England closes in on second-placed South Africa

Also Read          

• India draw Test series for the first time in South Africa
• Virender Sehwag withdrawn from ODI series with South Africa
• India beat South Africa to level series
• India suffer humiliating defeat against South Africa

Third-placed England has narrowed the gap with second-ranked South Africa while India has continued to dominate the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship following the conclusion of Test series in Australia and South Africa.
England, which had entered the Ashes series on 112 ratings points, has jumped to 115 ratings points after its 3-1 victory over Australia. Andrew Strauss’s side now trails Graeme Smith’s men by just two ratings points.
The Proteas, which started against India on 116 ratings points, has gained one ratings point and has moved to 117 ratings points following a one-all draw in the series which ended in Cape Town on Thursday.
India though has dropped one ratings point but it continues to lead South Africa by 11 ratings as it is now on 128 ratings points.
For Australia, the news is not so good and its first Ashes defeat in 24 years on home soil has meant it has dropped to fifth on the table. The defeat has cost Australia three ratings points which has put it two points behind Sri Lanka on 107.
Meanwhile, the two-Test series between New Zealand and Pakistan started in Hamilton today.
In this series, the Black Caps will have the opportunity to improve on its current position of number eight and rise to as high as sixth.
But to make this happen, it would have to win both Tests which would put it alongside the West Indies on 85 ratings points but ahead by a fraction.
Pakistan, which will drop to eighth position on 82 ratings points if it is loses both the Tests, in contrast, can earn four ratings points and rise to 92 ratings points if the results a

Gay couple auditions for Zee show

There are certain walks of life that draw gay men in hordes … be it fashion, interior decoration or dance! These professions, without a doubt, have a queer predominance.
Creatively inclined, they have been observed to excel at fine arts. No wonder then at the auditions of the latest season of Dance India Dance (DID), which is a hunt for India’s best dancing Jodi (pair), saw some interesting same sex couples turning up to dance!
Making a mark from among the hundreds who came to audition in Lucknow were Mahesh Tamang and his partner Rahul.
If the reports from the sets are to be believed, Mahesh who dresses up in drag was so convincing and beautiful as a girl that several red-blooded men from the crew who were ogling at “her” were devastated on finding out that “she” is actually a “he”!
Mahesh Tamang floored Master Geeta Kapoor who hugged him saying, “I wish more women could learn to dance as gracefully like you!”

Birthday Special : Deepika Padukone turns 25 TodayJanuary 5, 2011 00:15:18 IST Last Updated : January 5, 2011 13:00:40 IST Birthday Special : Deepika Padukone turns 25 Today Also Read * Birthday Special : A R Rahman turns 45 * Vidya-Nana-Sonali share birthday on Jan 1 * Birthday Special : Evergreen Anil Kapoor turns 51 * Birthday Special : John Abraham turns 38 on Friday Bollywood glamour icon Deepika Padukone will turn 25 on Jan 5. Here are some of the fun facts about the sizzling B-town actress. Deepika caught the attention of everyone in her debut Bollywood film named ‘Om Shanti Om’ in 2007, opposite SRK, but she made her entry in the world of films with a Kannada movie titled ‘Aishwarya’ in 2006. Following the footsteps of her father, iconic Indian badminton player, Prakash Padukone, she also played the game till tenth standard but then shifted her attention towards modelling. Although it is her acting skills that makes news these days, Deepika started her journey into the glamour world as a model and was quite successful as model as well. She was awarded the title “Model of the Year” at the fifth annual ‘Kingfisher Fashion Awards’. She was also chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006.

Also Read          

• Birthday Special : A R Rahman turns 45
• Vidya-Nana-Sonali share birthday on Jan 1
• Birthday Special : Evergreen Anil Kapoor turns 51
• Birthday Special : John Abraham turns 38 on Friday

Bollywood glamour icon Deepika Padukone will turn 25 on Jan 5.
Here are some of the fun facts about the sizzling B-town actress.
Deepika caught the attention of everyone in her debut Bollywood film named ‘Om Shanti Om’ in 2007, opposite SRK, but she made her entry in the world of films with a Kannada movie titled ‘Aishwarya’ in 2006.
Following the footsteps of her father, iconic Indian badminton player, Prakash Padukone, she also played the game till tenth standard but then shifted her attention towards modelling.
Although it is her acting skills that makes news these days, Deepika started her journey into the glamour world as a model and was quite successful as model as well.
She was awarded the title “Model of the Year” at the fifth annual ‘Kingfisher Fashion Awards’.
She was also chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006.

