Bride-to-be Shilpa going through 'mixed feelings'

Shilpa Shetty, who is marrying London-based Raj Kundra on November 22, is facing pre-nuptial blues. She admits she is experiencing 'mixed feelings' as the D-day draws near.

"To all those who want to know how I am feeling, I just want to say I'm going through a lot of mixed feelings - happiness, excitement, nervousness, just like any bride to be and sadness as well," Shilpa posted on her blog shilpashettylive.com/blog/.

The 34-year-old actress is tying the knot with businessman Raj Kundra, whom she has been dating since 2007.

"Honestly, it still hasn't sunk in completely, it's a strange emotion, can't describe it. The only consolation is that I'm tying the knot with Raj - a man who lets me be and doesn't want me or my life to change and that erases premarital jitters," she said.

"Obviously marriage is a huge step and with it come responsibilities, and since I believe in the institution, so I hope and pray that I can make ours a success."

Shilpa says she has been busy with the wedding preparations for the past two weeks but is also trying hard to fulfill her professional commitments so that she can set out for a one-month honeymoon with Raj after the wedding.

She is currently shooting in Hyderabad for the last schedule of Indo-Chinese project Desire.

"I'm shooting in Hyderabad, everything had to be done before I'd left for this schedule. In the midst of Odissi rehearsals (can you believe it! Because I am shooting for a song here), (I'm handling) guests list, hotel arrangements, wedding planners, trousseau outfits, the list is never ending.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I will be shooting and dubbing till a week before the wedding. Got to finish all work commitments before I leave for a month after the wedding," she said.

The actress is now only hoping that her younger sister Shamita Shetty, who is a participant on reality show Bigg Boss 3, comes out to be with her in the "last few days at home".

Shilpa will have a quiet wedding ceremony with close friends and family on November 22 and has plans for a lavish reception two days later.

Raj Gives Shilpa a Big Rock

Finally, Shilpa Shetty has become engaged to her beau Raj Kundra. I imagine Shilpa’s father thought he’d never get her off his hands! The event took place at Raj’s residence in Mumbai and was essentially a family affair - although of course Shamita was absent as she’s currently locked up in The Big Boss house.

“It's been a time of both joy and sorrow for me, the joy is obvious because Raj and I feel happy to take our relationship to the next level, but my sister Shamita is still in the Big Boss house and could not attend,” Shilpa blogged, “She doesn't even know but another good mahurat was a long way off and considering Raj's parents and relatives were down from London for a week, it seemed convenient.” Shilpa’s outfit for the engagement was designed by Manish Malhotra and Tarun Tahiliani will design her wedding dress.

“I can't talk about the details of the outfits but I can tell you that she will look absolutely stunning,” he said at the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Show where he is preparing his collection for later this week. He has also promised to design her mehendi and sangeeth outfits as well. Raj presented Shilpa with an engagement ring valued at 3cr for their betrothal, but as Raj - the UK’s richest young British Asian - owns a gem company or two, it’s possible he was able to get a discount. Shilpa has to get back to work this week to finish Desire, the Indo-Chinese English-language film in which she stars opposite The Painted Veil’s Xia Yu. She then hopes to announce the wedding date.

"I know everyone's eager to know the wedding date,” she sais, “All I can say is YES, it's been finalised. We will make an official announcement as soon as I know when Shamita's coming out of the Big Boss house!"

Shilpa’s vote takes a backseat due to IPL

While SRK made it a point to come to India from South Africa to vote, Shilpa Shetty unfortunately couldn’t get enough of her IPL commitments and instead skipped the voting procedure.

She says, “I just regret the fact that I won’t be in India to cast my vote; I really wanted to this time. Elections have to be taken seriously if you are a responsible citizen. Unfortunately with the unexpected turn of events and the IPL being shifted to SA it’s become difficult. I would not miss voting for anything otherwise.”

However she says, “But to all those Indian citizens who want the best for our country, now is the time to make the decision, don’t waste your democratic right to choose. Vote!”

Do you think Shilpa justifies herself by not voting?

''Why is Rakhi Sawant talking like this?'' - Shilpa Shetty

This week has been really tough on Shilpa. First Jade Goody's traumatic adieu. Then a member of her own film fraternity Rakhi Sawant was heard telling TV channels that a contestant on Big Boss must have been changed because of Shilpa.

