Salman Khan trying to quit smoking

New Delhi, He might be known as the Bollywood brat, but it looks like Salman Khan is now trying to turn a new leaf. He says he is trying to quit smoking.

Asked about the habit that is hard to kick, he said: “I’m trying to (quit smoking)… Smoking is something people start to either enter a social circle or to show off.”

But he does have a word of advice for others trying to quit cigarettes too.

“Once you quit, there are also chances of picking it up again because when you find people around you smoking, you join them to be with them. But it slowly and slowly kills you and people stop only when they are advised by the doctor. So everyone should quit it before reaching that stage,” Salman said.

Nude Model Arrested at an NYC Museum

After letting a naked pole dancer loose on the New York city subway, renowned photographer is now taking over the Met for his nude photography project. It was for his project that model Kathleen Neill was found posing without a stitch on at the museum, in full view of tourists, families and art buffs alike.

She was finally arrested by the police for nudity in public, a claim that the model's attorney dismisses as "ridiculous", pointing out that the Met is full of nude art.

Hey, we're all for exposure, but the difference between a Botticelli nude in oil and Kathleen Neill in the flesh are pretty apparent, no?

Shah Rukh may have been victim of random selection parameter

Chicago, Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s two-hour detention and questioning at the Newark International Airport could well be a result of the random selection parameter built into the US immigration’s security system rather than racial profiling.

Now whether that parameter was designed deliberately to focus on people of certain names, religion, background, nationality or race is a different story altogether. On the face of it, Khan may have been randomly picked out by the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services’ database. The system at the airport threw up Khan’s name for any number of variable reasons. It is hard to speculate on the algorithm that triggered it.

Someone might argue that the Khan = Muslim = possible terrorist = detention logic, although profoundly offensive, it seems to have been built into the system with the rationale that it is better to humiliate a thousand innocent Khans than let a potential terrorist Khan enter the US.

However, this explanation does not make sense because Khan has been visiting the US for many years. As a matter of fact, he only recently finished a shooting schedule of his latest film “My Name is Khan”, which ironically deals with the kind of stereotyping and profiling that he just experienced.

Isn’t the Bureau’s database designed in a way where the immigration officer, who detained Khan, could have instantly pulled up the actor’s record and known about his many past visits? Apparently not, because once the system randomly selects someone it is expected of the officer in question to go through the standard procedure of detention for questioning.

At some level it is understandable that the whole security apparatus has been designed to not just take out potential terrorists in their first attempt but to disrupt their operation at any and every stage. No one at the Bureau is likely to acknowledge that the system works the way it does because of a built-in combination of intelligent and brute logic as well as preordained bias.

Forget the Bureau’s own database; a simple Google search of Khan’s name would have at the very least made the detaining officer question his action. There are 3,610,000 search results of his name on Google. Depending on when it is searched this number is sometimes even higher. Such a Google search should have stopped any reasonable immigration officer in their tracks to wonder that for a terrorist, Khan has managed a fantastic cover of being one of the world’s biggest movie stars.

Perhaps behind creating a security system that depends as much on brute and random logic as intelligent sifting was the deeply embarrassing case of Mohammad Atta, the ringleader of the 9/11 terror attacks.

In 2005, Navy Captain Scott J. Phillpott, who was in charge of the Pentagon’s counter-terrorism project codenamed ‘Able Danger’, created a stir when he said in January 2000 his team had identified Atta as a member of an Al-Qaeda terror cell operating in Brooklyn, New York. And yet Atta was able to travel in and out of the US unmolested. Atta’s lapse was attributed to the fact that he first went by part of his name as Mohamed el-Amir and eventually travelled to the US in June 2000 as Mohammed Atta.

The result of the security churning that followed 9/11 was the compilation of a list of nearly 1.1 million names who were either terror suspects or people of interest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The list has been a subject of serious scrutiny and criticism by civil liberties groups, which believe it is sweeping in its reach and more often than not throws up those who have absolutely nothing to do with any terrorist groups.

An internal audit report recently quoted by The Washington Times underscored the failures in managing the list. It said there were at least 10 people who should have been kept out of the US according to the list but were allowed to enter while there were many more who should not have been on it but remain there.

