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For someone who has nearly starved themselves to get a 'size zero' figure, Kareena Kapoor, certainly doesn't seem to be the right spokesperson for a newly inaugurated fitness club.

Still in a world obsessed by celebrity endorsements we have yet another incongruous brand ambassador in Kareena, who launched the first of its kind health and wellness club 'The Fettle Club'.

Kareena Kapoor spoke about her journey to fitness and what it means to eat right and stay fit.

The lady behind the concept of this fitness club, Rujuta Diwekar, talks about the goal of 'The Fettle Club' and says, “Fettle means to be in sound condition and our aim here at the club is to keep your body and mind in fine fettle throughout the year.”

Rujuta also celebrated the anniversary of her bestselling book 'Don't Lose Your Mind Lose Your Weight'.

Apparently weight seems to be weighing on everyone's mind as the lifestyle guide has sold over a lakh copies in less than a year!

It is a highly prolific period for the pretty Southern actress, Priyamani. She certainly received rave reviews and numerous accolades for her astounding performances in Balu Mahendra's ‘Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam', Ameer Sultan's ‘Paruthiveeran' and Malayalam movie ‘Thirai Kadha'.

Now, she has been offered to essay one of the lead roles in the highly awaited ‘Raavan', ace director Mani Ratnam's bilingual film.

Of course, it's a double treat for the actress as working in Mani Ratnam's film happens to be the cherished dream of every actor in Kollywood. The film will mark her debut in Bollywood as well.

Also, Priyamani has yet another reason to feel ecstatic.

The actress has signed Ram Gopal Varma's multilingual film ‘Rakta Charitra', a film that has invited curiosity due to it being based on the life of the slain political leader Paritala Ravindra.

She will be paired opposite the Southern superstar Surya in the film. The film has reportedly been shot in three different languages– Hindi, Tamil and Telugu simultaneously.

The film is reported to be made in two parts with Vivek Oberoi dominating the screen space in first part while Surya will gain more prominence in the latter part.

Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto has signed a fantasy-action-drama film "War of Gods" and will portray the character of oracle priestess Phaedra.

Directed by Indian filmmaker Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, the movie is anticipated to be high on action and special effects and might also be made into a 3D movie.

Freida's spokesperson has confirmed that she (Freida) would be part of the film and refused to divulge any more details about the project.

The film is about Theseus, played by Henry Cavill, a warrior from Greek mythology who takes on the Greek gods. Phaedra is an ally with Theseus in his fight against the titans.

The movie is slated for a 2011 release with production starting in April.

Oscar winning New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion has blasted reports that she was sexually harassed in India during her stay here last year.

"I was not sexually harassed by the festival director's husband and did not make that allegation, " she said in a statement Wednesday.

"However at least two other delegates I spoke to and a third I heard about, did have bad experiences with the festival director's husband and I hear they went on to make allegations of sexual harassment, " she added.

A leading daily reported Tuesday that Campion, who won an Oscar in 1993 for her screenplay for "The Piano" and Pakistani filmmaker Ayesha Arif Khan complained to the Ministry of Urban Development here of sexual harassment during their stay in the capital, reports nzherald.co.nz.

Reports suggested that they accused Bhaskar Deb, husband of Festival Director Shyamali Banerjee, of making lewd advances and harassing them during their stay here during the 5th India International Women's film Festival here Dec 15-22 last year.

"At parties, Bhaskar would get really drunk and obnoxious and that is not the objective of any director's visit to India, " Khan had said to a news channel.

"I am trying to raise it as a feminist representation issue and it's very sad that we are female filmmakers and we have been treated like this by the organisers of the film festival, " she added.

The two female filmmakers also claimed that they were forced to leave in haste after they discovered that the fest was fraudulent.

Bhaskar Deb claimed that the allegations against him are baseless.

"I'm not well versed in English or Hindi. How can I speak to a foreign filmmaker? I haven't seen Jane Campion at the festival. She was in the country but didn't attend the event, " he told a news channel here.

