Pick your contestant with Big B on Bigg Boss

The promos announcing Bachchan’s association with Bigg Boss will begin on September 7.

In this season of Bigg Boss, Bachchan will be playing the role of ‘Pop Philosopher’ - a unique concept that will be one of the differentiators of this season. As ‘Pop Philosopher’, Big B will bridge the gap between ‘Bigg Boss’ participants and viewers – through contextualising events, simplifying emotions and most importantly, analysing developments that happen within the ‘Bigg Boss’ house.

Speaking of the development, Rajesh Kamat, Chief Executive Officer, Colors, said, “We want to take Bigg Boss to even higher level this year – in ratings, in novelty and in appeal. With Mr. Bachchan on board, and playing the ‘Pop Philosopher’, we strongly believe that ‘Bigg Boss’ this year has all the ingredients to surpass its last year’s popularity.” He further added, “It is our honour to have Mr. Bachchan on-board and we look forward to him providing his inimitable touch to one of our most popular format shows.”

Talking of his association with Bigg Boss, Bachchan commented, “This is one show that has intrigued me immensely as a viewer — its format, its contestants and the psychological battle within the house. That intrigue, coupled with the unique concept that Colors shared with me for this season, excited me to be a part of ‘Bigg Boss’ this year.” He further added, “I am looking forward to my role that gives me the unique opportunity to help viewers decode emotions and comprehend simple philosophies of life (without getting philosophical).”

Another exciting element in this year’s Bigg Boss is the opportunity that viewers will get to decide who they want to see in the Bigg Boss house. Bachchan will soon urge the viewers to send in their entries and on that basis, the channel will try and get a few of those personalities into the Bigg Boss house. This will be the first time in the history of Bigg Boss (or Big Brother) that viewers get a chance to decide who they’d like to see inside the Bigg Boss house, as inmates.

Mr. Bachchan commented, “I am excited to begin with them (the channel), a new journey of ‘rediscovery’ and ‘reinvention’ of my own abilities and in the process, meaningfully entertain millions of my fans.”

‘Bigg Boss’ presents the unique combination of reality and real unscripted drama. It is the ultimate reality show where 14 handpicked strangers are locked in a house, for close to 85 days – with 35 cameras following their every move 24x7 and Bigg Boss, the ultimate authority in the house who ensures that their stay is anything but comfortable. As the 14 hand picked contestants vie with each other to survive in the Bigg Boss house, irritation, backbiting and backstabbing reach its prime. This is one show that brings out the best and the worst side of contestants.

Shilpa Shetty to shut up for 'wellness course'

Shilpa Shetty is observing a mauna vrat (vow of silence) as part of a wellness course that she is pursuing in Oneness University on the outskirts of Chennai and says it helped her to connect with herself.

"I've taken out some 'me' time. I have been so busy with people, things and attaining my goals that I had forgotten about myself. This place has helped me get in touch with myself. You must be intrigued how, well right now am doing a mauna, that is, where I am not allowed to talk to anyone, so practicing that, it's difficult but enjoying it," Shilpa posted on www.shilpashettylive.com/blog.

"Not allowed to take any calls... could only check my emails," she added.

The 34-year-old actress, who is a fitness and spirituality freak, says she seeks solace there in the company of her gurus -- Amma and Bhagvan. "I follow their advice blindly, and it's made a huge difference in my life, work and relationships," she said.

Shilpa has gone there for a special course to rejuvenate herself after a "hectic six months".

"This silence is so rare to find in our fast paced lives. It just comforts. There are no luxuries and that makes you value everything that you have. It's also a cleansing process, which I feel we all need from time to time. The beauty is that the process is a spiritual journey without preaching.

"I would prescribe this place for anyone who needs a break and a different and positive way to living life," she said.

Shilpa gets a bigger office for herself

hilpa has just moved her production house S2 into a bigger office. Initially, her banner was operating out of a 2BHK space on Andheri Link Road but now she has moved her office premises to a bungalow. Shetty's new office has been done up by interior designer Pritesh, in consultation with the actress and her mom, Sunanda.

S2's new office is close to the MHADA Telephone Exchange in the Four Bungalows area of Andheri. It's a spacious two-storeyed bungalow, There are a lot of Ganesha figurines handpicked by the mother-daughter jodi. There is also a lot of feng shui stuff like bamboo shoots and fountains.

Shilpa plans to launch her film next year, and is working on some projects abroad. A source close to the actress says, "The Shilpa Shetty Foundation is expanding and with her film production, Shilpa needed lots of space. The new office has been done up in a corporate style sleek and elegant in steel, chrome and pastel shades." Shilpa wants to sell off her old office property on Andheri Link Road.

Last night, Shilpa left for New York. She has been invited to be the Grand Marshall for August 15 for the Independence Day parade. Raj Kapoor was the first film personality to attend the India Parade Day in New York. She says, "It's an honor to be the Grand Marshall. It's a grand event and is attended by 60,000 Indians. I will also be attending dinners with several VIPs and politicians on August 16 and 17."

This will be one of those few events that beau Raj Kundra won't be accompanying Ms Shetty. She adds, "He's busy with work in London and I shall join him on my way back." Shilpa's outfits (see designs alongside) for the events have been designed by Tarun Tahiliani. While one is a long Mughal kurta with churidar sleeves and gillet embroidered with jewel motifs the other is a French lace sari encrusted with a dazzling array of crystalised Swarovski diamonds. The blouse is fluted with delicate spray of jewel flowers.