Nariman House last update News

At least seven commandos on Friday abseiled from a helicopter into the Nariman House, the Jewish centre in Mumbai taken by militants, and operation against the extremists has begun.

A series of explosions firing has been started again.

According to a foreign news agency, the commandos stepped down at the Nariman House may be Jewish.

Indiann media said that a large number of extremists are present in the Nariman House with huge quantity of arms and weapons.

Media is terming this operation the final against the militants.

The centre was one of several targets in the city attacked by militants. Officials said hostages, including Israelis, were believed to be held in the building.

Aishwarya Rai pays surprise visit to father

Aishwarya Rai took time off from her busy shooting schedule in Kochi for Mani Ratnam's Ravana to fly back to Mumbai for dad Krishnaraj Rai's 70th birthday.

Krishnaraj got the surprise of his life when Aishwarya showed up for a very special family reunion on his birthday on Thursday. Son-in-law Abhishek Bachchan was also expected to attend the occasion, but couldn't do so.

"It's exactly what he (Krishnaraj) wanted. To be with his closest ones. There was no party because he couldn't take it. Only the immediate family and, of course, his daughter's in-laws - Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan - who were expected to drop in to wish him," a close family friend said.

Abhishek and Aishwarya are in the jungles of Kochi shooting for Mani Ratnam's tentatively titled Ravana.

Abhishek said: "I'd have loved to be there because Aishwarya's parents are not just my in-laws. They're a second set of parents that god has blessed me with. Unfortunately, much as I tried I couldn't get away from here even for a few hours."

It's a known fact that Ratnam likes to shoot in complete isolation and at a stretch without any interruption. But when the maverick moviemaker came to know that it was Aishwarya's father's 70th birthday, he quickly gave his leading lady the consent to zip back to Mumbai to be with her ailing dad on this special day.

"Although Aishwarya has been her thoroughly professional self throughout the time when her father has been undergoing treatment for a serious sickness, her heart has been in Mumbai with her father. When Mani heard it was her father's birthday, he let her go without a second thought," said a source.

Aishwarya also took the opportunity to fulfil a long-standing commitment for an endorsement before flying back to Cochin to resume shooting. Source : NDTV

Katrina Kaif sleeping beauty?

She’s been on a roll of late but a nearly exhausted Katrina Kaif tells Shubha Shetty Saha that she still hasn’t found time for rest. Good films, great money has been driving stars from one set to another — often in different countries. The flip side of success is definitely overwork. Some time ago Kareena Kapoor had confessed to After Hours that she’s been left with absolutely no time for her personal life, and now it’s Katrina Kaif’s turn to signal a time out. “I have been working really hard. You know how it is, when your film is just about to release (Yuvvraj). Apart from shooting you also get busy with the publicity bit,” she says, ruing the fact that sleeping for a decent eight hour has become an elusive luxury. “I really need a good night’s rest,” sighed Katrina talking to us late in the night. “But no regrets really. Right now, work is fabulous. I think as a young girl, it’s alright to work as hard as possible. What time I get for myself is more than enough. This kind of work comes to you perhaps once in your life and it is best to take advantage of it,” she says sagely.

But that said, Katrina also admits that the recent hits she has delivered have also burdened her with so many expectations. “I can feel the pressure sometimes. But I tell myself that I cannot let these things affect me. I just need to be really happy because God has been exceptionally kind to me and I have had such wonderful people to work with.” However, she knows that the films releasing in 2009 will present a totally different side to her. “I have been more or less doing the same kind of roles till now. But next year I will be seen in films by Rajkumar Santoshi and Prakash Jha besides a Yashraj film (working title New York).“Jha’s film has a very realistic role for me and it will be a refreshing change from what I have already done. I don’t want to stagnate, but at the same time I know that my commercial roles have worked for me. My glam roles have gone down very well with people and I will continue doing them. I absolutely loved dancing in films like Singgh is King and I am not going to give up those kind of roles up for anything,” she says. Source-bollywoodz.net

Shilpa's wrist injured, doctors advise three-month rest

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has injured her wrist and she doesn't know when it happened. Doctors have advised her to take a three-month rest.

"Either it happened because I was practising cartwheels for my new action film or it could be because of the wear and tear that happens in weight training," Shilpa said.

Despite the injury, the actress will continue shooting for the second season of reality show "Bigg Boss" and the movie "The Man".

"I'll wear a long sleeve top for 'Bigg Boss' and I'll wear a thick kada (bangle) for 'The Man'," she said.

While resting at home, Shilpa is reading scripts. "I have started reading scripts that I did not have time to read earlier. But I am going to be very careful about what I say yes to. I want to do films where my character is exceptionally well developed. I don't want to do multi-starrers," she said.

Shilpa has turned producer and her first production venture will be a high-budget action comedy. She says she doesn't want to take any risks for the project.

“That's the reason why I haven't opted for top stars because getting their dates would be a problem. Besides, financers want filmmakers to cut down on costs. How can that be possible? I don't want to compromise on the quality of my film to save a few bucks,” she said. IANS.

Lara Dutta writes a script for herself

Not happy with uninspiring roles being offered by filmmakers these days, actress Lara Dutta has now written a script for herself!

"What prompted me to write a script for myself? Scriptwriters in Bollywood aren't writing anything in depth for a woman. Invariably the scripts glorify the hero while the heroine is the love interest. And the women-oriented films are half-baked attempts at feminist statements. Both to me are uninspiring," Lara said.