"Ayesha was here for three-four days after she made the allegations. She even mingled with my family. Why is she making such statements now?" he asked.

Banerjee also spoke in her husband's defence.

"It's all a conspiracy. Since their aspirations are high which could not be fulfilled so they are trying to damage our festival in this way, " she said.

Mallika Sarabhai, a danseuse and social activist, wrote the following letter to Amitabh Bachchan to question his support for Narendra Modi’s Gujarat.

“My dear Bachchanji, Greetings from a Gujarati You are indeed a fine actor. You are an intelligent man and a shrewd businessman.

But should I believe in your endorsements? Let’s take a brief look at what you proclaim you believe in (albeit for huge sums of money). BPL, ICICI, Parker and Luxor pens, Maruti Versa, Cadbury’s chocolates, Nerolac paints, Dabur, Emami, Eveready, Sahara City Homes, D’damas, Binani Cement and Reliance. And now Gujarat.

I wonder how you decide what to endorse. Is your house built with Binani Cement? Do you really like Cadbury’s chocolates or do you have to resort to Dabur’s hajmola (whose efficacy you have earlier checked) after eating them? And having endorsed two pens, one very upmarket and one rather down, which one do you use?

Have you, except perhaps for the shooting of the ad, ever driven or been driven in a Versa? Do you know whether the Nerolac paint in your home (you do use it don’t you?) has lead in it that can poison you slowly as it does so many people? Or are the decisions entirely monetary?

It has been reported that no direct fee will be paid to you for being my Brand Ambassador.

So, with no monetary decision to guide you, how did you decide to say yes? Did you check on the state of the State? I doubt it, for the decision and the announcement came from one single meeting. And I somehow doubt that you have been following the news on Gujarat closely.

So, as a Gujarati, permit me to introduce my State to you.

Everyone knows of our vibrancy, of the billions and trillions pouring into our State through the two yearly jamborees called Vibrant Gujarat. But did you know that by the government’s own admission no more than 23 per cent of these have actually moved beyond the MOU stage?

That while huge subsidies are being granted to our richest business houses, over 75,000 small and medium businesses have shut down rendering one million more people jobless.

You know of Gujarat’s fastpaced growth and the FDI pouring in, you have no doubt seen pictures of the czars of the business world lining up to pour money to develop us. To develop whom?

Did you know that our poor are getting poorer? That while the all-India reduction in poverty between 1993 and 2005 is 8.5 per cent, in Gujarat it is a mere 2.8 per cent?

That we have entire farmer families committing suicide, not just the male head of the household?

You have heard of how some mealy mouthed NGO types have been blocking the progress of the Narmada project, how the government has prevailed, and water is pouring down every thirsty mouth and every bit of thirsty land.

But did you know that in the 49 years since it was started, and in spite of the Rs29,000 crore spent on it, only 29 per cent of the work is complete?

That the construction is so poor (lots of sand added to the you know which cement) that over the last nine years there have been 308 breaches, ruining lakhs of farmers whose fields were flooded, ruining the poorest salt farmers whose salt was washed away?

That whereas in 1999, 4,743 of Gujarat’s villages were without drinking water, within two years that figure had gone up to 11,390 villages? (I cannot even begin to project those figures for today — but do know that the figure has gone up dramatically rather than down).

With our CM, hailed as the CEO of Gujarat, we have once again achieved number one status — in indebtedness.

In 2001, the state debt was Rs14,000 crore. This was before the State became a multinational company.

Today it stands at Rs1,05,000 crore. And to service this debt we pay a whopping Rs7,000 crore a year, 25 per cent of our annual budget.

Meanwhile, our spending on education is down, no new public hospitals for the poor are being built, fishermen are going a begging as the seas turn turgid with effluents, more mothers die at birth per thousand than in the rest of India, and our general performance on the Human Development Index is nearly the first — from the bottom.