When questioned about Rakhi's allegation, Shilpa says she's appalled. "I don't even want to talk about her. But I was very hurt. I really like Rakhi . Why was she talking this way about me without knowing the facts? How does she know the facts about how contestants were chosen? I don't think it's right for anyone to shoot off her mouth in this way. You may have an outspoken image that you're always eager to uphold. But please don't flaunt that image at my cost."

Shilpa was also appalled by her effigies being burnt. Apparently, Ramdas Atahavle was approached to go into the house. He claims he was dropped because of Shilpa's manoeuvres.

The actress doesn't know whether to laugh or cry at this. "It's the channel's prerogative to select or reject a candidate. Until two days prior to the show, I didn't even know who was going. The format doesn't allow the host to know the contestants .Mr Athavle claims he was dropped on discriminatory grounds because he was a Dalit and Sanjay Nirupam was taken instead."

Shilpa is outraged. "Why was I being blamed if a candidate didn't make it into Big Boss? Why were they throwing stones at the channel Colors' office and burning my effigy? They even held a dharna in Lonavla in front of the Big Boss house. Why me? Every time I'm associated with something people try to use my name for their own purposes. Please leave me alone."

Taking a deep breath Shilpa laughs. "I think I should take all this attention as a compliment. But somewhere it does take its toll on my mental equilibrium. We all need to be more responsible about our duties as a citizen. My phone went ballistic on Tuesday. I'm in the midst of a dozen things and then to be badgered like this! I'm human and I don't like my name being constantly used. Don't hit where it hurts the most. I think they should start auctioning my effigies."

Laughs Shilpa, "But really, Rakhi Sawant takes the cake. What authority does she have to make such charges against me? I'd have Rakhi know that it's the channel's prerogative to decide the participants. I'm hired by the channel to do a job. My jurisdiction is to go on stage and host the show."

Shilpa wants police action against the practice of burning effigies. "It's really very sad that known people are subjected to this. It's very degrading?"

Shilpa on the cover of People

"I can't go through it all over again" declares Shilpa Shetty, when she was asked if she would take part in this year's 'Big Boss'. For starters, Shilpa happens to be the 'Celebrity Big Brother' winner cum actress cum entrepreneur cum many other avatars bundled into one! She exclaims the above mentioned famous words in the latest issue of 'People', the niche magazine, of which she also happens to be the cover-girl. Not just this, she also has made many other confessions, which includes her relationship with her boyfriend- the London based entrepreneur Raj Kundra.

Not many know the fact that Raj was also a part of the Akshay-Karisma flick Mere Jeevan Saathi (as a producer), and the recently released Strangers that starred Jimmy Sheirgill with Sonali Kulkarni and Nandana Sen. The good news is that Raj is also a part of a film venture that Shilpa is producing! That doesn't mean that Shilpa will be saying adieu to heroine roles. Testimony of this is the fact that she is having her next venture The Man coming up with Sunny Deol. When asked about the difference between being an actress and a producer, she simply blushes in her trademark style to say that "You don't get as pampered as an actress".

Well, looking at Raj's deep and dedicatedly committed eyes, he truly looks like the 'Pampering Personified' types! If that's the case, where's the point to complain, Shilpa?

Slideshow - Bollywood’s Bikini Babes

Killer Curves Nothing highlights the killer curves of Bollywood babes better than a bikini. But how much can a bikini excite if it were not for the hot bods that don it? To see the curvy babes of Bollywood in a two-piece or a swimsuit can be worth the price of a ticket for many a movie buff. For most of the actresses, putting on a two-piece is often the “demand of the script” thing and for some it’s simply a publicity gimmick. The truth is, to flaunt oneself in a bikini is not easy; ask our Bolly divas and they will tell you how hard it is to get that perfect shape - a bikini bod. From, former beauty queens Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta, new comers like Shruti Haasan and Minissha Lamba, the glamorous Kareena Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty, to Rani Mukherjee, the newest to join the bikini brigade. Here, we have some hot actresses, who have dared to wear a bikini. Hold your breath…

