Bigg Boss 4 winner Shweta assaulted, Raja absconding

Shweta Tiwari was flying in the seventh sky after winning ‘Bigg Boss 4’ but her happiness stayed for short duration. The popular television actress has once again become victim of domestic violence by her ex-husband Raja Chaudhary, who often hits headlines for his notorious acts.

Raja has again assaulted his ex-wife and her friend Abhinav Kohli. Shweta has filed her fourth complaint against Raja, who has entered her house forcefully and assaulted her.

The report suggests that on Tuesday, Raja barged in Shweta’s house at Shiv Shakti Society in Malad at around 1 am and started abusing her.

R Prabhu, senior inspector of Malad police station, was quoted saying that they have booked Raja for abusing, trespassing and assaulting. He said that now they will take strong action against him.

On the other hand, Shweta has demanded police protection as Raja did the same thing in last October when she was inside the Bigg Boss house.

Raja is now absconding following the incident and police is searching for him.

However, police is not going to allow him to enter the city if he is caught somewhere. Earlier, court ordered Raja to stay away from Shweta residence but he did not bother to obey that. Apart from assaulting his ex-wife, Raja was often associated with some notorious acts like abusing women in drunken condition and breaking rules.

We hope police takes a tough action against him this time, so that he never dares to repeat such acts in future.

Ranbir and Priyanka dont see eye to eye

Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra give each other the cold shoulder at a recent fashion show

On Sunday night, at a fashion show, Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were the hot topic of conversation because the Anjaana Anjaani co-stars pointedly ignored each other in the green room.

Says an eyewitness at the fashion show who was present backstage, "Before walking the ramp, all the celebrities (Karan Johar, Shilpa Shetty, Manish Malhotra, Sameera Reddy, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Tusshar Kapoor and Prateik) were together backstage and there was chatter and laughter all around. Except Ranbir and PC - they didn't talk at all."

The source adds that though Ranbir was friendly, he appeared very tense and preoccupied about something.



"Everyone was cheering each other. Priyanka, Karan, Manish and Ranbir stood near the monitor and watched others walk the ramp, but even then, there was not a word exchanged. They were both behaving as though the other was invisible.

PC was seen chatting with her Don director Farhan and her Krrish hero Hrithik but pointedly kept a distance from RK. One was left wondering what has gone wrong between the two actors."

Says an insider, "Ranbir and Priyanka had shared a special relationship during the shooting of their film, and that hadn't gone down well with Katrina Kaif and Shahid Kapoor (their respective partners) so they are now giving each other the cold shoulder."

Both actors remained unavailable for comment.

Kareena replaces Priyanka Chopra

Kareena Kapoor has pipped Priyanka Chopra to be the brand ambassador of a global brand. This will be her third international ad.

"Initially the brand wanted Priyanka as their ambassador. But after conducting a survey, they chose Kareena. The research showed that she is well known in the international brand circuit, " said a source close to Kareena.

"She endorses 14 brands and is way ahead of the others. The brand was also looking for iconic, aspirational and youth centric elements that are signature Kareena. She is a global face today."

Currently Kareena is busy with her films and endorsements. "She is busy shooting for Atul Agnihotri's Bodyguard with Salman Khan in Pune.

A special team of technicians including make-up, hair and photographer are coming from London to shoot the ad with her. She shoots for her ads at night and the day is kept for the film's shooting."

The Kapoor lass will also perform at an award event on January 29. The source adds that she will go for the award function just a day before, record and then come back to shoot for Bodyguard.

Deepika Padukone upsets Kalpana Lajmi

Deepika Padukone had a successful time last year and is looking forward to lots of projects in this year. Her kitty is filled with numbers of films this year keeping her busy throughout 2011. She has been so busy that could no manage to talk to Rudaali fame director Kalpana Lajmi before rejecting her film offer.

Lajmi has been waiting to come out with a new project since a long time. Her last film Chingaari starring Mithun Chakraborty and Sushmita Sen, was released in 2006. Few days ago, the director called up Deepika’s secretary for her next project but the secretary said that the actress cannot do her film because her dates are already filled for this year.

The director was ready to wait for Deepika’s availability of dates but she even did not bother to talk to the director before giving a blank ‘no’ statement. So, we can’t even think of her reading the script of the movie.

Kalpana was definitely shocked at this abrupt refusal by the young actress. After two months, Lajmi again called up the secretary of the actress, who sent her a message saying that her dates are filled until 2012. The source added that the message was polite but Kalpana was left wondered why Deepika did not bother to talk to her before drawing any conclusion.

