Will ‘Patiala House’ do well at box office?

New Delhi, Feb 7 – After a disappointing last year when most of his films saw a bearish turn at the box-office, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is hoping that his first release of the year, cricket based family-drama ‘Patiala House’, witnesses a bullish trend in the movie business. The film is releasing Friday.

Directed by Nikhil Advani and jointly produced and distributed by Hari Om Productions, T-series and People Tree Films Credence Motion Pictures, ‘Patiala House’ shows how difficult it is for a Sikh boy, played by Akshay, in a patriarchal set up to fulfill his dreams.

And as they say behind every successful man there is a woman and something similar happens to this boy after he meets a girl, Anushka Sharma, who gives him the strength to stand up for what he believes in.

Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Indian rapper and hip hop singer Hard Kaur and Prem Chopra completes Akshay’s family in the movie.

The story revolves around the Kahlon family, who has been living in Southall, London for the past four generations. It is ruled by autocratic and stubborn Bauji played by Rishi.

Since he is the head of the family, others have no choice but to adhere to what he says. 

Scarred by a racial incident that took place 20 years ago, which led to the murder of his mentor and guardian Saini, Bauji hates the British and everything that the country and its people stood for.

The dilemma, however, is that his son Parghat Singh Kahlon aka Gattu (Akshay) wants to be a cricketer and play for the British cricket team. But Gattu doesn’t have the courage to stand up to his father therefore drops the idea.

Then enters Simran (Anushka) in Gattu’s life and brings in both courage and hope to fulfil his long cherished dream.

Akshay’s role in ‘Patiala House’ is said to be inspired by England cricket team’s Sikh member Monty Singh Panesar, the first Sikh to join England cricket team and the spinner is the crowds’ favourite.

Panesar’s parents migrated to London from Punjab.

Made with an approximate budget of Rs.21 crore, the film has been shot in Mumbai and places like Southall, Middlesex, Trent Bridge, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Ian Botham, former England test cricketer and captain, makes his Bollywood debut with a cameo appearance in ‘Patiala House’.

Music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy compositions also make ‘Patiala House’ an entertaining album. Music buffs are already dancing to the tunes of hit Punjabi song ‘Laung da Lashkara’ sung by Jasbir Jassi.

Post ‘Singh Is Kinng’ Akshay’s only hit has been ‘Housefull’. So, the star is banking heavily on this film to give him a hit after a string of duds last year – ‘Tees Maar Khan’, ‘Action Replayy’ and ‘Khatta Meetha’.

Along with ‘Patiala House, ‘Ashiqui.in’ and choreographer Ganesh Acharya’s production venture ‘Angel’ will also hit the screens Friday.

‘Angel’, a love story between a boy and a handicapped girl, is the debut movie of Sanjay Dutt’s nephew Nilesh Sahay and actress Sheila Sharma’s daughter Madalta.

‘Ashiqui.in’ will also introduce new faces Ishaan Manhas and Ankita Shrivastava. The film is about two people – Cyrus and April – who chat online and become closer without revealing their true identities.

IANS

Joss Stone bares for bears in PETA ad to protest MoD using fur for hats

London, Feb 7 – Singer Joss Stone has posed naked in a PETA ad to protest against UK’s Ministry of Defence killing bears to use their fur for hats.

Regiments of the Queen’s Guards including the Scots Guards and the Coldstream Guards wear bearskin hats, made from the North American black bear.

Stone, 23, is seen holding a teddy bear that covers up most of her naked body, with the slogan “Bear Hugs, Not Bear Caps” in the background.

“Too many people at the Ministry of Defence are dragging their heels on this issue, and I feel like more needs to be done to stop the murder,” the Daily Mail quoted Stone as saying.

“It’s time for the Ministry of Defence to finally make the switch and go fur-free, and I hope that the ad I have created with PETA helps raise awareness and puts a stop to this unnecessary killing,” she added.

Animal welfare group PETA are campaigning against the killing of the bears for the hats, but a MoD spokesperson has defended the military’s decision to kill bears. 

