Of tiara and Tibet
We want to put our point forward, get recognition for Tibet and its cause, meanwhile bringing a change in our society. The Tibetan society is conservative, suppressed and in dire need to connect with the world. And this can be their chance to do that.” When you belong to a refugee community, being politically correct is least expected. So, when Lobsang Wangyal, who as been organising Miss Tibet competition for the past nine years, calls the event as an important instrument of change in Tibetan society, we believe him.


Miss Tibet contestants talk about freedom in terms of a free society and a free Tibet. Photo: Pradeep Tewari

Past perfect
Actor Pradeep Sharma is all set to work under the guidance of Ashutosh Gowariker for the second time
When every second actor in Bollywood follows the creative path of ‘improvisation’ to lift a given role, actor Pradeep Sharma who played the character pf Sheikh Mubarak in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar rules out the possibility of ‘improvisation’ in mythological movies. “Whether it is Mahabharat or Jodhaa Akbar, an actor has to stick to the lines given to him or her for a particular role. The lines are picked from incidents that happened in History and there is no scope to introduce any changes,” says Pradeep Sharma visiting Jaspal Bhatti’s Mad Arts Film School on Saturday.

Check mate
Mattel and Barista Lavazza, have jointly organised the pan India competition happening across eight cities and 127 Barista Lavazza cafés across the country. The eight-city contest kicked off on the May 20 in Delhi and May 21 in Chandigarh and had two rounds - the screening round leading to selection of players for the city finals. The Chandigarh leg of Barista Lavazza Café Scrabble Championship received more than 300 entries amongst which top 16 scorers played the Chandigarh finals on Saturday.

Friends' following
Director Siddharth Anand says his new film Anjaana Anjaani, which stars Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, is inspired by the hit American sitcom Friends.
"I remember when I watched Friends I wanted to meet and know every character. That's how I want audiences to feel about Ranbir and Priyanka in Anjaana Anjaani. When Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge came out, you wanted to feel and touch Raj and Simran. That's how I want audiences to feel about Ranbir and Priyanka...everyone in the team has given his or her best to this film," Anand said. Anjaana Anjaani has been scripted by author Advaita Kala. "She wrote a chick-lit novel called Almost Single. I asked her to develop a story by my wife Mamta. Ranbir and Priyanka had no reference points in any film for their performance...These are characters going through extraordinary, not easily relatable circumstances.

Big B’s tech edge Even at the age of 67, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan's zeal to learn new technology and handle various gadgets is unending. The latest software which has caught his fancy is video-editing. The actor edited a small snippet of him driving into his house in a car and posted it on his blog. "After an entire morning of learning how to edit a DVD on my own, have finally managed a little snippet," wrote Bachchan on his blog.

Amitabh Bachchan

Promotion becomes priority
Arjun Rampal's film Raajneeti may be screening at this year's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards but the actor has decided to give it a miss. Rampal, who plays a young politician in Prakash Jha's film, will be in Hong Kong to promote the film. "Will not be going to IIFA, have a charity event in Hong Kong for Raajneeti that day," Arjun wrote on microblogging site Twitter. The film, slated to release June 4, also stars Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgn, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Bajpai and Nana Patekar. Rampal won the best supporting actor's trophy at IIFA 2009. Many Bollywood A-listers are giving the event a miss. Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai, who were a regular at IIFA will not be attending the three-day event as they are busy promoting Raavan. Film's director Mani Ratnam had also announced that neither he nor his film will be a part of the Bollywood extravaganza. — PTI

 

Wedding notes

Abohar born Komal’s debut album Vyaah De Geet released in Press Club on Saturday. The album has eight Punjabi folk tracks composed by Bawa Sushil. Vyaah De Geet is being released by Sound Planet Records.

Signing spree
Hollywood star Tom Cruise spent more than an hour signing autographs to his fans and clicking pictures with them. The Top Gun actor arrived at the National Movie Awards to receive the Screen Icon Award for his lifetime of work in the industry, stayed to sign autographs and take pictures with his fans for an hour after the show started.

Beyonce in trouble
Pop singer Beyonce Knowles has been sued by a Hollywood Hills resident who alleges his privacy was disrupted when she filmed her new video in his quiet neighbourhood. Philip Markowitz has filed a suit against Beyonce and production firm Kleiner and Company in the Los Angeles Superior Court Friday over her new promo Why Don't You Love Me.

Wait and watch
Bollywood actress Lara Dutta will co-host this year's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards at Colombo June 3-5 along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh. "I am not performing this year but will be hosting the show along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh," Lara told.

Casting coup
Hollywood has been accused of 'whitewashing' after roles that required actors of Asian or Middle Eastern descent were given to white actors in the movie Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, an American of Swedish and Jewish origin, has the lead role.

Waterwear
Swim season is on. This week we bring you water gear to make the most of your splash time!

Way to go!
It has been a roller coaster ride, lots of ups and not so highs at times. Black Magic at the DLF City Centre has completed a year with the promise of introducing food cuisines and new lounging experiences. It claims to possess an authentic lounge décor, setting high standards for its guests; whether it's the décor, furnishing, music or whatever you can credit as lounging experience.

Run in style
Lotto the sports lifestyle brand from the Italian company Lotto Sports Italia, specialising in production of sports footwear and clothing has introduced its new Summer 2010 running shoe collection for men.

Watch out
Timex debuts with yet another collection of women’s watches, the Timex SL Series with crystals. The collection is just one of a series of launches from Timex this year. Targeted at women of all age groups, the Times women’s collection is pegged as an essential part of every woman’s wardrobe. Timex reveals to the new generation of women the crystal watches featuring enhanced feminine styling.

Tarot Talk
ARIES: The Knight of Swords instigates you to be active and clever. Don’t waste time counting pennies this week. Look at the overall cost of things and try to balance your budget. Tip of the week: Beware of depleting your energy or resources on others. Lucky colour: Crimson.

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