoting fantastic figures for a few minutes’ appearances in films or shows – remember her performing at a suburban five-star, and then her role in Himesh Reshammiya’s film? The actress is said to have raked in the moolah in these two instances.


And then you have the story that she has actually declined to take even a penny for an entire film! “Yes, on the one hand Mallika is smart enough to know her value and demand it, and on the other hand, if she likes a film very much, she may even agree to do it for free. Like in the case of Pritish Nandy’s Pyar Ke Side Effects ,” informs our source. “Mallika liked the scrip so much that she refused to accept any payment for the role. She thoroughly enjoyed shooting the film and working with Rahul Bose.” However, producer Pritish actually sent her a share of the profits since the film did well at the box-office. With Mallika, every situation is a win-win situation, right?

2nd Place a New World for Brian Williams

2nd Place a New World for Brian Williams

One of the small indignities of a high-paying television job is rising after getting home from Texas at 3:05 a.m. for a conversation about why your ratings are going south.

Brian Williams dutifully does it, weary voice and all, even if he and NBC can't fully explain why after two years on top his "Nightly News" broadcast has suddenly been eclipsed by ABC and Charles Gibson.

"It is predictable," Williams said, the morning after anchoring his newscast from Fort Worth. "This is why I haven't allowed any champagne toasts in the newsroom when the ratings have been flawless and spectacular and joyous. This is a back-and-forth dogfight."

Tough competition keeps everyone sharp and benefits the viewers, he said.

ABC's "World News" has been the most popular newscast for eight straight weeks, and 15 out of the last 19, according to Nielsen Media Research. Katie Couric's "CBS Evening News" is a distant third.

All the attention paid to Couric's tough start at CBS has overshadowed what's been going on at NBC. In Couric's first 39 weeks at CBS, she's lost 287,000 viewers from the average of a year ago, a drop of 4 percent from predecessor Bob Schieffer's audience. At the same time, "Nightly News" lost 533,000 viewers, or 5 percent, Nielsen said.

In Williams' first three months after taking over from Tom Brokaw in December 2004, "Nightly News" averaged 10.79 million viewers. In the past three months, it's been 7.66 million. To be fair, the nightly news audience traditionally drops when warm weather arrives, and it has been a slow news period.

Still, that's a lot of missing viewers.

"If I was at NBC, I'd really be quite nervous about the hundreds of thousands of people that have left my audience," said Andrew Tyndall, a consultant who studies the content of network evening newscasts.

Tyndall credits ABC more than he faults NBC. In a sense, the loss of audience NBC should have anticipated with Brokaw's departure was delayed for two years because of turmoil at ABC the death of Peter Jennings, injury to Bob Woodruff and departure of Elizabeth Vargas, he said. With Gibson, now there's stability.

Williams, whose "champagne toasts" comment was a sly reference to bottles passed around ABC's newsroom due to recent ratings triumphs, said he leaves it to others to worry about the numbers.

"I, honest to God, couldn't tell you what the ratings are and couldn't tell you that for days on end," he said. "It really is immaterial in a way. There isn't anything we can do on a given day to tweak."

If there was a single explanation, it would be much easier. There isn't.

A check of story logs from the past month reveals few dramatic differences between the ABC, NBC and CBS newscasts. The public can't detect much, either: a recent study by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that 74 percent of people asked said ABC News, CBS News and NBC News are all pretty much the same.

The only major difference recently was that NBC led its newscast three times with hurricane-related stories, including a Williams visit to New Orleans and an update of the season's hurricane forecast. NBC's rivals did little or nothing on those stories. That's a reflection of Williams' continuing interest in the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, and he's convinced the public shares that.

NBC's prime-time ratings woes may also affect the visibility of its news programs and, more importantly, the local newscasts that are shown before Williams throughout the country. NBC is also fond of arguing the `Oprah factor,' saying that when Oprah Winfrey has attention-getting programs primarily shown in the late afternoon on ABC stations it hurts "Nightly News."

"We worry about what we can worry about, but our numbers are affected by a variety of things we have very little to do with, nothing to do with," said Alexandra Wallace, "Nightly" executive producer for three months, who made a rookie mistake in predicting to Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Gail Shister in late winter that NBC would soon be back on top after ABC's initial victories.

The simplest possible explanation, and toughest to deal with: more people want to spend that half hour with Gibson than Williams.