Forget Aspen? Skiing in Dubai

Over the past ten years, Dubai has emerged as a global financial center known as much for its flashy denizens as for its adventurous architecture. The emirate's seemingly endless upward trajectory took a hit following the financial crisis in 2008, but Dubai's one-of-a-kind attractions remain intact.
Take, for example, Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates.
I entered the 5-star Kempinski hotel that sits adjacent to the mall only to come upon a Starbucks. As I walked by the Borders, The Athlete's Foot, and KFC, I had a moment of déjà vu that made me think I might be somewhere in suburban America. My bubble was burst as I came upon a mosque and failed to spot an Orange Julius. Then, as I rounded a corner, I saw a sight that convinced me that destiny had brought me to this mall. Just beyond the Papa John's I spotted children playing in a vast field of snow behind a wall of glass. Alongside the children I saw their fathers, wearing the traditional local dress of a white cloak and headscarf tucked into heavy winter parkas. As I approached, I realized that I had stumbled upon the much-touted Ski Dubai indoor slope and snow park.
I have been an avid skier ever since learning as a kid in Maine. Up until a few years ago, I was also a strident defender of East Coast skiing versus those wimps in the West (who needs powder when you have ice?). Having skied on the West Coast for the last several years, however, I figured I might as well continue my indiscretions by trying out Ski Dubai.

For US$50, Ski Dubai offers its customers two hours of skiing. Since it's usually 85° or hotter in Dubai and no one has ski gear, they throw in skis, boots, poles, snow pants, and a jacket. All I was missing was a hat and some gloves, but I figured that the indoor climate would be balmy compared to Maine in February.
Skiing indoors is a novel experience. There is no wind and the snow has the consistency of a Mister Misty. While Mister Misty has always been one of my favorite non-brazier treats at the Diary Queen (only second to the Peanut Buster Parfait), it's not a great surface for winter sports. I soon realized that the 5-minute ride on the lift yielded just 4 minutes of actual skiing (I timed it), and even less if you rock some Bode Miller moves.
While all of these factors were disappointing, the true indignity came when I noticed that there was a huge TGI Friday's overlooking the slopes. It was replete with large windows allowing diners to overlook the slope during dinner. Call me a purist, but when I ski, I prefer mountain vistas to the sight of a British tourist eating an order of Zen Chicken Pot Stickers.
After 45 minutes and 5 runs, I decided that I'd had my fill of indoor skiing. On my way out of the mall, I passed through the food court and caught sight of a DQ. I decided to keep on walking. I'd already had enough Mister Misty for one day.

Passenger Arrested After Ingesting 91 Heroin Tablets

After being refused entry into the U.S. during an inspection at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a female airline passenger from Nigeria confessed to swallowing 91 tablets filled with heroin, reports the Detroit Free Press.

The passenger, Sherifat Lamidi, is in federal custody, according to records filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

She had flown into Detroit on a Lufthansa flight.

Lamidi also told authorities that this was her second time making a trip to the U.S. carrying narcotics internally, according to a federal agent's affidavit filed in federal court in Detroit.

The affidavit says she traveled to Chicago carrying 50 heroin pellets last April, and that she was she was paid $4,500 for that transport.

This time around, Lamidi told authorities that she was paid $6,000 from a man at a hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. She was instructed to leave the airport and wait to be picked up, the affidavit said.

After her confession, Lamidi was taken to Heritage Hospital in Taylor, Mich., where she began passing pellets before X-rays could be completed. A test showed the pellets contained heroin.

She is scheduled to appear in federal court in Detroit for a detention hearing.

