Among the list of politicians of all shades is the name of Sam Pitroda. That is an impressive name for his role in guiding India through the telecommunication revolution.

But over the years the former NRI, now an advisor to the prime minister, has become a part of the inner political circle in Delhi. There is nothing wrong with that, but how many Indians know the name of Pitroda.

In fact, I wonder how many Indians know that Patil is the country's current head of the state. I am thinking about a radical idea, that perhaps India needs a president whose name and work is familiar to practically every Indian, even those in Diaspora.

Someone who has made a major contribution to the well being of the nation - having entertained generations since the late 1960s in many popular films. How about Amitabh Bachchan for the president of India? This October Bachchan will turn 70.

He started his career 43 years ago - first as a voiceover artist in Bhuvan Shome and soon after in the role of an anti-Portuguese freedom fighter in Goa in K.A, Abbas's Saat Hindustani.

He has been acting since then, reaching the peak of his career and then at times of set backs, reinventing himself - more than once. One list on the Internet says that Bachchan has acted nearly 190 films.

Bachchan to me represents the kind of aspirational individual that many should relate to in the changing India. Although he came from an educated, established and a well recognised family his early years in the Hindi film industry were marked with struggle.

But persistence coupled with his natural talent, and a few angels in the form of filmmakers and scriptwriters helped him overcome his dark days. Not many actors or other film personalities can have a decade defined by their work.

There were a lot of different forms of Hindi cinema in the 1970s, but that decade along with at least a part of the 1980s is first and foremost remembered as the time of the angry young man. And Bachchan defined that era, using his voice, eyes, physical presence and speaking words written by a few gifted writers, to define the character There is no doubt that Bachchan is one of the most recognised names in India - still immensely popular and appealing to different generations.

There is even a temple dedicated to him in Kolkata. I suppose something will have to be done about that if he does become the president.

And something will also have to be done about the cold war that exists (or at least used to exist) between him and the Gandhi family. There have been controversies surrounding Bachchan, but that is a sign that he is a human being, at times flawed.

These mistakes should only make him a better individual. Bachchan is articulate, bright, educated, all of the qualities that should be important for a person who heads the nation - even though the Indian president is more of a symbol.

I can see him with foreign dignitaries, reviewing armed forces at airports abroad and during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. It will be so much more impressive than watching yet another drab career politician pretending to speak on behalf of all Indians.

In the lives of Indians, especially those who love Hindi language films, there are many images of Amitabh Bachchan I will always remember the early Bachchan - the quiet, sensitive doctor in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand or the brooding, tragic loner in the same director's Mili. I also remember the cocky and angry Bachchan of Yash Chopra's Deewar, who is reduced to nothing, when he hears the classic dialogue - Mere Paas Maa Hai, spoken by the honest cop brother played by Shashi Kapoor.

I would like to add to that the image of a president - a man who would do Indian proud (less)

The list is growing by the day. While these scenes generate a lot of curiosity before the film's release, is this B-Town's new formula to grab immediate attention? Director Vivek Agnihotri says, "Sex sells.

There was a time when actresses used to emphasise on 'no kissing, no cleavage' clause. But today an actress will have to go home if she has such inhibitions.

Small town youngsters want to watch films like Love, Sex Aur Dhoka and Ragini MMS . According to surveys conducted in smaller cities, parents and children go separately to watch these movies, but they do watch them.

So even if these films are not meant for family viewership, they work." Filmmakers deny that they are going the Hollywood way, suggesting that the films are actually a reflection of society.

Filmmaker Abhinay Deo says, "The youth today are coming out of their shells and our society is less hypocritical. Anything that is not agreeable will not sustain, whether it is titillating or not.

" While many actors actually get talked about when they do such bold scenes, some feel that they'd do such scenes only if the script demands it. Actor Tusshar Kapoor says, "When a film is bold, it needs to be marketed well.

There have been so many clones of films like Murder and Kya Cool Hain Hum but they did not work. Audiences are smart enough to judge a film.

" Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO of a leading production house says, "It would be a folly to continue being coy. We'd be foolish to assume that just because we don't show romance or kissing on screen, the youth of the country would not be watching it on internet at home!" So now we know why Bolly films are spicier and bolder of late! It's about money (less)

Incidentally, they also became the basic role-models(!), and have, almost been idolised by script writers down the ages when it comes to penning villains' roles. Also, our stars have, since long, been very proud of playing don on screen, and have even won awards for the same.