It quoted Democratic Senator Patrick J. Leahy, who as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee has oversight of the FBI, as saying “that the FBI continues to fail to place subjects of terrorism investigations on the watch list is unacceptable”.

“Disturbingly, (the) report reveals that in 72 percent of the cases, the FBI has also failed to remove subjects from the list in a timely manner. … Given the very real and negative consequences to which people on the watch list are subjected, this is unacceptable.”

It is not clear whether Khan’s name is on this list or not but the fact he showed up on the immigration’s database it is conceivable that a similar name is on it. However, it should be rather easy for the law enforcement agencies to specifically exclude someone of Khan’s global recognition from such a list.

Now that every visitor to the US and even permanent residents are fully fingerprinted on arrival every time it is hard to comprehend why specific names attached to specific fingerprints and passport numbers cannot be exempted. For some reason once a person gets on the FBI watch list it is very difficult to get off. The Washington Times story said some 65,000 names were audited and more than a third of it were outdated.

Security experts say that the random selection parameter is designed to make preventive determination more effective. They acknowledge that one of the negative fallouts is that many innocent people get singled out because of this parameter. They also point out that when the national threat index is higher the system is designed to become less discriminating. In simple terms, during heightened alerts it is possible that the system will sweep up many more people with a set of specific names and backgrounds than it would normally do.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, for all domestic and international flights, the current US threat level is High, or Orange, which is just below the highest Red. That may partly explain how the actor was singled out because of his name. It is a form of profiling based on many parameters such as names, religion, ethnicity and nationality.

As Khan acknowledged the immigration officials were polite but the question is not one of etiquette but effectiveness. Khan managed to stir up those who matter because of who he is. Lesser mortals might have had to go through a more nerve-racking experience once red flags go up against their names and they are asked to step aside at the immigration counter.

Post-’New York’, filmmakers look at me differently: John Abraham

Mumbai, Hit film “New York” has completed 50 days at the box office and actor John Abraham says the film industry is looking at him differently now – from being termed as expressionless by critics, he is now being praised for emoting on screen.

“Can you beat that… there was so much negativity thrown about me over the years, but I was keeping my head down and continuing to pick the best from what came my way. I’m glad I did ‘New York’. It just changed the way filmmakers are looking at me today,” John told IANS.

Directed by Kabir Khan, “New York” was the biggest earner of the year before “Kambakkht Ishq” and “Love Aaj Kal” arrived. A clean hit at the box office, this Yash Raj production boasted of critical as well as commercial success.

“The film helped me in a way that today even those people from the industry are calling me who have never done that before. I’m not holding any grudges though… what’s the point in doing that?” said John.

With harsh criticism coming someone’s way, isn’t it natural to have bitterness?

“No, I have actually never been bitter. Instead I have only tried to be as humble as possible, put my head down and work hard. I guess the result is a film like ‘New York’. I hope to be doing many more such performance-oriented films. I work for appreciation more than anything else and I guess my time has started now,” said John.

Known more for his physicality, courtesy movies like “Dhoom” and the recent “Dostana”, it was a welcome shift for John to see critics warming up to his acting abilities.

“What a relief it was…my physicality has been so overpowering but thankfully people looked beyond that in ‘New York’ and talked about my performance too,” said the actor who had earlier impressed audiences in Deepa Mehta’s Oscar-nominated “Water”.

After movies like “Dhoom” and “Kabul Express”, John got an opportunity to work with Yash Raj Films again in “New York”.

“All credit to Adi (Aditya Chopra) who put so much faith in me and roped me in for ‘New York’. I remember telling Adi and Kabir (Khan): give me more of second half in the film and I will make sure that there won’t be a single moist eye in theatre. As you see, the climax is still being remembered for being such a heart-wrenching affair.”

Right now the actor is investing a lot of himself in his next “1-800 Love”. The film is being directed by Abbas Tyrewala and produced by Madhu Mantena of “Ghajini” fame.

“This is yet another special film for me. We can’t go wrong with the film as we have made 200 percent sure that we’ve got everything right on the writing at the pre-production stage itself. In fact, I went through these formal script workshops for the film which was such a great experience,” he said.