Free National Park Days 2011: No Admission Fee Schedule Announced

 

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has officially announced the 2011 free days for all U.S. national parks, according to a Wednesday press release. They will be the weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15-17), National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13).
"Many people have made resolutions to spend more quality time with loved ones and to get outdoors and unplug in 2011," said Secretary Salazar. "There's no better place than a national park to help keep those resolutions. Parks offer superb recreational opportunities, making them perfect places to enjoy our beautiful land, history and culture, and nurture a healthy lifestyle."
Normally, The Washington Post notes, about 147 of the 394 parks/historic sites charge admission fees that range in prices from 3 to 25 dollars.
The U.S. National Park Service can even help you plan your visit by letting you know which national park concessioners are discounted and also which events will be taking place on waived fee days.

What Did The Blizzard Of 2010 Teach Travelers?

NEW YORK (AP)- The Northeast blizzard was a reminder that bad weather can disrupt air travel even if the sky above your local airport is a clear blue.
Airlines these days are more inclined to cancel flights at the hint of a major storm than to try and outgun Mother Nature. They canceled more than 10,000 flights over several days because of the blizzard, in some cases hours before snow started falling. That's because of a government rule that imposes huge fines for long tarmac waits, along with lessons learned from previous massive storms.
Much attention was paid to travelers stranded in the major New York area airports while plows struggled to clear runways. But there were also plenty of inconvenienced travelers in cities like Dallas and San Francisco, far away from the snowflakes.
There are several steps passengers can take to deal with this new reality:
• If your flight is canceled due to bad weather, don't go to the airport. That is, unless you have a fondness for cots or uncomfortable airport floors or seats. During the blizzard, many people were stuck for days as the airports and airlines remained paralyzed by the snow.
• To avoid getting stranded, check your flight status early the day you're flying, and again right before you drive to the airport. That way, you can call the airline's customer service line from the comfort of your home if there's a problem.
• If you're already at the airport when your flight is canceled, put your legs and fingers to work. Walk over to customer service. While there, dial the customer service number. Odds are you'll get help over the phone before reaching the front of the line.

The Most Amazing Hidden Sites In The World (PHOTOS)

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The Sights and Sounds of Morocco (PHOTOS)

Five Days Trips from Dublin, Ireland (PHOTOS)

Santa Teresa: Rio de Janeiro's Art Enclave

Snow Storm 2010: Pictures From 'Snowmageddon' (PHOTOS)

The Top 10 Value Travel Destinations Of 2011 (PHOTOS)

Hearst Castle, the American Palace

Not far from the buzz of Cairo but seemingly a world away is the ancient Egyptian site of Dahshur. Part of a military base until 1996, it seems that Dahshur has managed to retain its secretive edge. For, despite boasting some of Egypt’s oldest pyramids, it is still relatively quiet. Those who visit Dahshur are greeted by sites such as the skewed Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, probable burial site of the pharaoh Sneferu. Over time, more and more of these pyramids are being opened to the public, making Dahshur an up and comer in the world of historic sites.

Wynn Sulfuric Acid Spill Injures Visitor, Closes Part Of Las Vegas Strip

LAS VEGAS — A hotel visitor was injured and a stretch of the Las Vegas Strip was shut down for more than two hours Thursday after a caustic acid leaked outside the Wynn resort, authorities said.
The visitor slipped and fell in a puddle of sulfuric acid after about 200 gallons leaked when a pipe broke during delivery just after 8 a.m., Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling said.
Paramedics treated the man and he was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in stable condition, Welling said.
Welling called the leak near the front entrance to the Wynn an accident, and said the man was hurt before police and firefighters arrived and cordoned off the area.
Las Vegas police Officer Marcus Martin said the Strip was closed to prevent people from being exposed to vapors from the corrosive acid.
The road reopened at about 10:30 a.m., but police Officer Bill Cassell said traffic was expected to remain snarled while workers dug up flower beds to replace contaminated soil.
The scene wasn't far from the International Consumer Electronics Show, a hugely popular gadget expo drawing more than 126,000 people to the nearby Las Vegas Convention Center and other sites.
Jason Oxman, spokesman for the event host, the Consumer Electronics Association, acknowledged that traffic was disrupted for a time on the Strip, but said CES opened on time and quickly filled with attendees.
Wynn Resorts Ltd. spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne said the injured man was a visitor but not a guest at the 50-story, 2,700-room resort with the distinctive curved face and bronze reflective color.