Think Shabana Azmi ("Godmother"), Nayagan ("Kamal Haasan"), Amitabh Bachchan (" Agneepath "). The latest in the line is Bollywood's brand new villain Sonu Sood, who is going around saying, "I am super excited to be playing Dawood Ibrahim.

" He will be essaying the role of the underworld don in "Shootout At Wadala" and he also says he is doing his bit to carry off the role perfectly. Now all of them say this - that they are doing their bit to perfect the role.

Wonder what they do to 'perfectly' portray a guy no one has really seen much in public and someone they (hopefully) have never interacted with, nevertheless, here's bringing you a list of asli dons and their screen versions portrayed by our stars over the years..

. with Dawood Ibrahim and Haji Mastan emerging clear favourites with Bollywood! 'Deewar' (1975): Amitabh Bachchan based on Haji Mastan It was the movie that introduced the 'angry young man' in B-wood, the movie that made Amitabh Bachchan a superhero.

And yet, the fact that the storyline of "Deewar" was based on a don - was actually the making of Haji Mastan - was kept a less-publicised fact. Interestingly, Bachchan's character, Vijay is believed to be one of the first real-life inspired gangster roles in Hindi cinema.

It is rumoured that when he heard that the story of the movie was based on him, Mastan asked for the movie to be shown to him first. Not surprising, since the writer Salim Khan and Bachchan often visited Mastan while the film was being shot, making people believe that the duo took inputs from the real-life don.

Years later, when moving court for another movie based on her dad's life, "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai", his daughter said, "My father had seen "Deewar" and did not exactly find Amitabh Bachchan's character modelled on him!" 'Nayagan' (1987) and 'Dayavan' (1988): Kamal Haasan and Vinod Khanna based on Varadarajan Mudaliar Both the movies were based on the life and times of the Matunga muscleman, Varadarajan Mudaliar. While "Nayagan" (Tamil) saw Kamal Haasan play Vardhabhai (as the don was known), "Dayavan", the Hindi version had Vinod Khanna playing VM.

But unlike "Nayagan", which got an Academy nomination in the foreign films category, "Dayavan" was talked about for the hot kiss shared by Khanna and Madhuri Dixit. 'Godmother' (1999): Shabana Azmi based on Santokben Jadeja Shabana Azmi added one more National Award to her kitty for playing a woman don in a male-dominated society.

The movie was ostensibly inspired by the life of Santokben Jadeja , who rose to notoriety with her underworld gang in the 1980s and was known as the godmother of Porbandar, and the lady did not take kindly to being shown as a smoker and drinker on screen. Before the film's release, the real godmother filed a case of defamation against the producers.

"Smoking, drinking and swearing are taboo for Mehr women, and I have never indulged in any of these activities," said her petition. The court issued a stay, prompting the film's director, Shabana and Javed to go to Gujarat to placate Santokben.

Their first attempt failed, but nevertheless, a consensus was arrived upon and the movie was finally released. 'Agneepath' (1990): Amitabh Bachchan based on Manya Surve Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, played by the Big B in the film, was apparently modelled on Manya Surve , a dacoit and gangster in Mumbai, also the man in the police records as Mumbai's first recorded encounter killing.

It is said that so heavily was the movie based on Surve, that Bachchan was even asked to copy the gangster's voice. But years later, in a TV interview, Bachchan said his dialogues were modelled on Varadarajan Mudaliar.

The film was a flop at the box office, but earned Bachchan a National Award. The movie was then remade by Karan Johar in 2011 with Hrithik Roshan in the lead.

'Company' (2002): Ajay Devgn based on Dawood Ibrahim, Vivek Oberoi based on Chhota Rajan This Ram Gopal Varma film is considered one of the truest depictions of Dawood and his underwoold activities - though no one associated with the film ever openly said so, the sequence of events that let to the split between Dawood and Chotta Rajan in the film were too close to truth for comfort. Ajay Devgn's role was modelled on Dawood (called Mallikbhai in the film).

Ajay once recalled in an interview, "A lot of research went into the kind of dressing sense they followed, language, the ancient structures and the heritage cars they shuttled around in. And Vivek Oberoi played Chandu (Chhota Rajan).

Apparently, the recruitment of Chandu into Aslam Ali's gang by Mallik was almost identical to that of Chhota Rajan's into Dawood's after Rajan's mentor Bada Rajan died in the early 1980s. It was said that Daya Nayak, Mumbai Police's encounter specialist, who is a good friend of RGV, helped him with the script.