“The North American Black Bear, whose fur is used, are not killed specifically for the Footguards caps,” the spokesperson said.

“Their numbers in the USA and Canada are kept under control through very strictly enforced licensing regimes – this is how the fur is sourced.

“We have looked into alternative man made materials in the past, but none has come remotely close to matching the natural properties that bear fur possesses.

“We would be very happy to work with any potential supplier who believes they have the answer,” the spokesperson added. (ANI)

Emily Blunt feels relieved when she doesn’t win award

London, Feb 7 – Actress Emily Blunt has revealed that she feels relieved when she doen’t win an award because she hates giving a speech. 

‘I don’t have that, ‘I really want to win sort of thing.’ Am I disappointed if I lose? No. Absolutely not. I am almost relieved that I don’t have to go up there and make a speech,’ contactmusic.com quoted Blunt as saying.

The ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ star also admitted she doesn’t necessarily think awards honour the best production or performances because people’s opinions are so subjective.

‘The awards thing is tricky to understand because it’s about momentum and a general opinion on what’s been great. I don’t know if you can necessarily pin down what is a better performance. 

It’s subjective – not everyone likes some of the Oscar-winning performances that have been out there. Even if you were to win there would be people who’d hate the fact you’d won it,’ she added. 

IANS

Mercy’s family may sue Madonna

London, Feb 6 – The family of Madonna’s adopted daughter Mercy James in planning to sue the pop queen after she broke her promise to let them see the girl. 

They claim that the singer guaranteed regular contact with Mercy, now five, when she adopted her in June 2009. But they have not seen her since, despite Madonna having made two return visits to Malawi with Mercy.

‘Mercy’s family have met me several times over the past year and they have been very upset. They have a strong recollection of being told that they would be able to see Mercy and have regular contact with her and that when she is an adult she will return to live with them in Malawi,’ dailymail.co.uk quoted Emmie Chanika, director of Malawi’s leading civil rights body CILIC, as saying.

‘I believe they have a case in law because there appears to have been a verbal contract between them and Madonna’s representatives. I have already consulted a lawyer on their behalf. Obviously there could be problems as there is no written agreement, but the lawyer is looking into it.

‘I am preparing a letter which will appeal to Madonna’s lawyer Alan Chinula to intervene on the family’s behalf and ask Madonna to kindly let Mercy meet her family. 

‘None of us desires an embarrassing and expensive court case which could humiliate or inconvenience Madonna. The best outcome would be a proper agreement to let Mercy meet her family on a regular basic,’ Chanika added.

Mercy’s uncle Peter Baneti, a fisherman, says the family is upset with Madonna.

‘We heard that Mercy was brought back to Malawi, and we even saw pictures of her in our newspapers but there was no contact with us. We feel cheated, and my elderly mother is very upset. She lost her daughter and now her granddaughter,’ he said.

‘My brother and I decided we should seek professional advice. We are not rich people, nor very well educated, but we know that Madonna’s representatives and the lady at the orphanage promised we would always be in close touch with Mercy,’ he added. 

IANS

3-year refit of Potter producer’s £11m home ‘disrupting neighbours lives’

London, Feb 6 – Neighbours of Harry Potter movie producer David Heyman are fuming over the extensive building work being carried out on his 11-million-pound home.

They say the lavish refit of the vast three-storey building – complete with domed ceiling and octagonal ballroom – is disrupting their lives in Pimlico, Central London, for three years, reports The Daily Mail.

Heyman, 49, and his interior designer wife Rose Uniacke have added a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a winter garden and an elaborate glass extension to the imposing Grade II listed building, which locals compare to the fictional School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Now, a flurry of complaints has prompted Westminster Council officials to pay a visit to the 19th Century home.

“I made a complaint because building work was just non-stop. It was awful,” said Margaret Colville, whose home backs on to the property.

Stuart Aird, 33, an audio-visual consultant who lives in a nearby flat, added that the foundations had ’shaken violently’ as the family installed a geothermal energy system to extract heat from the earth.