One rape a day, 17 cases of violence against women, and, over the last 10 years, 8,802 suicides and 18,152 “ accidental” deaths of women have been officially reported. You can imagine the real figures. You have said that you are our ambassador because we have Somnath and Gandhi.

Somnath was built for the people. Gandhiji was a man of the people. Do the people of this State matter to you? If they do, perhaps your decision will be different. I hope you will read this letter and decide. In warmth and friendship, Mallika”

Big B has recently become brand ambassador of Modi’s state — Gujarat. "There are lots of good things in Gujarat which should be promoted. I am ready to give my voice and face for the promotion of Gujarat tourism." Bachchan had said to media during special screening of 'Paa' with Chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi.

While Shahrukh Khan, Bollywood’s other superstar never went quite so far, he did say in an interview that he had nothing against Narendra Modi because Modi had never harmed him personally.

These days, Shruti Haasan's romantic link-up with actor Siddharth has been the bread-and-butter story for many gossip columnists.

But Shruti, in an unaffected manner, utters, “My father respects me a lot and has given me immense freedom. I know that freedom brings with it plentiful responsibilities.

I will adhere to this mantra forever. As of now, I am completely focused on my career and on producing some good personal achievements in the music industry.”

Adding more, she proclaims, “Being independent urges you to take the right decisions. There is no room for confusion.”

Since Shruti Haasan feels that Bollywood is an appropriate place for gaining exposure, she is searching for a good place to reside in Mumbai. She has already started delivering melodies for her dad Kamal Haasan's upcoming film 'Yaavarum Kelir' that is ready to take off by March.

Shruti Haasan has almost completed shooting for her Telugu film with Siddharth, which is slated to hit the screens in July 2010.

Topless German model and Big Boss contestant Claudia Ciesla was seen at a charity event in Mumbai on Sunday last week, where Salman Khan was present.

According to some press photographers Claudia ciesla walked up to Salman Khan and kissed him. The entire act was a publicity stunt for the media cameras to boost Claudia's falling TRPs as she has been unemployed and out of work after Big Boss.

Apparently Claudia made all the right noises and played to the gallery to attract maximum media attention. She made the most of Salman Khan's presence at the event. Wonder what Salman Khan has to say about such publicity stunts.

According to a press release issued by her Claudia Ciesla of Bigg Boss fame met Bollywood superstar Salman Khan at the Being Human event auction at Trident BKC held in association with a sports management company and TI Cycles to launch India's first ever international cycling event, Mumbai Cyclothon - Tour De Mumbai held at Bandra Reclamation on Sunday, 21st February, 2010.

We wonder what was Claudia doing at this event. Was it for charity or was she promoting herself by linking herself to Salman Khan?

Her press release reads, Claudia, who is just back from Germany went up to Salman Khan and congratulating him and expressing her support in the noble cause that the superstar has been endorsing.

Claudia met Salman for the first time since media reports that linked her to the superstar that surfaced last year.

However, the generous Bade Dilwala superstar displayed his class and his 'bigheartedness' while greeting the German-born actress and also chatting up with her at the Trident BKC event.

Claudia bid farewell to the superstar by giving him a peck on his left cheek that had the superstar blushing away to glory. And Claudia went away gushing with joy at being reunited with her good old friend. Well great PR Claudia, keep it up.

Music Ka Maha Muqqabla by Saibaba Telefilms brings its last semi-final round between Shreya's Superstars Vs. Shaan's Strikers this Sunday, February 28, 2010 on Star Plus at 9pm.

This episode was doubly special for both, Shaan's Strikers and Shreya's Superstars, because the festival of Holi was being celebrated on the sets of Music ka Maha Muqqabla.

All the captains were dressed in white and entered the stage singing “Rang Barse”. But the whites did not remain squeaky-clean for too long as we quickly saw the captains throwing colors on each other.