John can’t be seen resting though. Before the end of year, he will have one more of his films hitting the screens – David Dhawan’s “Hook Ya Crook”, which is set for a Dec 11 release.

A UTV Motion Pictures production, “Hook Ya Crook” also stars Genelia D’souza, Kay Kay Menon, Shreyas Talpade and Sharad Kapoor with a special appearance by cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The film is set in a prison and revolves around a cricket match played among the inmates.

Aishwarya Rai down with chest infection

New Delhi, Actress Aishwarya Rai is down with a “chest infection” and “flu-like symptoms” and her father-in-law, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, is worried.

“Aishwarya has taken ill and is down with chest infection and flu like symptoms. She had a high fever yesterday, but is settling down today,” he posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com Saturday from Singapore.

“It’s worrying to be so far away from children and not be there to look after them. Yes, they are mature and married and responsible, but children will always remain children,” he added. Aishwarya is married to Bachchan’s son Abhishek.

The 66-year-old veteran is in Singapore to look after his friend and Samajwadi Party chief Amar Singh, who underwent medical treatment there.

“I stay back till he (Amar Singh) is sound enough to travel back,” he wrote.

Apparently Bachchan also is suffering from a “strained back”.

Victoria’s LA Move

victoria in la

By now we all now that the Royal Beckhams are making their way to Los Angeles this summer. But I bet you didn’t know that Vicky has set her sights on conquering the U.S. when she gets here. You heard right: She doesn’t think she’s famous enough.

Aside from the reality TV show she’s currently filming about her move to America, Victoria is already set to make her U.S. TV debut at the MTV Movie Awards in June.

So, if you didn’t think that seeing Victoria on the cover of every tabloid and hearing her name in the news every day was enough, you’re not alone. According to Posh, she’s not showered with nearly enough attention.

Spice Girls Reunion

Old spice

Were the rest of the Spice Girls singling out Victoria Beckham when they sang “If you can't dance, if you can't dance”?
Not that her Poshness minds standing out. It can’t be easy finding clothes too small when you’re thinner than Michael Barrymore’s booking’s diary.

Victoria must have trawled the world’s premier haute couture toddler rangers to find a dress that can barely restrain her.

We see Posh standing alongside the rest of the famous five; she looks to have grown out of her clothes.
A cosmetic surgeon is invited to tell the world how the “Sliced Girls” are, in her opinion, a product of bust lifts, boob jobs, microdermabrasion, and Botox.

And they are reunited. “We’ve been divorced and now we are back together,” says Victoria through ungritted teeth. The tour is on.

But what does Spice Power mean in today’s world? Vicky knows. She says of Day-vid: “Now he’ll be the one left holding the baby -- that’s what I call Girl Power!” That’s what Paul Sorene’s Anorak calls an absentee mother.

Or foolish, if David should choose to put the boys down and look for a new PA.

Nicole Richie Baby Rumors

Bikini-clad celebs were spotted everywhere this Fourth of July. But just because they were in beach-mode, it doesn’t mean there wasn’t time for them to stir up some trouble. From worrisome pregnancy news to promiscuous partygoers, there is never a dull moment on the streets of Tinseltown.

nicole's baby news

Who knew that the skeletal Nicole Richie was fertile? TMZ.com is insisting that the Nicole pregnancy rumors are indeed true, and that she and Good Charlotte front man, Joel Madden, are planning to marry this summer.

Meanwhile, Nicole’s representative claims there is “nothing to report.”

As is the trend these days, The Simple Life star is currently facing DUI charges after being arrested last December for driving the wrong way on a highway. She is headed to court on July 11th, and could face a minimum of five days in jail.

I really hope that Angelina and Brad look into adoption possibilities for the doomed offspring.

Sanjay Dutt set to scare as Ringmaster in ‘Aladdin’

Mumbai, After being seen as a baddie with a heart of gold in the Munnabhai series of films, Sanjay Dutt is set to don the avatar of deadly gangster Ringmaster in “Aladdin”.

The actor will be seen as a villain who can inspire tremendous awe and fear in the audiences’ mind. Director Sujoy Ghosh feels his character will take villainy to new heights.

