London, January 19: Former supermodel Carla Bruni may follow in Princess Diana's footsteps by visiting Taj Mahal alone, when her boyfriend French President Nicolas Sarkozy goes on a two-day visit to India next week.
Though Sarkozy has shortened his official part of the visit to accompany Bruni to Taj Mahal, protocol problems might compel her to visit the great marble mausoleum near Agra alone and not with him, The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday.
"In two thirds of the countries of the world it is impossible for Carla to officially sleep in the same bedroom as the President. The problem is the President doesn't know how to stay on his own at night in his room," one of Sarkozy's aides was quoted as saying.
In fact, there have been mixed signals from the Indian government over Bruni's possible presence and it has asked for a clue from France on her status before deciding where to put her in official banquets.
There remains the crucial question of where Bruni will sit to watch the Republic Day parade on January 26 where her new found love is the guest of honour.
Sarkozy's diplomatic aides have tried to persuade him to prolong the official part of his visit in which he would conduct sensitive talks on nuclear and defence deals with the Indian government, but he has ruled out their suggestion, according to the daily.
The 52-year-old President, who divorced his wife of 11 years, Ccilia, in October and met Bruni the following month, has seen his popularity ratings declined in the polls since Christmas because of his affair.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Selectors tempted to give Dravid his ODI slot
Mumbai, January 19: The national selection committee will meet on Sunday to choose the Indian cricket squad for next month's triangular ODI series in Australia with the biggest dilemma facing it whether to recall former captain Rahul Dravid.
The other major problem confronting the five wise men would be the composition of the pace bowling department which has been weakened by the heel injury-induced absence of spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is not available for the series as well as the one-off Twenty20 international against hosts Australia preceding it on February 1.
Dravid lost his place in the one-day squad controversially after a string of poor scores against Australia in the home series preceding the one against Pakistan, but since then has opened in Tests Down Under and seems to have rediscovered a bit of his wonted form.
More importantly the lack of form of Yuvraj Singh, to accommodate whom Dravid was asked to open Down Under in Tests, has left a huge hole in the middle order as men-in-form Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are expected to open the innings, while another middle order Test mainstay V V S Laxman is no longer in the selectors' radar for the 50-over-a-side game.
Virender Sehwag, who has opened the innings in the ongoing Perth Test with some success, has also come back into the reckoning for the ODIs.
The selectors would surely be tempted to give back Dravid his one-day slot, especially with young middle order batsmen Robin Uthappa and Rohit Sharma have not exactly been in peak for in domestic cricket.
However, Uthappa and Sharma are expected to be included though players like S Badrinath, Manoj Tiwari, Suresh Raina and Cheteshwar Pujara are likely to be discussed for possible selection along with a dark horse like Parthiv Patel.
From the present five-man pace battery in Australia, rookies V R V Singh and Pankaj Sharma are expected to return home along with Test captain Anil Kumble, who has already retired from the one-day game, and Laxman.
Reserve 'keeper Dinesh Kaarthick, who had lost his place in the ODIs, could also be in that list.
If he's fit pacer S Sreesanth, sidelined from the Test series in Australia because of a shoulder injury, and third opener Gautam Gambhir are expected to board the flight to Australia along with left-arm spinner Murali Karthik. But there's a question mark over right arm pacer Munaf Patel.
Uttar Pradesh medium pacer Praveen Kumar, who was part of the ODI squad against Pakistan and played in the Jaipur ODI, has given a timely reminder to the selectors of his abilities with his splendid 8-68 haul yesterday in the Ranji Trophy final against Delhi here.
R P Singh, who has been in splendid form in Australia, exciting young talent Ishant Sharma and all-rounder-in-the-making Irfan Pathan are near-certain to retain their spots and form the core of the pace department.
Only three selectors are to be present in Mumbai for the meeting - Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Jagdale and Bhupinder Singh - while their colleagues Venkatapathi Raju and Ranjib Biswal - are in Australia currently.
The discussion among the selectors, with one-day skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in attendance in Australia, would be done over the telephone.
The other major problem confronting the five wise men would be the composition of the pace bowling department which has been weakened by the heel injury-induced absence of spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is not available for the series as well as the one-off Twenty20 international against hosts Australia preceding it on February 1.