Rani Mukherjee She is the latest to join the bikini brigade. Who could have imagined an actress like Rani Mukherjee, mainly seen in sarees and salwars, would don a bikini, that too in a Yashraj film. The test of her oomph quotient is still not over. Kareena Kapoor She created hullabaloo with her bikini avatar in Tashan and people still love to talk about Kareena Kapoor in that lime-green, teeny-weeny two-piece and, of course, her size-zero figure. Priyanka Chopra For even the swimsuit round at Miss World pageant she gave a miss to bikini and worn a monokini. In Dostana again Priyanka Chopra chose a single piece swimsuit that was like a bikini from the back side. The lady seems to have something against the two-pieces. Bipasha Basu The sultry, dusky babe not only entices you with her seductive glances but also with her curvy body. Bipasha Basu wore bikini in Dhoom 2 and made the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai almost forgetta Lara Dutta She might have done innumerable photo shoots in that itsy-bitsy swim wear, but the sensuous Lara Dutta has for the first time donned a bikini for the movie Blue, and what a svelte figure the lady has. Marvelous to the eyes Shilpa Shetty This lithe lass is just too perfect for a bikini, but the sexy Shilpa Shetty never wore a bikini for silver screen; it was only a bikini top in ‘Dostana’. Now that’s a bummer! Minissha Lamba The chirpy babe tried to look hot as well as sizzling in a white bikini in Kidnap, providing her co-star Imran Khan ample reason to kidnap her. Minissha Lamba has made a leap from being a girl-next-door to a siren that sends men swooning. Shruti Haasan We don’t know why Kamal Haasan’s talented daughter had to be in a bikini for her maiden film Luck as we know by now it wasn’t for the script’s sake. Nevertheless, Shruti Haasan knows how to flaunt what she’s got.

Shilpa Shetty is observing a `mauna vrat`

New Delhi: 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.

Now showing, the Return of Shilpa's Poppadoms

ore than two years after a 'poppadom' jibe against her caused global outrage, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has announced plans to “dish out the poppadoms” to Britons.

Poppadoms - as the Indian snack papad is called in Britain - will be an important part of Shilpa's Gourmet Creations, a range of low-fat readymeals, chutneys and pickles that will be sold in British supermarkets from 2010.

The irony isn't lost on Shilpa, who was called 'Shilpa Poppadom' by the late British celebrity Jade Goody in a reality television programme in January 2007, causing outrage in India and elsewhere.

“We're dishing out poppadoms… they go really well with the curry,” Shilpa told Independent Television News (ITN).

“There was this whole connection with 'Shilpa Poppadum'… so brought back some weird memories, but we just wanted to tell people we have a good sense of humour,” she added.

Jade, who died earlier this year of cervical cancer, denied she was being racist in using the name for Shilpa in a celebrity version of Big Brother, a show where 'inmates' live together in front of television cameras.

However, Culture Minister Tessa Jowell slammed the show as “racism being presented as entertainment”.

Shetty, who along with her fiancé, entrepreneur Raj Kundra, picked up a 33 percent stake in the V8 Gourmet Group for a reported six million pounds, said last week she will keep the new range healthy.

“There is this preconceived notion that Indian food isn't very healthy. We're making sure it will be under 10 percent fat. So it's going to be a healthy choice,” she said.

The curries, which Shilpa will develop along with master chef Andy Verma, will be “less acidic and less spicy, catering to the taste buds here and keeping it authentic Indian.”

Speaking at a press conference, Shilpa quoted from her own comments made when she was voted the winner of the 2007 Celebrity Big Brother: “As I said, Chicken curry rules.”

Shilpa Shetty: Dad is getting his passport for Raj's birthday, not my wedding

passport from Surat (where the document is kept because of a pending court case) so that he can be in London for his daughter's wedding has Shilpa in splits.

"The passport is certainly not meant for my wedding, please! It's not happening in October, November, December or any of the dates that have been fixed for my wedding in the media. Raj and I will announce the date from the rooftops and invite the entire press corps to be part of the baraati when it happens. In the meanwhile, please leave my father alone."

Papa Shetty's passport needed retrieval, not for Shilpa's wedding but for another family gathering altogether. "It's Raj Kundra's birthday on September 9. Our entire collective family will be bringing in the occasion at the Maldives. That's what my dad needed his passport for."

On a more sober note, Shilpa says, "We all respect the judiciary. But it's very humiliating for any daughter to have her father rushing to another town for his passport. It's even more humiliating to have erroneous media reports being put out about one's father. He had applied for his passport a few months ago."

