0 Will Baby B debut in the Oprah Winfrey show?

Ever since Aishwarya Rai delivered a daughter in November 2011, speculations are rife about her name. While recently, there were rumours that Baby B was named Aaradhya, there were no confirmations either from her father Abhishek Bachchan nor her legendary grandfather, the Twitter-happy Amitabh Bachchan.

But according to a report by a Chicago-based journalist Jennifer Hopfinger, who runs a site called The Bollywood Ticket, the baby daughter of Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan may be introduced to the world this weekend, with her name being revealed on Oprah Winfrey's newest show, Oprah's Next Chapter.

It can be recalled that Oprah traveled to India for the first time a few months ago to shoot an episode about the country. The international talk-show queen, who met up with quite a few Bollywood A-listers including Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, also visited the Bachchan family home during her stay in Mumbai.

She was gifted an orange sari by Aishwarya, while the latter was also featured in a teaser promo for Oprah’s new show. Moreover, Ash has been a guest on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ twice, first in 2005 and then in 2009 with her husband Abhishek.

So far the Bachchans have been extremely discreet about Beti B. No one, apart from their close friends knows what she looks like. In fact, such has been the interest about the little one that she has grown into a brand herself! But is this latest rumour just that – a rumour – or will she actually make her debut on an international chat show, remains to be seen!

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0 The Dirty Picture’ TV premiere stalled despite cuts, Bollywood furious

he much-anticipated television premiere of Vidya Balan starrer “The Dirty Picture” was stalled at the last moment Sunday, despite 59 cuts in the film to make it suitable for television viewing. While film’s director Milan Luthria is shocked and disappointed, filmmaker Karan Johar branded it hypocrisy.

The government moved quickly to stall the screening of film by an entertainment television channel, ostensibly due to its “adult” content, and asked the channel to telecast it late in the night after prime time.

Information and broadcasting ministry officials in New Delhi told IANS that they have sent a letter to Sony TV not to telecast the movie during prime time Sunday.

“The channel has been told to screen the movie only after 11 p.m.,” they said to a query in this regard.

This directive from the ministry left Luthria, fuming, even as the Mumbai film industry reacted angrily to the development.

“I am shocked and disappointed that this decision was taken at the last moment. For the last two months we have been working on this and as per the rule few scenes had to be cut to get the U/A certificate. Don’t harass us like this,” Luthria told IANS.

“We re-submitted the film after 59 cuts. Now I am curious to know why has this happened. DVDs of the films are already out and many people have already seen it,” Luthria added.

The film, which is reportedly based on the story of late southern actress Silk Smitha and fetched Vidya Balan her first National Award, was to be shown at 12 noon and at 8 p.m. Sunday on Sony TV. However, it was not shown. Sony had bought the rights of the Ekta Kapoor’s production venture for Rs 8 crore.

After the decision to pull it off from the small screen, Sony ran a ticker saying: “For unavoidable reasons we regret to inform that the film ‘The Dirty Picture’ will not be telecast today. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”

Johar too was surprised at the decision.

“A national award winning film cannot have a national telecast??? this is not an irony but plain and simple hypocrisy!!!! #dirtypicture. If the censorship is not a final authority then what is??? Complicated and blurred lines defeat the core of democracy!!!! #dirtypicture,” he tweeted.

The film, which also features Tusshar Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Emraan Hashmi, is replete with “bold scenes” and after cuts it was given a UA certification for being shown on Indian television.

Tusshar also expressed his disappointment on Twitter.

“Really unfortunate that after all the necessary cuts and a valid UA certificate, The Dirty Picture could not be telecast today on Sony TV,” he tweeted.

“In light of recent events that exposed the dark side of Bollywood, ‘The Dirty Picture’ was well timed as it depicts a similar harsh reality!

“Sad that inspite of being acclaimed for it’s entertaining realism and having won 3 National Awards the regulatory forces have stalled the show,” Tusshar posted. – IANS

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0 Katrina bags Shah Rukh again

The Yash Raj camp is thrilled with the way their new untitled Shah Rukh-Katrina venture directed by Yash Chopra is shaping up. Sources on the sets of this film say that this new pair is all ready to set the screen afire.

Apparently, they have several intimate scenes in the film and though she was nervous initially, Shah Rukh put his co-star at ease while filming those scenes. On her part, Kat adds, “I’m very happy with this film. I learnt a lot by just observing Shah Rukh. (Google)(Yahoo)(Bing)

I hope our chemistry on screen will be similar to what he shared with Kajol and Madhuri.” It was also reported that SRK has become very protective of Katrina and he apparently showered her with gifts after their recent London schedule.
Kat’s dedication and sincerity has landed her another big project opposite Shah Rukh - Farah Khan’s next, Happy New Year!

Apparently, Katrina was always Farah’s first choice, especially since they bonded so well after Tees Maar Khan. Katrina also returned the favour when she recommended Farah’s name up to direct a commercial for an international airline which she endorses. As a source says, “Farah thinks Katrina is easy to work with and a sincere person. So she supports her at every opportunity. Meanwhile Kat wants Farah to direct her sister Isabel who is planning to enter Bollywood.”

One wonders where that leaves arch rival Priyanka Chopra whose talent Shah Rukh swore by not so long ago. Is it the beginning of a new friendship in Bollywood? 

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