Salman and Katrina skip karan's party

Having attended her kid-brother's graduation in culinary arts in Zurich, at precisely 1.30 am on Friday-Saturday morning Priyanka Chopra flew straight from the airport to the Taj Lands End, the venue for Karan Johar's extravagantly-discussed birthday extravaganza. She was one of the last guests to arrive and one of the last to leave. Having landed hours ago Priyanka displayed no sign of jetlag or fatigue.

Says a very khaas mehmaan at the Johar jamboree, "In fact Priyanka was in specially high spirits that evening. Looking radiant, animated and chattering nineteen-to-the-dozen, Priyanka looked triumphant, and why not? She had been put back on Johar's guest list after being knocked off."

Throughout the evening Priaynka was seen talking and whispering into Johar's ears but discreetly avoiding contact-eye or otherwise-with Johar's best friend Shah Rukh Khan. It was a mixed triumph for Priyanka. As she was allowed into the coveted party only after Mrs Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri, granted permission.

The imposing Mrs Khan has laid down certain ground rules for her husband vis-a-vis Ms Chopra: no films together and no hobnobbing socially beyond niceties. Incidentally Mrs Khan had laid down similar rules for her husband vis-a-vis Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee. But that's another story.

Meanwhile back at the most hotly-discussed party of the millennium, it was a formal affair with elaborate arrangements. Says one of the top actresses who attended, "It was a sit-in dinner with loads of Punjabi khana. Because that's what KJO loves.The glamorous decor was stylishly designed by Manish Malhotra. It was good to see the stars dressed in formals rather than the tee-shirts some of them wear even to formal events."

Most of Karan Johar's friends from the film industry(which means nearly everyone) turned up. Conspicuous by their absence were Salman Khan and Johar's chikni chameli Katrina Kaif, both of whom are currently shooting in Bangkok. Unlike Sanjay Dutt who left his shooting in Jodhpur for Soham Shah's Sher for an evening to be in Mumbai for his new pal KJO's 'Happy Burday' Katrina and Salman gave the event a skip for different seasons.

Salman, a source close to him informs, gave in to KJO's persuasive powers and said yes to the invitation in spite of knowing 'he' (read: SRK) would be there. But then friends advised Salman against providing titillating fodder for the shutterbugs. Also a co-star whom Salman trusts blindly reminded him what had transpired at another birthday bash in 2008 (Katrina's) where Salman and SRK nearly came to blows. That clinched the matter. No Salman at the Johar bash.

As for Katrina she was advised to fly down for Karan's sake. Those close to her said it would be good PR. But then a member of her staff made the mistake of pointing out to Katrina that flying down for the event was imperative since Priyanka Chopra too was doing the same. That did it.

Says a friend of Katrina, "Never tell Kat to do something just because someone else is doing the same. Kat loves KJO and recently did the chikni chameli song for him free of cost. It's another matter that KJO didn't gift her the promised Ferrari. Or that she is yet to sign on a full-fledged heroine's role in Dharma. Katrina would have still flown down from Bagkok. But when she heard Priyanka was flying straight in from Zurich, Kat decided not to. It would make her seem like she was vying for space in the Dharma scheme of things."
Not that Salman or Katrina were missed. There was plenty of excitement on the guest list. Vidya Balan (trying hard to convince everyone around that she hadn't heard any negative comments on her lavni item song in Ferrari Ki Sawari)and boyfriend Siddharth Roy Kapoor made their first together appearance at a filmy do.

Says a guest at KJO's bash, "The couple made no attempt to hide their feelings. Kapoor looked after Vidya like a good husband and even fed her from his plate." Incidentally Mr Kapoor is keen to tie the knot immediately. But Ms Balan's spiralling box office fortunes are proving the villain.

Other guests at the star-studded party were Tabu and Urmila Matondkar (talking animatedly maybe about spinsterhood), Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Shahid Kapoor, Bipasha Basu (no, the last two-named were not together), Anushka Sharma, Arjun Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut, Boman Irani, Kangna Ranaut, Yash Chopra, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rahul Bose, Ronit Roy, Uday Chopra.

Jaya Bachchan arrived solo. And, Rekha didn't show up to do another Silsila for the paparazzi outside parliament. Johar's 'Amit Uncle' Mr Bachchan and Abhishek are abroad for the former's treatment. Says an appreciative guest, "There were no glitches, no stress. No one misbehaved or got drunk.It was wonderfully organized. There was a sitdown dining area and the food was served with warmth and for a change we all actually ate at a party. KJO had asked everyone not to reach his party after dinner. And there was a separate room for desserts.It was all very stylish. We left by 1.30 am. But the party went on till 4 am."