“That meant they were drilling large holes into the ground, so you couldn’t fail to hear it. I called Westminster Council to complain that there was noise very early in the morning. They even had very bright floodlights late at night. Even the Jacuzzi pump is loud because it’s in the garden,” he said.

“The scaffolding was there for a long time. It was up and down, up and down. Building was constantly going on and, because of the scale of the work, builders took up parking bays, which was annoying. There are still builders around carrying out some kind of work,” said Moira Farthing, who lives opposite the mansion.

‘They started building at 7am some days, which is an outrageous hour. The council came round and told them they had to start later. It seemed they would never get it finished and work is still being done now. Everyone locally refers to it as Hogwarts as it’s so dark and gothic,’ said another neighbour, who did not wish to be named. 

The building work has caused other problems, with one builder reportedly filing a High Court writ last year claiming Heyman – who produced all the Harry Potter movies after acquiring the rights to the J. K. Rowling books in 1999 – had not paid the full cost of the 3 million pounds extension. (ANI)

Celebrities design bras for breast cancer charity’s auction

London, Feb 06 – More than 40 celebrities and designers have come forward to design bras for a breast cancer charity.

Joanna Lumley, Helen Lederer and Claudia Winkleman are among them who have customized bras in aid of charity.

Women are being invited to bid for the unique lingerie items at an auction next week. One of those donated, by milliner Nerida Fraiman, is estimated to be worth more than 1,000 pounds: it is hand-stitched with individual peacock feathers and has a diamanté jewel globe in the center, reports the Independent.

Another, designed by award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman, has written into it a short story by the author about a woman’s relationship with her breasts.

Esther Rantzen, Maureen Lipman, Isla Fisher and Kelly Brook have also designed bras for the breast cancer charity Cancerkin and the Jewish Community Centre for London.

The lingerie collection will go on show at a charity event at The Comedy Store in London on Monday 21 February.

The high-profile fundraiser for breast cancer comes as it emerged that a British woman’s risk of developing the disease has risen to one in eight from one in nine, according to Cancer Research UK. (ANI)

Glitz, glamour galore at Imran-Avantika wedding reception

Mumbai, Feb 6 – Be it out of love for the newly-married couple or for the sheer goodwill their superstar uncle Aamir Khan enjoys, people from every generation in Bollywood along with bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and players graced actor Imraan Khan and Avantika’s wedding reception.
 

The party at the Taj Lands End hotel started late Saturday evening and continued until Sunday morning. Shah Rukh Khan was the last to arrive late in the morning and he was at his jovial best.

Aamir received him at the gate with a warm hug.

When asked why he got so late, Shah Rukh jokingly said: ‘I am running one day late in my life, but it was out of love for Aamir that I made sure that I attend the ceremony.’

But he quickly added: ‘I was actually shooting. I was working so I told him that I would come late and they are so sweet that they waited for me. Imran and Avantika are my young friends, so I wanted to come and wish them.’

Shah Rukh and his wife Gauri are seen as the ideal couple in Bollywood, but the superstar didn’t give any golden tips to the couple. ‘I charge for my advice. I don’t give free advice to anyone,’ he joked again.

But on serious note, he added: ‘They are just married, so I wont give them any tips now. I have told Imran and Avantika to come and sit with me and I will make them understand how to lead a best marriage life.’

Asked what he gifted to the couple, he said: ‘I hugged them tightly with love. I don’t think any gift can be bigger than my heartfelt love.’

Imran married his long time girlfriend Avantika Jan 10 and soon after the wedding the couple went to Thailand for their honeymoon.

Among the first ones to arrive at the gala was master blaster Sachin Tendulkar with wife Anjali. Yuvraj Singh and boxer Vijendra followed them. They stayed for few minutes and left after wishing the couple.

From the film fraternity, the whole Kapoor family – Shammi Kapoor and his nephews Rishi Rapoor and Randhir Kapoor came together to bless the newly weds. Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor too joined them.

‘Imran is a very dear friend of mine. I want to wish them a very happy married life,’ said Ranbir.