As for the wedding, "There's no reason on earth why Raj I wouldn't want to get married at the earliest. At the moment we've our hands full with many new exciting ventures. We need get the space in our lives to plan and enjoy this wonderful event. Haath peele karne ke liye haath khali to hone chahiye."

Courtesy: Bollywood Hungama

I'm not getting married this year: Shilpa Shetty

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is upset over news that she is set to tie the knot with London-based businessman Raj Kundra by the year end. She clarifies that she isn't getting married this year.

"I've said before, I will make an official announcement the day my parents decide on my marriage date and I promise the press will have at least a month to celebrate the announcement. So to set the record straight, no I'm not getting married this year. Yes, I am looking at next year, but date not decided," said Shilpa posted on her blog www.shilpashettylive.com/blog/.

A British newspaper reported Thursday that the actress would be getting married between September and December in Britain after her father, Surendra Shetty, wrote so in an application to an Indian court.

But Shilpa has slammed the news. "I am sick and tired of people calling me to clarify after they've put it as breaking news on some channels and wasted reams of paper on concocted news articles," she said.

Shilpa is also upset over the leakage of the details her father gave to the court to acquire his passport. "My poor dad is already having a tough time every time he has to travel abroad and has to apply for his passport, and as alway it's harrowing enough for him to go back and forth every time for his passport...," she said.

Surendra Shetty's passport was reportedly confiscated after he was charged with threatening a business associate he claimed owed money to his daughter. Since then, he and his wife Sunanda have only been able to travel overseas with the court's permission, which is why he applied for the passport on the alleged pretext of Shilpa's wedding.

"My dad's 67 and ageing, please let the poor man live in peace and dignity, it's annoying. I request the press to report responsibly and not make any baseless assumptions," stated Shipa.

Shilpa's kiss: Blessing or blooper?

These photographs are the latest in a series of controversies that Shilpa Shetty has been having with holy sites.

The first was during a shoot during which temple authorities accused the actress of entering the Gopinath Deb temple of Sakhigopal near Puri, Orissa, with her shoes on. An FIR was later filed against Shilpa by the officials.

The actress, however, was successful in averting that disaster after she lashed out at what she described as 'making scapegoats of celebrities'. The police too, refused to pursue the matter any further after it was revealed that Shilpa didn't even enter the temple premises during the shoot at Puri.

But no sooner was she out of the frying pan, blessings have come in the form of controversy. Pictures from Shilpa's time at a temple in Powai, Mumbai, show a swamiji delivering blessings in a manner that left the moral police fuming.

Many are familiar with the unfortunate Richard Gere episode which took the tabloid press by the storm. But Shilpa has vowed to take the fight head on. In a reaction, the actress lashed out: "What was obscene in that? Don't people kiss their daughters or sons?"

Shilpa Shetty May Enter Marital Bliss In 2010

There had been news very recently that Shilpa Shetty was entering the marital bliss with her long time beau and London-based businessman, Raj Kundra, after her father was reportedly asking for his seized passport to attend her wedding in December. But the beautiful actress has denied all the rumours.

The leggy actress has denied all those reports but says “I’ve said before, I will make an official announcement the day my parents decide on my marriage date and I promise the press will have at least a month to celebrate the announcement.”

She adds, “So to set the record straight, no I’m not getting married this year. Yes, I am looking at next year, but date not decided”.

Shilpa Shetty is engaged with London-based NRI businessman Raj Kundra.

Shilpa writes in her www.shilpashettylive.com/blog/ that “I am sick and tired of people calling me to clarify after they’ve put it as breaking news on some channels and wasted reams of paper on concocted news articles”.

Now, savour the Shilpa Shetty curry & poppadoms To pamper your taste buds

Shilpa Shetty is learnt to be planning to launch her own brand of healthy curries and poppadoms. The Bollywood actress had been planning to start a chain of curry houses in London for a long time but put the plan on the backburner after she and her beau Raj Kundra bought a stake in the IPL team, Rajasthan Royals. But now, she’s learnt to be giving the idea another serious thought and has even finalized the names of some of the dishes. For instance, the poppadom will be named ‘Shilpa Poppadom’ in the memory of the late reality TV star Jade Goody who was accused of racially abusing Shilpa on the British television show 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2007. It was on this show that Jade disdainfully called her ‘Shilpa Poppadom’. A source close to Shilpa tells a news agency: “Shilpa thinks Jade will have a little chuckle in heaven about the poppadoms. She has been inundated with requests for her curry recipe and one day she just thought, 'Why don't I just create my own range?” Shilpa has already launched a Yoga DVD and a perfume range in UK since her win in the reality show two years back. “One of Shilpa's passions in life is healthy living so she wanted to incorporate that into her dishes,” the source added.

