Preity Zinta, Zeenat Aman to celebrate woman power in Dubai

ANI, Dubai, Apr 7: Reel-life heroines Preity Zinta and Zeenat Aman will rub shoulders with real-life achievers, including Dubai-based entrepreneur Sarah Belhasa and fashion designer Aiisha Ramadan, to celebrate woman power and to promote breast-cancer awareness at the Gr8 Women Awards Night.
To be held at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena on April 15, the evening will honour women in the Middle East, especially UAE.
"It's great that Anu and Shashi [Ranjan, organisers] have chosen Dubai in the Middle East. There are so many women out here who have achieved a lot but are shy and quiet about it. Now is the time to celebrate their achievements," Gulf News quoted actress Mahima Chaudhry (pictured) as saying in a press conference on Monday. The Pardes star also urged women to go for periodic check-ups for breast cancer.
"Cancer is something if you spot in the first few stages, it can be cured, " said Chaudhry.
Though the awards night - replete with a Bollywood dance and song spectacle from an array of actors including Viviek Oberoi, Jacqueline Fernandez and Raveena Tandon - will emphasise breast-cancer awareness, the proceeds are not going towards that cause.
"This is our first baby step towards going global. As of now, we are spreading awareness but soon we will be able to raise funds through this. But not yet," said Shashi Ranjan.
Legendary actress Aman is equally thrilled. "I feel truly honoured to receive this award because it's a recognition of my achievements as an actor and a woman," she said from Mumbai.

I don’t need Bollywood endorsement, says designer Sabyasachi

PTI, New Delhi, Apr 7: He is the favourite designer of leading actresses like Rani, Aishwarya and Vidya but Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who has designed for many films as well, says he doesn''t need Bollywood stars to endorse his work.
Of late Rani and Vidya have become regulars at his shows and are seen donning his creations at every other event, something which even Sabyasachi is amazed at.
"I have to tell Vidya to stop wearing my clothes, she wears too much of it! Every time I pick up the phone and say ''Again you have worn my clothes?'' I think I am tired of seeing Vidya wearing my creations," a laughing Sabyasachi told PTI.
On a serious note, the 36-year-old designer says he doesn''t want star power to eclipse his creations, even if that means lesser publicity.
"I have never asked for endorsement from them. If your product is strong you don''t need it. The media gets over-excited about the star presence and the clothing takes a back-seat. I don''t mind lesser coverage as long as my designs remain the focus," Sabyasachi said.
He is the man behind Aishwarya''s boho skirts in ''Guzaarish'', Vidya''s sarees in ''Paa'' and Rani''s outfits in ''Black''. When asked what makes him take up a film project, he replied, "The script, more than anything else."
"I was bowled over by the script of ''Paa'' and R Balki''s conviction to make such a film. I also make some choices based on the people I want to work with. I took up ''Raavan'' as I wanted to work with Mani Ratnam. I did not even get to read the script," he added.
The Kolkata-based designer himself is set to turn filmmaker and has a script ready.
"Its a small emotional film and has nothing to do with fashion. It talks about the necessary evil of volatile urbanisation. I want it to be made in a certain manner and am trying to make enough money so I can produce it myself, hopefully with or without stars."
Sabyasachi is in the capital as the Grand Finale designer for Wills India Fashion Week beginning today. He is all set to showcase a new side of him through his latest collection aimed a younger audience.
"Whenever you think of sarees, textiles, bridal and vintage, Sabyasachi is a name that comes to the mind of many. I wanted to break out of the conservative mould, to create something which carried the spirit of the brand but was also young and hip. I see this as a brand extension."
And he has plans to make his brand "younger" by launching a new kidswear collection by June this year.
"Kidswear in India is very Western or Bollywood inspired. Children wearing vulgar clothing makes me sad as the innocence is lost. I want to bring back dignity to kidswear," said the designer.