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The man's name, age and hometown were not immediately made public.
Clark County firefighters and Las Vegas fire hazardous materials crews were quickly able to neutralize most of the acid without any additional risk to passers-by and resort guests, Welling said.
Cassell said they used soda ash, a base mineral also known as sodium carbonate, to counteract the acidity of the sulfuric acid.
Neither the Wynn, the nearby Fashion Show mall or any other buildings in the area were evacuated. But Wynn employees prevented guests from using the front entrance, and police widened an outdoor cordon to include parts of Fashion Show Drive and Spring Mountain Road.
Access to and across pedestrian walkways wasn't restricted.
"I guess this is going to be a long walk," said David O'Dell, 48, a New Yorker and Wynn guest. He said he was prevented from leaving the Wynn through the main entrance, where he had hoped to hail a taxi.
Dunne said the chemical that spilled was being delivered for use as an acidity regulator in the resort water feature, the Lake of Dreams, fronting Las Vegas Boulevard.
Sulfuric acid is a water-soluble acid used as a component in vehicle batteries, and in mining, refining and wastewater processing.
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Associated Press writer Ken Ritter and AP Technology Writer Peter Svensson contributed to this report.

On high alert

Dipti Chaudhary, 26, always wanted to serve the nation and being in an armed force was the best way to do so, she thought. But why did she choose the Railway Protection Force (RPF)? “My father is in the RPF. He is a sub-inspector,” says a visibly proud Chaudhary. “I was inspired by my father a lot.”

Chaudhary did her BA (honours) in economics from Daulat Ram College in 2005. She went on to do her MA in sociology, from Himachal Pradesh University in 2007, through correspondence. She then prepared for competitive examinations for a year and finally landed sub-inspector’s job in the RPF in 2009. Following the nine-month compulsory training at JR RPF Academy, Lucknow, and a couple of month’s practical training, she was inducted into the RPF in 2010.

Chaudhary is yet to complete a year in service but has already got a taste of it. She was part of the special team escorting the Commonwealth Games Express that plied between Delhi and Agra carrying foreign players, officials and dignitaries during the recently concluded games in Delhi. During the 15-day span, she woke up at 3am daily and reported to the Safdarjung Railway Station at 5am. Chaudhary had to supervise coach C-7 with three constables who were under her command. At 5am sharp, she took charge of the coach, and instructed her subordinates about the role they were required to play — to be in a state of high alert. The train with foreign nationals left at 8am every day for Agra and left Agra at 3pm on its return journey.

“One day on the way back, the train suddenly stopped near Mathura station without being signalled to stop,” she recalls. She, upon receiving a message via walkie-talkie, along with other members of the security team, immediately disembarked to keep vigil on the surrounding area of the coach. “Everyone was put on high alert. A feeling of patriotism gave us courage and strength,” she recounts. They were on high alert for 15 minutes before the train again chugged along on its course. Nothing untoward had happened but the lesson she learnt would motivate her to work more diligently and with more courage in the days ahead.

Indian Railways has more than 1,00,000 track kilometres, 4000 trains, 8000 locomotives, 8000-odd stations and more than 14 lakh employees catering to around
20 million passengers who travel across 28 states and two union territories of the country, everyday.
“In keeping with this magnitude, the security obligations are equally vast and challenging,” says AK Singh, inspector, RPF, crime investigation branch, headquarters, New Delhi. And RPF is part and parcel of this security obligation that ranges from protection of railway assets worth millions of rupees, vital installations and construction projects to commodities under transportation etc. “Security of railway passengers is an upcoming priority of the force,” says Singh.

What is unique about the RPF is that by virtue of its status it is an armed force of the Union, with work culture of a police organisation holding power of  investigation and prosecution of offenders under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act and the Railways Act, says Singh.

What has made the job of an RPF officer more challenging than ever before is the country’s changing security scenario. To combat terrorists, security men are  being given special commando training, alongside “courses in bomb disposal, disaster management, fire control etc,” says Chaudhary. And training like this and the zeal to overcome all odds will inspire people like Singh and Chaudhary to join the RPF

Tabloid Priyanka, Katrina patch-up? No way!