Gibson, 64, is an older man anchoring a news format favored by older viewers (Williams is 48). He's also more affable and self-effacing on the air, with less starch than the more formal Williams. Some see Williams as talking to, rather than with, his audience.

NBC has struggled to find a way to show, on the news, the warm, quick-witted Williams that appears in guest shots on "The Daily Show."

"One man's formalness and bearing is another's being a guest in someone's home and anchoring a broadcast that they've come to expect in a certain way," said Williams, who has frequently talked about how the news is too serious for him to appear the way he does in other forums.

"Nightly News," under Wallace, has tried to showcase Williams more with occasional interview segments. Williams has conducted interviews with outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the past month.

During Thursday's broadcast, "Nightly" featured a three-minute segment with Williams interviewing the widow of a soldier killed in Iraq.

"Part of me does want the viewer to get to know Brian," Wallace said. "But I don't think that's the primary focus. The primary focus is putting on a journalistically sound, intelligent, well-rounded broadcast."

I love only John, and no one else

I love only John, and no one else

If Bipasha Basu has kept quiet about the gathering rumours in her personal life, it's because she didn't want to react to what were clearly vicious attempts to cause a breach in her relationship with John.

Bipasha has taken a conscious decision to remain characteristically dignified and uncharacteristically quiet.

"I was shooting outside Mumbai. And it was so peaceful and nourishing to breathe in unpolluted air…I told my best friend Susie, I'd rather not come back. But there's no point in pretending the ugly talk isn't there.

John spoke on behalf of both of us yesterday. I'm hoping it would stop this crazy chaos of idle gossip. I'm really tired of all this. It doesn't effect either of us, or our relationship. But I'm tired of being scrutinized all the time."

Bipasha has decided she won't react to any of the things being written and said about her relationship with John. "It's so foolish and self-defeating to keep reacting to these periodic talks of links and breaks-ups.

Today we're being linked with particular people. Tomorrow it'll be someone else. We can't let these things affect us. And we don't. But this time the rumours got really mean. I can take it, even answer back. But John isn't comfortable being attacked. And for what?"

In fact Bipasha now joins John in Pondicherry where he's shooting for Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashaayen.

"Neither of is going to be unprofessional, leave our work and go running to one another just because people are spreading these strange rumours. Poor John, he's shooting a very difficult author-backed role. If he suggests he's taking off to meet me Nagesh will probably have a fit. I too have my professional commitments.

I can't just tell Abbas and Mustan to give me a day off from the shooting of Race. Though they're too sweet to say no."

Bipasha joins John in Pondicherry on June 27. "And that isn't meant to stop wagging tongues. We don't have to prove anything to anybody. Let them say what they want. I love only John, and no one else."

Rani weds Adi? Not so soon!!!

Rani weds Adi? Not so soon!!!

The Queen B of Bollywood probably wants to remain the queen in every sense possible. Rani might have had liaisons with co stars Anil Kapoor and Govinda, when it comes to marriage she is not going to settle for anything less.

This explains her huge friendship with Abhishek Bachchan in the past and her repoted deep willingness to be the next Mrs Bachchan.

But after Rani was allegedly dropped like a hot potato by the Bachchans for her foul mouth, bad behavior and supposed lowly family background and Abhsihek getting settled down with arch rival, the ethereally beautiful Aishwarya Rai barely two months back, comes the news that she has got engaged to the brain behind the multi-crore Chopra empire, Aditya Chopra.

Apparently the duo had a hush-hush engagement sometime back and is planning to tie the knot soon.

“The ‘roka’ took place at the same Chopra bungalow where Chandni was shot. Only family and friends attended the ceremony that included Rani’s parents Ram and Krishna Mukherjee, brother Raja and his wife.

Present from the Chopra clan were brother Uday, dad Yash Chopra and mum Pamela Chopra. Pam aunty didn’t seem very happy, as she has a soft corner for Adi’s ex-wife, Payal. Another function will take place at Rani’s house next week”, claimed a source close to the Chopras.

So this confirms the reports all this while that something was brewing between the two and also explains the casting of Rani in every other Yash Raj Film. It also makes the straining of Aditya and his wife Payal Khanna’s relationship over the involvement with Rani true.

If reports are anything to go by, Adi's divorce with Payal is creating a dent in his relationship with his family and also putting the multi crore Chopra empire in jeopardy. The buzz is that after marriage Rani is not going to live in the Chopra house.