To add to the color and flavor of Holi, we had the famous Bhojpuri singer Manoj Tiwari to support Shreya's team and Ravi Kishan to support Shaan's team.

ROUND 1: Muqqabla Aamne-Saamne

Shaan's Strikers couldn't have had a better option than Anweshaa to start their innings in their last semi-final match. Once again, Anweshaa, with her song, “Tumhari adaaon pe”, made her captain proud.

The judges were almost speechless after this performance. Himesh was so touched by her performance that he offered her an opportunity to sing a song in one of his upcoming films.

Ujjaini from Shreya's team came up with a totally different song “Mausam ki Adla badli” but nevertheless gave equally good competition to Anweshaa. Some light humor by the two Bhojpuri boys kept the spirit of Holi alive throughout the show.

ROUND 2: Muqqabla Jugalband

In this round too, both the teams had their two strong players pitted against each other. Aabhaas from Shreya's team and Debojit from Shaan's team came down to do the jugalbandi on “Aane waala pal”. With their different tonal qualities and pitch, they were able to impress the judges gradually throughout their performance.

ROUND 3: Tata Docomo Muqqabla Mix

Both the teams were determined to win this Muqqabla and this was quite evident in this round. This turned out to be a captain vs. captain round, as Shaan pitted against Shreya for this one.

Shreya came first and, as always, gave a stupendous performance on “Dola re Dola”. But it seemed Shaan also did not want to repeat history for his team and did not think twice before coming on stage to sing “Dus Bahane”.

Shaan said, ''he was enjoying the flavour of Holi but, at the same time, winning was very important for him.”

ROUND 4: Muqqabla Dil Se

The competition was undoubtedly getting tougher as both the captains once again appeared against each other. Shaan, along with his most trustworthy singer, Anweshaa, came to sing “Tum aa gaye ho”.

Shaan said that, whenever he sang romantic numbers, it was always for his wife and this too was a dedication to her.

Shreya also did not waste any opportunity of making her team win this Muqqabla and walked with Aneek to sing her favorite song “Teri Ore”.

All the captains gave a standing ovation, especially to Aneek, because they thought that he was outstanding. Himesh also said that “Aneek was one of his favorite singers in the competition”.

ROUND 5: Muqqabla Aar-Paar

This match was a do-or-die situation for both Shaan's Strikers and Shreya's Superstars. Shaan's Strikers came first to perform in the last round. The festivities of the season were once again brought to the fore by the Holi medley that Shaan's team performed.

They sang various songs, ranging from “aaj na chhodenge”, “Holi ke din” to the latest “do me a favor”. Shreya's Superstars once again emerged on the stage with a forceful message with their medley.

They had a well-knit medley based on peace and they sang beautiful numbers like “Noor-e-Khuda”, “Ekla Chalo” and “Heal the world”. Their medley touched the hearts of many and gave across a very potent message which is the need of the hour too.

After a heated Muqqabla between the two, which one of the two teams enjoys the colorful victory? Tune into Star plus at 9pm this Sunday to watch a colorful Holi special episode of Music Ka Maha Muqqabla.

After learning how to strum a guitar for his film "Omkara", Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi has now learnt how to play the drums for his forthcoming film "Prince".

For a sequence in the song "Oh mere khuda", Vivek was to be shown playing the drums and he wanted it to look authentic. After discussing this with his producer Kumar Taurani, Vivek got a a drum instructor on the sets, said a source from the unit.

"It took a few days of training at lunch time for Vivek to get it right," said the source.

"Prince", releasing March 26, is a fast paced slick action thriller. It is about a savvy thief who is the most wanted man in the country.

While Farah Khan may have moved on to Akki with her 'Tees Maar Khan' but SRK has not forgotten his old friend.

The actor who is busy preparing for his superhero venture Ra1 surprised everyone when he told composer duo Vishal-Shekhar to allot their dates to Farah which they had blocked for Ra1.

