Dancing in the rain, Bollywood style

A still from ‘Ammaji Ki Galli’

Monsoons are the flavour of the season and everyone seems to be enjoying the rains to the hilt, even the Ammaji Ki Galli" team.

In recent episodes the team got a chance to shoot in rains, have loads of fun, perform on some dance numbers and eat to their hearts content when a barbeque was arranged for them along with a rain dance party.

In the show the characters decide to celebrate the rainy day. So, while they had fun shooting it, viewers would be in for a treat, as they get to watch their famous artistes perform on popular Bollywood songs. Rakshanda Khan danced on "Kaate Nahi Kat Te", Imran Khan and Kanika Verma on "Zoobi Doobi", Upasana Shukla and Alka Ashlesha will be seen portraying Jai-Veeru jodi and will entertain the viewers on "Yeh Dosti Ham Nahi Todenge" etc. "It was great fun when everyone came together to celebrate the rainy season.

I was ecstatic, as after a very long time I got an opportunity to enjoy the monsoons that to while performing one of my many favourite songs. I choreographed some portions of it and had a whale of time," said Rakshanda.

Ramdev's hot, I want to marry him: Rakhi Sawant

Rakhi Sawant was at her motormouth best in Delhi. And some brave guy apparently stole her sari!

Meri sari chori ho gayi. Aap hi batao main kya karti?" That's what Rakhi Sawant asked the press at the launch of her upcoming reality show, Gajab Desh Ki Ajab Kahaaniyaan".

The event was slated to start at 3pm on Tuesday in Delhi, but got delayed by two hours. Only when a few mediapersons walked out that the event started. "Main bahut maafi chahti hoon ki thoda late ho gayi," Rakhi said, to which the press retorted, "Do ghante ho gaye. Yeh kya thoda late hai?" After a brief pause, Rakhi tried to placate them as she said, "Aap jaan hi lelo meri. I don't want to cry here, but you won't believe that this press conference got delayed because my sari got stolen. Mere saath yeh tragedy ho gayi. You might think this is a publicity gimmick, but trust me, this is what has happened." On being asked why she couldn't wear something else, she replied, "Aise kaise kuch bhi pehen ke aa jati? Why didn't you send me your shirt?" came her rejoinder. "You won't believe it, I even asked the channel representatives to let me attend the press conference in my gown. I didn't want to keep my friends waiting." But the press was in no mood to forgive her and continued to ask her a string of weird questions such as "Do you think Abhishek Awasthi got this done?" "Will you be getting an FIR lodged?" to annoy her.

Rakhi also rebuked Delhi designers for charging her about `1.5 lakh for the sari she finally wore, which she said they would have offered to any Bollywood A-lister without charging a single penny. "Just because Rakhi Sawant wanted a sari, they had to charge over a lakh. Isn't this bizarre? I mean, Delhi designers have been blackmailing me. Had Kareena or Katrina been in a similar situation, they would not have had to pay anything," Rakhi retorted.

Rakhi, who had recently declared her desire to tie the knot with Rahul Gandhi, shocked everyone by shifting her allegiance to Baba Ramdev. "Mujhe nahin lagta Soniaji ke saath meri daal galegi. So I wouldn't mind marrying Swami Ramdev. He has loads of money and drives expensive cars. If this wedding happens, you all will get to see a glamorous sadhvi. Wouldn't that be interesting?" Rakhi refused to address the yoga guru as 'Baba', because "Baba toh aap logon ke liye hain. Mere liye toh woh Swami hi hain. I hope he doesn't call me 'behen'. If Imagine TV plans to do another "Swayamvar" for me, they'll have to get Swami Ramdev on the show. In fact, I'll try my best to get him on it."