Instead Aditya will live in the house Rani has recently bought. But it seems the madly in love Aditya couldn’t care less. As for Rani, when it comes to settling down she will only do it Queen B style.

But Monika Bhattacharya, a spokesperson for Yash Raj Films has denied that actress Rani Mukherjee was engaged to producer-director Aditya Chopra in a secret ceremony. Rani's father Ram Mukherjee issued a press release on Wednesday, denying the speculation.

"This is a rumor. the news is not true at all. Rani is busy with her work and she will not do anything secretly," he said.

Actor Anupam Kher, who reportedly attended the "Roka" ceremony has also rubbished the report.

Significantly, neither Rani Mukherjee nor Aditya Chopra have denied the reports. They are also not available for comments.

John won't Let Go of Bipasha Basu!

John won't Let Go of Bipasha Basu!

Reports of a widening rift between Bipasha and John have had a wounding impact on John.

The actor who's currently shooting in Pondicherry for Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashayen was unaware of the developments back home and the talk of the serious rift with Bipasha that's blowing across Mumbai…until very recently.

"That's when it dawned on him that someone or some people are definitely trying to create problems between him and Bipasha. He's now seriously worried because Bipasha is the finest woman he has ever met.

Forget about leaving her, John wouldn't do anything to hurt her," a close friend of John phoned to speak on the star's behalf.

Reacting angrily to the link-up stories, John's friend says, "Vidya Balan and then Sheetal Menon…please! John hardly knows this Sheetal woman. They've braely met half a time. The last thing John wants is to endanger his relationship with Bipasha to play the stud. Who's spreading these ugly rumours?"

According to John's friend these efforts to harm his relationship with Bipasha are deliberate. "Somebody or some people are spreading these rumours for their own gains.

And it's so easy to see who's been calling up the media left right and center to plant stories about Bipasha moving away from John and drifting into another relationship.

John hasn't made one attempt to have his say. So far he believes his love for Bipasha, and vice versa, is strong enough to withstand these vicious attacks of their relationship. But he won't keep quiet for too long," says the friend.

In fact the actor is supposed to be joined by Bipasha in Pondicherry very shortly.

"If these rumours have influenced Bipasha in any way then John will fly back from his shooting to make sure nothing and no one comes between him and his love. He won't lose Bipasha at any cost," warns the friend.

Marry Salman? What nonsense: Katrina Kaif

Marry Salman? What nonsense: Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif is sick of rumours that she is marrying Salman Khan this month. In a chat withTWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani, she emphatically rules out marriage in near future, talks about her forthcoming films, and more.

Your performance has been appreciated in ‘Namastey London’...
Yeah. I am very happy. I have been around for quite some time now and I have really worked very hard. I am reaping the fruits now, I guess. I wouldn't say that I expected this to happen. What worked in the film's favour is that Vipul just stuck to the story in a very linear fashion and did not complicate it.

Have film-makers started taking you seriously now as an actress?
Yes, the perception of the people towards me has changed. It was very necessary for me to have a film like ‘Namastey London’. It has made my life a lot easier. My next aim is to take more steps like this in the forward direction.

Let's talk about ‘Apne’.
I signed ‘Apne’ nearly two years back. Anil Sharma had to do a lot of spade work before he started the film. That's why it took some time. I have seen Sharma's earlier films and I always wanted to work with him.

Were you intimidated by the Deols?
Not really. Dharamji is a very warm person. He is like family. Bobby has become a friend. I play a physician in the family.

I had lot of fun wearing the boxing gloves whenever the director called 'Cut' and Bobby and I used to have a fake fight (laughs). But with Sunny, it did take me some time to break the ice. He is one who generally keeps to himself.

How do you feel when you hear that Salman is recommending you to film-makers?
I am working very hard. Nobody can do anything for you in this industry. I can understand if people said this in my early days, but I think now people should stop circulating false stories.

Its' also said that you call up for Salman's intervention if and when you have problems while you're shooting?
Bullshit. Fabrication of the highest order. Not that I take it seriously but people should stop talking nonsense. It's unfortunate that there are some people in this industry who just want to bring you down for no rhyme or reason.

What about your personal life? Everybody says that you are marrying Salman this month...
(Interrupts) I can't stop people from writing what they have decided to. Many actors are not accessible but I am. Why don't people call me up before writing things which are not true. All this is nonsense. I am working. I am happy.