However, the music directors couldn't delay SRK's film either, as Ra1 director Anubhav Sinha is eager to begin shooting. So the composers decided to work on both the films simultaneously.

Confirming the news Vishal told a leading tabloid, "Both Farah and SRK allow comfort and space for each other's recordings. So, both are being recorded simultaneously. Our dates and schedules are mapped out and pretty soild, so no issues there.

Luckily, the styles for both films are so different that we get to try new and different things for both. While Ra1 will have a more futuristic score, Tees Maar Khan will have a popular mainstream sound for the masses."

Meanwhile the King Khan is working hard to rebuild his six-pack abs. A source said, “SRK is on a strict diet for the film because he wants to get into a killer shape before he begins shooting for 'Ra1'."

A man with the heart of gold we would say!

It's Dhoom time again for Yash Raj banner but with some new faces. We hear that YRF has summoned Sanjay Gadhvi again to direct the next instalment of the 'Dhoom' series which will star their current blue-eyed boy Neil Nitin Mukesh.

According to a source, “Neil who's very close to Yash Raj Films has convinced Aditya Chopra to let Gadhvi do the third Dhoom movie. Neil himself is very keen on being part of the third installment.

Adi assured him there would be room for the young actor who's currently shooting for Yash Raj's Lafange Parinde.”

When contacted Sanjay Gadhvi, the young director said, “Everyone keeps asking me about 'Dhoom 3.' But the franchise belongs to Yash Raj Films. If Adi asks me to do it, I'd take the plunge, no two ways about it. Anything for Adi.”

Meanwhile, Neil Nitin Mukesh is tight lipped about the whole project as he said, “Who doesn't want to be part of the 'Dhoom' franchise? I'd love to be in 'Dhoom 3.' If Adi directs it, nothing like it. I've met Sanjay Gadhvi for a movie over a meal of rajma and chawal, and that's all I can tell you right now.”

Torn between his love for Deepika and fascination for Priyanka, Ranbir Kapoor finds solace in his one-to-one chats with Bipasha basu. The two are said to be the close buddies and share the intimate details about their lives.

A source says that whenever the actor wants to relax and chit-chat about some personal stuff – like confessing about his girlfriends or just have a quiet dinner with a pal, he doesn't think twice before calling up Bips!

Bips is also very fond of Ranbir and she thinks he will be No.1 someday. Her beau John Abraham knows of her friendship with Ranbir. In fact John doesn't seem to mind Ranbir at all.

The sexy lady of Bollywood is also a good friend of Ajay Devgan and together they get along like a house on fire. So what makes Bips so special as a friend, especially for male actors?

The girl who aspired to emulate Katrina's success story ended up with a nickname Fatrina after Veer's disastrous run at box-office. Thanks to her chocolate diet recommended by Salman, Zarine Khan is having hard time shedding the flab.

The newbie has been gymming daily for over an hour coupled with swimming and jogging and the results are more than encouraging. Sources say that she will feature in Salman Khan starrer 'Kick', and producer Sajid Nadiadwala has asked her to shed weight.

Talking about her weight gain, a source said, “Sallu had put his 'Veer' co-star on a chocolate diet to pile on kilos for the period drama.

The actor had personally taken an interest in her diet, making sure she gorged on cakes and pastries as her role required her to look fuller and more curvaceous. She went on to gain over 10 kilos for her screen persona of a princess in the movie.”

Also confirming her weight gain issues, Zarine said, "Every morning, I do pilates for an hour with Yasmin Karachiwalla. While weight training is thrice a week also with her."

Aishwarya Rai is furious these days and in no mood to forget or forgive the tabloid which recently published a report of her having pregnancy problems because of stomach TB.

She also backed out of performing at an award function associated with the mother company of the tabloid, for which she was being paid around Rs 85 lakh.

Aishwarya, who seldom dances at events after her marriage, had agreed to this particular function after a lot of consideration. But the moment she came to know that the 'blacklisted' daily was involved with the function, she backed out.