It showed, in the details. 'D' (2005): Randeep Hooda based on Dawood Ibrahim Though this came later, this movie is considered to be a prequel to "Company", and had Randeep Hooda playing a mechanic who comes to India after his mom's death, and rises in the crimelord legions of Mumbai's underworld.

The movie ends with Deshu (as Randeep is called in the movie) planning to form a 'D' company and operate it from outside India. Shades of Dawood, anyone? Shootout at Lokhandwala in (2007): Vivek Oberoi based on Maya Dolas This was based on the Maya Dolas encounter of 1991.

Vivek Oberoi played Maya, a gangster who worked with Dawood. But the real Maya's mother Ratnaprabha did not take nicely to it and moved court to ban the film, stating that it paints a wrong picture of her son, and shows her egging her son to become a criminal, which is not true.

In their defence, the directors claimed that the movie was a highly fictionalised account, though they used real names and places. Chhota Rajan also objected to the film, saying that it "grossly distorts the facts, leading AA Khan, one of the cops who led the team that gunned down Maya Dolas, to rubbish Rajan's claim.

'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai' (2010): Emraan Hashmi based on Dawood Ibrahim, Ajay Devgn based on Haji Mastan Again inspired by Dawood, this time played by Emraan Hashmi (called Shoaib Khan in the film). Ajay Devgn played Haji Mastan ( Sultan Mirza ).

Emraan said his look was not inspired by Mr D, but the dark aviators and the moustache he sported in the movie were a dead giveaway. And this film saw its fair share of controversies.

First, Haji Mastan's adopted son Suleiman Mirza moved court asking the makers of the film to put a disclaimer stating saying it is not based on Mastan. Also, Mastan's daughter Shamshad Supariwala filed a lawsuit for the same reason.

She then asked to be shown the movie before release to ensure that details of her father's life were not misconstrued. "I only want to see if they portrayed my father correctly and if they have not, then get particular scenes deleted," Supariwala had said.

But later, the makers added a disclaimer. In the pipeline 'Shootout at Wadala' Buzz is that Vivek Oberoi will play Dawood Ibrahim's character in "Shootout At Wadala", and will also use Dawood Ibrahim as his screen name according to rumours.

Incidentally, the filmmaker studied the legal pros and cons of using the name Dawood in the movie. 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Again' The sequel to the Haji Mastan movie by the same name has one more B-Town A-lister gunning for Dawood's role - Akshay Kumar .

'Lakeer Ka Fakir' This is being made by none other than Zubair Khan, son-in-law of Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar . It's a movie on the don, and guess because of the lineage, we will have to take him seriously when he says, "Mine is the most authentic movie on the underworld.

" Incidentally, Zubair shares a birthplace with some of the most dreaded underworld dons, including Karim Lala, Dawood and Chhota Shakeel - he was born in the hospital in Do Taaki, Dongri. The downtown area has been associated with the rise of Mumbai's gangsters.

Zubair claims to know every corner of the area and he says that he feels comfortable shooting in the area. 'Mastaan' Naseeruddin Shah is supposed to play Karim Lala in this one, with his younger son Vivaan debuting as Haji Mastaan.

Another don-protege movie, but in an era before Dawood. Movie on Sharman Sanjay Dutt is all set for yet another gangster movie.

This time, based on a real-life don - a take off from Shabana Azmi's "Godmother". Dutt will play her son, the real-life Gujarat-based gangster Sharman Munjha Jadeja, Santokben Jadeja's son, because of whom the godmother gave up her don-ways.

Known as the Robin Hood of Gujarat, Sharman Munjha and his family ruled Porbandar and other areas of Gujarat in the 80s. 'Tamanchey' Starring Nikhil Dwivedi and newcomer Richa Chadda, this one is rumoured to be based on the romance between Abu Salem and Monica Bedi.

But Nikhil has already said it is not based on Abu Salem's life (less)

.these 50 gorgeous ladies in the pecking order impacted common psyche like none other and tipped the desirability quotient in their favour! As the voting on itimes.

com closes with 3.74 votes, we bring you the Times 50 Most Desirable Women 2011 -who wove great success stories.

Top 50 Desirable Women of 2011 1. Kareena Kapoor 11.

Chitrangda Singh 21. SunnyLeone 31.

Lisa Haydon 41. Candice Boucher 2.

Katrina Kaif 12. GeneliaD'souza 22.

