Priyanka got diamond ring for her b'day

Rumour-mongers were having hay day speculating why Priyanka Chopra looked so happy on her birthday in spite of the absence of her boyfriend (just good friend) Shahid Kapoor. Priyanka did have a reason to smile.She received a surprise special gift from her parents. Believe it or not, she was gifted a diamond belly button.“Hey tweeple got some rocking news… My parents got me a diamond belly button ring for my b’day. Guess what? Just got my piercing done! Yay!” posted Priyanka, a regular on Twitter.

It is said that Priyanka couldn’t believe her eyes when her parents gifted her a butterfly- shaped diamond belly button on her birthday, on 18th July, because she never expected such a gift. Priyanka had pierced her belly earlier and used to wear belly button until she was forced to part with it following the demand of her film roles.Well, Priyanka must be looking forward to show off her diamond- studded-belly the next time she appears in public. She also has a lot to look forward to this year with many promising projects in her kitty. Her film Kaminey, where she acts with Shahid Kapoor, is releasing this August and What’s Your Raashee with Hurman Baweja is scheduled for release in September.She also has another film titled Pyaar Impossible with Uday Chopra.

Star Plus replies to show cause notice

Star Plus, the general entertainment channel that telecasts the controversial show Sach Ka Samna sent its reply to the Information & Broadcasting ministry to the show cause notice issued to it last week. In its reply the channels has denied having violated any programming guidelines prescribed under the Cable TV (Regulation) Act, 1995.

Star Plus has said that that Sach Ka Saamna is based on an international game show and it does not, in any manner, depict obscenity or vulgarity. The channel also argued that it issues parental guidance warning during the telecast of each of the episodes. It also added that the show was being aired at a late night timing of 10.30 pm and thus it was not violating any provisions of the programming code.

The ministry had sent the producers a show cause notice to the channel after there was a furore in Rajya Sabha over the programme. The MPs claimed the content to be obscene which offending good taste and decency. The contestants are asked 21 questions in the show ranging from their professional to personal life. Some of the questions asked in the show so far have been very intimate.

TV’s moment of truth

And caught in the storm this time is the game show Sach Ka Saamna, the Indian version of the popular foreign show Moment of Truth.
The show created a furore in parliament, which led to the Government issuing a show cause notice to the channel and a PIL has also been filed in the Delhi High Court. Samajwadi Party MP Kamal Akhtar asked for a ban on the show and has called for strict censorship on
TV content, which brings us back to the question; is censorship necessary for Indian television?

The nature of shows today has become bolder, in-your-face and full of expletives. Roadies, Spiltsvilla, Bigg Boss are the best examples. The makers of Roadies had to telecast an apology continuously for three days after the government found offensive material in the show. “A certain level of censorship is important,” believes VJ Cyrus Sahukar.” But as far as the show Sach Ka Saama is concerned, I think the participants know exactly what they are getting into before sitting on that chair,” says Sahukar.

Producer/director Rajan Shahi too agrees on the need for censorship. “On prime time we should not be showing content that’s not fit for family viewing,” quips Shahi.

Prabhu, senior journalist and member AP State Censor Board feels that the time has indeed come for
TV censorship. “Censorship has become necessary as channels air shows that have explicit content and some portray women in bad light,” opines Prabhu.

Recently, politicians and women and child welfare groups slammed Baalika Vadhu for glorifying child marriage and a few other shows for regressive portrayal of the fairer sex. But Shahi begs to differ. “I don’t think women are misrepresented. At the end of the day TV serials are fiction. I do agree that shows go to extremes in characterisations for drama.” Prabhu though counters this view saying, “Satellite channels have penetrated even villages in India and many a time the audience isn’t that discerning.”
But TV censorship is a formidable task as the board has discovered. “It’s an impractical proposal. Serials are streamed on the tube 24x7 and going through every bit before telecast is a Herculean task what with so many channels present. Channels and producers need to be a responsible lot,” says Prabhu.

