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The Bollywood most popular super star Amitabh Bachchan remarked India as a developed country. While in a press conference promoting the latest leg of his “The Unforgettable Tour” in London Amitabh Bachchab said : India should no longer be dismissed as a “Third World” country but should henceforth be given due respect as a “developed nation”.

He made this statement replying the question - what it meant to be an Indian today and about the nature of the relationship between India and the diaspora, increasingly third or even fourth generation, scattered across the world?

Bachchan stated: “India today is a recognized force and I hope to see that India is no longer referred to as a Third World country or a developing nation – it should be referred to as a developed nation and a first (world country).”

He said: “Primarily we are very proud of our country, we are proud of our history, we are proud of our culture – it goes back thousands and thousands of years. We are proud that we fought for our independence, we are proud that we are the largest democracy in the world and we are very proud now of the way India is progressing after the economic liberalization.”

Bachchan is on world tour with his wife, Jaya, his son, Abhishek, and daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai. With other stars, including Preity Zinta and Riteish Deshmukh, have entertained Indian audiences in Toronto on July 18, Port of Spain in Trinidad on July 20, Los Angeles, on July 26, San Francisco on July 27, Houston on August 2, Atlantic City on August 9, Chicago on August 10, and New York on August 15. Shilpa Shetty is going to join the latest leg of “The Unforgettable Tour” by Bollywood actors which is to take place on Sunday at the 14,000-seat O2 Arena in London.

The current reports said that the tour will end after concerts in Amsterdam on August 29 and in Oberhausen in Germany on August 30.

Tags: Abhishek, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya, Aishwarya Rai, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh, Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Bollywood, Developed Nation, Entertainment, India, Preity Zinta, Riteish Deshmukh, Shilpa Shetty, Third World, Unforgettable Tour

The Bollywood big star Amitabh Bachchan is issued a notice from Goa Bench of Mumbai High Court on Monday for allegedly violating the Anti-Tobacco Act after National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) had filed the case against Bachchan and others.

Along with Big B, Anchor Electric appliances, Keshu Ramsay and others were also issued the notice followed by a hearing of the case on Monday after billboards showing the megastar smoking a cigar were raised on the Goa highway.

The notices have been issued before admission and the respondents will have to appear in person or through lawyers, court officials said.

NOTE had taken strong objection to Bachchan’s still from a film Family which was displayed on the billboards raised along the Panaji-Margao highway depicting Big B smoking a cigar. The organization had contended the billboards violated anti-tobacco laws applicable in the state.

Earlier, the lower court had refused to entertain the case stating that there is no substance in it. Bachchan had apologized to NOTE but the organization than challenged the case in high court who issued the notice against them.

“I am deeply apologetic of the advertisement that has hurt the sentiments of the people at large and organizations such as yours,” Bachchan had said in a letter to NOTE India general secretary Shekhar Salkar.

Bachchan tried to make the things clear by saying in the letter that: The publicity banner carrying my photograph was a still from my film Family in which I am portraying the character of an underworld don.

“While I was not instrumental in designing the publicity campaign, I find from the photograph of the billboard stated to be put out on NH 17 in Goa that the manufacturers of Anchor electric switches are seeking to promote their own products. Neither B Corp Limited nor I have promoted Anchor products or tobacco products.” He added

“I have made a note of anti-tobacco legislation and informed my producers and told them to take immediate steps so that no such violation takes place as far as I am concerned,” he said.

“I am a teetotaler, I do not drink nor smoke and I have not indulged in these activities for almost 30 years and have no intentions of indulging in them in the future,” Bachchan had said in his letter.

NOTE had issued legal notice to Bachchan on January five for violating Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003.

Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, Anti-Tobacco Act, Bachchan, Bollywood, Legal Notice

After winning Big Brother show in the United Kingdom, Shilpa Shetty has made her place in the A- list of the bollywood stars. The small Britain stint has brought not only an inflow of cash and movie offers but has added her name in the most talked about people of the tinsel town.