Sonakshi Sinha 32. Prachi Desai 42.

Nicole Faria 3. Deepika Padukone 13.

Bipasha Basu 23. Amrita Rao 33.

Angela Jonsson 43. Freida Pinto 4.

Priyanka Chopra 14. Sonam Kapoor 24.

Bruna Abdulla 34. Mallika Sherawat 44.

Shonali Nagrani 5. Anushka Sharma 15.

Shriya Saran 25. Dia Mirza 35.

Aditi Rao Hydari 45. Kanishtha Dhankar 6.

Vidya Balan 16. Shruti Haasan 26.

Neha Sharma 36. Poonam Pandey 46.

Jyothsna Chakravathy 7. Jacqueline Fernandez 17.

Asin Thottumkal 27. Sushmita Sen 37.

Shazahn Padamsee 47. Ameesha Patel 8.

Nargis Fakhri 18. Amy Jackson 28.

Malaika Arora Khan 38. Sonal Chauhan 48.

Simran Kaur Mundi 9. Kangana Ranaut 19.

Trisha Krishnan 29. Sameera Reddy 39.

Giselli Monteiro 49. Hasleen Kaur 10.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan 20. Ileana D'cruz 30.

Ankita Shorey 40. Parvati Melton 50.

Preeti Desai TOP 10 MOST DESIRABLE WOMEN The year has shown that one's desire can truly be a most fickle mistress. Get ready for heady surprises, a few regulars and then some more.

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1)Kareena Kapoor Who: Actress Claim to fame: Her popularity was sky high after Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, not only in India but in abroad too. In her other movies like Chameli, Jab We Met, Tashan, Kambakkht Ishq and Bodyguard her sensuality and innate talent came to light.

She has worked with all the biggies of B-town and is soon slated to become part of royalty through marriage with Saif Ali Khan of the Pataudi family. Relationship Status: Dating Saif Ali Khan.

DQ: Her upcoming movie 'Agent Vinod' with beau Saif Ali Khan has already become the talk of the town. However, her lips and eyes are the most admired features by her friends and fans alike.

Fun Fact: Though she is outspoken, bold and beautiful yet she is erratic in relationship. 2) Katrina Kaif Who: Actress Claim to Fame: She had a good year, beginning with the hit "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara", where she played a gorgeous go-getter opposite Hrithik Roshan's surly-burly executive, an item number in "Bodyguard" and lastly, as the tomboyish bride in "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan".

Relationship Status: Rumoured to be seeing Ranbir Kapoor again. Desirability Quotient: Last year's queen of desire had to give up her crown and sceptre to make way for Bebo.

Does that make her any less desirable? Our voters seem to think so. Fun fact: Personal life rocking now that she's back with Ranbir Kapoor.

Professionally things can't get better. She has films opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.

Watch out competition. And she is Aditya Chopra's current muse! Some girls DO have it all.

3)Deepika Padukone Who: Actress Claim To Fame: The former model stuck to roles that required her to ooze glamour and dollops of oomph ("Desi Boyz") and perform ("Aarakshan"). And who can forget that sexy item number in "Dum Maaro Dum".

Relationship Status: Single. DQ: Our voters' thoughts? Her playing it safe paid off, she moved up one spot on the list.

fun fact: She's freshly single and will soon act with ex-beau Ranbir Kapoor. 4)Priyanka Chopra Who: Actress Claim To Fame: With performance-driven roles in "7 Khoon Maaf" and "Don-2", she stayed in the public eye.

Was also a regular at several high-profile star parties. She also announced her friendship with Lady Gaga, her intention to turn singer and an international album in the offing.

Relationship Status: Single. Currently mingling with one Shah Rukh Khan.

DQ: She switched spots with Deepika. What led to the slip? We're guessing the voters don't find aspiring 'singers' too desirable.

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Fun fact: Right now, she is banned from the Mannat guestlist. Maybe signing "Don 3" will put a smile on her face.

5) Anushka Sharma Who: Actress Claim To Fame: Her off-on chemistry/romance with Ranveer Singh. Yash Raj Films' second fav girl who did several high-profile ads this past year.

Had two releases "Patiala House" and "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl". Relationship Status: Single.

Or with Ranveer Singh. It's complicated.

For them. And us! DQ: She's sexy, outspoken, fiercely independent.

fun fact: She was number 21 last year. What caused her leap this year? She's not telling! 6) Vidya Balan Who: Actress.