The veteran director said that she was ready to wait for the actress to become free but was upset with her behaviour. She added that the heroines of today forget that they have turned popular because of the medium of cinema.

Deepika preferred to stay out of commenting on the issue but her manager said that she would have loved to work with a senior filmmaker like Kalpana Lajmi but a year has only 365 days and they are already committed for others. He added that Deepika did not want to keep a senior person like Lajmi hanging, so decided to be straight about it.

Well, we too can’t deny it totally.

Zor Ka Jhatka in Argentina: SRK is a long-distance host

Zor Ka Jhatka was shot in Argentina with contestants. Anchor Shah Rukh Khan, who is in Mumbai, will be shown as present on sets through use of special effects

Zor Ka Jhatka host Shah Rukh Khan wasn't present in Argentina, where major portions of the reality television show were recently shot.

However, he will appear in several sequences through chroma keying. The star anchor will be incorporated on the Imagine show through use of the technology.

As such, certain segments that have been shot at a studio in Mumbai to depict face-offs with the participants will have his physical presence.

Actress-anchor Soumya Tandon, who shot on location in Argentina will be seen goading contestants to complete physical tests of endurance.

Says a source close to the channel, "Zor Ka Jhatka is a reality competition featuring various obstacle courses that were shot on location in Argentina.

The participants spent considerable time in Buenos Aires, where various international versions (of Wipeout, the original show name) have also been filmed.

Shah Rukh wasn't present on location. However, the chroma key effect will incorporate SRK wherever needed."

However, the channel feels "it is okay for the host not to be present during the obstacle trails. Even in some international versions, the host does his job from a studio.

The show's format lends itself to it as the anchor has to link the show from the sidelines."

It may sound strange on paper but we'll only know when we see the show which begins February 1 on a primetime slot.

Interestingly, B-Town stars who anchor reality shows on the small screen spent time on location with participants.

The names include Akshay Kumar (first two seasons of Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi in South Africa) and Priyanka Chopra (third season in Brazil).

Bigg Boss has also had its various anchors (Arshad Warsi, Shilpa Shetty, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan) trudge every week to the Bigg Boss house in Lonavla.

Then again, Zor Ka Jhatka believes in being distinct!

Chroma Effect
The actor is filmed against a chroma key background and inserted into the background shot. The principal subject is filmed against a background consisting of a single colour or a relatively narrow range of colors, usually blue or green because these colours are considered to be the furthest away from skin tone. The portions of the video which match the preselected color are replaced by the alternate background video.

The original
Total Wipeout is a British game show hosted by Richard Hammond and Amanda Byram. It first aired in January 2009. Each week, 20 contestants compete in a series of challenges in an attempt to win the cash prize.

These challenges are based in large pools of water or mud and generally involve large assault courses that participants must cross. The show is a licensed version of Wipeout, the show that originated in the United States in 2008.

The Zor Ka Jhatka participants include...

Kushal Punjabi
Gaurav Chopra
Narayani Shastri
Karishma Tanna
Hanif Hilal
Payal Rohatgi
Raja Chaudhary
Vrajesh Hirjee
Dimpy Ganguly
Jennifer Winget
Vindoo Dara Singh
Bakhtyaar Irani

Sania Mirza should play for Pakistan after marriage.

Even though Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has clarified that she is not making any political statement by marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has expressed hope that the wedding would help improve ties between India and Pakistan.

“While the decision by Shoaib and Sania is a personal one to get married, but I am sure it will have far-reaching effects and help improve relations between the two countries,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.

“I am sure the marriage will help regulate not only sporting relations but also help the people to come closer to each other and improve government to government level relations,” he added.

Several Pakistani sports personalities, including Imran Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq, have wished the sports couple ‘good luck’ for a happy married life.

However, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) chief Dilawar Abbas has said that India's tennis sensation Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan in international tennis tournaments after entering into wedlock with cricketer Shoaib Malik.

"It is great news for our tennis community that Sania Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for us in future.

"She has a great future ahead and we would be delighted if she plays for Pakistan," The News quoted Abbas, as saying.

"Asian women traditionally follow their husbands and that's why I'm hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib to play for Pakistan," he added.

Sania has already made it clear that she would continue representing India even after her marriage.

Abbas said that even if Sania decides to continue playing for India, he hopes that she would associate herself with Pakistan tennis at some point of time.