Dravid lost his place in the one-day squad controversially after a string of poor scores against Australia in the home series preceding the one against Pakistan, but since then has opened in Tests Down Under and seems to have rediscovered a bit of his wonted form.
More importantly the lack of form of Yuvraj Singh, to accommodate whom Dravid was asked to open Down Under in Tests, has left a huge hole in the middle order as men-in-form Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are expected to open the innings, while another middle order Test mainstay V V S Laxman is no longer in the selectors' radar for the 50-over-a-side game.
Virender Sehwag, who has opened the innings in the ongoing Perth Test with some success, has also come back into the reckoning for the ODIs.
The selectors would surely be tempted to give back Dravid his one-day slot, especially with young middle order batsmen Robin Uthappa and Rohit Sharma have not exactly been in peak for in domestic cricket.
However, Uthappa and Sharma are expected to be included though players like S Badrinath, Manoj Tiwari, Suresh Raina and Cheteshwar Pujara are likely to be discussed for possible selection along with a dark horse like Parthiv Patel.
From the present five-man pace battery in Australia, rookies V R V Singh and Pankaj Sharma are expected to return home along with Test captain Anil Kumble, who has already retired from the one-day game, and Laxman.
Reserve 'keeper Dinesh Kaarthick, who had lost his place in the ODIs, could also be in that list.
If he's fit pacer S Sreesanth, sidelined from the Test series in Australia because of a shoulder injury, and third opener Gautam Gambhir are expected to board the flight to Australia along with left-arm spinner Murali Karthik. But there's a question mark over right arm pacer Munaf Patel.
Uttar Pradesh medium pacer Praveen Kumar, who was part of the ODI squad against Pakistan and played in the Jaipur ODI, has given a timely reminder to the selectors of his abilities with his splendid 8-68 haul yesterday in the Ranji Trophy final against Delhi here.
R P Singh, who has been in splendid form in Australia, exciting young talent Ishant Sharma and all-rounder-in-the-making Irfan Pathan are near-certain to retain their spots and form the core of the pace department.
Only three selectors are to be present in Mumbai for the meeting - Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Jagdale and Bhupinder Singh - while their colleagues Venkatapathi Raju and Ranjib Biswal - are in Australia currently.
The discussion among the selectors, with one-day skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in attendance in Australia, would be done over the telephone.
I am one of the worst servers in tennis: Sania
Melbourne, January 19: Sent packing from the Australian Open after her straight set third round defeat against the big-hitting Venus Williams, Sania Mirza admitted she counts among the worst servers in the game.
Once again, Sania's serve proved the proverbial Achilles' heel as she went down 6-7 (0/7) 4-6 to the eight seeded former Wimbledon champion after putting up a spirited fight.
"Obviously, I'm a little disappointed because I felt I had the first set and should have closed it out at 5-4," the 31st seed said after her match against Venus which lasted a little over one and a half hours. I think we always knew that she's one of the best servers in the game, and I'm really not. I mean, I'm very critical about my game. I think I'm one of the worst servers in the game," Sania said.
The 21-year-old fought hard in the match and felt despite the loss, she could take away a lot of confidence for future matches.
"I take a lot of positives out of it. I mean, she's supposed to be one of the biggest hitters of the game, and I was out-hitting her. And I think that's a very good thing for me, for my confidence," she said.
"Obviously I stepped it up in the last couple of days. She just pressed on the gas pedal when she needed to, and I didn't. I think that was the difference. But I think I was in it till the end."
The 21-year-old said she was happy to have held her own against Williams, who lauded the Indian's tenacity.
"She was definitely trying to dictate terms, so I just stuck with playing my game and didn't change it," said Venus.
"I think ultimately I had a little more than her and it helped me in the end. I'm definitely serving very well," the 27-year-old added after the hard-fought victory.
Sania sidestepped queries on the pre-tournament controversies which dogged her and said she was only focusing on playing for her country.
"In my eyes I'm representing my country all the time," she said.
"I'm from India. Everyone knows I'm from India. I'm playing for my country. Yes, it's an individual sport and everything, but I think people associate us by our country," she added.
Once again, Sania's serve proved the proverbial Achilles' heel as she went down 6-7 (0/7) 4-6 to the eight seeded former Wimbledon champion after putting up a spirited fight.