Claim to fame:. Her voluptuous curves had the audience going crazy in "The Dirty Picture".

Let's not forget her deadly performance in "Ishqiya" and "No One Killed" Jessica. Relationship Status: Dating Bollywood's other SRK.

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Siddharth Roy Kapoor. DQ: Curves are back in fashion because of Vidya! Move over size zero.

Fun Fact: This bold and beautiful actress is the brand ambassador for hatke cinema. 7) Jacqueline Fernandez Who: Actress Claim to fame: Her never-ending legs in "Murder 2" and the "Dhanno" song from "Housefull".

Relationship Status: Dating Sajid Khan. DQ: She went from being sweet and innocent Riteish Deshmukh's object of adoration to Emraan Hashmi's object of desire.

fun fact: She's already lost two films because she is following beau's diktat of not exposing. Hope it's worth it.

8)Nargis Fakhri Who: Model CLAIM TO FAME: The Czech-born popular swimsuit calendar model made her film debut in 2011 in "Rockstar". Before that she briefly appeared in "America's Next Top Model".

Relationship Status: Single. Ranbir Kapoor was so yesterday.

DQ: Angelic face and great screen presence. fun fact: She was the hottest property before "Rockstar".

But hasn't signed a single film after. Needs to network and join acting classes.

9)Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Who: Actress. Claim to fame: Aishwarya may have dropped a few notches down on the list, but the new mommy will surely be back with a bang.

Relationship Status: Married to Abhishek Bachchan. DQ: Ash, who is among the most beautiful women in the world, is currently busy playing mommy to her baby girl.

However, rumours about her comeback are already making news. B-Town can't do without this light-eyed diva.

Fun Fact: Move aside, yummy Mummies! When Mrs B sets her foot back in a film studio, she will rewrite all the rules. Bach ke rehna 'Heroines'.

10) Kangana Ranaut Who: Actress. Claim to fame: Her desi girl act in "Tanu Weds Manu" had the audience going gaga over her.

Then she donned a bikini in "Rascals". Relationship Status: Dating.

DQ: Though Kangana's bikini act couldn't do much for the film, it sure won her a whole lot of admirers. Fun Fact: She's dating a doctor! She's quirky, fun and unpredictable.

She is working on a sequel of "Tanu Weds Manu". And to top it all she will be seen in "Krissh 3" with Hrithik Roshan.

NEW ENTRANTS TO TIMES 50 MOST DESIRABLE WOMEN OF 2011 The new entries in the Times Most Desirable women of 2011 Amy Jackson No. 18 Who: Model Claim To Fame: The British model, who won the Miss Liverpool 2010 title, made her debut in the Tamil period drama, Madrasapattinam.

Now she's ready to make her entry in Bollywood with Gautham Menon's Ekk Deewana Tha opposite off-screen boyfriend Prateik. Amy has also signed a couple of South films that go on floors this year.

Relationship Status: Dating EDT co-star Prateik. DQ: Great sex appeal and a likeable personality.

Lisa Haydon No. 31 Who: Model, Actress Claim To Fame: One of the hottest faces on the Indian ramps, Lisa made her B-Town debut in Aisha.

The Australian-bred model moved to India a few years back and started out hosting a TV show. A trained Bharatnatyam dancer, she was most recently seen in a sizzling item song in David Dhawan's Rascals.

Relationship Status: Dating musician-entrepreneur Karan Bhojwani. DQ: Dusky siren with endless legs.

Shazahn Padamsee No. 37 Who: Model, Actress Claim To Fame: Daughter of famous parents Alyque Padamsee and Sharon Prabhakar, Shazahn started off with modelling and television commercials before dabbling with acting.

Her first acting project was Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year (2009) with Ranbir Kapoor. She later starred in the 2011 release Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, and will soon be seen in the Housefull sequel.

Relationship Status: Single. DQ: Hot and intelligent.

Angela Jonsson No. 33 Who: Model Claim To Fame: Chennai-born Angela started modelling at an early age.

An extrovert, she had an affinity for acting during her college days. A swimsuit calendar girl, she recently signed her first Bollywood film with Salman Khan, to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

Angela was also in the news over her alleged linkup with Ranbir Kapoor. Relationship Status: Single.

DQ: Sensuous and sexy. Sunny Leone No.

21 Who: Adult entertainment star Claim To Fame: An established name in the adult entertainment industry, Sunny Leone (born Karen Malhotra) became a household name after her stint on the popular reality show Bigg Boss 5. Canadian-born Sunny had a cameo in the film The Girl Next Door, and even performed in rap star Ja Rule's video Livin It Up.