“He (Ringmaster) is a fun, evil character. A man who is happy in what he is doing. A man who is good at being bad, whose smile would scare the living daylights out of you. A man so big that even the all powerful genie would be rendered helpless in front of him.

“And to play such a powerful character, I couldn’t think of anyone but Sanjay Dutt. The larger than life persona that he so beautifully portrays on screen is unmatchable,” said Ghosh.

Looks like after Gabbar and Mogambo, perhaps Ringmaster is the next Bollywood villain to strike fear in your hearts.

Scheduled for release this October, “Aladdin”, which stars Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role, is a contemporary look at the classic fairy tale. Riteish Deshmukh will be seen as Aladdin. The film also marks the debut of Sri Lankan actress Jacqueline Fernandes.

Packed with fun, music, action and adventure, the film boasts of a visual scale never seen before on Indian screen.

My character in ‘Life Partner’ is a nightmare: Genelia

Mumbai, In “Life Partner”, Genelia D’Souza is cast as a dumb girl and the actress is cringing.

“This girl thinks she knows it all, when she’s clueless. She doesn’t know how dumb she is. She’s got loads of money and time and she keeps trying different vocations. For starters, she attempts a career in singing and she’s a disaster at it,” Genelia told IANS.

Releasing Friday, the film also stars Fardeen Khan, Tusshar Kapoor, Prachi Desai and Govinda.

Playing this scatter-brain was very tough for Genelia.

“I’m not the least like this rich, pampered and clueless chick. And I’d certainly not try my hand at anything I wouldn’t succeed in. But this character keeps bumbling from one experience to another. She’s a nightmare,” she said.

To add to Genelia’s woes her character is hated by one of her favourite actors.

“Govinda, whom I adore, detests me in the film. Every time we’re together, he is snarling and scowling at me. I hated that,” she said.

Shah Rukh detained in US airport – over ‘Khan’ name

New York/New Delhi, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was Saturday questioned for two hours at the Newark airport in the US over his surname and was freed only after Indian diplomats intervened.

The Indian government and entertainment industry reacted furiously after the 43-year-old actor, named by Newsweek last year as one of the world’s 50 most powerful men, revealed how he was detained and stopped from even using his mobile telephone.

Speaking to CNN-IBN channel on telephone from the US, Shah Rukh appeared to shrug off the embarrassing episode saying he had suffered similar treatment previously too.

The incident happened as the hugely popular actor, whose fans number millions in India and abroad, was on his way to Chicago to attend an event related to India’s Independence Day.

Other Bollywood stars like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan too are set to attend the function.

“They checked me because I was an Asian,” the actor said. “They wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying.”

Shah Rukh’s manager Niloufer Qureshi earlier told IANS over telephone from Mumbai: “He was detained because his surname is Khan. He was kept until officials from the Indian embassy intervened.”

Asked if he got into trouble because of his giveaway Muslim name, Shah Rukh, who is married to a Hindu, said: “Certain countries have issues with my name.” He quickly added: “I am very proud of my name.”

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni denounced Shah Rukh’s detention over religious grounds.

“I don’t think that this manner of detaining (in the name of religion) is justified. But in the US, several examples have surfaced where frisking takes place more than required,” she told reporters in New Delhi. “There should be a tit for tat response.”

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar, a close friend of Shah Rukh, said in Mumbai: “I am shocked and upset. I am feeling terrible.”

Shah Rukh admitted that he became “greatly worried” as the American officials piled him with questions — mainly about his travel to the US.

The actor said a large number of Indians, including organisers of the Chicago event, were waiting outside at the airport to receive him. Indian diplomats came to his rescue when they heard about his plight.

He said it was ironic that the incident happened on the eve of Aug 15 — when freedom is celebrated by Indians.

“I personally feel it is over and done,” he said, sounding conciliatory. Asked if he felt like reacting in a similar way, he replied: “If they want I can frisk Angelina Jolie when she is here (India).”

Undoubtedly one of Bollywood’s biggest and most highly paid stars, Shah Rukh has acted in nearly 70 films in a career spanning 17 years.

Saif-Bebo Gripped by Swine Flu Scare?