After her recent success of Life… in a metro and being in the news for her relationship with a certain Mr. Kundar, Shilpa had recently come out with a yoga cd of hers in which she has revealed her yoga knowledge for a toned up body like hers. But most recently she has made news for herself by committing her dancing skills to be showed off at the ‘unforgettable’ world tour being organized by the Bachchan family.

Confirming the news of her being a part of the world tour Shilpa informs that she would be dancing in two acts sharing the stage with the very new bahu of the bachchan parivar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She explains her excitement to be working with Aish by stating that as both of them belong to Mangalore, she hopes that they would get along very well. Adding to this she claims that Preity, who is also a part of the show, is a hassle free person and would be good to work with. With this she recalls that it isn’t the first time she would be doing a stage show with Amitji but her excitement is at a different level when she has to work with the whole family.

When enquired about the sudden entry of her in the show, she replied that it wasn’t a sudden decision, they were planning it out and when it got finalized, it was announced. An all charged up Shilpa would be a part of the show throughout whereas Madhuri would perform in the United States and Canada and Akshay Kumar would be present at the inaugural show at Toronto.

Tags: Aish, Aishwarya, Aishwarya Rai, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh, Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Bachchan Family, Bollywood, Britain, Madhuri, Preity, Preity Zinta, Shilpa, Shilpa Shetty, UK, United Kingdom, Yoga

The much talked film of the Bachchan’s family has hit the theatres across the country. The much acclaimed trio from the Bachchan’s family: Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya are coming together on screen for the first time in this highly anticipated film. The entire fortune of the family is at stake.

With son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya, Amitabh Bachchan is all set to pull in crowds for Sarkar Raj, a sequel to Ram Gopal Verma’s Sarkar which focused on one powerful family of Nagres in the politician-underworld nexus in Mumbai. Although Amitabh Bachchan is always saying that Sarkar Raj is not the sequel of Sarkar. The movie was a big hit with wonderful direction, brilliant performances and most importantly, excellent climax.

‘Sarkar Raj,’ directed by maverick Ram Gopal Varma extends the storyline of Sarkar. Two years later Sarkar- Subhash Nagre (Amitabh Bachchan) inherits most of his power to the son Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan) who is happily married to Avantika (Tanishaa).

Then comes Anita Rajan (Aishwarya Rai - Bachchan), CEO of Sheppard power plant, an International company, who brings a power plant proposal to set up in rural Maharashtra before the Nagres. After convincing Sarkar (Amitabh Bachchan) who is initially against it for various reasons, Shankar undertakes a journey along with Anita to the villages of Maharashtra to mobilize support of the masses. Trouble as expected comes when millions of people stand against the highly controversial project in a state that is witnessing the worst of coalition politics. Shankar’s dream project gradually becomes a political minefield and the evil forces mightier than ever mushroom and gang up to bring down the regime of Sarkar and obliterate Shankar’s name from the political horizon.

Prashant Pandey’s story was primarily good but he disappoints in the later part of the story. The first half of the story is convincing and interesting but the same is missing in the later part. Sequences in second half are unacceptable. However climax is strong and superb.

Villains give a cool feeling to the story. All the baddies-Govind Namdeo, Siyaji Shinde, Upendra Limaye and Rajesh Shringapure stand out because of the coolness of their characters.

Abhishek Bachchan has done a wonderful job. The movie can said to be belonged to Abhishek. Amitabh Bachchan gave a superb climax while Aishwarya gave brilliant performance. Her expressions, performance and dressing sense, all are appreciable. Tanisha’s work is also satisfactory.

Music is given by Bapi-Tutul. The song ‘Jalwa Re Jalwa’ is appreciable. Cinematographer Amit Roy was very unusual and better than in Sarkar. Dialogues are quite sharp.