When asked why Ramdev, Rakhi explained, "I find him hot. He is sexy. Haven't you ever seen his flat tummy? Bas ek baar shaadi ki mala unpe daal doon, unki aankh fadakna bhi band ho jayegi. And I can vouch for the fact that the yoga DVD which we will release will be far more sensuous and hot than Shilpa's. It will find several takers." Rakhi may be planning to meet Baba... err, Swami Ramdev, but she doesn't think she can do much to help him in the current situation he is in. "I'm just a bit scared of the cops, who might bash me up just as they bashed his followers. Lekin agar pyaar kiya toh danda kya?"

But how come she isn't considering anyone from Bollywood for the next season of "Swayamvar", if that ever happens? "I'm not interested in Bollywood." Not even in Salman Khan?? "Unka toh bina shaadi kiye hi sab chal raha hai. He has several girlfriends. Mere liye Baba hi hain."

With such whacky replies, Rakhi ensured that her "media friends" were entertained and didn't harbour any hard feelings for her by the end. Rakhi ka jaadu chal gaya!

Inside Rahul, Dimpy's birthday party

It's all about a two-in-one party as Rahul and Dimpy Mahajan, who share a common birth date, celebrated the day together. Take a look at who all rocked the party.

 Time to cut the cake with wife.

 A piece of cake for you.

 Dimpy Mahajan brings sexy back with this satin top.

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Dancing Queen Kim Kardashian's wild hen night: TV star lets her hair down in Sin City

She's usually the most reserved of the Kardashians and dubbed the boring one by her sisters.

But last night Kim Kardashian really let her hair down as she celebrated her impending nuptials in style at her hen party in Las Vegas.

The 30-year-old reality star partied up a storm at Tao nightclub, where she was joined by scantily female dancers - and treated to a striptease from a dwarf.

Party girl: Kim Kardashian let loose last night as she celebrated her hen do in Las Vegas

Getting her boogie on: The reality star drank shots as she dance the night away at Tao nightclub with her sisters, mother and friends

She also quaffed champagne and downed shots along with her sisters Khloe and Kourtney and mother Kris Jenner, while enjoying cakes and drinking through straws in the shape of certain male body part.

Meanwhile her husband-to-be Kris Humphries was also celebrating at his stag do in the nearby Lavo nightspot.

Kim broke with tradition by gatecrashing her fiance's bash to steal a secret kiss.

Raising a toast: The TV star holds a shot in hand, watched on by her friends LaLa Vasquez Anthony, Brittny Gastineau

Racy: Kim poses next to her cake, with a gaggle of scantily-clad female dancers seen in the background

Despite vowing to stay apart on their bachelor/ bachelorette weekend, 30-year-old Kim couldn't resist paying him a visit, stopping by at around 2am.

There she joined her basketball player fiance in his exclusive VIP corner for 10 minutes, before departing and leaving him alone with the boys.

Kris was supported by Kim's brother Rob, as well as Kourtney's other half Scott Disick, Khloe's husband Lamar Odom and several other NBA players.

Kim looked immaculate in a low cut beige leather dress, which she teamed with peep toe heels and all the accessories, including a tiara and a sceptre.

Girls together: Kim was joined by her sisters Khloe, left, and Kourtney, right, and mother Kris Jenner

Kinky: The reality star remained in good spirits at her party as she was entertained by a dancing dwarf

Queen of the night: Kim wears a tiara and a a red sash saying 'Bachelorette Tao' while her mother, wearing a regal purple dress, watches on proudly

It was a riotous evening for the usually-sensible star, who had arrived in style, flying in on one of The Palazzo Las Vegas private jets.

The party started with dinner in Tao’s private dining room as Kim donned a bachelorette sash and tiara for a feast of her favourite dishes. 

In the middle of dinner she was surprised as Mighty Mike, a dwarf clad in sequinned trousers, vest and a bow tie, who hopped up on the table to entertain the room full of women.  

The group toasted with Midori cocktails and then made their way to the nightclub, taking over several tables on the dance floor.

Naughty but nice: Kim later shared a kiss with fiance Kris Humphries after gatecrashing his stag do in nearby Lavo Nightclub

Here come the boys: Meanwhile Kourtney's other half Scott Disick, left, Khloe's husband Lamar Odom, right, and Kim's brother Rob joined Kris at the bachelor party

Speaking to her guests, Kim said: 'My sisters are doing everything they can to embarrass me,' People.com reported.