Few days back, 500 people gathered outside Salman's residence thinking that he was marrying you that day?
Sometimes, people get carried away in excitement.

Do you believe in the institution of marriage?
I think that everybody does.

Have you and Salman discussed marriage?
Let's talk something else.

Have you had a fall-out with Ram Gopal Varma? He dropped you from his version of ‘Sholay’ and you not doing ‘Sarkar 2’ either...
(Interrupts) No. in fact, Ramu is one of my very good friends and we have stayed in touch after ‘Sarkar’. We are beyond petty things. ‘Sarkar 2’ was always meant to be with the Bachchans.

As for his version of ‘Sholay’, I could not do it because of dates problem; He was actually supposed to start the film earlier but it got delayed due to many reasons.

What else is in your kitty besides ‘Apne’?
David Dhawan’s ‘Partner’, Aneez Bazmee’s ‘Welcome’, Saif Mustan’s ‘Race’ and Subhash Ghai’s untitled next.

Jessica Alba miffed by Paris Hilton comparision

Jessica Alba miffed by Paris Hilton comparision

Jessica Alba was recently left miffed after a Brit journalist compared her to Paris Hilton, thanks to her new hairstyle.

Alba was at the world premiere of her new movie ‘Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer’ in London when Sky News reporter Neil Sean told her that she was taking hairstyle tips from jailed heiress Paris Hilton.

"So you've got a bit of a Paris Hilton hairstyle going on in the film," Contactmusic quoted Sean, as saying.

To this Alba replied: "I don't think it looks anything like Paris' hair actually."

The actress was later overheard telling a publicist that Sean had gone a bit too far comparing her to the ‘jailbird’.

"Was he telling me I look like a jailbird? That was just so out of order," she reportedly told the publicist.

Alba, who reprised her role as Sue Storm aka The Invisible Woman, in the ‘Fantastic Four’ sequel, saw herself being voted the sexiest film superhero in a Pearl & Dean poll.

The second slot went to actress Jennifer Garner for her portrayal of Elektra in Daredevil/Elektra, while Halle Berry stood third as Storm in X-Men.

Actresses Go Through Hell!

Actresses Go Through Hell!

Bipasha admits that she’s had some ugly experiences, especially in Jaipur where people have wanted to touch her. In one instance in Mumbai a man attempted to paw her at a pub, but luckily beau John Abraham was there to protect her.

Rumour has it that he physically reprimanded the erring party, but John has denied doing so. For someone who is considered a sex symbol, Bipasha has managed to keep such incidents to the minimal, which is laudable. Does she need John to protect her everyday? We don’t think so.


Kareena’s kiss blown up

It happened to be a harmless kiss between a boy and a girl, but it was caught on camera by a miscreant and then passed on to the television media, which in turn blew it up into a huge story.

Both Shahid and Kareena, as well as millions of their fans, were disgusted with the incident.

Shilpa Shetty kissed by Richard Gere

There may have been a raging debate over the Richard Gere’s kissm, but the fact of the matter is that if an Indian actor had done the same thing, he would have been in deep trouble.

At the same time, Shilpa was obviously surprised at Richard’s gesture, although she handled it well. Question is, did Richard Gere overstep the line. And did Shilpa cover up her embarrassment superbly? Whatever the case, Shipa surely can take care of herself!


Deepal Shaw is abused

Deepal was returning home late one night when her car broke down. While she was standing outside her car, three men approached her and within minutes, Deepal realized that they had no intention of helping her.

Deepal quickly got inside her car and called her brother. But the three men passed obscene remarks on Deepal. Luckily Deepal’s brother arrived at the scene and she returned home safely.


Payal Rohatgi’s bad experience

Her penchant for doing sexy roles proved disastrous for Payal. Apparently, Payal decided to attend a function, but a young man decided to act fresh with her.

He allegedly put his hand on her back and even tried “some other mischief” according to the actress. She was livid at the incident and went on record to say that people should not take actress’ screen images literally.


Rakhi Sawant’s onstage scare

She was doing a stage show in Dubai when some members of the audience actually climbed on stage and began to misbehave with her.

Of course, Rakhi managed to escape from the scene before things went overboard, but it did give her a scare, considering the crowd would have gone berserk.

Rakhi Sawant gets kissed by Mika

Strangers or goons acting fresh is one thing, but when a celebrity decides to get down to their level, it is sad.

