Nikita Anand did not want to join films

By Agencies

Nikita Anand is the latest in the line of beauty queens to enter the film scene from the world of ramp.

On the face of it, former Miss India Nikita, who makes her debut in Hindi films with Manish Tiwari's Dil Dosti Etc (not counting Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee which featured her in a small role) releasing across the country today, may seem just another beauty pageant winner entering films by cashing in on the limelight coming her way.

For Nikita, however, the foray in films is a well thought out move that comes after a lot of deliberation.

''For me, after winning the Miss India crown, doing films was not a natural choice. In fact, initially, I did not want to join films as I did not have any preparation or background. I like to be confident of what I am doing before venturing into it, '' Nikita said on the eve of the release of 'Dil Dosti etc', which also marks veteran filmmaker Prakash Jha 's debut as a producer.

Said Nikita, who features in the film alongside Shreyas Talpade (of Iqbal fame), newcomers Imaad Shah (son of Naseeruddin Shah ) and Ishita Sharma and Smriti Mishra , ''you know, I cannot get into films just because others are doing so. In fact, earlier I just did not want to do films. However, a brief stint with theatre whetted my appetite for a career in films. Still, before coming in films, I wanted to do some ground work for a career in tinsel town.''

''There may be a lot of people who have not undergone a formal training in acting and yet made a successful foray in films. But, then, everyone has his or her own way of approaching things. I am basically a person who wants to be well prepared before trying my hand at something. So, I have taken my time entering films, undergoing in the meantime training in Kathak besides doing many workshops in acting,'' said Nikita.

Asked whether she felt the pressure of expectations upon her with several beauty pageant winners like Sushmita Sen , Aishwarya Rai , Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra establishing a niche for themselves in the tinsel town, Nikita said, ''expectations are always there from every actress who joins films. This trend of beauty pageant winners joining films started in 1994 when Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai joined the industry. They were followed by Lara and Priyanka and all have been successful so obviously there will be more expectations from me too. However, I am prepared for it.''

Talking about 'Dil Dosti etc', Nikita said, ''actually, 'Dil Dosti is the first film that I signed after I decided to enter films. 'Life Mein Kabhi Kabhie' was a film I signed much later and has me just in a small role.''

About her role in the film, she said, ''I play a character called Prerna belonging to a very well to do family. She has a lot of dreams and aspirations and wants to make it big in life and become a model. She joins this college and meets Shiv and falls in love with him even though he is the total opposite of her in terms of background. But like her, Shiv is also highly ambitious in his own way.''

Incidentally, the film also features her in a kissing scene with her co-star Shreyas (who plays the role of her boyfriend Shiv). Media reports have it that Shreyas got very nervous during the kissing scene.

Source: Apun Ka Choice

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra injures herself during filming

MUMBAI, India: Popular Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra tore a muscle while filming a stunt for an action-packed role in her new movie, a newspaper reported Friday.

In the film Chopra plays a bodyguard skilled in an ancient Sikh martial art, wielding a sword and a 'kirpan,' or dagger, traditionally carried by followers of the Sikh religion.

"I was doing a somersault when I felt something give way inside my rib cage," The Times of India quoted her as saying. "I've apparently suffered a tear in my abs."

The former Miss World is among the few Indian actresses to take on action roles and do her own stunts.

Although she was advised to rest, her busy schedule did not permit a break for the next few weeks — she has dance scenes and more stunts to film.

Today in Culture

An exhibition in London explores 'The Changing Face of Childhood'

'The Age of Rembrandt': starring patrons of a Golden Age

Movie Review: Sean Penn's 'Into the Wild'

"It's so painful. I've no choice but to continue," she said in the newspaper interview. "I don't know how I'll manage."

Chopra said she was enjoying shooting for the role in the thriller, "Drona," and has been announcing: "I'm armed and dangerous" every time she arrives on the set.

Popular actor Abhishek Bachchan, who plays a superhero, and Kay Kay Menon, who is the villain, co-star in the film.