Other VIPs at the party included her friends LaLa Vasquez Anthony, Brittny Gastineau and future sister-in-law Kaela Humphries, who joined 20 or so other party guests.

In the club star struck fans clamoured to get close to the group, snapping photos with their mobile phones. Kim then got on the mic, telling the crowd: 'This is one of my last few weekends as a single girl!'

New Jersey Jets player Kris, meanwhile, looked cool and casual in a white T-shirt and blue denim jeans as he partied with the boys.

High five: Kourtney laughs with Kim's friend, reality star Brittny Gastineau, as they group partied away until 2am

All partied out: Kim readjusts her tiara as she mingles with the crowd of guests

For the boys, the night started at The Venetian with cocktails. Later in the night Kris and friends dined on the terrace of Lavo's Italian restaurant, overlooking the Las Vegas Strip, before moving upstairs to the club.

The pack guzzled drinks while singing along to the music - but stopped for a breather when Kim made her surprise appearance.

Kris looked taken aback at first to see his bride-to-be, but greeted her with a kiss before picking her up for a smooch in front of the whole club.

Dancing queens: Kourtney, looking great in a red dress, dances with Brittny and LaLa Vasquez Anthony, centre

Throwing some move: Khloe wore a high-waisted black skirt and an animal print top, topping the look off with bouffant hair while Kim, right, struts her stuff on the dance floor

He was also surprised with a cake with his picture and the words 'Property of Kim Kardashian - FOR LIFE ,' which caused his friends to tease him and poke straws into the sweet treat.

The pair continue with their respective celebrations tonight, with all the proceedings being captured on camera.

Basketball star Kris surprised Kim by proposing to her back in May, spelling out 'Will you marry me?' in rose petals on the floor of her bedroom at her Beverly Hills home.

The ring was 20.5 carats and cost in the region of $2m.

They are set to tie the knot on August 20 and are likely to have the wedding filmed to broadcast on U.S. channel E! which airs Keeping Up With The Kardashians and the spin-offs from the hit reality show.

Snap happy: LaLa holds a camera as she captures the proceedings of the night

How does my hair look: Khloe checks her hair still has some bounce

'Rs 2 cr too less to strip on TV': Poonam Pandey

Flooded by offers to star in reality shows, model Poonam Pandey has her hands full as of now.

Her life and career went on a roller coaster ride ever since she offered to go commando for the World Cup winning Indian Cricket team.

The Men in Blue ensured that the trophy stayed at home for the next four years, and Poonam has had the time of her life answering the all-important question--so when is she going to live up to her promise? In a candid chat, we quizzed her on all that and more.

The first salvo shot at the leggy lass was about her featuring in a popular reality show. The buzz is that Poonam has been offered a whopping Rs 2 crore to star in the reality show. However, the 20-year-old informs us that this is news to her.

"I have no idea who has circulated this news. In fact, I found out about the offer when I read it on a website. It said that I had been offered a huge amount to strip on the show," said Poonam.

She adds, "But tell me, isn't Rs 2 crore too less an amount to strip on national television? I have been offered close to 30-odd reality shows, but I don't want to be known as a 'Reality Queen'. My aim is to prove my mettle in Bollywood."

When asked about her ventures in Bollywood, she said that currently there are a few offers but she isn't keen on them. The Khans and the A-list is on her mind. "Over the years Salman Khan has worked with several newcomers and I am hoping I get lucky too," she adds. Om Shanti Om, Dabangg and Band Baaja Baarat have all been runaway hits with newcomers, and Poonam is hoping for a similar big bang debut in Bollywood.

With the evolving nature of the audience, movies laced with expletives, lyrics with acronyms and an array of intimate scenes are being accepted and appreciated at the box office.

