Wrestler-actor Dara Singh passes away

Wrestler-turned-actor Dara Singh, who wowed audiences with his brawn and on screen histrionics for over five decades, died here early Thursday morning losing his five-day fight for life.

A childhood hero to many for his wrestling prowess, 83-year-old Singh, who played Hanuman in epic teleserial Ramayanan and also dabbled in politics, passed away at 7.30 AM at his residence in Juhu in suburban Mumbai.

Singh was taken home from hospital last night by his family members so that they could be with him in the last few moments of his life.

"He passed away at 7.30 AM peacefully," Dr Ram Narain, COO, Kokilaben Hospital, said.

"He was a tough guy... He wanted to stay fit. But unfortunately his body was getting weaker. An angel now has gone to shine like a star up above," one of his sons, Vindu Dara Singh told PTI.

The very first of action heroes in Hindi films, Singh was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met in 2007 where he played Kareena Kapoor's grandfather.

From his first marriage, he has a son Parduman Singh Randhawa and from his second marriage he has five children – two sons and three daughters including Vindu, a TV-film actor.

Standing tall with rippling muscles, Singh made a name in the field of professional wrestling and had over 500 professional fights to his credit, all undefeated.

Singh won the title of 'Rustam-E-Punjab' and 'Rustam-e-Hind' for his wrestling prowess. Also, he became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959 and in 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. He announced his retirement from wrestling in 1983.

A wrestling hero to some and a much loved cine artist to others, Singh muscled his way into the film world with ease will always be remembered for his variety of roles in cinema including his brawny avatar in King Kongand Tarzan.

One of his notable friends was actress Mumtaz, with whom he starred in 16 Hindi films including Faulad (1963), Veer Bhimsen (1964), Hercules (1964),Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964), Tarzan Comes to Delhi, Tarzan and King Kong(1965), Sikandar-e-Azam (1965), Rustom-E-Hind (1965).

Aishwarya To Attend Cannes With Daughter Aaradhya

This would be Aishwarya Rai's eleventh appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. But according to recent reports the actor is still confused about taking her daughter to Cannes.

According to Bollywood Hungama, the Bachchan family has left the decision on Aishwarya Rai, but the proud mother is still not sure whether it is safe to take the baby on such a long journey or not. And even if Aaradhya accompanies her mother to Cannes, she would be kept away from the media.

Aaradhya is Aishwarya's top priority now. The actress at this point is not at all focusing on her weight or what she will wear at the Cannes film festival. She is loving every little moment of her motherhood. 
This would be Aishwarya Rai's eleventh appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. But according to recent reports the actor is still confused about taking her daughter to Cannes.

Aaradhya is Aishwarya's top priority now. The actress at this point is not at all focusing on her weight or what she will wear at the Cannes film festival. She is loving every little moment of her motherhood. 

First Look of Aishwarya Rai’s 'Beautiful' Daughter's Face: Aaradhya Bachchan

Well, it seems little Aaradhya will no more remain a cloaked mystery to the world.

Finally, the newest member of the Bachchan clan has been captured by the shutterbugs and the sever-month-old tot can be seen in the video here.

Despite copious efforts to shield the toddler from the world, her "over-protective" mum couldn't escape the scanners of an entertainment channel who claims to have got a clear glimpse of Beti B' face at a recent event. 

The picture are presumably of June 01, when Aish was spotted with daughter at the Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, the actress was returning from France after attending the 65th Cannes Film Festival with Beti B.

The lensman of music channel E24 caught on camera the little bundle of joy, who has created a lot of buzz since the day she was born to her superstar mom, former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.

In the video shown on the television channel, Beti B is seen gazing into the camera with her curious "brown eyes" while being tenderly cradled by her mom in a baby-carrier.

The child looked quite similar to the description that a fan had given, earlier this month. Anisah Hussain, a lucky fan, who meet Aishwarya with her baby in London recently, revealed on Twitterthat Beti B "is really cute, she has pretty eyes and eyelashes! shes a bit browner than aishwarya but very cute!."

Apart from the fan, Bollywood's "Dhak Dhak" girl Madhuri Dixt has also had the opportunity to have seen Beti B's photo. She "wowed" a lot as father Abhishek showed the little one's pictures to the actress at a dance reality show "Jhalak Dikhla Ja."

Last week, Jaya Bachchan created quite a buzz with her revelation about the looks of her angelic granddaughter, who she fondly calls by the name "Strawberry."

"Aaradhya looks like a bit of Aishwarya and a bit of Abhishek... She's a tall girl," Jaya Bachchan had said in a recent interview, swiftly gushing that Aaradhya is "beautiful, always smiling... is now trying to crawl."

The elated grandmother also revealed that "Aaradhya is a very lucky girl, having a nurse like Miss World Aishwarya!"

Amitabh Bachchan Gifts 'Gold Ring' To Grand Daughter

Kruti Jewellers from city will design the 4-gram gold ring for the celebrity.Even as the Indian film industry prepares to shower gifts on the new born in the Bachchan family, the baby's grand father Amitabh Bachchan is getting a special gold ring designed from the tier-II town of Rajkot in Gujarat.