As the country is gripped in the swine flu paranoia, it has hit Bollywood as well. Karan Johar, whose forthcoming production venture Kurbaan was scheduled to be shot in Pune for two days was cancelled given the spread of the HIN1 virus in the city. Karan Johar didn't want to expose this 180-member crew, and his lead stars Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan to potential danger. We are sure Bebo agrees with KJO's decision. After all it's better to be Saif than sorry!

Four Men and Katrina Kaif

In the much awaited sequel to Dostana, Priyanka Chopra will be replaced by the gorgeous Katrina Kaif. And joining the loony team of John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan in their chase of the leading lady of the film, the filmmaker has signed on two more actors, Arjun Rampal and Riteish Deshmukh in the sequel. So now, Kat will have four men wooing her in the movie. Bring it on! The more the merrier, we say. BTW...how does Sallu feel about Kat working with his ex-flame Aishwarya Rai's hubby Abhishek and his bitter enemy John Abraham again after New York?

Watch Rani Sizzle in a Bikini

On Friday it was told that actress Rani Mukerji may wear a bikini in Dil Bole Hadippa, and on the weekend the sizzling video was out. Now we sincerely apologise for the late post, but we spent until now getting used to seeing the otherwise safe Rani getting wet and wild under the shower in a striped bikini top. We must admit that while the thought of seeing Rani in the flesh had us scared (what with her previously flaunted flab and all), but what we saw turned out to be quite refreshing. Rani seems to have toned up considerably, she's looking young, fresh and manages to keep up with co-star Shahid Kapoor who is a great dancer. But best of all, she's not conscious and that makes the video worth a watch.

Sanjay Khan Plans Mega Film for Zayed

Actor Sanjay Khan is reportedly worried about his son Zayed Khan's acting career. Hold it. Does he still have one? Okay, we're going to stop with the bitchiness..

The veteran actor and filmmaker is planning to make a super big budget film, starring Zayed. This is part of Sanjay's plan to launch Zayed in the big league of Bollywood, and make sure his beta gets his due place in the film industry.

Good luck to the Khans, is all we can say

Madhuri, Aishwarya to Judge Dance Show Together?

Wow, that would be some coup. After lighting up the screen with their moves in Dola Re, these dancing divas have not been seen together. Rumor has it that a TV channel is trying to persuade the two to sit on the same panel of judges for a dance show.

If they manage to iron out thorny details like matching dates, clashing egos, and Ms. Nene's transatlantic commute and actually get the show on air, we'll definitely be the first ones to tune in!

Shiney's Cell Flooded

The media hoopla on Shiney Ahuja may have died down, but the star has been in jail since June 15, for allegedly raping his maid. He's locked up in Mumbai Arthur Road Jail's Barrack No 1, which also houses gangster Abu Salem, who the star essayed in one of his movies.

So here's the update: The recent rains have resulted in water logging in his barrack, leaving the actor struggling to find a dry corner. He even requested permission to be transferred to a different cell, but the authorities are yet to act on it. That's not where it ends. If it rains, the prisoners are expected to clean up themselves, a rule that Shiney apparently complied with.

Bipasha Gets Married

Okay we're just sensationalising. But how else can we compete with the others? So here's the real deal: Bipasha did get married, but only on celluloid. Rituparno Ghosh's Benglai film Shob Choritro Kalponik (we couldn't pronounce it either) is all about Bipasha Basu's life after marriage to Bengali superstar Prosenjit.

Maybe John will view this shaadi album, feel a twinge of jealousy, and muster up the courage to finally put a ring on it. If he's done fooling around with co-stars and designers, that is. Fine, fine, we'll put the "allegedly" before fooling around. But John, you can't get around this one on a technicality!

Mallika Pins Hollywood Hopes on Dress

What should I wear to the Tarantino premiere tonite? Would something scandalous be appropriate?This is the tweet Bollywood's sex symbol Mallika Sherawat sent out before the Los Angeles premiere of Quentin Tarantino-directed Inglourious Basterds, teasing her fans, seductively setting the tone for what we saw on the red carpet later that night - a black dress with a see through front, skimpy bits of black covering her modesty. Scandalous indeed.