"The taste of the audience is changing rapidly, and we can see how the song DK Bose became such a popular hit. Heroines are willing to pose in bikinis and even do intimate scenes. The audience has evolved, and I am no different," she says.

"As a person I am quite bold and forthright, and that shows in my work too. I can shoot as many bold scenes, or action sequences as the script demands. I am a director's actor," says Poonam.

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Aman Verma in a new role

Aman Verma, currently seen as Bhanupratap in Na Aana Is Desh Meri Laado, will play Balbeer (Subhash Chandra Bose's confidant) in an upcoming film titled Hitler to Gandhi.

He was very excited to play a sardar for the first time. He polished his mother tongue Punjabi and also practised the lehzaa (Punjabi etiquette) for the role. He initially sported a turban and a beard in the movie but the makers asked him to shoot sans beard and turban for a war sequence as it didn't fit him well. So fond was he of the sikh look that he stuck with it at home. Though the actor was disappointed that he couldn't don the sardar look throughout but made it up for the lost opportunity by sporting one at home

Pooja Gor to get engaged?

Pooja Gor plays a fire brand character in her serial and cut to real life, things are no different.

If the buzz is to be believed, Pooja had a tough time bringing her parents and boyfriend Raj Singh Arora on the same page. Apparently, Pooja's parents didn't approve of their relationship. The lad has also always been uncomfortable talking about his affair with Gor. Insiders feel that he doesn't want people to take him as someone basking in the glory of his girlfriend's popularity.

But he apparently doesn't mind frequenting the sets of Pooja's show and keep the tongues wagging with their chemistry. Pooja, who came to Mumbai a few years ago, fell in love with Arora and intends to marry him in future. Apparently, her parents felt that Raj was not the right one for their daughter. They even expressed their concern to Gor but later gave into her choice fearing that too much of opposition would turn her into a rebel. Buzz is that the actress even wants to shift into the same building as Raj but her parents don't believe in the living-in concept and hence have asked her to commit herself to Raj formally. Of late, the two love birds have been spotted leaving together post her shoot. While Arora didn't revert to our text message, Pooja said, "It's a shocking rumour! Neither are we moving in together nor am I getting engaged anytime soon. We are in a steady relationship and my parents are aware of the fact that Raj is my boyfriend and they are fine with it."

Juhi Parmar gets nostalgic

Rajasthan University recently opened its gates for the new academic session. And while talking to us recently, Jaipur girl and television actress Juhi Parmar got nostalgic about her college days in the city.

She rues, "It's sad that I never really got the time to enjoy my college days because soon after completing my schooling, I shifted to Mumbai for work. So, I had to pursue a correspondence course from University Maharani's College. I don't think the city's education system is lagging behind as most of my friends studied in Jaipur colleges. Haan, ab Jaipur kaafi advance ho gaya hai and people will soon realise its worth."

The moment we got talking about bunking classes, she smiled and said, "Agar bunk karke bhi grades acche aate hain then there is no harm in bunking college."

No time for TV: Veena Malik

Pakistani actress Veena Malik, who had wowed the Indian telly viewers in reality show Bigg Boss, says that she's not too keen to do TV shows at this juncture.

"Currently I'm concentrating on two Bollywood films Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai and Today. So TV will have to wait," says she.

And what about the reports that she is doing the next edition of reality show Swayamvar on Imagine TV after Ratan Rajput? "Yes, I was offered the show, but I couldn't do it because I don't have that kind of time to devote to TV right now. May be later, if something interesting comes along, I don't mind doing it! Right now, my focus is on films alone," says she.

I wanted a tall husband: Ratan Rajput | Interview After marriage

TV actress Ratan Rajput chose software engineer Abhinav Sharma as her life partner because he not only fulfilled all her criteria - and he is very tall. 

"He fitted my picture of the proper mate. Also, I wanted a tall husband because I am not that tall. I'm proud to say my fiance is over six feet tall," said Ratan 

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Getting married on television? Isn't it weird?