Salman Khan to lend voice for Andaz Naya Naya?

Eighteen years since the cult comedy, Andaz Apna Apna (1994), starring Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, Prem and Amar’s crazy antics are all set to return to the big screen, this time as a 3D animated film. And if everything goes as planned, Salman will be lending his voice for the character of Prem

in Andaz Naya Naya.

Producer Siddhartha Jain, CEO of iRock Productions, has already met Salman. He says, “First, let me clarify that my film is a sequel and not a remake of Andaz Apna Apna. We are halfway through the film and it should be completed by December.”

How did Salman react towards it? “We showed him the trailer and he loved it. Although he is impressed with the first look, he will take a final call (about doing the voice-over) once we have finished work on the movie. It’s not confirmed yet. I will approach Aamir too, but only after the film is complete,” Jain says.

The animated film is apparently being made with a budget of Rs. 15 crore. And it’s likely to release in the first quarter of 2013. Raveena Tandon and Shakti Kapoor are already believed to be on-board for voice-overs for the characters based on them from Raj Kumar Santoshi’s original film.

Jain is also working on India’s “first-ever vampire film” Bloody Veer (this one’s not animated). “The film won’t be about blood and gore. It will be a cool film, in a Wake Up Sid-meets-Twilight (2008) kind of way,” says Jain.

Currently at the Cannes film festival, Jain informs us that the German media was very excited to know about a potential vampire film in Bollywood. “They love Twilight. So, they want to know what Bollywood can do with the genre,” he says.

Wasn’t Ranbir Kapoor in talks for the film? “We are in talks with a number of actors, but no one is finalised yet. We are keen to work with a big actor, but I am not ready to wait for another year due to a big star’s unavailability. I am open to casting a new actor in the role because the film needs to start now,” says Jain.

Falcao: Messi and Ronaldo comparisons motivates me

The Atletico Madrid forward was one of the stars of the 2011-12 campaign, leading to many mentioning him in the same breath as the likes of the Barcelona star and Real Madrid attacker.

Speaking to Fifa.com, Falcao responded to the comparisons by stating: "I've received some glowing praise from a few players, which makes me happy but also puts more responsibility on me for the future.

"It’s only going to motivate me to get even better and go for more records."

The Colombia international has also been linked departing the Vicente Calderon this summer, with both Barca and Madrid mentioned as possible destinations, but Falcao insists he is not thinking about leaving.

"I’ve heard the rumours, but the fact is I don’t know anything about it. All I want to do now is enjoy the summer and everything we’ve achieved with the club. It’s time to take things easy, now more than ever.

"Obviously there’s a huge rivalry between the two teams [Atleti and Real]. I know some players have moved from one club to the other, but to be honest I’m not thinking about my future right now."

Falcao joined Atleti from Porto for a reported €40 million and is contracted until 2016.

Samsung Galaxy is a Rising Star

LONDON :  Tuesday the most important mobile phone of the year will go on sale.

Nine million pre-orders have already been placed for the Samsung Galaxy S3 and its predecessor, the S2, has sold

20 million in the year it has been on sale.

While Apple may have more publicity, Samsung is already the world's largest maker of mobile phones, including the much more lucrative smartphones. The iPhone has sold more than 90 million globally since the 4S launched in October, but Samsung's combined sales make it a far larger concern.

On Tuesday, however, the company's challenge will be to match the excitement that Apple generates. The S3 has new features that mean the screen knows if you're looking at it and automatically stays on, while it also offers a 4.8-inch screen that is the best and brightest on the market. Plus there is voice assistant software that is like Apple's popular Siri personal assistant.

The Korean manufacturer is setting up special pop-up shops in various London locations but it will need to make the launch feel like an event. It is unlikely, however, to have fans queuing round the block quite as they do for iPhones.

Yet analysts and critics have been enthusiastic about the S3: "Samsung has built its reputation on producing the 'must-have' Android smartphone and, in the process, has become the poster child for the Android platform," said Mr Adam Leach of analysts Ovum.

"Samsung's Galaxy S3 not only needs to stand out amongst a plethora of other Android-based smartphones it will also go head-to-head with the next iteration of Apple's iPhone."

What is clear, however, is that smartphones are having more of an impact on everybody's daily lives than ever before - whether that's for maps, email or for the hundreds of thousands of apps available. Increasingly, it is Samsung and Apple that dominate that space.

