My journey has been very different because I am not so ambitious. But yes, I have been offered, I have gone through a lot of experiences, directly and indirectly," the 31-year-old told reporters at the launch of the book.

"It depends on individual to individual, it's what you choose. I have made my own decisions and I am happy with them," she added.

Riya, who herself got into trouble after allegedly being part of an MMS chain, says worrying about rumours is not her style. "I have read my own interviews where people have quoted me when I have not even spoken to that journalist.

I don't sit and cry or howl or say I am running away from India or world. I still get my work, my money, I still have the same lifestyle, my friends and same producers, directors call me.

So it (rumours) doesn't affect me," said Riya, who was last seen in "Benny and Babloo". Daughter of yesteryears actress Moon Moon Sen, Riya's journey in Bollywood began with "Style" in 2001.

She has featured in films like "Dil Vil Pyar Vyar", "Jhankaar Beats" and "Shaadi No. 1" and is currently working in "Krrish 2", in which she plays Vivek Oberoi's girlfriend (less)

I knew there was a lot of aggression and violence in Ishaqzaade. I knew we had shot a lot of violent scenes.

It's one thing to shoot them. To watch them is quite another.

When I watched my two beloved characters encounter such violence my stomach churned. Such was the nature of the subject.

You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. And the sooner we stop trying the better.

" To solve the problem of the communal divide Habib Faisal feels we first need to address the issue openly, which our movies fail to do by and large. Smirks Habib, "In that cast we might as well make government-sponsored DAVP (Directorate Of Advertising & Visual Publicity) short-films.

" In Ishaqzaade the unabashed treatment of Hindu-Muslim relations has taken audiences by surprise. Never before have we seen characters from the two communities exchanging insults based on communal differences, so openly.

In fact the Hindu hero Parma ( Arjun Kapoor ) refers to the Muslim heroine Zoya ( Parineeti Chopra ) as a 'Mussalli'. Half way through the film he decides to marry the 'Musalli' firebrand.

In a graphic love-making sequence in an abandoned train Kapoor and Chopra are shown indulging in serious real time kissing and making out. Director Habib Faisal admits he was apprehensive of how the censorboard would react.

"There's so much Ishaqzaade that we as movie makers and as a society in the larger context tend to sweep under the carpet. But if I as Muslim filmmaker shied away from addressing the issue headlong in attempting a Hindu-Muslim love story, then I think I'd have failed to convey what I had set out to.

The censorbard was exceptionally tolerant. The love-making scene is not gratuitous.

I shot it in a long single-shot scene. If the censors had asked me to cut I wouldn't have been able to," says Habib a day after the film's release.

As for the boy addressing the girl as 'Mussalli' Habib says, "In the beginning he means to rile her by calling her a 'Mussalli.' Later it becomes his term of endearment for her.

Why are focusing on the names? The problem is very deep. Hindus don't even know how to greet Muslims so a social level .

They wonder if they should say 'Salaam' or 'Namaste'. In my film when Zoya takes her lover Parma to her house he doesn't know how to greet Zoya's parents.

The initiation of a dialogue between two cultures starts on the wrong note." Habib thinks it is unrealistic to think the divide between Hindu and Muslims doesn't exist.

"It does. And to say by addressing the palpable problems that arise when a Hindu boy falls in a love with a Muslim girl is according to me unrealistic.

Look around. The Hindu-Muslim divide is everwhere.

In a so-called metropolitan city housing societies do not allow Muslims or Hindus depending on which area you're house-hunting in. In fact I've witnessed more communal integrity in rural areas.

" As a Muslim Habib became conscious of how deep those differences were after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. "These differences are normally swept under the carpet.

I don't think that helps.The fact is, we have not really progressed intellectually in understanding let alone bridging the chasm between the progressive and regressive India.

Just the other day a senior police officer in Bangalore publicly endorsed honour killing. Why does a couple belonging to two different cultures or communities have to meet suureptiiously in public places? I'll tell you why.

Because every parent, no matter how progressive outwardly,throws a fit if his or her child brings a mate home. This is why I made the Muslim girl Zoya's family an educated relatively sophisticated bunch of people.