Such was the case when singer Mika decided to kiss Rakhi at his birthday. The incident created a furore as Rakhi cried foul and was given huge publicity by the media.

Celina Jaitley’s trauma

She went through a horrific incident when shooting for Jawani Diwani in Mauritius.

The story goes that a man actually came to the sets, pulled her hair, and ran away. The next day he again appeared on the sets and allegedly peed on her. It’s surprising that the authorities couldn’t prevent this incident, and only arrested the man later.

Meghna Naidu’s a victim

Meghna was coming out of a theatre in Mumbai after watching a film, when four boys decided to take advantage of her. They behaved indecently, according to the actress, but luckily for Meghna, her boyfriend was with her and he taught them a lesson.

But it is scary to imagine what would have happened if she had been alone that day.

Kangana Ranaut gets slapped

Being taken advantage of by strangers is one thing, but rumour has it that Kangana had a huge scene with actor and mentor Aditya Panscholi. Rumours even stated that Kangana had been slapped, but no confirmations were forthcoming.

In fact, Kangana and Aditya were later spotted together at an awards function. We wonder what that was all about?

Kangana receives threats

Kangana’s sister was actually attacked by a man. The man is said to have thrown acid on Kangana’s sister’s face. Kangana went through a lot of trauma because of the incident.

Moreover, she herself received similar threats.

Riya Sen’s MMS clip

It was in extremely bad taste. Even though Riya denied the whole incident, a strange MMS clip began doing the rounds showing Riya in a bad light.

While some wrote it off as a publicity gimmick, others were astounded at the MMS clip. All said and done, this is one horrific incident that Riya will never forget.

Jyothika gets pawed

There is a video of how actress Jyothika was being pawed in public at an event, much to her disgust.

Other south actresses who have gone through such a bad experience include Kannada actress Rakshita who claimed that a fan tried to grab her hand, and when she pulled her hand back, he managed to get her bracelet instead.

Esha Deol gets fondled

The young actress was at a premiere of one of her own films when this incident occurred. A fan took advantage of the crowd around the actress and fondled her.

Of course, Esha Deol is someone who can take care of herself and she reacted quickly and slapped him hard. This is one man who has learnt his lesson.

Barker: Remarks Not a Rosie Endorsement

Barker: Remarks Not a Rosie Endorsement

It may have sounded like an endorsement, but Bob Barker's recent remarks about Rosie O'Donnell weren't meant that way. "The Price Is Right" host, who retired this month after 35 years with the show, told reporters last week at the Daytime Emmy Awards that he had "no doubt" that O'Donnell would make a fine host for the CBS game show.

But Barker told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he never meant to endorse any potential host and has no role in choosing his replacement.

"I have not been asked for my opinion, nor have I expressed one," Barker said. "I think there are several candidates who could do the show, and Rosie is certainly one of them."

CBS and FremantleMedia North America, which produces "The Price Is Right," have yet to announce Barker's successor. Among those reportedly in the running, besides O'Donnell, are Todd Newton of the E! network, Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight," George Hamilton and John O'Hurley. O'Donnell said on her blog that she plans to meet with the "Price" representatives this week and that she "sure would" accept the job if offered.

CBS and FremantleMedia had no comment Wednesday. "The Price Is Right" is on hiatus until the new season starts in the fall.



After winning his 19th Daytime Emmy, Barker was asked about the possibility of O'Donnell taking his place on "Price." The silver-haired matinee idol has known O'Donnell since the days of her afternoon talk show, where Barker was a frequent guest.

"She told me at that time that she liked `The Price Is Right' and some day wanted to host it," said Barker, 83. "I thought she could do the show. She's a very talented lady and I thought she could do most any show."

So when asked after the Emmys about her qualifications, he responded, "She knows the show. There's no doubt in my mind she could do the show."

But Barker stressed Wednesday that he never meant to imply she was his top pick to replace him. It would be "terribly presumptuous," he added, to assume he would have any impact on the host selection.

"I haven't even seen all the tapes of the candidates," he said.

Barker wrapped up his 50-year reign on television earlier this month. So far he has spent his time swimming, exercising and walking his dog, Jessie.

"I think I'm going to make a success of retirement," he said.

Bipasha Basu: I’m very happy being single

Bipasha Basu: I’m very happy being single

You are glowing. Love is in the air?
“Of course, life is ‘love’ly!”