Dev Anand and very surprisingly, Dilip Kumar with wife Saira Banu, too graced the occasion.

‘At such occasions, we exchange smiles and wish an everlasting married life,’ said Dev Anand.

Salman Khan, R. Madhavan with wife Sarita, Akshay Kumar with wife Twinkle Khanna, Hrithik Roshan with wife Sussanne Khan, Suniel Shettty, Govinda, Jackie Shroff, Bobby Deol, Anupam Kher, Irrfan Khan, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Tusshar Kapoor ans his father Jitendra, Zayed Khan and Sanjay Khan were among the clebrities who attended the bash.

Bollywood beauties Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Preity Zinta, Anushka Sharma, Rani Mukherji and Vidya Balan too came. Deepika Padukone was there with her friend Siddharth Malya.

‘Imran and Avantika make a very sweet couple and I wish them a very, very happy married life,’ said Vidya.

Priyanka said: ‘I wish them many many years of togetherness.’

Juhi recalled: ‘I know Imran since he was a kid. He played the role of young Aamir in ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’. I wish them all the very best and a very happy married life.’

Among Bollwood producers and directors, Ashutosh Gowarikar with wife Sunita, Milan Luthria with wife Liane, Sudhir Mishra, Raju Hirani, Imtiyaz Ali, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Yash Chopra with wife Pamela, Mukesh Bhatt and Farah Khan came to wish the couple.

‘I wish them that they should love each other for ever like this and make a very happy married life,’ said Yash Chopra.

Singer Bappi Lahiri, Rupkumar Rathore, Alka Yagnik lyricists Javed Akhtar and Prasoon Joshi were seen at the do.

Even warring cousins Raj Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navanirman Sena and Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena came under one roof to bless the couple.

Megastar Amitabh Bachhan and his family, however could not attend.

‘We are vey happy that all friends, colleagues and seniors are attending the reception to give best wishes to Imran and Avantika. I spoke to Amitji yesterday and came to know he is not in town so he would be unable to attend the party,’ Aamir told reporters.

IANS

Mixed response for Dev Anand’s ‘Hum Dono’

New Delhi, Feb 6 – The coloured version of Dev Anand’s 1961 classic ‘Hum Dono’ has got a mixed response from cinegoers. Middle-aged people, curious to seen it in its new form, are enjoying it, while youngsters do not find it too interesting. 

‘The response has been terrific. It is something unheard that even after 60 years of Dev Anand being in the industry, the film is still running. It is a wonderful and a memorable movie. Our first show is houseful. I am confident that the film will do well,’ Piyush Raizada, director, Delight Cinema told IANS. 

The 1961 black and white classic has been colourised in the US and is in CinemaScope with Dolby Digital Ex surround sound. It was released in 250 screens Friday all over India – of them 101 theatres alone in Mumbai and 45 movie halls in Delhi. 

Directed by Amarjeet and produced by the legend himself, ‘Hum Dono’ was the last black and white film from Dev Anand’s banner Navketan and he played a double role for the first time.

Set in the backdrop of war, the film is about two army men who are lookalikes and how this complicates their personal lives. Apart from Dev Anand, the film had Nanda and Sadhna in the leading roles. Some of the iconic songs composed by Jaidev include ‘Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya’ and ‘Abhi na jaao chhodkar’. 

But the film has failed to attract youngsters. 

‘People in their forties, who must have watched the film in their younger years, are more curious to see the film. Youngsters don’t seem much interested,’ said Amit Awasthi, senior manager (Programming and Operations) Spice cinemas. 

Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, echoed similar views.

‘The response has been lukewarm. The occupancy has been just five to 10 percent. I believe it’s the generation gap that is keeping youngsters way. I don’t think it would run for long,’ he said. 

However, for Radhika Sharma, a housewife, the film was a refreshing change. 

‘I really enjoyed the film. The coloured version was indeed a refreshing change. I was a die-hard Dev Anand fan in my teenage years. When I came to know that ‘Hum Dono’ is being released in coloured version I booked first day, first show,’ she said. 