Shilpa in a 'kiss row' again!

Bollywood's leggy lass Shilpa Shetty is once again in the news. No not for launching any new venture, but for getting a kiss on her rosy cheeks.Shilpa's recent visit to Sakhigopal temple has already garnered enough controversies and now this 'kiss row'. As per reports, temple's priest was so happy with Shilpa's visit that while blessing her, he planted a kiss on her cheeks.

Though Shilpa flashed her dazzling smile for shutterbugs, her visit to the temple and shooting in the premises has raised many eyebrows.Our verdict: This is much about nothing!

Shilpa does the honours!

Well, well, well ... there was wellness in the air as the swish set sauntered into this new space on Sunday evening with happy hosts Shilpa Shetty and Kiran Bawa at the entrance meeting and greeting each and every guest.
And they were more than overjoyed when Rekha stepped in – yes, the enigmatic lady was there to do the inaugural honours of Iosis Medispa’s flagship outlet in Khar that was far from the madding crowd.

Actually, there was a madding crowd out there what with the presence of Bollywood, corporate bigwigs, television personalities, fashion designers and assorted others. Making heads turn was Sushmita Sen, looking slim and trim.

The champagne was flowing and so, too, the hors d’oeuvres. In fact, the party continued there as guests ate and drank to their heart’s content. And who was there at this stylish and healthy do?

Koel Purie with her firangi hubby, Devita Saraf, Leena Mogre with hubby Nikhil, Queenie and daughter Tiara, Vikram Bawa, Ashmit Patel, Gayatri Patel, Farah Khan, Ameet Gaurr, Ekta Kapoor, Rohit Roy in his famous black jacket, Arjun Punjj, Manasi Scott, Kaushika and Kamlesh Hemdev, Kishwer Merchant and Poonam Sinha... you get the drift. And the talk was on the new India that is awakening to health and wellness.

Shilpa puts Rekha on beauty duty

"I had to think of who was going to do the grand launch and couldn't come up with a better name than the diva herself - someone who is synonymous with timeless beauty and wellness. So I approached (the one and only) Rekhaji," Shilpa posted on her blog shilpashettylive.com

"I've always looked up to her as an actor, role model for constant reinvention. We share a very special bond and have always been in touch with each other. I think it's the South Indian connection. When I asked her to grace the occasion, she agreed and I was ecstatic," she further added.

The 34-year-old will be opening her flagship store in partnership with entrepreneur Kiran Bawa, well-known in beauty and wellness industry. The first of these stores will open in Mumbai's Khar area.

Explaining about the spa, Shilpa said: "Being part of an industry where beauty is a pre-requisite, I learnt from my own mistakes and this experience gave me the opportunity to reinvent myself. When people ask me how I did it, their questions will be answered through Iosis."

"I hope that Iosis medispa works as a catalyst in bettering people's lives at an affordable cost. Kiran and I share one common vision - Wellness India. We are both on the threshold of a new beginning and hope people enjoy the services that are provided here because they've been put together with a lot of love and thought," she added.

The medispa will be a fusion of four - styling, spa, salon and skin treatments. Every treatment will be under the supervision of trained professionals.

Shilpa Shetty: Raj is meant to be in my life

Bollywood actress and Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty shed some light on her love life when she told BBC Asian Network breakfast host Adil Ray that she believed in marriage in a recent lighthearted interview.

Presenter Adil Ray left the Bollywood star speechless as he tried his luck wooing her using ex Big Brother contestant Sree's infamous words of wisdom.

The unsuspecting Bollywood actress set the marriage rumour mill working as she answered all of Adil's questions and gave a rare insight into her love life. Shetty explained how she believed in the institution of marriage and how her finance Raj was 'meant to be in her life'.

Adil continued his jibe using classic Sree lines such as 'you do come in my dreams...your inner beauty is platinum...you can slap me if I'm saying something wrong...even your laugh makes me sunshine'. Shilpa, unaware of the wind up, was taken aback replying 'Are you flirting me with on radio!'