Contemporaries Abhishek-Aishwarya have settled down. Marriage on the cards for you?
“Abhishek is my contemporary, but Aishwarya is my senior. Right now, I’m not keen to follow in their footsteps. I’m very happy being single at this time.”

Single?
“No, I am not single completely. I’m very happy with the way John and I are. We’re in a very stable relationship. At the same time, I’m very happy with the kind of work I’m doing. I believe there is an alarm in you which rings when you want to get married. My alarm is not ringing, not yet at least!

John in long hair or John in short hair?
“Short hair, for sure! John is gorgeous. He’s looking younger, fitter and too good. Rocky S and I convinced him to get a haircut, I’m so glad he did!”


Kareena calls beau John ‘expressionless’. Your reaction?
“You have to ask John for his reaction. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I totally respect that. I feel Kareena has too many expressions and I said that way before she made her comment. My interview was recorded way before, but many people thought that I was simply taking revenge because of what she said about John. I am not that foolish. It’s a fun show and not meant to be taken so seriously!”

So is the hatchet buried between the two of you? “I don’t see a problem at all.”


We hear Arshad and you are at war…
“This hype and controversy is all very petty. Arshad is a fantastic actor and he has done a marvelous job in Goal.

So these trivialities and petty discussions are best forgotten. We are professionals, and our job is not to make friends on set. It’s to have a great working environment and to get the job done and that’s what we did.

Yes, Arshad was with his family, I was with John, I guess we didn’t bond that much , but that doesn’t mean that there were fights. All this is so ridiculous!”

Tell us something about your Cannes experience.
“It was my first time at Cannes. The people out there are really passionate about films. It’s a great place to interact because everyone there shares the same love - movies. Mine was a very short visit, but I got a lot of attention. I think it’s because I was Indian, and because of the Indian outfit that I was wearing.”

Your Goal?
“I’m looking forward to doing good work, as well as all my releases. From Goal, Race and Mr. Fraud to an art house film called Pankh.”

Keri Russell Welcomes a Son Named River

Keri Russell Welcomes a Son Named River

Keri Russell is a mom.

The 31-year-old actress welcomed her first child, a boy named River Russell Deary, on June 9 in New York, her publicist, Jill Fritzo, said Tuesday.

Russell married Shane Deary, a contractor, in Manhattan on Valentine's Day. The couple became engaged last year.

She stars as a woman grappling with an unexpected pregnancy in the independent romantic comedy "Waitress," which has been warmly received by critics.

Russell portrayed college student Felicity Porter in the TV series "Felicity" for four years. The series ended in 2002.

She also starred in the films "Mission: Impossible III" and "The Upside of Anger," and the TV miniseries "Into the West."

My wife a wonderful co-star: Abhi

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan says it is too early to feel any change after marrying Aishwarya Rai, a news report said on Monday.

“Give me some time. It's not like she is waiting for me when I get back home,” The Times Of India quoted Abshishek as saying as he resumed work after his honeymoon.

“Ash is working too, you know,” he added.

Abhishek and Aishwarya got married in a gala affair in April this year.

The couple will now work together in Sarkar 2 in which Aishwarya will play a powerful woman who manages mob business.

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the movie is a sequel to the 2005 hit Sarkar about a ruthless mob boss played by Amitabh Bachchan. The three will appear on screen together in the movie. They had earlier worked together in Bunti or Babli.

“I am looking forward to working with my wife. She is a wonderful co-star,” Abhishek said.

“But whether she will get us a dabba of home-cooked food and whether the sets will resemble our home, you've got to ask Ash,” he said.

To Catch a Star: Bipasha Basu

She’s one of Bollywoood’s favourite sirens. She’s got a body that others can only envy. Every time she’s on screen she oozes sex appeal. Increasingly, she is going for parts that prove there’s more to her than her hourglass figure. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand chats with the gorgeous Bipasha Basu.

Rajeev Masand: Is it hard to look the way you look?

Bipasha Basu: For that, I would firstly thank my parents. It is like an acceptance speech that I am giving right now. So it’s the genes and of course, you need to work out. More so, it is a healthy lifestyle that I lead and I’m quite vice-free. I sleep on time, I eat good food.

Rajeev Masand: So no indulgences?

Bipasha Basu: No, not really.

Rajeev Masand: So nothing fattening? No ice-cream?