The Bachchan family has been demanding apology from the tabloid. She has even sent them a stern mail asking for an apology for publishing such baseless reports while hubby Abhishek had blasted the daily on Twitter.

However the apology hasn't come yet.

Lady luck smiled on Kunal Khemu once again when Kareena Kapoor turned into his guiding angel in Bollywood. The '99' star who is currently dating Saif's kid sister Soha Ali Khan got a strong recommendation from Bebo and landed up in 'Golmaal 3'.

The buzz has it that Kareena told Rohit Shetty that Kunal would be an asset in his forthcoming Golmaal instalment.

Confirming the news a source said, “Recently Saif, Kareena, Soha and Kunal met for dinner. Kareena and Kunal had an intense conversation about his movies and forthcoming projects.

She thinks he is a very talented actor and is just making the wrong choices with his movies. She mentioned the same to him and discussed 'Golmaal 3' with him.”

“Golmaal director Rohit was hunting for the star cast and Kareena was aware of that. We hear she had a word with Rohit, who was convinced by Kareena's reasoning.

The director immediately decided that Kunal should be sharing the screen space with Kareena, Ajay Devgan Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Arshad Warsi and Mithun Chakraborty. This is a good break for Kunal and will put him in another league, ” adds the source.

Says Rohit Shetty, “Even before the scripting of Gol Maal 3 Sharman sent me a message through his secretary saying he had other plans. I immediately looked for a replacement and am very happy with Kunal Khemu. ”

Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor, who turned 29 Thursday, was given a surprise birthday party by his family and friends.

"I was given a surprise birthday party and I sure was surprised. Even dad and family were in on it. Wow! It's actually my first surprise birthday party," Shahid posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The actor was wished by a number of celebrities, including Karan Johar and Farah Ali Khan.

He has thanked everyone for their wishes.

"Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the birthday wishes. Love you all," he added.

Shahid also got another surprise when Police raided his party for violating the stipulated deadline. After receiving information that Esco bar, where the actor's birthday bash was on, was entertaining the guests beyond 1.30 am deadline, police reached the place and stopped the music.

After inspecting the pub, manager Subhash Bhosale was fined Rs 5,000 for violating norms of the Bombay Police Act by keeping the bar open beyond 1.30 am deadline, said senior inspector Prakash George of Bandra Police Station.

Shahid's friend and co-star of his last release "Chance Pe Dance", Genelia D'Souza, too attended the party.

While Deepika Padukone admits she is totally over her ex-beau Ranbir, the same can't be said about the Kapoor lad, claims the latest buzz in town.

We hear that Ranbir, who's in US shooting for his film 'Anjaana Anjaani' with Priyanka Chopra, has been frantically sms-ing Deepika urging her to come back in his life, after he got wind of her alleged link-up with Shahid Kapoor.

Confirming the news a close friend of Dips said, “It was Ranbir who told Deepika that the relationship was off. She took it on her chin and moved on, keeping the hurt to herself.

But the minute Ranbir heard about rumours linking her to Shahid Kapoor, he started sms-ing Deepika and their mutual friends, asking if the rumours were true.”

Though Deepika's dignity dissuades her from talking about her past, there's a distinct possibility of reconciliation.

Moreover, what makes this love triangle interesting is the fact that Shahid is now trying to renew his relationship with Priyanka Chopra that ended on a rocky note a few days before Christmas last year.

The couple has been surrounded by a series of misunderstandings and is now making desperate attempts to rekindle past affair.

While it is not clear who broke the ice, Priyanka and Shahid, who stay in the same building Raj Classic at Yari Road, are frequently calling each other and sending text messages.

Shahid also messaged Priyanka congratulating her on the National Award for Fashion. As expected, Piggy Chops thanked him for the wishes but after some time.

“Priyanka is still very fond of Shahid and if there is any girl who is on Shahid's mind right now, it's Priyanka,” a source told a daily.