On his part, city-based jeweller Pankaj Kansara is elated as well as already busy in designing the gold ring for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's daughter. "We have received an order from a firm in the jewellery business, RKR Creations. We have been asked to deliver the ring within a week," said Kansara who had earlier designed a silver miniature guitar for the senior Bachchan.

What's more, weighing just about 3-4 grams, the gold ring will be fully hand made. "We will not use any kind of machine for it. This will not be any ordinary gold ring but it will describe Bachchan family's value and power," said Kansara. And as a gesture, Kansara is planning not to charge the superstar for the ring. "I will not take any making or designing charges for the ring. It will be gift from me to Baby B," he added.

Bol Bachhan Released Today

Bol Bachchan movie starring Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin and Prachi Desai.This movie is directed by Rohit Shetty and comes in comedy category.

It's really nice movie.

It is inspired by the 1979 comic flick, Gol Maal.

I’m honoured to be working with Yash Chopra – Salman Khan

After over two decades of being in the film industry, actor Salman Khan has finally signed his first project with Yash Raj Films (YRF). He says the film will be challenging and that he is excited about it.The romantic thriller “Ek Tha Tiger”, will be directed by Kabir Khan, and will feature Katrina Kaif opposite Salman.

“In the past, Adi (Aditya Chopra) and I have met a few times on various projects but somehow when Kabir and he came to me with this particular story, we all just knew that this was the one,” Salman said in a press statement.

The 45-year-old says he is glad to be associated with YRF.

“It is a very ambitious project and will be a challenge for all of us, but that’s exactly what makes it such a big draw. Above all this, I’m honoured to be working with Yash-ji (Yash Chopra), who has worked so closely with my dad (Salim Khan) in the past,”

Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, the head honcho of YRF, is equally upbeat about working with Salman, who he feels has come a long way in Bollywood.

“Everyone knows my association with Salim saab, having worked together on ‘Deewaar’, ‘Trishul’ and ‘Kaala Patthar’. It is a very happy moment for me and YRF to have his son Salman with us for the first time.

“Over the years, Salman has become a very matured and talented actor and both he and the beautiful Katrina have a tremendous connect with their audiences. Combined with Kabir’s edgy directorial skills, we can all look forward to a thrilling film,” said Chopra.

The script of “Ek Tha Tiger” is based on a story written by Yash and Aditya Chopra. The screenplay and dialogues have been written by Kabir Khan and Neelesh Misra, while the music will be scored by Pritam Chakraborty.

The film will go on floors early July, and is slated for a mid-2012 release.

Abhishek acts funny with wife Aishwarya

"I was very keen to do a comedy after a spate of more serious films and also Aishwarya and I haven't done a comedy together, so I'm excited about this film," Abhishek told IANS in an e-mail interview from Murmansk, Russia.

To be produced and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the film is slated for a 2012 release and is set to go on the floors in the first week of July this year.

"It's a great script, very funny and Raj-ji is directing it. We've been very keen to work together for a long time. I'm very happy that we will be finally working together," he said.
In the film, Abhishek plays a guy with an insatiable roving eye and Aishwarya sportingly allows her husband to do so.

When asked to give more details, the 35-year-old said: "It wouldn't be correct to speak about the film at this juncture."
In the last two years, he has only worked in serious movies like "Paa", "Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey" and "Dum Maaro Dum".

Abhishek and Aishwarya, who tied the knot in 2007, teamed up for the first time on screen for the 2001 movie "Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke". Three years later Rohan Sippy roped them in for his directorial debut "Kuch Naa Kaho" and then J.P. Dutta made "Umrao Jaan" (2006) with the two -- all these films didn't do well.

Their first big hit as a couple was Mani Ratnam's "Guru" (2007), followed by Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar Raj".
In Sanjay Gadhvi's hit action thriller "Dhoom 2", they shared the screen, but not as a couple. Aishwarya also made a special appearance in the hit song "Kajrare" in the Abhishek starrer "Bunty Aur Babli".

They were last seen on screen in "Raavan", which was declared a dud.

Abhishek, whose "Game" bombed at the box office, is elated with the positive response to "Dum Maaro Dum".

"I haven't had the time to sit down and reflect on the film. But I think youth have really connected with it. I always said Rohan has always made very cool films. The script by Shridhar and an all-round great team performance I think has worked for the film," he added.

"Dum Maaro Dum" also starred Bipasha Basu, Prateik Babbar and Rana Daggubati among others.

Abhishek, who is currently shooting in Russia for Abbas-Mustan's "Players", which again has Bipasha, also came clean on allegations that he was not happy with the climax of "Dum Maaro Dum" and wanted to get it changed.
"Nothing like that. Rohan has always been kind enough to involve me in the entire creative process of his films. I had suggestions. Some he used and some he didn't. It's all part of the process of making a film," he said.