Adds Ashok Sharma, who is in government service: ‘It was moment of nostalgia, I would like to appeal to the filmmakers to convert such iconic films into colour.’ 

IANS

I still have to find the right man: Deepika Padukone

Mumbai, Feb 6 – She is still looking for the right man, says Deepika Padukone who is often spotted with industrialist Vijay Mallya’s son Siddharth after breaking up with Ranbir Kapoor. 

‘I haven’t thought of marriage. I still have to find the right man to even consider marriage,’ Deepika told reporters at Imran Khan and Avantika’s wedding reception Saturday where she came with Sidhharth.

When the reporters asked Siddharth about their relationship, he too passed the buck on Deepika saying: ‘I have planned nothing as yet. You should ask her.’

Commenting upon the rumours about his and Deepika’s relationship, he said: ‘I was out of the country when I heard of it, it made me laugh.’

Deepika, who featured with Imran in ‘Break Ke Baad’, said it was must for her to attend her co-star’s wedding reception.

‘I owe it to Imran. I was shooting in Bhopal and have just landed and coming straight from the airport to attend the reception,’ she said. 

IANS

I’ll marry Peter in Egypt, says Celina Jaitley

Mumbai, Feb 6 – Celina Jaitly’s wedding date is finalised. The actress says she will tie the knot with Dubai-based Austrian businessman Peter Haag Sep 23 in Egypt, which is now in turmoil. 

Tens of thousands of Egyptians are demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak who has been in power since 1981.

‘By September I’m sure everything will be back to normal in Egypt. It has to be. A strife of this sort cannot last for more than some days. Peter and I will take our marriage vows in Egypt and nowhere else. We decided that when we decided to get married. That won’t change,’ said Celina, 30.

She intends to visit Egypt as soon as the present unrest subsides.

‘The recent events in Egypt have left us all completely and totally astounded. Whatever happens next will impact Egypt and its people in a big way. My prayers are that whatever the outcome, it should be of a positive nature,’ said the actress who last visited the country in December 2010. 

‘I spent an entire month there until 15th Dec for a shoot. I attended the Cairo film festival as jury for 12 days, and shot for approximately a week for an ad campaign all over Cairo without a clue about any *such) incident taking (place in) Egypt.’

Celina has initiated a campaign for peace in Egypt on her official website. 

‘It’s called Pray For Egypt. Twitter followers are invited to offer their prayers for peace in the region,’ said the actress who has worked in films like ‘No Entry’ and ‘Golmaal Returns’.

Earlier Celina had planned not to get married before 2012. But now when the couple is sure of their feeling for one another, waiting seems futile. 

IANS

Sophie Dahl, Jamie Cullum are geeky couple

Model-turned-author Sophie Dahl and her husband Jamie Cullum love having "geeky" conversations.

The couple married last year and are expecting their first child together.

"I only discovered the author Margaret Atwood in the past five years. Jamie is a big fan of hers as well. It's nice being married to someone who likes to read because you can indulge in geeky conversations about books," contactmusic quoted her as saying.

Sophie, 33 says she has developed a fascination with feminism.

"I've started to read more factual books, partly because I didn't go to university.

"Feminism is so pertinent - it affects all of us. As a woman you have an instinct to question sexual politics, we have a responsibility to care." 

IANS

Liz Hurley ‘on her way Down Under to catch up with Shane Warne’

Melbourne, Feb 06 – Liz Hurley is on her way to Australia to catch up with the spin king Shane Warne.

Hurley will arrive in Melbourne early this week and Warne is apparently making frantic preparations for his glamorous British girlfriend’s impending visit.

Cricketing bad boy has busily been re-decorating his Melbourne home, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Although he’s set to show off his home, Warne is understood to be eager to avoid the media circus.

Hurley has been reading up on all things Australia in preparation for her trip, and is expecting Warne to be her tour guide.