If you thought Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif hugged at Salman's Being Human event to start a new friendship, think again! The actors didn't even say a formal hello to each other at a recent event.

Piggy Chops and Kat came face to face at an awards function, but behaved as strangers. They

didn't even say hi to each other, forget about a warm hug.

An eyewitness told Mumbai Mirror, “Priyanka and Katrina were next to each other for quite some time backstage. Their eyes met, but they did not give each other even a faint smile. They behaved like total strangers. There was ample opportunity for both the ladies to at least acknowledge each other’s presence but even that did not happen. Everyone around them noted this.” To refresh surfers' memory, Priyanka and Katrina are at loggerheads since the latter replaced former in Dostana sequel, and Priyanka in turn replaced Katrina in Anurag Basu's Silence (now titled Barfi).
Even at IPL awards, the actors kept their distance. So we wonder, why they had to give jadu ki jhappi to each other at Salman's event? Keep guessing.

Karisma Kapoor, husband Sanjay and daughter Samaira at their Delhi home

Karisma Kapoor, husband Sanjay and daughter Samaira at their Delhi home

Bollywood Sex, Beauty and Talents This is Called Deepshikha

This gal is swathed with whopping sex appeal and beauty. Her body curves, shiny eyes and heart-hitting smile are what cease the breath flow of the men. She leaves the men to yearn for her. Apart from her sexy image and beauty, Deepshikha is who talents are made. Yes, that’s true. The actress – who has generated big waves on Gujrati, Marathi and Hindi cinemas – is always rated as an actress of worth.


Deepshikha will now be seen in a film directed by Niraj Sahay. The makers have already started the shooting for the film but the title is yet to be finalized. Just one schedule is left behind for the shoot of the film. The gorgeous lass is playing a leading role in the flick and looks excited about the film.
On the movie, she feeds the kitty, “It’s a very substantial role. I cannot reveal much at the moment but I am one of the main characters in the film�.
This untitled venture also features Rajat Bedi, Aryan Vaid and Meera in pivotal roles. Deepshikha’s another film, which is due to release, is ‘Lara’ that is directed by Deepak Bari and stars Arbaz Khan and Hrishitta Bhatt along with her. This movie has been shot in Malaysia.

In ‘Red Swastik’, she is enacting the role of a publisher. This movie is the direction of Vinod Pandey. Her Marathi flick ‘Motiyachi Renuka’ too is all set to come out in theaters.

She has also been on every top show of TV and is currently doing many soaps on small screen. Deepshikha has gone global as well since she is anchoring a show on Bollywood Gupshup for a renowned Pakistani satellite channel ‘Geo TV’.
‘Well done’ Deepshikha, you have proved that you have all to hit the hearts from beauty, sex appeal to marvelous acting.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders Cricket Team

Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders play their first match here Sunday and the superstar says that his team “are the declared winners”.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said: “Being an actor I have always thought everything in larger-than-life perspective. Knight Riders’ matches will also be no exception. Being a little tongue-in-cheek, at Eden Gardens, we will exhibit two helmets – an 18-carat gold-plated and a diamond studded one respectively to show the other teams that we are the declared winners. The matches are just child’s play for us.’’
“I believe it’s my duty to entertain people whether it’s in films or in the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Though I am not going to dance at the gallery, I will be present at Edens.”
According to him, the match will surely be a star-studded affair. “Rani (Mukerji), Bipasha (Basu) and Kareena (Kapoor) have verbally confirmed their presence. With Kareena nowadays we get a Saif Ali Khan for free! So Saif can also be expected. I personally will try to convince John (Abraham) and Karan (Johar) to fly down as well. I have personally invited Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to come and cheer for us at the Edens,” Shah Rukh said.
King Khan is surely doing his bit, while the people Kolkata have already made their plans for the matches. “We have arranged for a procession from Hatibagan in central Kolkata to the Eden Gardens. Twenty belly dancers will dance their way to the ground on a 16-wheeled container trailer,” said Arnab Roy, joint secretary of the Shah Rukh Khan Fans Club.
Roy said this is the first time in the history of Edens that supporters will enter the grounds with drums and play them at the gallery. “We will also decorate the gallery with Knight Riders flags, banners and festoons. Shah Rukh has promised to help us deck up the gallery,” he added.
Fans and fan clubs of Sourav Ganguly, captain of the Knight Riders, and Shah Rukh have arranged mass screening of all the matches at select places across the city.
Golden-black billboards and posters of the ‘Knights’ – with their faces painted in gold – are evoking much excitement in all Kolkatans irrespective of age.
Ticket sales for the IPL matches began here Monday. And since then, there have been long queues outside the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) ticket counters every day.
“All the tickets for the first two Knight Riders matches at Edens – on April 20 against Deccan Chargers, and April 29 against Mumbai Indians – are sold out. I am sure tickets for the other five matches will also sell like hot cake once Kolkatans get the taste of the first match at Edens,” said CAB joint secretary Amitabha Bandopadhyay.
Out of the 14 matches of the Kolkata Knight Riders, seven will be played at the Eden Gardens ground here.
The first match of the IPL kicked off Friday with the Knight Riders emerging victorious over the Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Chinnasawmy Stadium in Bangalore.
As the team’s slogan goes, its all about “Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo” (Do, Fight, Win) for the “King’s Men”.

