Tamil superstar Rajnikanth’s daughter Soundarya got married to Ashwin Ramkumar, a Stanford graduate at a ceremony at Rani Meyammai Hall, Chennai on Friday. The two got engaged in February this year.

All other pictures in the link

http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/sep/03/slide-show-1-soundarya-rajnikanth-weds-ashwin.htm

Now everybody acknowledge he is on top..but is it being different that got him up there?

we all know it was ghajini and 3I rather..and what was so ‘different’ about these movies?

and yes, he also did all the grind..the so called ‘promotion’..posting himself all over the media..appearing whichever platforms he can..did haircuts, did foriegn premiers, did function appearances, participated in reality shows..and make controversial statements directed at others..

now the media hails him as the  top star..will u call that a media made thing..or in reverse, i mean being succesful in a huge way, and subsequently having media hot on his heels..and picking up whatever he said making headlines of it..

then isnt that the stotry with others too? exactly, what is ‘different’??

I spoke to my friend in the US yesterday and she was raving about her new DIRECTV from DIRECT SAT TV. Although I am not a computer or a TV geek, I know enough to figure out what she was saying. In a way, I am jealous as they can watch any show that she wants. It also appears that she got a great deal with a five months free membership. Now that’s really cool. I also told my blogger friends out there to go and check it out and a few of them have already made a decision to get one for themselves by next week.

Now what exactly is DIRECT SAT TV?

DIRECT SAT TV is your top source for the best satellite technology available from the basic DIRECTV satellite system to digital DVR recording and amazing High Definition HDTV.

If you’re a cable TV subscriber, your service provider most likely carries around 20 to 50 channels in HD. But if you have access to DIRECT SAT TV,  the chances are that you will be watching over 100 channels with crisp pictures and flawless reception.  Only when you compare DIRECTV to cable, you get to see all of the advantages that DIRECT SAT TV can deliver. Directsattv.com also contains extensive information on DIRECTV deals and their website will help you fully on the DIRECTV services.

Currently, not even the largest cable TV companies such as Comcast, Time Warner, Cox and Charter Cable can compare to DIRECTV’s 130+ channels you can see in HD. By the end of the year, DIRECTV projects satellite TV subscribers will be watching up to150 channels in high definition. Put that HDTV to good use and maximize your viewing experience through DIRECTV system.

In short, watch more and pay less.

You get to see more for a price that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. With satellite, you get to receive more of virtually everything each month. Great sports programming are also available for an extra fee.

Besides, most cable TV companies charge up to $100 for sending out a technician to set up your TV. DIRECT SAT TV providers Dish Network and DIRECTV offer free installation and setup. Besides, one doesn’t have to worry about reading the fine print or fees that most cable companies charge.

Now, what more could you ask for?

So guys out there, give DIRECTSATTV.COM a check!

When Priyanka Gandhi appeared at the prayer service on her father’s 66th birth anniversary on Friday, sporting a hair-style that bore an uncanny similarity to that of her late grandmother Indira Gandhi, people couldn’t help but marvel at how strikingly similar the two are.

Not just her hairdo, but even her features and her gait reminds many of the elegant and poised former Indian Premier.

check rest of the pictures at:

http://www.ndtv.com/news/photos/album-details.php?albumPage=1&id=8012&Album=PHOTO_GALLERY&AlbumTitle=Priyanka+Gandhi+-+The+new+Indira%3F

“As of now I want to settle down in Bollywood as a singer, but I wouldn’t mind taking up acting at some point in my career,” Sreeram told PTI.

The 24-year-old singer took up music five years ago with the dreams of achieving international stardom one day.

“I want to make it big on a national stage and then represent my country on the international circuit. I want to achieve fame like Brian Adams, Beyonce Knowles, the Backstreet Boys and Westlife, who are internationally popular,” said Sreeram.

A native of Hyderabad, Sreeram has graduated in engineering and trained in classical Carnatic music. He intends to carry on learning music as well as establish
himself as a playback singer in Bollywood.

Sreeram has already recorded a duet with Shreya Ghosal for music composer duo Salim-Suleiman.

“I am looking forward to the release of the song which I sung with Shreya Ghosal and also the album I will be recording with Sony,” said Sreeram, who has also bagged a deal with Yashraj Films to sing in one of their forthcoming films as a part of his Indian Idol win.

Sreeram has grown up listening to the likes of Kishore Kumar and A R Rahman and is heavily inspired by them.         

“I listened to Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Shankar Mahadevan, Rahman saab. I also am influenced by the west and love Michael Jackson and Bon Jovi,” he said.

Throughout his Indian Idol journey, not for once did Sreeram come into the bottom three or face the danger of getting voted out. Was he always confident about his win?         

“I was the only one who never came in to the danger zone and I am glad that people loved my singing so much. But I always tried to maintain a balance and keep myself prepared for the worst,” said Sreeram, who got his Idol trophy from none other than Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Bachchan also took pity on a breathless Sreeram and helped him deliver his thank you speech, which is now a fond memory with the singer. ”

Read more at: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20100150022&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&cp

Of course if you remember from last IPL season, both were seen very prominently in Bangalore Royal challenger’s supporter box. An insider told a leading daily, “Deepika flew to London after her Mauritius schedule for the F1 races and that is the time when Siddhartha joined her there. And after that, these two have been a couple.”

It’s reported also that Mallya has taken up to exercising lately, apparently to match Deepika’s figure. He has lost quite a bit of weight already.