Her appearance on Bigg Boss was laced with controversy as viewers curiously did online searches to find more about the star. Sunny will make her debut in Hindi films with Pooja Bhatt's Jism 2, where she plays the lead.

Relationship Status: Married to entrepreneur Matt Erikson. DQ: Smoulderingly sexy, with an innocent face.

Ankita Shorey No. 30 Who: Model Claim To Fame: She is the winner of the Pantaloons Femina Miss India-International 2011 title.

Apart from modelling, Ankita has also taken up the cause for blind students. She has done ads with SRK and Ranbir Kapoor.

Recently hosted a segment at the Filmfare Awards. Relationship Status: Single.

DQ: Gorgeous face. Her title and her never-say-die attitude.

Aditi Rao Hydari No. 35 Who: Actress Claim To Fame: A trained Bharatnatyam dancer, Aditi made her debut in Tamil film Sringaram (2006).

Her Hindi film debut was in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi 6, where she played a supporting role. In 2011, she was seen in two films - Yeh Saali Zindagi and Rockstar .

Her first big role as a lead actress is in the soon-to-release London , Paris , New York with Ali Zafar. Relationship Status: Single.

DQ: The quintessential girl next door appeal. Kanishtha Dhankhar No.

45 Who: Model Claim To Fame: The reigning Pantaloons Femina Miss India-World 2011, she won five subtitles including Miss Catwalk, Beauty with a Purpose, Miss Sexy Legs, Best Skin and Natural Beauty, the maximum number of subtitles any girl has won in the pageant's history. She made an appearance as a model in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion.

Relationship Status: Single. DQ: Great legs, pleasing personality.

Jyothsna Chakravarthy No. 46 Who: Model Claim To Fame: At 5ft 9, the Bangalore lass has made quite a name for herself in the modelling world.

In 2011, she was among a bevy of beauties who walked for Chanel's Metiers D'Art collection, inspired by India. Another Bollywood aspirant, she aspires to work with Ranbir Kapoor, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar in the near future.

Relationship Status: Single. DQ: Striking looks, amazing ramp presence.

Candice Boucher No. 41 Who: Model Claim To Fame: The former Playmate from South Africa got her Bolly break opposite Sachiin Joshi in 2011's Aazaan.

Relationship Status: Single. DQ: Scorching sex appeal.

Hasleen Kaur No. 49 Who: Model Claim To Fame: The winner of the 2011 Pantaloons Femina Miss India-Earth title, Hasleen is a known face on the advertising circuit.

She made a cameo appearance in Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal. As the reigning Miss India Earth, Hasleen was a part of Nav Jyoti, an NGO headed by Dr Kiran Bedi, dealing with environmental issues.

Relationship Status: Single. DQ: Charming, sensuous, earthy appeal.

Preeti Desai No. 50 Who: Model, Actress Claim To Fame: Preeti is the first ever Britisher of Indian origin to win the 2006 Miss Great Britain crown.

A popular model who featured in print campaigns and TV commercials, she debuted in Bollywood opposite Heroes actor Sendhil Ramamurthy in Shor In The City. Relationship Status: In a live-in relationship with Abhay Deol.

DQ: Earthy beauty, striking personality Poonam Pandey No. 36 Who: Model Claim To Fame: She became famous when she offered to strip naked if India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Even though she never really made good on her promise, Poonam got enough publicity to make her popular fodder for the tabloids. She made her TV debut with Akshay Kumar in the reality adventure show Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 4.

Relationship Status: Single. DQ: Bold and hot (less)

"See 'Click' is not my comeback in Bollywood because the film doesn't revolve around me. I need a film like 'Lucky' (her debut vehicle) to make a comeback; then I can show what I can do," Sneha told.

"Now it's time I prove myself because there are a lot of people who misguided me in Bollywood - whom I trusted. I never knew Bollywood is like that, you know," she said.

The young actress has already signed two Hindi movies, including one opposite Akshay Kumar. "I am doing a film with Ashok Tyagi where Akshay Kapoor is my co-star and there is another film with Shubir Mukherjee.

The film is being launched by Joy Mukherjee's son Sujoy. One of them is a thriller, the other is a love story and both are expected to release later this year," said Sneha.

Sneha made her debut in 2005 opposite Salman Khan and her second release was "Aryan: Unbreakable" (2006) with Sohail Khan. After that she moved down south and featured in Telugu films like "Nenu Meeku Telusa.