Ram Gopal Verma who got a lot of criticism by his previous movie- Ram Gopal Verma ki Aag, can regain the lost prestige of him by this movie. Though his direction is as usual great but it seems hard if he could do this. Once again the second half part of the movie regrets the expectations of the viewers.

Bachchan’s family respect and prestige is also at stake on the movie as the trio is coming together first time on the screen after Abhi-Ash marriage. Earlier they have been seen in Bunty and Bubbly’s very famous item song- “Kajrare- Kajrare”. This is the first time the three are acting in a movie. But it seems hard to crack the nut by Bachchan family!

Tags: Abhishek, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya, Aishwarya Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh, Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Ramu, Sarkar, Sarkar Raj

Hosting Television shows seems to be the rage for every Bollywood star. After Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, its turn to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to shine on the small screen. He will host a reality show ‘Dus ka Dum-Ab India Sochega Percentage Mein” on Sony Entertainment Television starting from June 6. It is reported that Salman will receive a handsome amount of Rs 89 crores for 104 episodes.

There are far too many channels and far too many reality shows going on for now. One after another, the Bollywood top stars are coming towards hosting reality shows and enetertaining the public by their gesture and presence of mind. The fashion to lure the viewres by their charm towards reality shows started with the super hit game show Kaun Banega Crorepati(KBC) hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. After that a series of reality shows hosted by top Bollywood icons started on the small screen and this give rise to a tough competition between the stars as well as the channels.

KBC was a new concept and highly appreciated by the viewers. It is successful in over 80 countries, so India moved with some degree of advantage, Star TV having tested the waters so to speak, before its launch. It was fun with knowledge. Above all it was the first time the big star came on silver screen to interact with the public directly. Hence the show rocked. Followed by Amitabh Bachchan who initially excelled the show, sequel of the show was hosted by Shahrukh Khan. Of course, people compared the two hosts of the same game show.

Recently Shahrukh Khan’s show Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain? is aired on star plus getting appreciation from the public. Compared to KBC which had questions on General and day to day topics with 4 options panchvi paas is a tough nut to crack. In KBC, each correct answer moves the contestant higher up the ladder of money values which ended with Rs. 1 Crore for the last right answer. SRK’s new show is based on the international Mark Burnett format Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader‘in which grade-school level questions are put to adults. Similar ladder is their in this show. If a contestant answers all 10 questions correctly, he is given the chance to answer an 11th question which on answering correctly will get him Rupees 5 Crore.

Though shahrukh is quite sincere in his efforts but the show has low TV ratings comparitive to KBC and Salman’s new show is going to start will give a tough answer to this show. The Sony show is expected to kick off the show on an around the same time as King Khan will come on Star Plus.

The biggest factor of low TRP of “Panchvi pass…” can be credited to ongoing IPL matches also. The show is aired at 8 pm, the same time when the match is stars. IPL is getting very popular in India as it is cricket mixed with entertainment. It’s tough to lure the eyeballs away from this extravaganza.

Salman is all set to host his show to give a tough competition to King Khan. ‘Dus Ka Dum’ is based on an American game show Power of 10 hosted by Drew Carey. The contestants will have to ’think’ like India. A question would be asked, the answer to which would be the average percentage of a mass opinion poll conducted across India. The correct guess of the answer in accordance with the collective opinion of India, they would start winning from a starting amount of ten thousand rupees. Answering five questions correctly would get the contestant to the magical figure of 10 crores.

Talking about Salman for his upcoming show, a source told Mumbai Mirror, “Although many people consider him rude and eccentric, Salman has often revealed the compassionate side of his personality without making a song and dance about it. Apart from the content which promises to be mind-blowing, this kind-hearted quality of Salman is what is expected to see the show through.”

The three stars are fighting for the small screen viewers. What you people think? Who will win the small screen fight? Which one would you like…? Amitabh, Shahrukh or Salman?

Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Bollywood, KBC, Khan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Sony TV, Star Plus, TV

Noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has told the comments by Union Health Minister Ramadoss as ‘juvenile’ that asks film stars to refrain from smoking and drinking in films.

Bhatt has followed superstar Amitabh Bachchan, in criticicing the minister for his comments and joined the protests by various Bollywood bigwigs against Ramadoss.

“I find his comments juvenile. People do not even have basic health facilities in villages, rural health sector is in such a mess but his concern is limited to film industry,” Bhatt says.

Recently Bachchan also sharply criticized Ramadoss suggestions that when popular film stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are seen smoking and drinking on screen it encourages youngsters to follow suit.

Many times earlier, Ramadoss commented on smoking scenes in movies and subjected to anger by film fraternity for the same.

“How can they talk of censoring people in 21st century? All you can do is to sensitize people about these things, but censor is impossible,” said Bhatt.

Bhatt is an outspoken critic of such bans in Hindi films. Known for his strong stand against censorship, Bhatt had also filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court in 2005, challenging the legislative amendments to ban smoking and drinking scenes in films and television serials.

Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Bollywood, Mahesh Bhatt, Ramadoss, Shahrukh Khan

With the start of a new blog of Super star Amitabh Bachchan, a hot debate between him and Shatrughan Sinha is started. (Also see Amitabh targets Shatrughan Sinha in his blog!)

Replying to the recent statements of Big B regarding the IIFA awards in his blog, Shatrughan said, “I don’t know why Bachchan is taking these things personally.”

Recently Sinha has said that the nominations list of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards was fixed and Amitabh talk about it in his blog taking this comment on him.

While talking to a channel Sinha said, “I am not talking about fixing of IIFA awards only but I am saying about every award.”

He blamed that there is no fairness in any award because it is emphasized to any particular person or organization or politics.

Sinha said that it is conflict of interest because Amitabh is brand Ambassador of IIFA. Hence it is natural that he will favor IIFA awards.

Amitabh said that IIFA awards are based on voting and computerization.

Replying to this statement Sinha said,” Amitabh is bigger than me in film industry and he knows the truth. I am in film industry for last 35 years and I don’t have to tell how the awards are given.”

He also questioned that Aamir Khan’s movie ‘Taare Zameen Par’ is highly appreciated by the public but why it was not nominated for awards? It is done to benefit some special persons. Sinha tells Big B’s comment unimportant.

Sinah said, “Amitabh is my good friend and I have done many hit films with him. But I couldn’t understand Amitabh’s rage. I didn’t specify any name. I only said that IIFA awards are only the function of a Bollywood family. Bollywood includes Khan family, Kapoor and Roshan family too but how Amitabh thought that I am talking about his family.”

However Amitabh said, “I believe that these types of gossips are trying to make the public think that there is some fixing in IIFA awards. There is only one family which is pointed for this and it is not hard to guess it.”

IIFA will be held in Bangkok this year from June 6-8.

Tags: Amitabh, Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Blog, Bollywood, Entertainment, Shatrughan Sinha

The Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who has recently stepped into the world of blogs to share his views with his fans, hit out his co-star Shatrughan Sinha’s statement in which Sinha has said that the nominations list of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards was fixed.

In his blog http://blogs.bigadda.com/ab/2008/04/21/day-4-blog/, he wrote, “A section of the print media carried comment from my colleague and friend and neighbor, Shatrughan Sinha. It reportedly quoted his reactions to the nomination list of the IIFA awards, wherein he has purportedly stated that ‘sab kissika beta hai, ya kissiki bahu, ya kissiki biwi’, and the media adding there interpretation to it, stating that this was directed to a particular family of ‘guru’ fame.”

The Mani Ratnam directed Guru, starring Amitabh’s son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, has been nominated in all the main categories of the IIFA awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Performance in a leading role.