Bipasha Basu: No, I have a major sweet tooth. I don’t eat it everyday. I do have those days when I completely let go and I do everything.

Rajeev Masand: The problem that sex symbols usually have is with being taken seriously. Was there a time when you felt that people just would not go beyond the body?

Bipasha Basu: I think it was the total package people talked about. The body has become important only in the last two years in the sense that you have to be fit and toned. Sometimes the way you look could be a problem especially in a profession like this because people think you can’t look like the-girl-next-door. So a lot of people would say ‘we would like to have this girl-next-door but she’s not the regular girl-next-door’.

Rajeev Masand: So did you ever feel objectified or feel limited?

Bipasha Basu: No, I always worked on the kind of work I was getting and I tried my best not to limit myself otherwise I would have been very unhappy. Yes, a section of people would always perceive me as a sex symbol but that’s not such a bad thing. I realise that ultimately I’m getting to do what I want to do and I get a lot of compliments for the way I look. And in today’s time, even a girl-next-door wants to be sexy.

Rajeev Masand: While men find sexiness very attractive, did you ever feel that men were intimidated by someone who’s very confident and good-looking and sexy?

Bipasha Basu: Absolutely. I think it helps me in a way. When you have that kind of a personality, not everyone will come up and bother you. So it’s like you are protecting yourself without actually doing anything. So it’s a barrier which will make men think, ‘Should I talk to her, should I approach her?’

But the truth of life is that it’s not what you look like it is the person you are. I am completely opposite of what I look like. I’m very relaxed, jovial, and friendly, I get along well with people and I’m the kind of person who likes to live. So this whole image that I have is great for my work. Sometimes it does help. But I am not that completely.

Rajeev Masand: What are the movies in your opinion that made people sit up and take notice and convinced them that ‘she’s not just a great body’?

Bipasha Basu: I don’t know about that. I don’t think about it. I feel with each role that I have done, I have justified my character. Sometimes I do make mistakes and do bad films. But if I’m the one making the decisions, I’m allowed to go wrong sometimes. But I enjoy everything. I think the most difficult kind of role I did was in No Entry where I had to do this song-and-dance number where I had to be this kind of a person.

It was something like my character Monali in Dhoom 2, which was basically playing a dumb girl. So it’s very difficult to convince a house when you are an intelligent person, to suddenly play dumb. It’s the most difficult thing that I have done.

Jolie Lawyer Takes Fall for Media Snafu

Jolie Lawyer Takes Fall for Media Snafu


Try to control the media? Not me, says Angelina Jolie.

The star of the new film "A Mighty Heart," about the widow of slain reporter Daniel Pearl and freedom of the press, says her representatives were trying to protect her when they sought to make media outlets sign an agreement not to ask personal questions during interviews.

"I didn't put it out there," Jolie said Thursday on "The Daily Show." "It was from my representatives trying to be protective of me, but it was excessive and I wouldn't have put it out there. But it's all right and nobody was forced to do it."

Jolie spoke candidly about her family at the film's Manhattan premiere on Wednesday. But media outlets seeking one-on-one interviews, including The Associated Press, were asked to sign a legal document banning certain questions and mandating that any story from the interview must be about the movie.

Requests to sign such documents are rare, but on the rise with the increase of tabloid celebrity coverage. The AP declined to sign Jolie's agreement, yet was still scheduled to interview Jolie on Friday afternoon.

Jolie's manager, Geyer Kosinski, and a spokeswoman for the Paramount movie studio did not immediately respond to e-mail messages from the AP seeking comment.

Jolie's lawyer, Robert Offer, told The New York Times that he blamed himself a "boneheaded, overzealous lawyer" for the contract and that Jolie was unaware of the action. The document "was drafted overly broadly," he said. "It was well intended, but I understand how it was received."

Lara Dutta: “Abhishek and I have amazing on-screen chemistry

Lara Dutta: “Abhishek and I have amazing on-screen chemistry

This is your first Yash Raj film. Encouraging?
“ ‘Jhoom’ came to me at a very difficult time. Both my parents were in the hospital, in the ICU, and I got a message saying that Shaad was casting for ‘Jhoom’ and wanted to meet me. I was very excited about it but was also tinged at that time with a little bit of my focus being completely somewhere else. I remember sitting outside the hospital, and praying and hoping that he hangs on for me. I sent him a message saying that I won’t be available on the phone for five days. I was hoping that he wouldn’t think that I wasn’t interested. When I heard the script, the character was completely sold to me by the time we came to the end of the script. I knew I really wanted to do this film and be a part of it. It’s one of the best decisions that I’ve taken.”