Now it wasn't the embodiment of elegance, this S&M-meets-Xena-the-warrior-princess look. Not everyone liked the dress. In fact, some critics ripped it apart, calling it her 'Inglourious Moment'. But everyone wrote about it. And that's exactly what she wanted, this Bollywood star who's been known to use shock value as her formula to success. Her first Hindi feature film saw her nonchalantly asking a chemist for a pack of condoms (which she later put to good use, of course), followed by her next big banner film, which also made headlines for its racy content. While international publications preferred to showcase pictures of Tarantino and the star cast of Inglourious…Indian media - online and offline - were abuzz with Ms Sherawat's Los Angeles premiere ticket. Some even ran headlines like 'Hollywood's New IT Girl' and 'Mallika Upstages Jolie', as the curvaceous Bollywood star stood her on in front of the stick-thin Angelina.

The dress in question - love it or hate it - is more than just a dress. As Ms Sherawat is well aware, it has the power to make heads turn, shutterbugs click, journalists write, and if we're being dramatic, make or break her already begun foray into Hollywood. The actress is currently involved in the post-production work of her forthcoming Hollywood flick Hissss, a project she bagged on recommendation of The Myth co-star Jackie Chan, and has reportedly signed another film, where she will play a character partly inspired by Kamala Harris, attorney General of San Francisco.

Add to this, Ms Sherawat has also been hobnobbing with the right peeps in LA - hip hop star Usher met the actress and promised to dedicate a song to her, Ozzy Ozbourne hung out with her before a concert and talk show host Oprah Winfrey planned an India trip with the actress, which was cancelled at the last moment because of the flu scare. She's even got a coveted Hollywood milkshake named after her, joining the likes of Paris Hilton and David Beckham; she's the first Indian celebrity to get invited to Twitter's LA headquarters, and if that wasn't enough, Los Angeles has awarded the actress honorary citizenship!

Now will the revealing dress, reportedly from Frederick's of Hollywood's Black Label Collection, give her well-networked existence in Hollywood that extra push? It's possible. After all, Hollywood does have a history of scandalous dresses raising career graphs! Remember J-LO's threatening-to-come-undone green Versace outfit at the Grammy's in 2000? The palm-leaf patterned dress pushed an on-the-verge-of-a-musical break-through Jennifer Lopez to the good side. "For me, it was one of the eye-opening moments of what a dress could actually do. And I was on the cover of the paper the next day, because of that Versace dress," the star had told People magazine. There's also Elizabeth Hurley's revealing black Versace piece precariously held together by safety pins. After Hurley wore it to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral, she became a household name overnight.

Dress for Headlines. They all do it. But not everyone makes the cut. Looks like Mallika has her hopes pinned on this one.

Cheryl Tweedy's Hot Images & Biography

Biography

Cheryl Ann Tweedy has spent nearly her entire life in the limelight. Born June 30, 1983, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Cheryl began her modeling career at the tender age of 6 when she won the prestigious World Star of Future Modeling competition. And she didn’t stop there. In the years that followed, she was named “Best Looking Girl of Newcastle,” “Most Attractive Girl” at the Metro Square, and she starred in a string of popular commercials seen throughout the British Isles.

“Chezza,” as she’s known in the media, won another competition of sorts, at the age of 16, when she beat out thousands of other young women to earn a place at the Royal Ballet Summer School in London. Despite her success as a dancer, Cheryl’s true love was singing and she longed for the opportunity to show off her dazzling vocal prowess.


Cheryl Cole aka Cheryl Tweedy



Cheryl Cole aka Cheryl Tweedy



Cheryl Cole aka Cheryl Tweedy



Cheryl Cole aka Cheryl Tweedy



Cheryl Cole aka Cheryl Tweedy



Cheryl Cole aka Cheryl Tweedy



Cheryl Cole aka Cheryl Tweedy

Why Is She Famous?

Cheryl Tweedy is the breakout star from Girls Aloud, Britain’s hottest female group since the Spice Girls. "We would love to have the same success as the Spice Girls, they really made it,” she says. “They paved the way for girl groups and we’d love to think this is our time now.