Amitabh stated that these comments are similar to that happened past years when the National Award for best actress was honoured to Raveena Tandon. Brother of Raveena’s mother, MacMohan was one of the members of the jury that time. It was alleged that Shatrughan Sinha’s wife, Poonam, a great friend of Raveena’s mother had recommended the appointment of MacMohan. Shatrughan Sinha was minister of state at that time.

“If this alleged story is true then I do value Mr. Sinha’s alleged statement of sab kissika beta, kissiki beti, kissiki biwi - you are so right Shatru,” he wrote.

Commenting on the IIFA nominations, Amitabh said the names were finalized through computerized voting system.

“And may I also state that IIFA nominations come from the film fraternity through computerized voting systems, audited and compiled by PriceWaterhouse Coopers, an international company of repute and standing.”

Commenting on Shatrughan Big B said, “And Shatru! I have seen some very encouraging reports of the film, where your son is being introduced to this great industry. May he prosper and succeed even more than his illustrious father and may he never have to face a slighted accusation of ‘fixing’, when his name comes up for an award in future.”

IIFA will be held in Bangkok this year from June 6-8.

Tags: Amitabh, Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Big B, Bollywood, Shatrughan Sinha, Shot gun

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has also entered the world of blogs with bigadda.com, a youth networking site, to connect with his fans worldwide. He wrote his first blog on Friday and described his blogging experience as an overwhelming revelation.

Bachchan started his blog to find response and inputs from others and that he was committed to respond to them.

“It seems like a new life altogether,” he told.

Bachchan explained that prints in newspaper don’t incorporate all he says. Blog will provide the platform to say everything he wants to share with his fans and other people. It will provide the true picture of him and an opportunity to interact readily with the people.

Bachchan said, bigb.bigadda.com allows me to express myself, share and reflect my emotions, thoughts, opinions and listen to what people have to say to me and show them the ‘real’ side to my larger than life image that they see through media. It’s a platform which I control and share my own drama without anyone editing or interpreting my thoughts.”

“What’s most important for me is that I can now share consequential replies to the inconsequential gossip that do the rounds. I have always wanted a platform where I can speak, for truth is always stranger than fiction. People will now get an unedited version of my views, ideas and thoughts, straight from me,” he said.

Amitabh has also posted his views on his upcoming film Bhootnath.

The actor added, ”My adda (http://bigb.bigadda.com) will be the single point destination where I will openly state my views and also discuss the same with all.”

“There are many who need a personal answer because of the nature of their queries or comments. I am going to start doing that while I work on my set, in between shots,” he said.

Bigadda.com has gained a user base of 1.6 million, where 40 per cent users are from tier II cities like Tuticorin, Bhilai, Amritsar, Guwahati, Surat and Nashik.

The site gets almost 10 per cent of users from countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and from Indians from Dubai, United States and United Kingdom.

Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Big B, Blog, Blogs

After Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan stated not to leave Mumbai against the remarks of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the party chief Raj Tackray said on Friday that he had never asked Bachchan to leave Maharashtra.

Three days back, Bachchan said that he was not an outsider in Mumbai and that he would not leave the city at any cost.

Raj Thackray replied to his statement at a function at Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall while addressing employees of an airlines saying that he didn’t asked him to leave.

For last many days, there is going a verbal war between the two public figures. At first, Raj attcked Bachchan blaming him for taking more interest in his native state Uttar Pradesh as compared to his work place, Mumbai.

Later, MNS workers made fun of him through a poster on Bachchan’s going back of decision of donating his land to farmers.

Bachchan broke his silence after a series of attcks on him by MNS. Bachchan had said, “I am not leaving this city (Mumbai) and going anywhere. Let them chuck a thousand bottles. Let them burn my effigies. Let them attack me with stones and lathis or whatever is their arsenal. I will not budge”.

The actor had made the remarks as he was hurt by the campaign that was unleashed by the MNS against him.

Tags: Amitabh, Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, Big B, Mumbai, Raj, Thackrey