“If you haven’t lined up koalas and kangaroos for my next trip I shall be desolate,” she tweeted. (ANI)

‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Amanda Holden suffers miscarriage

London, Feb 06 – Actress Amanda Holden suffered a miscarriage this week, her agent has said.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge was seven months pregnant when she lost the baby boy she was expecting.

She went to West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth, west London, after the baby stopped moving. It was later stillborn.

Holden and her husband Chris Hughes are said to be “utterly devastated” at the loss.

The 39-year-old also lost a baby last year.

The actress only announced the most recent pregnancy in January when she was six months pregnant. The couple have a five-year-old daughter Lexi.

“They are utterly devastated,” the Telegraph quoted the couple’s spokeswoman Alison Griffin as saying.

“Amanda had been closely monitored throughout her pregnancy and it is not yet known what went wrong.

“Both Chris and Amanda would like to thank the midwives and staff at The Queen Mary Maternity unit at West Middlesex Hospital Isleworth for their tremendous support,” Griffin added. (ANI)

Stephen wants Jake, Billy Bob for 'The Stand'

London, Feb 6 – Legendary writer Stephen King is urging movie bosses to rope in Jake Gyllenhaal and Billy Bob Thornton to star in the upcoming big screen remake of his 1978 book "The Stand".

The post-apocalyptic story, which sees the US devastated by a superflu virus, was first adapted for a 1994 TV mini series of the same name starring Gary Sinise in the lead role of survivor Stuart Redman.

"No one will be able to top Gary Sinise, who played Stu Redman in the original ABC mini series. He was perfect... (But) my runner-up pick would be Jake Gyllenhaal," dailystar quoted King as saying.

King also hopes Thornton will also be offered a part. "Billy Bob Thornton would be cool. Billy Bob's always cool." 

IANS

I might make India my second home: Caterina

She is Hollywood star Jennifer Lopez's cousin and is all set to make a splash in Bollywood with an item number. Caterina Lopez loves being in Mumbai, is a Shah Rukh Khan fan, wants to learn Hindi and says she just might make India her second home.

This is Caterina's second trip to Mumbai and loves the idea of making a career in the Hindi film industry.

"I'm loving being in Mumbai. The weather is perfect right now. It's neither too hot nor too cold. This is my second trip to India and on this trip I did get a chance to know Mumbai better. That's exciting," Caterina told us in an interview.

"I came last year around summer time for the first time. That time I had come to shoot for the item song. I couldn't go around Mumbai that time and didn't even have the time to shop because I was very busy. But this time I did get the opportunity to go around and I loved it," said the leggy beauty, who admits that she doesn't have her sister's singing genes.

Caterina will be seen dancing in a sari in the film "Bhindi Bazaar Inc" and to the words "Taan ke seena hoja Kameena". The movie by debutant director Ankush Bhatt stars critically acclaimed actors Deepti Naval, Kaykay Menon and Pawan Malhotra among others.

The Latin beauty feels that the song was a good opportunity for her to try her luck in Bollywood.

"I did know about Bollywood. It is pretty known in America; so I did have a good idea about the industry.

"The director approached me for this song and I thought that this will be a great platform for my Bollywood introduction. I also quite liked the song, and really connected with it and thought that this is the perfect thing for me. So I came to India and we shot it and I had an amazing time," Caterina said.

But she did have her share of difficulties while shooting the song in Hindi, an alien language for her.

"It was not easy learning the whole Bollywood style of dancing because it's very different. It's a different ball game altogether. Learning the song was also very tough but once I got a hang of it, it became better.

"Honestly I think I did a good job," she said.

Caterina, who refused to reveal her age, said she had earnest plans of learning Hindi.

"I'm still struggling with the language. Here and there I've learned a few words, but I'm definitely planning to get a teacher and learn Hindi completely," she added.

Asked if she would like to make a career in Hindi films, Caterina said candidly: "I do have those plans ... there are talks about a few projects and hopefully once the film comes out we'll see the reaction of the people and then I plan to do more work in India."

"I'm looking forward to that and maybe India might just become my second home. Who knows?"