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?" and "Ullasanga Utsahanga". "I have done three films in the south and the fourth is releasing in April.

In the south, people are very genuine. They will tell you the right things.

I had rejected one film because I was not comfortable kissing on screen. "Two months later, I got another film and I called the same director, whose film I had rejected, for some guidelines and he guided me properly.

It's unlike Bollywood. Here people will misguide you and take you in the wrong direction.

That's what happened with me," said Sneha (less)

Rahman Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue (pictured above) has agreed to lend her voice for none other than A. R.

Rahman. She will be coming to India next month with her troupe to record a song with Rahman.

Minogue has agreed to sing on the soundtrack of the film 'Blue' which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta. According to sources, Kylie has charged the producers of the film a whopping $1 million as her fees.

However, she was not the first choice of Rahman. Rahman had approached Madonna but she refused as she was going through the bitter phase of divorce and also R & B star Rihanna who asked for a huge amount.

Kylie was well down the wish list of singers compiled by a top Indian director to be the "first international A-list star" to sing for a mainstream Bollywood film. 'Blue' is a big-budget Bollywood movie about a sunken treasure ship, said to have been inspired by the Hollywood production The Deep.

The production cost of the film has already reached 130 crores, minus the expenses of recording the song with Kylie and her fees. For daily celebrity news updates sign up for our newsletter Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue (pictured above) has agreed to lend her voice for none other than A.

R. Rahman.

She will be coming to India next month with her troupe to record a song with Rahman. Minogue has agreed to sing on the soundtrack of the film 'Blue' which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta.

According to sources, Kylie has charged the producers of the film a whopping $1 million as her fees. However, she was not the first choice of Rahman.

Rahman had approached Madonna but she refused as she was going through the bitter phase of divorce and also R & B star Rihanna who asked for a huge amount. Kylie was well down the wish list of singers compiled by a top Indian director to be the "first international A-list star" to sing for a mainstream Bollywood film.

'Blue' is a big-budget Bollywood movie about a sunken treasure ship, said to have been inspired by the Hollywood production The Deep. The production cost of the film has already reached 130 crores, minus the expenses of recording the song with Kylie and her fees.

'Blue' will probably be the costliest film ever made in India. For daily celebrity news updates sign up for our newsletter (less)

I?m not known to dress well, but this time as the ambassador of an international brand, it was part of my job. One day, I?d like to go back to Cannes with a film I?ve produced that has been picked for the ?In Competition? section.

That would be a real high!? Saif, who turned producer in 2009 with Love Aaj Kal , is currently putting the finishing touches to his second production, a spy thriller on the lines of the Bond and Bourne series, Agent Vinod . ?The film took a little longer than planned because it needed a lot of prep time, but we should wrap it up by August end.

Agent Vinod has to release this year. December 9 seems like a good date.

? His third production, Cocktail , co-starring Deepika Padukone, flags off in July, followed by a film with Kunal Kemmu in the lead that will be directed by the Shor In The City duo, Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. ?They are bright young directors with a script that appeals to me.

It?s an exciting project and I may even do a cameo,? he smiles. However, Saif admits that none of these movies are the kind that he could take to Cannes eyeing the top prize.

?Right now, I?m trying to establish my production house with commercial Bollywood entertainers made primarily for an Indian audience. You need a different kind of movie to pitch at Cannes.

Yes, a film like Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 is also being showcased there, but that?s only to attract the Hollywood A-listers. The real gems are the little, big honest movies that mirror truth at some level,? he reasons.

He has a point. Bollywood movies that have plenty of takers amongst the Indian diaspora, are rarely picked for international distribution by major US studios or for top awards like the Palme d? Or.

It?s the so-called Indian ?art cinema? that makes a mark in the global market, and in world cinema. But for that, these films need promotional hype, government support and funds in plenty.

Saif points out that a film like Vishal Bhardwaj?s Omkara (2006) would have a chance of catching the eye with a novel Indian take on a popular Shakesperean play, Othello . Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, to whom he can trace his lineage, would be another great muse.

?Maybe in the future we will take a decision to do something off-the-beaten formulaic track,? he says, adding. ?It would be great to represent India at Cannes, not just in a commercial, but a creative capacity too.

? India in competition at Cannes * Blame it on the quality of cinema or plain apathy among selectors at Cannes, India hasn?t quite been the favourite at the world?s fanciest film festival. Though the start was great.