Critics, however, argue that shows like Sach ka Saamna thrive because the Indian society is turning into a voyeuristic one. “Everyone loves to watch what’s happening in someone else’s life. How else can you explain the success of a show like Bigg Boss?” asks singer Debojit Saha, a contestant of the show.”I think the Indian audience is indeed ready for shows like Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachaao, Bigg Boss and the kind. Of course, a certain kind of regulation is a must,” opines Saha. However there are those who think otherwise. Roadies contestant Nauman Sait is one of them. “The Indian audience is mature and knows what it wants. Why should there be someone to tell them what to watch?” he asks.

Thought the call for censorship is loud and clear, the TRPs tell a different story. The controversial shows rate high on the charts. As the debate rages on, it’s left to see who has the last laugh.

Priyanka Kothari lived with eight lizards during 'Agyaat' shoot

Actress Priyanka Kothari is petrified of lizards, but she had to share her room with the reptiles for a month while shooting in the Sri Lankan jungles for her forthcoming film 'Agyaat'.

'I had to live with eight creepy lizards who used to roam around in my room. I can say that I'm braver now. Earlier, I used to be petrified if I used to see even one lizard in my room... but I had so many in close proximity in the same room in the jungle,' Priyanka told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, 'Agyaat' was extensively shot in the Sigiriya jungles in Sri Lanka. Priyanka has teamed up with Telugu star Nitin in the thriller that revolves around a film unit that goes for a jungle-shoot. Soon the crew members get killed one by one, leaving the rest running for their lives.

Priyanka, who suffered several injuries while shooting the film, reveals that the cast and crew faced many problems during their stay in the dense forest.

'A lot of things happened with me during the shooting - like my ankle injury, elbow injury, then so many scratches, insect bites, et al. It's a part and parcel of a film like this,' said the 25-year-old who plays an actress in the film.

'Apart from the injuries, there were other problems as well. The hotel we were staying in was surrounded by wild animals. You wouldn't even come to know when a snake might enter your room. Then the biggest threat was from wild elephants. A lot of times we had to change our route to avoid them,' she said.

But the actress has no regrets signing on the film, which is set to release Aug 7.

'On the whole, I have no complaints. It's all worth it because I got to work in a wonderful film. I will get a romantic (film) or a comedy to work in future, but adventurous films like 'Agyaat' are not made every day,' she said.

Priyanka, who kick-started her Bollywood career with Varma's 'Sarkar', went on to act in other films with the director like 'James', 'Go' and 'Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag'.

'It's always an honour to work with Ram Gopal Varma. He is a mastermind. I love working with him and I really respect him. He gives liberty and freedom to his actors which is the best part,' said the actress, known for doing glamorous and sensual roles.

Asked if she was comfortable with skin show, the actress said she wouldn't hesitate from doing something if the role demanded.

'Actors are like props on the sets. You do what your director says. And I'm the kind of actor who listens to her director. If the role demands and if the director asks, then I don't have problems in doing sensual scenes. That's my profession and there is nothing wrong with glamour. I trust my director - that's the reason why I accept a film,' Priyanka said.

Salman impressed by ace choreographer and director Prabhu Deva

Mumbai: Bollywood’s favourite bad boy Salman Khan is really impressed with actor-turned-director Prabhu Deva these days. According to latest B-town gossip, news has it that Salman is so happy with Prabhu Deva that he looking forward to work with the ace choreographer and director in another flick!

Prabhu Deva, popularly known for his choreography and acting has directed Bollywood hunk Salman Khan in his upcoming venture ‘Wanted’. With this film, Prabhu Deva starts his tinsel town directorial innings.

News has it that Salman is elated with the kind of response ‘Wanted’ has achieved so far and has decided to rope Prabhu Deva for another flick.

Prabhu Deva is a big name in down South and enjoys a huge fan base both as an actor and choreographer. Yet, when it comes to Bollywood, it will be a tightrope walk for the dancing ace. Nevertheless, with Salman is his first movie, Prabhu Deva has a bright prospect in Bollywood. Well, here’s hoping Prabhu strikes jackpot with ‘Wanted’!