"Obviously, I'm a little disappointed because I felt I had the first set and should have closed it out at 5-4," the 31st seed said after her match against Venus which lasted a little over one and a half hours. I think we always knew that she's one of the best servers in the game, and I'm really not. I mean, I'm very critical about my game. I think I'm one of the worst servers in the game," Sania said.
The 21-year-old fought hard in the match and felt despite the loss, she could take away a lot of confidence for future matches.
"I take a lot of positives out of it. I mean, she's supposed to be one of the biggest hitters of the game, and I was out-hitting her. And I think that's a very good thing for me, for my confidence," she said.
"Obviously I stepped it up in the last couple of days. She just pressed on the gas pedal when she needed to, and I didn't. I think that was the difference. But I think I was in it till the end."
The 21-year-old said she was happy to have held her own against Williams, who lauded the Indian's tenacity.
"She was definitely trying to dictate terms, so I just stuck with playing my game and didn't change it," said Venus.
"I think ultimately I had a little more than her and it helped me in the end. I'm definitely serving very well," the 27-year-old added after the hard-fought victory.
Sania sidestepped queries on the pre-tournament controversies which dogged her and said she was only focusing on playing for her country.
"In my eyes I'm representing my country all the time," she said.
"I'm from India. Everyone knows I'm from India. I'm playing for my country. Yes, it's an individual sport and everything, but I think people associate us by our country," she added.
Sherlyn Chopra keen to show her ‘other talents’
Bollywood hottie Sherlyn Chopra hopes that her music album ‘Outrageous’ will showcase her “other talents” as well.
There was a time when she seemed a possible contender to knock off Mallika Sherawat from the pedestal of Bollywood’s topmost sexbomb. But Sherlyn’s raunchy acts in films like Time Pass , ‘Naughty Boy’ and ‘Red Swastika’ could not find many takers.
Consequently, Sherlyn had to try another route to fame.
The sexy belle has now come out with a music album titled ‘Outrageous’. The album, Sherlyn believes, will bring to the fore her other talents.
“I feel I am more than just a good body and looks. I want people to realise that I have other talents too. I feel an album will not just give me creative freedom to express myself but I can learn a lot more from it,” Sherlyn is quoted as saying by a news agency.
Sherlyn also attributes her Bollywood failure to the lack of a godfather in the industry.
“I did try the traditional way to get into movies. But I don’t have a godfather so all the movies that were offered to me did not appeal to me.
“I was ambitious and hence made a few mistakes that in hindsight could have been avoided. I did a film that I realise did no good for my career. Hence now I’m more careful and choosy about what assignments I take up,” Sherlyn told the agency.
By the way, Sherlyn is highly inspired by Jennifer Lopez who has done well both as a singer and an actress. Even the cover of Sherlyn’s album reminds of the topless cover of J-Lo’s album ‘Rebirth’.
Sherlyn even wanted to imitate some of J-Lo’s dance moves in the album’s music video, but director Prahlad Kakkar asked her to be original.
There was a time when she seemed a possible contender to knock off Mallika Sherawat from the pedestal of Bollywood’s topmost sexbomb. But Sherlyn’s raunchy acts in films like Time Pass , ‘Naughty Boy’ and ‘Red Swastika’ could not find many takers.
Consequently, Sherlyn had to try another route to fame.
The sexy belle has now come out with a music album titled ‘Outrageous’. The album, Sherlyn believes, will bring to the fore her other talents.
“I feel I am more than just a good body and looks. I want people to realise that I have other talents too. I feel an album will not just give me creative freedom to express myself but I can learn a lot more from it,” Sherlyn is quoted as saying by a news agency.
Sherlyn also attributes her Bollywood failure to the lack of a godfather in the industry.
“I did try the traditional way to get into movies. But I don’t have a godfather so all the movies that were offered to me did not appeal to me.
“I was ambitious and hence made a few mistakes that in hindsight could have been avoided. I did a film that I realise did no good for my career. Hence now I’m more careful and choosy about what assignments I take up,” Sherlyn told the agency.
By the way, Sherlyn is highly inspired by Jennifer Lopez who has done well both as a singer and an actress. Even the cover of Sherlyn’s album reminds of the topless cover of J-Lo’s album ‘Rebirth’.