Getting into Bollywood not easy, says J.Lo’s cousin Caterina Lopez

PTI, New Delhi, Apr 7: She shares her lineage with Jennifer Lopez but unlike her famous cousin, Caterina Lopez is trying to make a mark in Bollywood.
The trained salsa and hip-hop dancer makes her entry into the Hindi film industry with an item song in the upcoming film ''Bhindi Baazar Inc'', which stars veterans like Kay Kay Menon and Shilpa Shukla.
"It is not easy to get into Bollywood. The audition was tough and being an outsider, I found it difficult to master the dance moves, especially the hand gestures but I am getting the hang of it now," told Caterina to PTI.
The 23-year-old actress who is planning to take up classes in Hindi, is keen to have a long association with Bollywood, unlike many other stars who fade away due to the language barrier.
"Trust me...I am making an effort to learn Hindi and want to act the proper way instead of being dubbed... That is my goal.. I am taking tutorials for Hindi on an one-on-one basis...It will be for 5 days a week. I am trying hard to make my mark and I hope the Indian audience accepts me," adds Caterina.
Unlike her cousin J.Lo who is a pop diva, Caterina is reluctant to try her hand in singing and admits she is more passionate about dancing and acting.
"I have no plans to sing, it is not my cup of tea. I am more into dancing and acting," says the debutante.
"Right now I do have some Hollywood projects but I am not allowed to speak about it. Some really good stuff is lined up," says Caterina.
Though she is not familiar with many Bollywood stars Caterina is really keen to work with Akshay Kumar.
"I want to work with Akshay Kumar. He is a great actor and I think we will have a good screen chemistry," she says.
Starring Kay Kay Menon and Shilpa Shukla, ''Bhindi Bazaar'' is set to hit the theatres on 20 May.

Salman to sport Shera's security agency wear in ''Bodyguard''

PTI, Mumbai, Apr 7: Bollywood super star Salman Khan who plays a bodyguard in his upcoming film of the same name has chosen to wear the uniform of his personal bodyguard Shera, turning down offers from several security agencies trying to get him sport their clothing in his next release.
"There were many agencies who were vying to get Salman Khan to wear the uniform of their company. The companies were hard selling their uniforms, as it would have done wonders to their business, if Salman was seen wearing their uniform since it was integral to the narrative of the film," sources said.
However, the actor who has a heart of gold, put his foot down, and decided to wear the uniform of his personal bodyguard Shera even though, people were ready to offer him money to the tune of Rs 7 crores, just to sport their uniform.
Salman was adamant and very sure that he would be sporting no other brand and decided to wear the uniform of Shera''s company, they said.
Producer Atul Agnihotri said they have been getting calls from various security agencies from the day the film was announced.
"However Salman was absolutely clear that he wouldn''t wear any agency''s uniform. Shera is his personal bodyguard.. he is close too and has used his name as a tag," he said.
''Bodyguard'' will be Salman''s trilogy of Eid releases. ''Wanted'' released on Eid in 2009 followed by ''Dabangg'' next year. The film is co-produced by Reliance Entertainment and Atul Agnihotri''s Company. It starts shooting this week in Mumbai. The first schedule of the movie has been completed in Pune.

Educate as many kids as possible, Rani Mukerji urges people

IANS, Mumbai, April 7: After doing various roles on big screen, Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji is set for a new role in real life - she endorses Procter & Gamble's Shiksha programme and urges everyone to contribute to help educate as many people as possible.
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has tied up with the NGO Child Rights and You (CRY) for Shiksha programme and under this some part of the proceeds generated from the sale of a P&G product such as Tide, Ariel, Vicks, etc. will go for children's education in the country.
'School is as important as drinking water and education is as important as the air we breathe. So, I feel that initiatives like Shiksha that support the cause of education are incredible, and I feel we should all contribute even if it's a little bit because if we do that India will have 100 per cent literacy rate one day,' Rani told reporters here.
'It's my dream too that every child in India is educated because the way India is growing I don't think without education, we can see a very bright future. So if we want a bright future for our country, I think education is foremost,' she added.
Rani, who described herself as 'not such a studious student in school', also recommended that education should be made more interesting.
'It's very important to make education interesting and enjoyable so that students don't drop out. Also, focus should not be only on academics. Alternate interests like painting, music, etc., should also be encouraged,' she said.
Also present at the event was Sharat Verma, marketing manager, P&G India.
'Shiksha is not just an initiative, but a passion that we as an organisation strongly believe in. After touching the lives of 150,000 children, we are now helping build the future of India's children by building 20 schools this year and aim to build another 20 in the coming year,' he said.
P&G has tied up with other NGOs to spread this campaign.
Shiksha has been successful in impacting 150,000 children thus far, in association with leading NGOs Round Table India (RTI), Child Rights and You (CRY), Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA), Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) among others.

Road should be named after Gary Kirsten, says Ranbir Kapoor

IANS, Mumbai, April 7: Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has given full credit to coach Gary Kirsten for the Indian team winning the cricket World Cup and feels that a road in the city should be named after him to honour him.
'Gary Kirsten is the primary architect of this great win. Basically he has converted the same core of players that have been around for a bit into a solid team. Respect and lots of love to him. Should name a road after him. How about calling the road leading to Wankhede the Kirsten's Way for showing us the way...' Ranbir said in a statement.
The actor, who saw the match live at the Wankhade stadium Saturday, was completely ecstatic after the win.
'The experience at the stadium was just euphoric. Team India is on the field a bunch of players from all over India totally diverse in language, race, religion, working together as a very powerful unit. I saw the same spirit outside the field in the biggest street party in the world,' he said.