I wanted to show, no matter how educated people still suffer from lethal prejudices about inter-communal alliances." What Habib didn't want to show was the small-town UP characters getting abusive in their spoken language.

"I knew I had the licence to let them get abusive. But I don't use abusive language in my speech and I'd be uncomfortable if my characters did the same.

Besides I find the generous use of BCs and MCs in the films set in the North Indian heartland distracting. Audiences laugh and snigger when a character uses abuses.

In this day and age of 'D.K Bose' my demurral on expletives is perhaps a little outdated.

I'd rather be true to myself than trendy." Habib says he watched some Hindi classics about outcast lovers as preparation for directing Ishaqzaade.

"I saw Mujhe Jeene Do and Reshma Aur Shera. But it was Dharmputra made in 1961 where I found the issue of the Hindu-Muslim divide being so unabashedly delineated.

Coincidentally it was the first film that Mr Yash Chopra directed. Today I've directed another film on the same theme for Mr Chopra's banner.

" Habib can't praise Aditya Chopra enough for giving him freedom to make the film he wanted. "Not once did Adi question the hardhitting content and the dialogues.

He left it all to me. I suppose it was my destiny.

I wouldn't have wanted to make a film on the communal divide without addressing the issue directly." The director admits he had to work very hard on his two actors, "Arjun Kapoor was put on a six-month trial period to see if he fits into the part of Parma.

To his credit he kept at it until he got it right. As for Parinati I had to take her native 'punjaabiyat' out of her and make her this Uttar Pradesh his mussalman ladki Zoya.

I was lucky with my actors. Except for Gauhar Khan I wanted no known faces in the supporting cast.

I stuck to my guns." As did the gun-toting characters of Ishaqzaade (less)

Well, after years and years of being taken advantage of, Salman has found himself a smart and super-efficient business manager called Reshma Shetty. In fact Reshma has been on board Salman's endorsement campaigns for a long time.

However, now she has taken it upon herself to put the actor's life and monies in order. Sources say that Reshma (who is a class mate of Salman's sister Alvira Agnihotri ) has known the actor for long and she is a part of the family.

And, when Reshma, who also efficiently manages the endorsement diaries of Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor , realised that Salman — who is always a sucker for sob stories — was being taken for a ride by some people, she decided to take charge. Now all those producers (yeah there are some big names there) who haven't paid the actor his money will allegedly receive subtle reminders asking them to cough up the balance remuneration.

And if they fail, well they, like Vijay Galani, may reportedly be in receipt of even a legal notice. It's high time Salman started looking after his own interests (less)

Further, the ambience, music and food added to the high spirits. Here's a look: (less)

Filmmaker Kunal Kapoor looked dapper and evinced a keen interest in the proceedings while Raj and Priti Shroff of the ARC were seen enjoying the hurricane-paced game with their young daughter. While ARC won, the match, UK player Henry Brett took home the trophy for the Best Player .

Mommie dearest: Reshma Piramal with kids 1 of 6 Facebook MySpace Delicious Stumble The week that was: March 14-20, 2010 A look at the events from around the world that made the headlines in the week gone by. Shippie town Actor Rakesh Paul co-hosted an awards ceremony for sailors that saw quite a few television stars walk in (less)

So at any given time she has her secretary (Zeesha), her media consultant (Reshma) her make up specialist (Mallika Bhatt), her hair-dresser (Priyanka) and her costumer (didn’t catch her name) accompanying her. And guess what? PC takes note of everything from what her staff is wearing to what they’re doing.

And she makes polite conversation with them in between shootings. No wonder she doesn’t carry family with her anymore.

Check out Priyanka Chopra’s homepage (less)

Both want their act to be the grand finales. The Dewans are friends with both the Khans and now find themselves cornered.

Says a source, "Karan had asked Anu if he could do the finale with SRK as the showstopper a long time ago but when Salman heard about Shah Rukh doing the finale, he requested Anu to let his act be the last one." If everything works out both will be seen doing the finale and walking the ramp as showstoppers within a few minutes of each other.

Anu says, "Shah Rukh is walking the ramp for Karan's designs of men's clothing but for Salman you will have to ask the organiser of my show Reshma Shetty." Reshma Shetty says, "Salman wants his foundation to be recognised and the proceeds will go for charity.