Chetan Anand?s Neecha Nagar was the first Indian film to win the Grand Prix at Cannes back in 1946, when the festival itself had started. In ?51, Shantaram?s Amar Bhopali and in ?53 Raj Kapoor?s Awara were in the running for top prize as well.

* In ?56, Satyajit Ray?s Pather Panchali was felicitated as the ?Best Human Document?. Several Ray films like Parash Pathar (?58), Devi (?62), Ghare Baire (?84) and Ganashatru (?89) were screened in the festival?s competition and official sections.

In ?54, Bimal Roy?s Do Bigha Zameen bagged a prize. * Between ?74 and ?86, MS Sathyu?s Garam Hawa , Shyam Benegal?s Nishant , Mrinal Sen?s Ek Din Pratidin , Kharij and Genesis competed.

Salaam Bombay (?88) and Piravi (?89) that marked directorial debuts of Mira Nair and Shaji N Karun, impressed with the Camera D?Or. * Since then, though several short films have made the competitive grade, Murali Nair is one of the few directors who has won a feature film prize at Cannes with his Marana Simhasanam in 1999; his film Arimpara (2003) was also showcased to compete.

Works of several directors, including Mani Kaul, Gautam Ghose, Adoor Gopalakrishnan have been feted in the as well. * Last year, Vikramaditya Motwane?s Udaan was India?s officially selected entry at Cannes after seven years.

The festival also held a special screening of Mrinal Sen?s Khandhar, a 1984 Cannes entry, as part of its befitting tribute to Indian cinema (less)

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Special Jury Award : Kaminey (Hindi) & Kutty Srank (Malayalam) & Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (Malayalam) Best Special Effects : Magadheera (Telugu) Best Choreography : Magadheera (Telugu) K.Siva Shankar Best Non-Feature Film : (Sharing) The Postman Producer: K.

Hariharan Director: B. Manohar Best Environment Film Including Agriculture In For Motion : Producer: Amlan Dutta Director: Anirban Dutta Special Jury Award : Kelkkunnundo , Child Artist: Aasna Aslam Best Film Critic : CS Venkiteswaran (Malayalam) (less)

Not many people know that Shalini was the first one to notice the condition of actor A K Hangal and Sholay film editor M S Shinde , two of the senior members of the film industry after which the media took the responsibility to get them help from people. Says Shalini Thackeray, "We are trying to make things more organized and make this industry a better place for all of us.

We believe that justice should happen to all and I would request people to come forward and share their problems without any fear and we will do our best to get them what they deserve." Farah Sultan Ahmed adds, "I am happy that so many other actors, directors and producers have already joined us for the cause and we would request more people from the film fraternity to get united and help us in making the film industry a better place to work.

There are actors who have taken up causes and are working towards them selflessly like Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt , Salman Khan and Suniel Shetty to name a few. There are corporate companies who are very organized but there are still so many things that we all need to change.

Ask her what are the problem areas that they are looking forward to solve and Shalini Thackeray says, "There are some very basic problems like wages of junior artistes, technicians and workers, their working hours, Censor and other related issues. We are also looking at some kind of arrangement where character artistes are not forced to live in such bad conditions after they stop working in films.

" Farah adds, "There are several problems and we will look at taking appropriate measures to solve them one by one. We have around 20 things written in our wish list to clean the system.

We hope we will be able to work on all of them with everybody's support". The work has already begun at their office where they are getting medical insurance done for each and every member of film crew and now looking at other benefits for them (less)

"Reading your messages a Acting legend Dilip Kumar, who joined the Twitter brigade on his 89th birthday on December 11, is surprised to see his ever growing popularity on the microblogging site at this age. Within a span of two weeks, the actor has over 63,000 followers, which according to him is a bit unusual for an 89-year-old-man.

"Reading your messages and replies- better than Joggers walk. 63000 followers so quickly.

So much love for an old man?" Kumar posted on Twitter. The actor recently hosted a star studded birthday bash to the people of Hindi film industry at his residence.

The who's who of Bollywood superstars, actresses and filmmakers turned out to the party to wish the yesteryear star.nd replies- better than Joggers walk.

63000 followers so quickly. So much love for an old man?" Kumar posted on Twitter.

The actor recently hosted a star studded birthday bash to the people of Hindi film industry at his residence. The who's who of Bollywood superstars, actresses and filmmakers turned out to the party to wish the yesteryear star.

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