"She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can inspire them to become world class players. We would hope that Sania would lend a helping hand to women's tennis in Pakistan," he said.

Abbas even suggested that Sania could team up with Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq on the mixed-doubles circuit.

"Both Sania and Aisam are really good doubles players. I believe that their team would not just achieve great results internationally but will also help bridge the gap between India and Pakistan," he said.

However, according to the latest shocking news, the Pakistan High Commission has denied tennis star Sania Mirza a visa for Sialkot, the home town of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik where a reception was to be held after the couple's marriage.

Sania has only got visa for Lahore and Karachi. The duo will will tie the knot on April 11 in Hyderabad while their wedding reception is slated to be held in Dubai on April 15, where the sports couple would be staying after marriage.

But will Sania be the second wife of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik? Yes, if one believes the father of a girl who claims to be Malik’s first wife.

Mohammed Ahmed Siddiqui, a businessman here, Wednesday announced his decision to move a court of law to seek divorce from Malik for his daughter Ayesha Siddiqui so that she can re-marry.

Hitting out at Malik, Siddiqui said the Pakistani was an “expert in enticing and entangling girls” and that could be the reason for Sania falling for him.

“He plays games with girls. He is the kind of a man who is not satisfied with one girl. He wants to be with one girl today and another girl tomorrow.

He cheated girls even in Pakistan,” a furious Siddiqui told reporters here, a day after Sania announced that she would marry the former Pakistani captain next month.

“I spoke to (the) Grand Mufti and showed him all the proof including the nikhanama of my daughter’s marriage with Shoaib and he told me that Sania will be his second wife,” Siddiqui said.

“Sania is also like my daughter. We have good relations with her family but unfortunately she decided to marry Shoaib despite knowing what he did to my daughter,” said Siddiqui.

Ayesha’s father claimed that he spoke to advocates who told him that his case is strong.

“I have the evidence to prove the marriage. He himself told the entire world that Hyderabad is his wife’s hometown and Ayesha is the name of his wife. Now he is denying the marriage and hiding his face,” he said.

Siddiqui denied the reported allegation by Malik that he was demanding Rs.18 lakh.

“Divorce for my daughter is the only thing I want from him. He is not giving divorce because this will expose him as a liar,” he said.

He claimed that the Pakistani cricketer visited Hyderabad six to seven times after marrying Ayesha. He recalled that at a Man of the Match presentation ceremony after a practice match between India and Pakistan here in 2005, Malik told Arun Lal that Hyderabad is the hometown of his wife.

“He along with the entire team came to our house,” he said referring to the reception he hosted.

Sania, the top ranking Indian woman tennis player called off her engagement with childhood friend Sohrab two months ago citing “incompatibility”.

Sania had Tuesday said that the controversy involving Malik was not on her mind. “I live in the present and so does he (Malik),” she said.

The Siddiqui family claims that Malik married Ayesha June 3, 2002 through exchange of vows (nikah) over telephone. The Pakistani cricketer has denied this.

While admitting that they were engaged, Malik said he called it off as the two families could not reach an understanding on some issues.

In February 2008, Siddiqui had threatened to sue Malik for denying the marriage with Ayesha.

He also claimed that he has the proof of marriage but did not file the case after Malik’s family accused him of cheating and warned of legal action.

In January 2008, Malik announced that he was calling off the engagement with Ayesha.

SRK's 175 crores film Ra.One needs some good luck.

A few weeks back, when Karan Johar was summoned by Shah Rukh Khan for the London shoot of his most ambitious film till date, 'Ra. 1', the superstar took a smart step.

He let the news go from him only rather than it reaching down to media through 'sources'. Tweets floated around and it was announced to the world that Shah Rukh had made a special request to Karan to direct a few scenes for 'Ra. 1'.

On his part, Shah Rukh did pre-empt the entire turn of events and promptly announced that Karan's arrival in London for the shooting of 'Ra. 1' was nothing more than just a good luck charm. In any case, Bollywood is known for its superstitions and when a film is rumoured to be carrying a price tag of 175 crores, it is but natural to have all the good luck charm to come in handy.

"This is the reason why even though many felt that (director) Anubhav (Sinha) may have been heartbroken due to someone else stepping in and calling the shots, despite for a short duration, the fact is that Karan's visit actually turned out to be short and sweet.

Eventually qualifying as a friendly gesture more than anything else, it did lead to a few reading between the words but none of it mapped to the kind of scale that would have led to any widespread controversy", comments an observer who has been closely following the turn of events.