Celina Jaitly engaged to Dubai-based hotelier Peter Haag

Love is clearly in the air, as another starlet decides to settle down or at least taking the first step towards it. The lady in question is the blue eyed girl Celina Jaitly who recently got engaged to Dubai-based hotelier Peter Haag.

Celina and Peter met through their respective families, exchanged numbers and started dating only some 10 months back. The relationship was kept under wraps as Celina is extremely superstitious about her personal life and only when rumours about her marriage started floating around did she speak about Peter.

The engagement took place among close family members, Celina's best friend from Kolkata and her maternal uncle in the actress's Versova house. The couple exchanged rings during the auspicious durga puja but Peter's parents weren't present for the ceremony.

Is marriage around the corner? Not in the near future as the actress plans to focus on films and endorsements that take up most of her next two years but the couple surely plans to tie the knot someday.

Here's wishing the couple, love and happiness from Bollywood Hungama.

IN NEWS Sort by : Whats New - Most Rated - Most Popular - Most Emailed Pankaj Kapoor's friend accuses him of plagiarism for Mausam

There's a lot of respect in Bollywood for Mr. Pankaj Kapoor who has always been known for his exemplary performance and his portrayal of the lead role in the famous TV series 'Karamchand'. Therefore when he announced his film Mausam there was much buzz about it and especially since he roped in his own son Shahid Kapoor in it.

Not much has been divulged about the film's content except the fact that Shahid plays an Airforce pilot and Sonam Kapoor is the female lead, therefore chances of any controversy arising was not expected.

But expect the unexpected in Bollywood and certainly few feathers have been ruffled just before its release and the victim claiming foul play is none other than Pankaj Kapoor's old friend and former colleague Nawman Malik, who had also acted alongside Pankaj in the award winning TV serial 'Neem Ke Ped'.

According to the complaint that Malik has filed with the Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers, Kapoor apparently, started filming Mausam after Malik had already narrated the script to him. Some few years back Malik sat with Kapoor in his Versova office and narrated the story of Mausam to him over a four hour session. He even showed an interest in casting Shahid in it. But Kapoor said that he would have to speak to Shahid himself who was shooting in Mauritius. The meeting with Shahid never really took place and a few years later Pankaj announced his own project Mausam.

Though Mausam is said to be the working title Malik fears that it maybe the final title and even the story might be the same. Shahid and Pankaj on their end plan to meet the producers before taking any step

Karan Johar joins Deepika and Purab in upcoming Nescafe ad

He came, he saw... but, he just couldn't conquer! We are referring to the ironic situation of the VJ-turned actor Purab Kohli; despite having the gorgeous Deepika Padukone as his neighbour, he just couldn't get his feelings across to her. No.... even before you can get into the layer of things, let us tell you that, the aforementioned was the 'plot' of the ongoing Nescafe series.