Chopra made her Bollywood debut five years ago and has starred in several hit movies. She played a mob member in her recent movie "Don," and last year she was the female lead in India's first superhero movie, "Krrish."

Although advised rest, her busy schedule did not permit a break for the next few weeks with dance scenes and more stunts to film.

"It's so painful. I've no choice but to continue," she told the newspaper. "I don't know how I'll manage."

Source: International Herald Tribune

Priyanka Chopra's father gets bail

Indore, Sep 21 : A local court today released Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra's father Ashok Chopra on a bail of Rs one lakh in connection with a case lodged by her former private secretary Prakash Jaju.

Mr Chopra appeared before Judicial Magistrate V S Mubel, who fixed September 26 as the next date for hearing.

Mr Chopra's counsel Chandrashekhar Raikwar was present in the court.

Jaju, a resident of Mhow near Indore, had lodged a police compliant that underworld don Chhota Shakeel had made threatening calls on Priyanka's behalf over a dispute related to financial dealings.

However, he moved the court when no action was taken in this regard.

Meanwhile, Priyanka and her father approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore bench seeking stay in the case. The High Court's Indore Bench had acquitted Priyanka from the charges recently.

However, a case against her father was continuing in a lower court.

Meanwhile, Priyanka had filed a case against Jaju in Mumbai.

Source: New Kerala

Ex-secretary moves SC against Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra’s private secretary has filed a petition in the SC challenging the star’s discharge by the Madhya Pradesh HC. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Prakash Jaju, the estranged private secretary of Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging her discharge by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in a criminal intimidation case filed by him.

In the special leave petition filed through counsel Abhijit Sengupta and Anand Dey, the petitioner submitted that the High Court had erroneously discharged the actress of criminal intimidation charges while acknowleding the same against her father Ashok Chopra and underworld don Chhota Shakeel.

Jaju had filed a case of criminal intimidation in January this year before a magistrate in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh against Priyanka, Ashok Chopra and Chhota Shakeel after the actress and her father allegedly used the services of the don to intimidate him in a financial dispute.

According to Jaju, the don at the behest of the Chopras called him up from Malayasia and threated to eliminate him if he failed to withdraw the civil suit filed by him against the actress.

The suit filed two years ago related to arrears to the tune of more than Rs 1 crore due to Jaju from Priyanka.

Following the threat, Jaju filed a case of criminal intimidation before a magistrate in Mhow who took cognizance of the complaint and framed charges under IPC sections 506 IPC (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention).

However, the Chopras moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court which while approving the charges framed against Shakeel and Ashok Chopra, discharged Priyanka of the charges on the ground that no case was made against her.

Incidentally, Priyanka had last week filed a caveat before the apex court pleading that she should be heard before any orders are passed on the SLP sought to be filed by Jaju.

Source: The Times of India

Priyanka Chopra approaches SC on row with ex-secretary

The dispute related to a payment of Rs 1.37 crore which her secretary claimed the actress owed to him . (TOI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Apprehending that her former private secretary P Jaju might appeal against her acquittal in the criminal intimidation case, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has urged the Supreme Court not to pass any orders without hearing her.

The actress made the plea in a caveat application filed through counsel P Narasimhan, but kept it under wraps for inexplicable reasons.

Though no official information was coming forth from the actress' side, it was stated that the actress had filed the caveat against the special leave petition (SLP) sought to be filed by Jaju against her acquittal by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

An Indore Bench of the High Court had recently acquitted the actress of the criminal intimidation charges levelled against her by Jaju, who alleged that Priyanka and her father Ashok Chopra, got him threatened with dire consequences through underworld don Chhota Shakeel over a financial dispute.

The dispute related to a payment of Rs 1.37 crore which Jaju claimed the actress owed to him; a figure disputed by Priyanka.

Following her acquittal by the High Court, Jaju decided to file an SLP in the apex court, prompting the actress to file a caveat.

Speaking to PTI, Narasimhan admitted that the caveat has been filed but expressed inability to give any details on the matter.