A: Aren't the lives of all celebrities abnormal? We make news for sensationalism. If my relative dies in the village, no one writes about it. But if I decide to marry on camera, it makes news... Even if I decided to get married off camera, people would still be skeptical. At least now I can claim that the whole process of choosing a life partner happened in full public view. 

Q: Do you think such a swayamvar marriage can work in this day and age?

A: See, whether it is love marriage or an arranged marriage, whether it works or not depends on the two individuals. I agree a wedding decided on television would be a tough task for an ordinary girl. But for a celebrity the extraordinary is normal. 

Q: Will you be able to see this unconventional marriage through?

A: Of course! I am determined to see it through. I realise the same swayamvar earlier ended on an unfortunate note. I am quite certain I will see it through. 

Q: You are referring to Rakhi Sawant's fiasco marriage?

A: Yes, I don't want to defend Rakhi. But I do think it was better she realised she was making a mistake and called off the marriage. No point in making the wrong move. That's why I've got engaged and will now take time to understand my fiance. I want to sort out all the differences between me and Abhinav before we marry.

Q: Why did you select Abhinav?

A: He fitted my picture of the proper mate. I wanted a groom who was sensible, intelligent and job-holder. He supported me throughout the show. I also like his family. Also, I wanted a tall husband because I am not that tall. I'm proud to say my fiance is over six feet tall. 

Q: When are you getting married?

A: Let me enjoy this period before the wedding. It isn't as if we'll start living together. I'm not that liberal. But yes we'll visit each other's homes. Truly, life on camera is over for me and Abhinav. Now begins our real life together without a screenplay, choreographer or director. We are from two different cities. I want to spend some time with him. I am a public figure. I want him to get used to my lifestyle. 

Q: What did your parents from Patna have to say about their daughter's strange selection of a partner?

A: They're a very simple down-to-earth folks. They've never been on camera. They're happy for me. My parents met Abhinav. My journey from Patna to the soap Agle Janam Moke Bitiya Hi Kijo is like a dream. It's been a beautiful journey. Three of us friends had come from Patna to Mumbai to realise our dreams. Now we live separately, but very close by.

Q: There was a startling makeover from the soap to Swayamvar?

A: (Laughs) I wore whatever my designer told me. It isn't as if I didn't wear shorts before. I did. But I'm conservative in dress and conduct. 

Q: Any plans of acting in films?

A: I can only dream. Producers have to plan. So far I only wanted to make my parents happy by getting married and settling down. I'm half-way there. I'll continue acting after marriage if I can. 

Q: The whole thing is a bit unreal, no?

A: I love it. It's a beautiful feeling. Even on the show Abhinav and I were being ourselves. Now only the cameras are gone.

Ratan Rajput selects Abhinav Sharma in Swayamvar Season 3 - Ratan Ka Rishta

Television actress Ratan Rajput has chosen Abhinav Sharma to be her significant other in Swayamvar Season 3 - Ratan Ka Rishta, though one should not expect news of the couple getting married anytime soon.

26 year old Abhinav Sharma is a software engineer based in Delhi and the in-love couple have decided to get engaged, and plan on spend more time getting to know each other better before committing to the institution of marriage.

Ratan Rajput who is popularly known by her screen name Laali in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, had always said that she was not sure if she would marry on screen, nevertheless, Ratan had received 54,863 wedding proposals and the show started with 16 prospective grooms vying for her love.

In the finale of Swayamvar Ratan Rajput, dressed in complete bridal getup, picked Abhinav over Deepak Pandit of Jammu and Anupam Singh Kushwah from Poland.

"The kind of life partner I had dreamt of... Abhinav fits into it. During the show we, have discussed about leading a simple life and how would we be able to manage. So we have decided to just get engaged and spend sometime together and will get married in some time," said Ratan.

"Ratan has taken this decision for me. We had discussed this before during the show and Ratan understands my situation. We are engaged," chimed in Abhinav.

So comes to end another season on Swayamvar, now we will see if Ratan goes the Rakhi way and moves on from Abhinav Sharma even before the next season of Swayamvar is announced.