Sherlyn even wanted to imitate some of J-Lo’s dance moves in the album’s music video, but director Prahlad Kakkar asked her to be original.
Katrina Kaif to make her Tamil debut?
Beautiful Bollywood belle, Katrina Kaif will make her maiden appearance in a Tamil film soon.
The grapevine says the tall actress will, in all probability, be the heroine of Ajith in his forthcoming film.
The movie, which will be directed by Raju Sundaram, will be an action thriller with a heavy accent on hilarity.
Katrina has so far declined offers to act in Tamil films against heroes like Vikram and Vijay .
But, this time around, the buzz says, Ms Kaif may give her nod.
Katrina has acted in Telugu and Malayalam movies already. In Malayalam, she played the female lead in the Mammootty starrer, Balram Vs Tara Das .
The grapevine says the tall actress will, in all probability, be the heroine of Ajith in his forthcoming film.
The movie, which will be directed by Raju Sundaram, will be an action thriller with a heavy accent on hilarity.
Katrina has so far declined offers to act in Tamil films against heroes like Vikram and Vijay .
But, this time around, the buzz says, Ms Kaif may give her nod.
Katrina has acted in Telugu and Malayalam movies already. In Malayalam, she played the female lead in the Mammootty starrer, Balram Vs Tara Das .
Rajnikant hopes ‘Robot’ will be a smash hit
Years 2006 and 2007 were special for Tamil cinema’s most popular superstar, Rajnikant , after his miserable flop Baba in 2002, in which he starred opposite Manisha Koirala .
The film performed miserably and Rajnikant was nearly written off.
However, the bus conductor-turned-actor bounced back to where he belonged after a four-year holiday.
In 2006 his next release, Chandramukhi , remake of a Malayalam film, broke an existing record for the longest running flick.
In May 2007, Sivaji a typical Rajni action flick from the famous AVM banner went on to celebrate a jubilee run.
And just when his lakhs of fans are asking for more, Rajnikant is already on a high with a science fiction film, another Malayalam remake and an animation film ”Sultan the Warrior’ to be produced by his daughter. Rajnikant will be lending his voice in the film.
Robot the next venture of ‘Sivaji’ director Shankar is most eagerly being looked forward to. However, ‘Robot’ seemed to be a lame duck soon after Shankar announced the ambitious project in Hindi with none other than Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan .
The film was to be produced under SRK’s ‘Red Chillies Entertainment’.
But even before the excitement cold die down, SRK called it off and pulled out.
However, ‘Robot’ is back on its feet. Rajni, during the jubilee celebration function of ‘Sivaji’ Friday night said he was excited about the project, which would be the last of his two forthcoming films to hit the theaters.
”I hope ‘Robot’ will be a bigger success than our first film together, Rajni said.
And Shankar, who is normally secretive about his projects, opened up a bit at the function and said he had originally decided to make Robot in Hindi as the budget required for it would not fit into the ways of Kollywood.
”But due to some reasons, the original idea did not come through. And then following the success of ‘Sivaji”, I thought with stalwarts Rajnikant and A R Rahman with me, why not make it in Tamil itself and here we are.”
The budget for the high-tech film has been currently estimated at Rs 100 crore.
The one obvious question now is: will Rajni’s gain be SRK’s loss or just a case of sour grapes for both.
Only Rajni fans can provide the answer!
The film performed miserably and Rajnikant was nearly written off.
However, the bus conductor-turned-actor bounced back to where he belonged after a four-year holiday.
In 2006 his next release, Chandramukhi , remake of a Malayalam film, broke an existing record for the longest running flick.
In May 2007, Sivaji a typical Rajni action flick from the famous AVM banner went on to celebrate a jubilee run.
And just when his lakhs of fans are asking for more, Rajnikant is already on a high with a science fiction film, another Malayalam remake and an animation film ”Sultan the Warrior’ to be produced by his daughter. Rajnikant will be lending his voice in the film.
Robot the next venture of ‘Sivaji’ director Shankar is most eagerly being looked forward to. However, ‘Robot’ seemed to be a lame duck soon after Shankar announced the ambitious project in Hindi with none other than Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan .
The film was to be produced under SRK’s ‘Red Chillies Entertainment’.
But even before the excitement cold die down, SRK called it off and pulled out.
However, ‘Robot’ is back on its feet. Rajni, during the jubilee celebration function of ‘Sivaji’ Friday night said he was excited about the project, which would be the last of his two forthcoming films to hit the theaters.
”I hope ‘Robot’ will be a bigger success than our first film together, Rajni said.
And Shankar, who is normally secretive about his projects, opened up a bit at the function and said he had originally decided to make Robot in Hindi as the budget required for it would not fit into the ways of Kollywood.
”But due to some reasons, the original idea did not come through. And then following the success of ‘Sivaji”, I thought with stalwarts Rajnikant and A R Rahman with me, why not make it in Tamil itself and here we are.”
The budget for the high-tech film has been currently estimated at Rs 100 crore.
The one obvious question now is: will Rajni’s gain be SRK’s loss or just a case of sour grapes for both.
Only Rajni fans can provide the answer!
‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ tops the charts in European market
Within two weeks of its release in the European market, Shilpa Shetty ’s fitness DVD ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ has topped the charts.
‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ is giving tough competition to other recently released workout videos of fitness specialists Davina McCall, Samanda, Erin Boag, Karen Hardy, Rebecca Wheatley, Nell McAndrew, Fleur Murray, Lilia Kopylova, Gaynor Faye and Danielle Llyod.
“Everyone wants to maintain a slim waist without dieting and Shilpa’s yoga secrets seem to be helping achieve that. No doubt the DVD is selling like cakes,” says her publicist Dale Bhagwagar.
In ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’, the actress reveals her fitness secrets to create a lean and toned body while retaining all the feminine curves. Outlining the various benefits of yoga, t he DVD demonstrates specific sequences to enhance concentration, agility and flexibility.
“It showcases the right techniques of doing ashtanga yoga including breathing techniques.
Shilpa has been a regular practitioner of yoga from four years, but took special added intensive training from yoga trainers Shiv Kumar Mishra and Vinayak Dixit for some time, making sure she perfected the asans before demonstrating them to the world,” adds Bhagwagar.
Shot at the backwaters in Kerala, ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ is directed by Manish Jha (of the critically-acclaimed feature films ‘Matrabhoomi’ and ‘Anwar’ fame). While Arghya Lahiri has written the script, the camerawork is handled by Englishman Jamie Sowlds.
To go with the mood and feel, the package also contains a free lounge music CD with compositions by Pankaj Awasthi. This is to help unwind and relax after practicing the yoga techniques.
Released by Firefly Entertainment, the DVD is produced by Shilpa’s newly launched production house ‘S2 Global Productions’.
‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ is giving tough competition to other recently released workout videos of fitness specialists Davina McCall, Samanda, Erin Boag, Karen Hardy, Rebecca Wheatley, Nell McAndrew, Fleur Murray, Lilia Kopylova, Gaynor Faye and Danielle Llyod.
“Everyone wants to maintain a slim waist without dieting and Shilpa’s yoga secrets seem to be helping achieve that. No doubt the DVD is selling like cakes,” says her publicist Dale Bhagwagar.
In ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’, the actress reveals her fitness secrets to create a lean and toned body while retaining all the feminine curves. Outlining the various benefits of yoga, t he DVD demonstrates specific sequences to enhance concentration, agility and flexibility.
“It showcases the right techniques of doing ashtanga yoga including breathing techniques.
Shilpa has been a regular practitioner of yoga from four years, but took special added intensive training from yoga trainers Shiv Kumar Mishra and Vinayak Dixit for some time, making sure she perfected the asans before demonstrating them to the world,” adds Bhagwagar.
Shot at the backwaters in Kerala, ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ is directed by Manish Jha (of the critically-acclaimed feature films ‘Matrabhoomi’ and ‘Anwar’ fame). While Arghya Lahiri has written the script, the camerawork is handled by Englishman Jamie Sowlds.
To go with the mood and feel, the package also contains a free lounge music CD with compositions by Pankaj Awasthi. This is to help unwind and relax after practicing the yoga techniques.
Released by Firefly Entertainment, the DVD is produced by Shilpa’s newly launched production house ‘S2 Global Productions’.
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