So, this week will mark the start of a battle between two giant companies - the more expensive iPhone will no doubt retain an army of loyal fans, and the forthcoming iPhone 5 will garner acres of publicity. But Samsung is continuing its relentless march forward, adding new features that consumers feel is the future of Google's attempt to dominate the mobile phone in all our pockets. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Mission accomplished, says triumphant skipper Gambhir

"There is only one word that comes to my mind. Mission accomplished. We had strong belief in our team. We knew when the big day will come the guys would deliver. I want to thank our fans back in Kolkata, who had stood by the team during tough situations. We have done it for them," Gambhir said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Asked about Manvinder Bisla's blinder of an innings, the skipper said, "Bisla today showed that what character is all about. I have always maintained that a captain is as good as his team. It's a successful team that makes a successful captain. When I selected Bisla, I knew that we had quality in our dressing room."
The skipper also didn't forget to mention the contribution of Laxmipathy Balaji who missed out due to injury.
"Bala has been the unsung hero of our team. One can't forget his contribution. When we left for the stadium, I told him that we wanted to do it for him."
Man of the match Bisla said, "I am feeling very happy that I played my part. I replaced Brendon who is a class player. His record speaks for himself. Due to Balaji's injury, we had to leave him out, I am lucky that I got a chance. Till the last ball, it did not feel like we had made it. I don't think I have hit as well, good to play this in the finals to help win it for my team."
Bisla said that there wasn't any specific plan chasing a stiff target.
"There was no plan, wanted to go out there to enjoy, after Gambhir got out, I felt a tad tensed but after getting one or two to the fence, I got the confidence. Kallis is a legend, batting along side him was a great opportunity, he asked me to keep it simple and get going."
Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [ Images ] felt that the pitch became better for batting in the second session.
"I thought the ball started coming on slightly better in the second half. Bisla and Kallis got the partnerships KKR needed."
Dhoni didn't feel that 190 wasn't enough. "Cricket is a game of plus ten and minus ten. It is always like that. Under the conditions, we batted well. It was a bit slower in the first innings. Batsmen did a good job.
"Not to forget, we could have looked for 200 and ended up with 170.
Our bowlers were not getting reverse swing. Then it becomes easy for the fast bowlers to execute the wide yorkers. Still, I am happy with our performance," Dhoni said.

Aishwarya Rai stuns at Cannes

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
With her head held high and the glow of motherhood radiating in every direction and smacking in the face all those who had been having a good ol time commenting on her weight, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan walked the red carpet at Cannes in a blue Elie Saab creation, non-skinny and carefree. She still rules Bollywood and she knows it very well.
Considering her previous appearances at Cannes, some of which have been downright hideous (remember the time she turned up looking like the sun, and not in a good way?), who would have thought 2012 would be the year when the Indian beauty finally got it right.

Pep : Messi is the Best

Barcelona’s soon-to-be former head coach, Pep Guardiola, has voiced his appreciation for side’s star player, Lionel Messi.
In wake of Barca’s 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final, the departing manager firmly established that Messi is the best player he has ever seen.
Friday night saw the Catalan giants overcome Marcelo Bielsa’s men in spectacular fashion.
Although it was Guardiola’s last match at the helm of the Nou Camp outfit, he made sure that his opinion regarding the Rosario native was heard, as the retired midfielder was found full of appreciation for ‘La Masia’ graduate.
Messi has indeed enjoyed a fantastic season as his exploits this term have proven that the Argentine is far better than his competitors.
At least individually the left-footed forward’s season could not have been better as he managed to win a number of individual accolades.
Not only was the attacker able to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or for third consecutive time, he also managed to break a few significant records.
The 2011-2012 campaign saw Messi become the highest goal scorer in the history of Barcelona, along with becoming the highest goal scorer in the history of the Spanish La Liga. Incredibly, the player became the highest goal scorer in Europe, breaking the record formerly held by Gerd Muller.
The Barca number 10 was also remarkable during the Copa del Rey final as he netted his 73^rd goal for the Catalan giants in the 20^th minute of the match.
While talking about Messi, Guardiola was quoted as saying:

"It has been an honour to be the coach of the best player I have ever seen and probably the best I will see. Messi taught me to be even more competitive. We would have won trophies without him, but not 14 from 19."
"Football-wise, this has been the best season. We introduced new concepts. And next season, we'll be even better."
The end of the season marks the end of Josep Guardiola’s time as the Barcelona manager. He served the club for four seasons.