Diamond belly button for Priyanka Chopra

Rumourmongers were having hay day speculating on why Priyanka Chopra looked so happy on her birthday in spite of the absence of her boyfriend (just good friend) Shahid Kapoor. Priyanka did have a reason to smile. She received a surprise special gift from her parents. Believe it or not, she was gifted a diamond belly button.

“Hey tweeple got some rocking news.. My parents got me a diamond belly button ring for my b’day.. Guess what? just got my piercing done! Yay!” posted Priyanka, a regular on Twitter.

It is said that Priyanka couldn't believe her eyes when her parents gifted her a butterfly-shaped diamond belly button on her birthday, on 18th July, because she never expected such a gift. Sources said that Priyanka had pierced her belly earlier and used to wear belly button until she was forced to part with it following the demand of her film roles.

Well, Priyanka must be looking forward to show off her diamond-studded-belly the next time she appears in public. She also has a lot to look forward to this year with many promising projects in her kitty. Her film Kaminey, where she acts with Shahid Kapoor, is releasing this August and What's Your Raashee with Hurman Baweja is scheduled for release in September. She also has another film titled Pyaar Impossible with Uday Chopra.

Expect the unexpected from Priyanka!

Katrina is Queen on web too; but King Khan languishes at bottom

Moreover, it’s all women on top, when it comes to the top searched celebrities in the Indian cyberspace. On the web charts, its Katrina followed by Aishwarya

Rai in the second spot. Sania Mirza and Priyanka Chopra rank in the third and fourth positions, respectively.

Among the top 10 celebrities on the web, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar comes in a distant fifth followed by Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan

. Shah Rukh Khan ranks at the bottom of the chart, in this case.

The popularity of women on top of charts also indicates the power of glamour factor which attracts the young online population to search for them. About 85% of them being below 26 years of age.

Amongst Bollywood actresses, Katrina rules the hearts of internet users across the country except in two states. Goans seems to be searching more for Aishwarya than Katrina. In Rajasthan, the popularity of both Katrina and Aishwarya is on par. The Google ranking is done according to the hits and searches an Indian celebrity attracts.

Till December 2007, Katrina Kaif was behind Aishwarya Rai, in terms of internet popularity. Interestingly, since the time Aishwarya finally hooked up with Abhishek, she has never been able to beat Kaif on the internet charts. On the other hand, Katrina was once beaten only by Deepika Padukone, during the release of her debut film Om Shanti Om in 2007.

The web results for most popular male actors shows a sharp contrast to Synovate rankings. A two year graph showing the web popularity of Bollywood heores is a zig zag one, with none at the top for more than two months, in contrast to Bollywood actresses where Katrina has been a clear number one.

But Indian web users are most keen on searching for Hrithik Roshan. While Aamir Khan was leading as the number one since the releasse of his film Ghajini. Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham and Hrithik were fighting neck and neck for the second spot. But since mid 2009, Hrithik’s Luck By Chance, has clearly got him to the number one spot.

Currently, John Abraham rules the hearts of Indian netizens at the second spot followed by Big B and then Aamir Khan. Experts, however, add that Aamir might rule again around December when hs film 3 Idiots - around IITians, will be released. But the release of Kites pegged around September might prop up Hrithik’s position.

Interestingly, Bollywood’s King Khan languishes at the bottom of the top 10 actors on internet with his Billu Barber bombing at the box office. Ranbir Kapur, Imraan Khan, Saif Ali Khan score much above Shahrukh Khan when it comes netizens searching for their favourite Bollywood actor online.

Obviously, King Khan needs to do much more to become attractive to the young netizen population. From actors not on the Synovate list, Akshay Kumar beats King Khan, considering the large number of releases he is churning out.

Amongst sportspersons, tennis ace Sania Mirza beats out all others hands down. Sania leads in cyberspace followed by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in terms of popularity. Other sportsmen could not even boast enough searches to make them rank on Google charts.

The web rankings are important as most netizens are young, a prime target for most brands. Web advertisers in future also take into account a celebrity’s web popularity when considering her / him for an ad campaign.