“Yash Raj completely spoils you as an artist, after that you find it very difficult to work with most other people and that’s the truth of it. But for every actor it’s like a dream come true to be able to work with Yash Raj, and I’m glad I got this opportunity so early in my career.”

Your role in ‘JBJ’...?
“The character that I play in ‘Jhoom’ is half Brit half Pakistani. She speaks Hindi in a French accent. She is very sophisticated and suave, she’s the manager of the Ritz in Paris and she’s somebody who meets this Rikki Thukral, who is completely opposite to her in everyway. If she’s soft spoken and sophisticated, then Rikki is best described as a diamond in the rough. But she is obviously drawn to him because he has this endearing quality about him. So, she ends up getting hitched. I play Abhishekh Bachchan’s fiancée in ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’.

our new look is interesting.
“Yes, I’ve been styled very differently on screen this time. Aki Narula who has done the styling for this film has his own quality of this large, extravagant, almost slightly crazy but really young and fun sort of a feel going. When we were styling the clothes, I was so apprehensive between all the colors that were supposed to be worn; I thought it might look quite strange on screen, but I think the results are there for everybody to see it. It’s absolutely fantastic. Bobby is looking, in my opinion, better than he has ever looked before.”

Any particular outfit from the film, you’d like to keep or wear even otherwise?
“I had a very classy beautiful black Moschino dress. I think it is the sanest outfit I’m wearing in this film. But it was just cut really nicely and maybe the fact that I was wearing it in Paris, it felt very chic and ‘fresh’ as they say.”

Tell us about your ‘wig’ story...
“Yes, that was a memorable experience when my wig (worn for my character) fell off at a very crucial stage in front of everyone at the Eiffel Tower. It was quite hilarious because Abhishek had quickly grabbed it, and I had to hide and put it into place, as the rest of the people there thought that I was French, so everyone thought it was all real and natural. It was fun!”


You shot in London and Paris. It must’ve been freezing?
“The song ‘Ticket to Hollywood’ was shot in Paris. We were there shooting it for almost a week, and yes, it was freezing cold. And the clothes I wear in the song are quite tiny. But it was a blast. Vaibhavi Merchant the choreographer did the most amazing job trying to manage a hundred dancers on the streets of Paris. London was fantastic too!”

How was Shaad Ali as a director?
“Apart from the fact that Shaad was a director, I was just really glad that he was on the sets because he was the only other Arian against the three other Aquarians - Bobby, Preity and Abhishek. Shaad is one of the sweetest nicest person’s I have worked with. He has his own brand of madness which is very typical of Shaad, and I think that’s what makes his film so vibrant and amazing.”

You’ve worked with Abhishek earlier...
“Yes, in ‘Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost’, and I was very excited to be paired opposite him again. I think he’s one of the actors that I pair best with on screen, and also he’s really very adorable as a person himself. But the magic lies in the way we feed off each other’s energy. It works really well. Even dancing with him, he’s become such a fabulous dancer from what he used to be previously. I think everybody had upped their entire level and given everything to this film

Bobby, too, is no stranger....
“Bobby is whom we call ‘baby’. We pamper and mother him. Besides all that, I think Bobby worked really hard for this film. He also has the best lines in the movie. As an actor, he isn’t selfish and that makes him fantastic.”

But it’s the first time you work with Preity Zinta...
“Yes! People often assume that when you have two actresses on set together it’s going to get a little uncomfortable; we’re going to compete with each other, but that wasn’t the case at all. Preity is one of the sweetest people I’ve worked with; we both have stepped on each other’s feet constantly while shooting for the grand finale song, and I mean that literally not figuratively, but it was amazing! Both of us were in agony together with our heels, but it was fabulous having that female company on set and she really is superbly talented and a joy to watch and learn from. I think she completely rocks.”

Your favorite track from ‘JBJ’ is...?
“The music of ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’ absolutely rocks .The first time we heard it, we were super excited and we couldn’t decide which version of the title track we like the best. Now, I’ve figured that my favorite track is the title track - the desi version. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have done an exceptional job with the music of ‘JBJ’. The music is really high energy.”