Top Stories of the Week
Reality Show Winners
Actor Rahul Roy has won Big Boss, one of India's biggest reality shows. Model Carol Gracias and Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishen were the last to be evicted.
All former contestants came together to celebrate the occasion. Rahul Roy walked away with Rs 50 lakh prize money after three months in the house.
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty stormed to victory on Britain's ''Celebrity Big Brother'' after her treatment on the television show sparked fears of racist bullying that escalated into an international row.
Shetty, whose victory will be seen as a triumph for racial equality in Britain and India, beat 13 other contestants, including those who were accused of tormenting her.
But the 31-year-old was quick to play down allegations that she had been the victim of racial abuse on the show, unaware the spat had already drawn tens of thousands of complaints, dominated headlines and even prompted a sponsor to pull out.
''Things happen and people make mistakes and we are all human beings and we are all fallible,'' said Shetty after emerging victorious from the specially-designed Big Brother House, where she had been cooped up for 26 days under 24-hour surveillance.
''I know one thing for sure, Jade really didn't mean to be racist,'' she said, referring to shamed television star Jade Goody who was a central figure in the furore.
''I really don't want to leave England putting anyone in trouble,'' added Shetty in an interview on Channel 4, which broadcasts the controversial series .
Labels: breaking news, entertainment
Shahrukh Khan to host KBC
The 'Baadshah' of Bollywood
Shahrukh Khan is all set to once again step in the shoes of Superstar Amitabh Bachchan after Farhan Akhtar's 'Don'.
Shahrukh is to host the new edition of the popular game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', to be aired soon on Star Plus, sources in the channel said.
The sources said the hosting of the KBC, the most popular game show on Indian television till date, by Shahrukh Khan was primarily aimed at reaching out to the "below 35" age group, which today comprise two thirds of the population of India.
Considering that Shah Rukh Khan today commands a huge following among the youngsters in the country, the Channel as well as the producers of ther KBC feel that in his new role of host, the Bollywood 'Baadshah' would help draw to the programme viewership from a whole new set of audiences.
''Kaun Banega Crorepati" has redefined television viewing in India.
KBC is very close to our hearts as it laid the foundation for Star Plus unprecedented domination over the last 6 years. With the Next Gen avatar of KBC with Shah Rukh Khan as its host, we promise to engage and deliver to our audiences a whole new entertainment experience,''Sameer Nair, CEO, STAR Entertainment India, said.
Ms Shailaja Kejriwal, senior creative director of Star India, told UNI that Shah Rukh has been signed for two seasons of KBC of 52 episodes each.
''Star India has signed a 5 year contract with Celador for Kaun Banega Crorepati which gives us a continuing license to run the show for the next five years. Of this, we have already entered into a contract with Shahrukh to host the show for the next two years,''Ms Kejriwal told UNI.
Ms Kejriwal said the replacement of Amitabh Bachchan with Shahrukh Khan as host for the new edition of the KBC came about after Mr Bachchan expressed his disinclination to host the show.
''The channel had approached Mr Bachchan for resumption of the show, but he expressed his disinclination to do the show. While there is no denying that he was instrumental in the show becoming the most popular game show on Indian television, it is time to move on and who better than Shah Rukh Khan to fill his shoes. AFter all, he is the 'Badshah' of Bollywood today,''she said.
Sources said the channel had been in talks with Shah Rukh Khan for over a month now and he expressed his willingness to do the show.
The launching of the new edition of KBC comes almost an year after the show's second season - 'KBC Dwitiya' was pulled off air following Mr Bachchan's illness in November last year and the bank of episodes was exhausted. Speaking to UNI, Mr Siddharth Basu said the contestants who could not make it to the show because it had to be taken off air following Mr Bachchan's illness will get a chance to play with Shah Rukh Khan in the new edition.
Ms Shailaja Kejriwal, senior creative director of Star India, told UNI that Shah Rukh has been signed for two seasons of KBC of 52 episodes each.
Replying to a question on why the host was replaced, Ms Kejriwal said the channel had approached Mr Bachchan for resumption of the show, but he declined.
''So, we went ahead and signed Shah Rukh,'' she said.
Labels: entertainment, national
108 gold coins garland for Lord Balaji
A devotee today donated garland of gold coins worth Rs 16 lakh to the deity of Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple at Tiruchanoor near here.
The garland, made of 108 gold coins, weighing 1658 grams, was handed over by the devotee, who declined to reveal the identity, to TTD Chairman Karunakar Reddy in the presence of TTD Executive Officer A P V N Sarma.
The garland would adorn Goddess Sri Padmavathi when the idol would be taken out in a procession on a decorated ''Simha Vahanam'' this evening
Labels: entertainment, national, others
Bengalooru Habba from Dec 3 to 10
Cultural extravaganza was in store at the eagerly-awaited 'Bengalooru Habba', to be held in the Garden City from December three to ten.
Cultural programmes, including classical music, dance, lecture demonstrations for western music, besides food festival and sports would be held in various parts of the city.
As a prelude to the main events, an awareness programme for students across 15 schools and colleges would be held from tomorrow to November 30. Besides, street theatre performances for social issue campaigns would be held across the city in malls and shopping complexes, parks and residential areas and other public places.
Upcoming artistes from reputed art schools would perform 'Live Art' under the Bengalooru Habba umbrella at important public places, besides performing 'Street Magic' throughout the city.
Many agencies, including Government tourism department and private companies, have come forward to sponsor the event. Bengalooru Habba, which had received great support from the people over the last three years, would showcase the State's culture and art in keeping with the spirit of Suvarna Karnataka this year.
Labels: entertainment, national
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