Her Supreme Court counsel Sudarsan Rajan also declined to give any information on the issue on the ground that he was under strict instructions not to speak to the media on the issue.

Source: The Times of India

Dazzling Dias

SUNIL D'CRUZ (Contributor)


In an interview with our writer in Muscat, Miss India-World Sarah-Jane Dias says she's all set to represent her country at the Miss World pageant in China.

MISS INDIA World Sarah-Jane Dias was recently on a week-long break to Muscat to visit her parents Eustace and Yolanda and sister Ellen-Rose. She had her hands full, hosting the 'Anup Jalota Live in Concert' show, attending functions meeting dignitaries, launching new vehicles and meeting her childhood friends.

At the age of 14, while at school in Muscat, she won the Miss India-Oman crown. Having won the Miss India-World 2007 title, the 24-year-old who loves music and travelling. is all set to represent India at the Miss World pageant in China.

Excerpts from an interview:

Having spent your childhood schooling in Muscat, how does it feel to be back on your first visit as Miss India-World?

It is an unreal feeling. As a child, I always had this dream, something that I would watch on TV. It's nice to come back home. Muscat will always be my home. It's nice to have friends and others coming to you, congratulating you, appreciating you. It's like a dream.

How are you preparing for the Miss World pageant?

The Miss World pageant will be held on December 1 in China. I will be leaving India for China on November 1. Right now, I am taking diction classes, catwalk classes and fitness classes in India. Everything that a Miss World contestant would need is taken care of, including hair and teeth by the experts. So I am fully equipped for the Miss World pageant.

What are the factors that contribute towards being a winner in a beauty contest?

It's not just beauty. One has to be very presentable, well spoken. But what surpasses everything is confidence.

What would be your advice to those having stage-fright?

Practice makes perfect. Keep facing the camera, keep participating, keep practicing. It will make you more comfortable.

Which of the former Miss Worlds from India, Reita Faria, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey and Priyanka Chopra, do you look up to?

All of them. It takes a lot of courage and strength. I look up to any woman who has participated in a Miss World pageant.

You are a multi-talented personality. Singing, dancing, anchoring, acting and modelling are your passions. Which do you enjoy doing most?

(laughs) Don't make me choose. But I would say singing.

How would you look back on your stint as a VJ on Channel [V]?

It was the best job I ever had. I enjoyed every bit of the three-and-a-half years that I was on Channel [V]. They were very supportive all through and allowed me to leave the job at short notice to participate in the Miss India contest.

You are in an off-beat career, instead of a usual 9 - 5 job.

How do you look at it?

I would never be able to do a 9 - 5 job though I have the highest regard for those who do. I am a Sagittarian and am basically restless and need a change. Every day is different for me. No two days are alike.

Are you open to acting in movies?

Yes I am open to acting in Bollywood and Hollywood movies.

Who would you like to be marooned with on an island?

Bob Marley. Music is my life and will always be. Ever since I was a child, I just love music.

What are the causes would you like to take up should you win the Miss World crown?

Animals, children, senior citizens, Aids awareness. Global warming is reaching an alarmingly dangerous level. But one doesn't need to wear a crown to take up causes. I'd never say no if someone needs help.

Source: Khaleej Times Online

Warrant against Priyanka's dad

BHOPAL: An Indore court on Monday issued an arrest warrant against actor Priyanka Chopra's father, Ashok Chopra, after he failed to appear before it in connection with a criminal case on August 18.

Judge U S Mogal had asked Ashok to appear before it for intimidating Prakash Jaju, Priyanka's former secretary. The case was registered in May last year after Jaju alleged that he was receiving life threats from the underworld after he asked Priyanka for Rs 1.36 crore due to him.

Jaju had alleged he was getting threat calls from Karachi-based ganglord Chhota Shakeel at the behest of the actor and her father.

Defence lawyer Chandrasekhar Raekwair had appealed to the court saying Ashok Chopra was suffering from liver cancer and hence and should be excused from appearing before the district sessions court.

Source: The Times of India