Aamir plays host to Sachin, Ambanis, Thackerays

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao ensured that they make nephew Imran Khan and Avantika Malik's wedding reception a grand affair.

And the lovely couple didn't fall short on any grounds. The event that was held at Taj Land's End in Bandra, was attended by the who's who of Mumbai. It saw the coming of many legendary actors, happy couples, and once-upon-a-time couples who had simply moved on.

Aamir Khan looked slick in a black suit. He sported a beard and earrings, and looked suave. His wife Kiran Rao was dressed in a a golden-beige combination. Aamir was quick to say that he found Kiran beautiful in everything that she wore and that evening was no exception. The guests of honour, Imran Khan and Avantika Malik looked a very happy couple. Groom Imran was dressed in a black achkan while the pretty bride, Avantika wore a beige and bright pink lehenga.

Aamir played host to the hilt. He spent much time making sure that legendary actors - Dev Anand, Vinod Khanna, Prem Chopra - who attended the event felt comfortable and were tended to luxuriously. Shammi Kapoor's attendance there was a big surprise. Shammi has been in and out of hospitals in the recent past and is known to be ailing. However, with him he brought in much energy at the wedding reception of Imran and Avantika.

Rishi and Randhir Kapoor also made it to the grand event. Kareena Kapoor who entered with Karan Johar and Preity Zinta, couldn't help but pose with dad Randhir for a pic for posterity. Ranbir Kapoor, who is fast friends with Ranbir and Avantika, was dressed (co-incidentally) similarly to the way Imran was! But Avantika and Katrina weren't confused. Each one of them knew exactly which arm they had to hold on to.

No, Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan didn't walk in together, neither were they spotted arm-in-arm, but yes they bonded at the do that also saw the presence of Deepika Padukone and Siddharth Mallya. Anushka Sharma and Ranvir Singh - of Band Baaja Baaraat fame - were not to miss this reception either.

The event was graced even by politicians, business men, and sport personalities. Sachin Tendulkar walked in with wife Anjali. Mukesh and Nita Ambani made a grand entry. Raj Thackeray was spotted with his wife; Praful Patel and Ajay Bijli were also there to bless the couple.

Salman Khan came in with brother Sohail Khan. Arbaaz Khan, too, was present at the function. Shah Rukh entered with wife Gauri who looked lovely in an emerald green sari, Hrithik Roshan and wife Suzanne were also there to wish the couple along with Rakesh and Pinky Roshan. Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor walked in with son Tusshar. Newly launched Sonakshi Sinha posed happily with dad Shatrughan Sinha, while brother Kush patiently waited his turn.

Juhi Chawla was warmly welcomed at the event. Madhuri Dixit looked gorgeous as ever. Rani Mukerji returned to her traditional avatar, and was quite an eye-catcher in her bright yellow sari, Vidya Balan stuck to her traditional 'Anarkali' style outfit. Priyanka Chopra looked lovely in white; Gracy Singh seemed re-vamped. Dressed traditionally, she reminded us of the Lagaan chori that she once played to the hilt.

Govinda, Genelia D'Souza, Gul Panag, Shyam Benagal, Anu Malik, Bappi Lahiri, Imtiaz Ali, Ashutosh Gowarikar were among various other stars who shone brightly on this particular night that ended rather late - in the wee hours of the morning!

Sonali Bendre goes panty less!

It seems Sonali Bendre is following the current bandwagon where B-town girls are forgetting to wear the essential piece of garment.

Sonali attended Karan Johar's bash at Four Seasons in Mumbai on Wednesday. The actress arrived at the party wearing a short black mini dress but forgot to wear the essential piece of garment - her underwear.

She came along with family friend Aishwarya Rai and her sister in law Shrishti Arya. It is believed that the actress who was sitting on the back seat of her car along with Ash was clueless about what was showing.

When she was informed by the press, her reaction was all the more shocking. She smiled at the reporters and said, "I am happy that you saw it." It can be recalled that Yana went through the same situation and didn't took it very seriously and called herself the 'No Panty Girl'.

We wonder what Sonali will call herself!