Since Karan has been a close friend and associate for over a decade and a half now and has contributed to some of his biggest hits like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham' and now 'My Name Is Khan' with him, it was imperative that he was there alongside him when 'Ra. 1' is being filmed. On his part, Karan doesn't deny the fact that he did eventually direct a brief portion of the film.

"There was nothing to hide about it though. All Shah Rukh wanted me to do was to can a couple of shots for good luck charm. It wasn't as if he asked Anubhav to sit aside and gave me the entire control instead. It doesn't work that way", says Karan who rightly believes that it is hardly an incident that deserves much attention.

Well, one tends to believe that Anubhav Sinha feels so as well. With sci-fi flick 'Robot' already turning on the heat, there is far more emphasis which is expected to be made on 'Ra. 1' now. Also starring Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal, 'Ra. 1' is expected to release in Summer 2011.

Meet Ranbir's new temporary girlfriend Sarah.

The secret is out. Cruel Intentions 2 actress Sarah Thompson is Ranbir’s girlfriend in Raajneeti.

According to the latest Bollywood news, Sarah plays Ranbir’s perfect arm candy in Prakash Jha’s political thriller.’ In the film, she plays the role of Ranbir’s American girlfriend, the one whom the actor abandons to pursue his dynastic politics in India.

Sarah Thompson played South African cricketer Hansie Cronje’s wife in 2008 biopic ‘Hansie.’ Sarah was chosen for ‘Raajneeti’ after a great deal of prudence as Jha said, “We auditioned nearly 30 girls before we selected Sarah. She was right for the part. It’s a substantial role and we needed an actress who could act and would look compatible with Ranbir.”

We also hear that both stars shared cold vibes as a result Prakash Jha has to scrap a kissing scene between the two!

I-T offficers knock Priyanka's door, find Shahid only in his shorts

Income Tax officers, who went to raid Priyanka Chopra's home at 7.30 am, were greeted by Shahid Kapoor clad only in his shorts

"If I woke up as Priyanka Chopra one day, I would wonder what I was doing in Shahid Kapoor's bedroom and then walk over to my flat in the next wing, " actor Shahid Kapoor had famously said on a popular chat show barely a month ago. Little did he know that the statement would come back to bite him.

Income Tax officials, who went to Chopra's Versova residence for a raid at 7.30 am yesterday, were in for a surprise when they were greeted not by the sultry siren but by a sleepy Kapoor, who was wearing nothing but shorts.

For a moment, they thought they had raided the wrong sixth floor apartment in Classic Building on Yari Road. One of the officers disclosed that after rubbing his eyes in shock for a second it occurred to him that Shahid and Priyanka were "great friends".

He said Shahid left the house as soon as he finished getting dressed. "Shahid was very much at Priyanka's house, but he wasn't in the buff and nor did he open the door. She has servants, so why would he open the door?

Shahid had spent the night at Priyanka's place and she had come from walking the ramp at a fashion show for Shabana Azmi. The two are trying to spend as much time together before PC starts the promotions for her movie Saat Khoon Maaf, " said a source close to Kapoor.

"Shocked as we were, we knew we had a raid to carry out and that's precisely what we did. It was meant to be a swift operation and security personnel in the building were not given a chance to warn the actor that we were on the way up, " said an I-T official.

The raid

A senior I-T official confirmed that nearly 70 officers drawn from various units raided 12 properties belonging to Chopra and Katrina Kaif yesterday in connection with alleged tax evasion.

The officials sealed 12 lockers and verification of documents continued till late in the evening.

Officials said many documents were seized from Chopra's residence, which was created by merging five flats.

The residence of Capt Dr Ashok Chopra, the former Miss World's father, at Lokhandwala was also raided.

Kaif's personal assistants and two celebrity management companies 'Matrix and Bling' arranged shows and other parties for the actress.

The office and residence of photographer Atul Kasbekar, who owned Matrix and now runs Bling, were also raided.

I-T officials did not find any documents in Kaif's Bandra home. Officials said they have found that the two actresses converted black money into white using Section 80 RR (see box) of the I-T Code.

"The actresses have done many stage shows abroad. They took more money by cheque to get more exemption and then returned some of it in cash after returning to India. The said money is not reflected in their I-T returns, " said an officer. "The raids are still continuing, " said I-T Director General (investigation) B P Gaur.

Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor were unavailable for comment.