Well, as they say, the plot gets thicker. And the thickness now lies in the fact, that, now besides Deepika, Purab will now be joined by none other than the master filmmaker Karan Johar, according to Bollywood Hungama's confirmed sources. The same source also added that the trio has even shot for the ad that shows Karan walking into Deepika's house, even as Purab is trying hard to impress her. Despite knowing the fact that 'he' is Karan Johar, Purab pretends not to know him and hence starts asking him about his profession like 'Are you a badminton player?" etc...

With KJo joining the gang, sipping coffee (or is it 'Koffee' now?), will just get even more stimulating. What say, folks!

Amitabh Bachchan to be brand ambassador of ICICI Pru Life

The year 2011 has indeed started off with a bang for one and all in Bollywood. Leading the gang is none other than the 'baap' of Bollywood... or should we say, the 'Shahenshah' of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan!

After having a successful 2010 with the likes of KBC, many films and a truck load of brand endorsements, Big B continues to be the leader of the pack. According to Bollywood Hungama's confirmed sources, he has now been signed up as the brand ambassador of ICICI Pru Life. With this endorsement, Big B becomes the first celebrity to be signed by ICICI Prudential Life for its brand campaign.

KJo's next directorial venture titled Student Of The Year

Karan Johar is kick starting his next directorial outing sooner than expected. Though he had made it pretty obvious that after his heavy duty My Name Is Khan, he would be changing gears to get into a far more comfortable zone, there were still speculations around what would be bringing on floors. The closest that one expected was a rom-com on the lines of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, his debut film.

Meanwhile there were rumours that kick-started about him launching Varun Dhawan (son of David Dhawan) and Alia Bhatt (daughter of Mahesh Bhatt). However, since there wasn't any formal announcement from the man at the hot seat, one still waited with bated breath to know about his plans.

Well, the wait is over now with Karan Johar making it all official. He is all set to direct a young tale which is titled Student of The Year. The film would launch not two but three newcomers which include Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and also Siddharth Malhotra (who is different from the namesake director who recently made We Are Family.

Talking about the film, Karan Johar says, "Student of the Year will have everything that I love about movies. It will have songs, dances, happiness, fun and frolic all around."

One does understand where Karan is coming from. After all not just My Name Is Khan but even his previous outing Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was a relatively seriously film. Though there were songs and dances in the film, at the core of it the film was about adult relationships. Even earlier his Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham had a massive look and feel to it with six heavy duty superstars coming together in one frame.

However, with Student of the Year, Karan Johar could well be bringing to fore the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai era, albeit in the 21st century avtar. Also, though he has worked with Shah Rukh Khan as an actor in each of his four films so far, he has no hesitation in making Student of the Year with rank newcomers.

"See, I may be looking at getting into a holiday zone with this film, especially after My Name Is Khan, but by no means would I not be working hard on it", says Karan in his characteristic tone, "Yes, it's a happy song and dance film with the tone and syntax being that of a holiday outing. Still from emotional energy perspective, the entire team will go all out to make it one super cool young flick."

The name Shah Rukh Khan would still be involved in the film as Student Of The Year would be a joint presentation by him along with Karan Johar.

Ahana Deol all set to make her Bollywood debut

It was something that was waiting to happen! Ahana Deol, Dharmendra and Hema Malini younger daughter has finally decided to take the plunge in Bollywood.

If things go well, Ahana will be seen making her debut in Vikramaditya Motwane's next directorial venture. Vikram confirmed that he has given Ahana the script which she is reading it and that he would want to cast her in his film.

Now with Ahana all set to enter Bollywood, the Deol family might just give the industry a new superstar.

My Name Is Khan to contend at the Oscars?

Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan may have missed out by a whisker to Peepli [LIVE] on being India's official entry to the Oscars this year but there is a possibility that the SRK-Kajol starrer may find its way to the Academy awards list of nominations.

The film has made it to the reminder list of movies eligible for this year's Academy Awards, joining box office heavyweights such as Inception, Iron Man 2 and Black Swan.

The film has managed to do phenomenal business in the overseas market and this fact could have helped getting the film prominence among the international audience. One will have to wait and watch if MNIK does make it to the final nominees list which is scheduled to be announced on Jan 25. If it does, it would certainly call for one big celebration in the KJo-SRK camp.