Of course with these new developments it’s amply clear that Deepika is over her relationship with Ranbir Kapoor and is moving on.

News courtesy: http://www.hindustantimes.com

we can have Kabir khan taking over the mens hockey team..

or it can be him taking on the indian sports administration..

its somthing we really badly need now..

http://notpron.org/notpron/

Let’s get one thing straight. You are not exploring virgin territory with Aisha. ‘Emma’, the Jane Austen novel, has been adapted on film and television in the past. Although first published in 1815, almost 200 years ago, director Rajshree Ojha and writer Devika Bhagat transport the characters from this novel to present-day New Delhi. But the essence remains the same: A simple plot and an equally simplistic love story.

Unlike most love stories that we’ve witnessed on Hindi screen, there’s no heavy-duty ‘drame baazi’ in Aisha, no major hurdles to cross, no parental opposition to encounter, no major conflicts to solve. The director and writer remain faithful to the novel, which prompts you to ponder, wish the relationships were so uncomplicated in today’s times.

But there’s a flip side as well. The film runs a little longer [although the running time is 2 hours] and gets painfully slow in some portions. Besides, Aisha lacks the depth of passion and that could be because the makers were trying to make something lighter and breezier. Sweeping the minor complaints aside, Aisha is watchable for two factors mainly: Neat performances, especially by Sonam Kapoor and Amit Trivedi’s super musical score.

Final word? The romantic buried inside all of us may respond to Aisha well.

Aisha [Sonam Kapoor] is a girl with a simple diktat, ‘everyone’s business is her business.’ Arjun [Abhay Deol] is a boy with even a simpler set of beliefs that, Aisha should mind her own business. Caught in the Delhi upper class world with its own set of social rules, Aisha navigates her world with a great sense of style and even greater optimism.

Caught in her web are her best friend Pinky [Ira Dubey], the small-town girl Shefali [Amrita Puri], the West Delhi boy Randhir [Cyrus Sahukar] and the hunk Dhruv [Arunoday Singh]. Aisha will make sure everyone dances to her tune. And all Arjun wants to do is disentangle that web and get Aisha out of an impending sticky mess.

Director Rajshree Ojha and writer Devika Bhagat introduce the principal characters at the very outset and within minutes, you know their traits as well. The entire first hour is filled with the assorted characters interacting with one another and technically speaking, there’s hardly any movement in the story. In fact, the first hour is more of a collage of incidents and moments put together on a beautiful canvas.

But the wheels start moving towards the post-interval portions, when the lead characters [Abhay, Sonam] suffer from pangs of jealousy and the remaining characters find themselves at crossroads as far as relationships are concerned. From this point onwards, Aisha gets more and more engaging. Note the confrontation sequence between Sonam and Amrita, which leads to a bitter outburst by the latter. Note the sequence when Sonam professes love for Abhay at a marriage reception, only to realise later that she had walked into a wrong venue. Note the finale, which is very Mills & Boon type of culmination. Well penned and well executed sequences!

Director Rajshree Ojha has handled several moments well, but how one wishes she would’ve spruced up the proceedings by coming straight to the point, instead of depicting Abhay and Sonam in sulking moods in several sequences of the second hour. Also, from the writing point of view, Cyrus and Ira Dubey suddenly realise that they are made for each other. Why this sudden pyaar? Didn’t they detest each other? Loving the same musician doesn’t imply you are made for each other! There had to be a scene or two to indicate that they are drawn towards each other.

The production design [Shruti Gupte] is impressive. The film bears a striking look all through. The styling of all characters is up to the mark. The costume designers [Pernia Qureshi and Kunal Rawal] deserve full marks for choosing/making the trendy outfits. Diego Rodriguez’s cinematography is appealing. Music composer Amit Trivedi is in form, displaying his versatility in various numbers such as ‘Shaam’, ‘Suno Aisha’ and ‘Gal Mitthi Mitthi Bol’.

Film Aisha is sure to open eyes to the talent of its leading lady Sonam Kapoor, who gives face, form and expression to Aisha. She displays the essential characteristic of an actress who has the ability to shift quickly and effectively from one emotion to another. She can cry, look wistful and deliver a biting line with equal believability. Abhay Deol is a complete natural and the fact comes to the fore yet again as you watch Aisha. Although Sonam has an author-backed role, Abhay underplays his part well and registers a strong impact in several scenes.

The film is supported by a fine [read talented] cast. Also, one of the delights of the film is the cleverly written supporting roles. Ira Dubey is spunky, a damn good actor. Amrita Puri is a revelation, a powerhouse of talent. Cyrus Sahukar is first-rate. Arunoday Singh acts his part well. Lisa Haydon [as Aarti] is underused in a small role. Anuradha Singh is classy. M.K. Raina [Aisha’s father] is efficient. Anand Tiwari [as Saurabh] is competent. Sameer Malhotra and Vidhushi Mehra [Aisha’s brother-in-law and sister, respectively] have nothing substantial to do.

On the whole, Aisha holds appeal for the youth mainly and there’s a strong likelihood that this segment of movie-going audience will fall for its charms. From the business point of view, the makers have recovered a big chunk of their investment from the sale of Satellite Rights and Music Rights and recovering the balance amount from India theatrical, Overseas and Home Video should be a cakewalk.

all in all, a 4.5/5.
stay away if you don’t have a strong stomach.. and it isnt a joke. ladies especially!