So will she take to direction as well?

"No I'm not ready to direct yet. And I can't wait to start my film. I've done two drafts. And I think it needs one more draft, then I'm ready," she said.

But, interestingly, Lara hasn't written a woman-oriented film.

"It has equal space for the male and female protagonists. It's not one of those feminist, in-your-face women's films. The male lead will have a lot to contribute to my film."

And, yes, Lara will produce the film. "We start soon. It will be a very commercial film. And I can't wait."

The former Miss Universe refused to reveal if Dino Morea, with whom she is linked, will play the lead in her film.

Asked when she found the time to write, Lara said, "I've always been a writer. I didn't have time to write earlier. Now what I do is in-between shots, instead of chatting or sleeping, I write my script. Now I can't write unless I've noise all around me."

Lara's mom has been critically unwell for some time now.

"My mom has been unwell for two years. So we're mentally prepared for the inevitable. My mom went into the hospital when I was in Pollachi for Billo Barber. (But) I had to keep focussed on my work. That's what being an actor is all about," she said.

Lara is at her busiest now.

"It feels good to have people like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar showing so much faith in me. My only professional regret is that I missed out on Salman Khan's Mr & Mrs Khanna. But I can't do everything that's offered to me. David also offered me Hook Ya Crook. That didn't excite me. But I'm doing David's Do Knot Disturb with Govinda. We earlier worked together in Partner and I've just completed Ravi Chopra's Banda Yeh Bindas Hai with him. We had a ball and I've sharpened my comic aptitude working with Govinda."

Priyanka Chopra is happy and ‘gay’

Priyanka’s film Dostana is a story based on two friends who lie about being gays. This film is the first film of Indian cinema which has gay as its central theme. Kal Ho Naa Ho and Fashion are few films which have just touched upon the sensitive topic.

This will be Priyanka’s second big film in a row after Fashion . Said an excited Priyanka, “My journey in Dostana is definitely very interesting. Two reportedly gay men are my best friends. As the title of the film suggests, the film is on friendship. All three of us live and eat together. They share their joys and sorrows. It is a very urban story of today’s time when a girl and boy can be friends. It is shot in Miami and is a great looking fun film.”

Priyanka is very supportive of gays. She said, “When we are walking on the road, we do not point someone and say that he is a heterosexual. So why should we point at someone and say that he is gay? Sexual preference is an individual choice. Living in a democratic country one should be allowed to have a personal choice.”

She continues, “I am very proud of the fashion industry for giving gay people an opportunity to be themselves and yet be creative. There are many industries which are biased towards gays. This is not called for.”

So has Priyanka encountered a gay in real life? “Oh yes! I have had a gay best friend when I was in school in America and they are so much more fun to talk to about guys related problems because they think like a guy and feel like a women which is fab,” said Piggy Chops while signing off.

Five killed in explosion in Meerut

The town of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh was shaken by a powerful explosion at around 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. As per police, it was an accident.

The blast took place in the Zakir Nagar area of Meerut and initial reports said that it claimed five lives and injured seven.

The blast was reportedly caused by dynamite sticks in an army waste dump. The labourers were rummaging through the waste, which was to be transported when the blast occurred.

Priyanka Chopra's golden moment

There seems to be many a golden moment for actor Priyanka Chopra these days. First she appeared in the not-so-glittering Drona directed by 'Goldie' Behl, then she emerged from the blue seas in a shimmering golden swimsuit for Dostana, and only recently Hollywood's stunning 'Goldie' Hawn was privy to her latest film Fashion. "Golden moments, I wouldn't have ever thought of that one," laughs Priyanka. "But yes, it was a pleasure to meet Goldie Hawn. She was Parmeshwar Godrej's guest and was keen to accompany her to a special screening of Fashion. She had some great things to say about the film, and some kind things to say about me!" divulges the actor.

On further probing, PC reluctantly revealed, "She thought I was convincing, and also stated that I could play innocent, bitchy, and vulnerable with ease. Goldie claimed to have loved Fashion even though she didn't understand the language. Her comments did much to me, because I was waiting outside the theatre, a bundle of nerves then, not quite knowing what the reaction of the people was going to be."

So is Hollywood calling; any possibility of being cast in Hawn's production or something? "Hollywood has never been an ambition," confesses Priyanka. "I'm happy doing films. Period. Be it Hindi, English, Kannada, Bengali, Tamil... I'm open to doing any, given that the script is good and I'm convinced of it! Goldie and I didn't discuss movies or opportunities at all. She was our guest at the screening, and that was it."

With all the positive feedback for Fashion, and with her making 'waves' in her swimsuit clad avatar in Dostana, 'golden girl' Priyanka's career graph is beginning to shine, at last. She can well take a bow now!

The sound of celebration !

The sound of Diwali celebration found an expression in the cracker show organised by the members of a prominent social club.

Held at the plush lawns of the club, secretary of the club Guddu Chhatwal, chairman Abhimanyu Tandon and directors Sarabprit Singh Saluja and Sanjay Panjwani had ensured that everything was in perfect order.

All members of the club, dressed in their colourful best were seen having a gala time as they enjoyed the dazzling fireworks. The special guest of the evening, Adm Comdt Raj Kumar who came along with his wife Lily also enjoyed the evening to the hilt. The young ones including Raghav Seth, Neharika Bhargava, Ankita Tulsiyan, Hina Chaturvedi, Stuti Gupta and Vijeta Singh too had a great time.