His designs will be amongst the 11 other designers we will showcase. He is not doing the finale showstopper and neither has he asked for it.

He As far as I know, Salman won't be in Mumbai. He will be busy with the premiere of Main Aurr Mrs Khanna outside Mumbai.

" A spokesperson for Main Aurr Mrs Khanna says, "The premiere for the film in London is yet to be fixed. Nothing has been finalised as yet.

" Both Shah Rukh and Salman remained unavailable for comment. Two finales? Manish Malhotra: There can be only one finale.

How can there be more than one beginning and ending? It's never happened before in Fashion Week. Rocky S: Finale means the last show so there can never be more than one finale.

However a finale can have more than one designer like we had three designers for the grand finale at a recent men's clothing brand fashion week. The audience is the same, designers can get different models and there's a break in between the first and second designer's collection (less)

Says a source, "Salman was so confident of winning the bid that he had even planned a celebratory party on Sunday night for which he'd called people over." Invites to the party went out on Saturday itself.

Even Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor bid for the??Pune team, but Sahara Adventure Sports Group snapped up the city as the highest bidder with $370 million (Rs 1,702 crore). Kerala-based consortium Rendezvous Sports bid $333.

33 million (Rs 1,333.33 crore) to get Kochi as the other franchisee to make the IPL a 10-team affair from 2011.

Interestingly, Katrina Kaif was also there but she was not bidding with Salman. In fact, she was representing the Adani Group from Ahmedabad which was bidding for Pune as well.

Sources close to the actor are surprised that his bid didn't make the cut, "Salman is very upset and is trying to figure out what happened overnight when he lost the winning bid. He had flown into Chennai in a private aircraft.

He was very confident till Saturday night about winning the bid. And is wondering if there was foul play by vested interests.

Namely to do with star who owns a team." Katrina Kaif was also present at the bidding process in Chennai yesterday, raised a commotion when she left with Salman, even though they arrived separately.

She clarifies, "I wasn't bidding with Salman. I accompanied Reshma who is my close friend.

Reshma (from Matrix) and I had gone to represent Matrix who put in a bid with the Adani Group. I was not bidding at all.

Salman had put in a separate bid." Salman?? remained unavailable for comment.

When Salman Khan went to Chennai to bid for a new IPL team (Pune) yesterday, he was confident he would return as a team owner. But it wasn't meant to be.

Says a source, "Salman was so confident of winning the bid that he had even planned a celebratory party on Sunday night for which he'd called people over." Invites to the party went out on Saturday itself.

Even Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor bid for the??Pune team, but Sahara Adventure Sports Group snapped up the city as the highest bidder with $370 million (Rs 1,702 crore). Kerala-based consortium Rendezvous Sports bid $333.

33 million (Rs 1,333.33 crore) to get Kochi as the other franchisee to make the IPL a 10-team affair from 2011.

Interestingly, Katrina Kaif was also there but she was not bidding with Salman. In fact, she was representing the Adani Group from Ahmedabad which was bidding for Pune as well.

Sources close to the actor are surprised that his bid didn't make the cut, "Salman is very upset and is trying to figure out what happened overnight when he lost the winning bid. He had flown into Chennai in a private aircraft.

He was very confident till Saturday night about winning the bid. And is wondering if there was foul play by vested interests.

Namely to do with star who owns a team." Katrina Kaif was also present at the bidding process in Chennai yesterday, raised a commotion when she left with Salman, even though they arrived separately.

She clarifies, "I wasn't bidding with Salman. I accompanied Reshma who is my close friend.

Reshma (from Matrix) and I had gone to represent Matrix who put in a bid with the Adani Group. I was not bidding at all.

Salman had put in a separate bid." Salman?? remained unavailable for comment.

When Salman Khan went to Chennai to bid for a new IPL team (Pune) yesterday, he was confident he would return as a team owner. But it wasn't meant to be.

Says a source, "Salman was so confident of winning the bid that he had even planned a celebratory party on Sunday night for which he'd called people over." Invites to the party went out on Saturday itself.

Even Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor bid for the??Pune team, but Sahara Adventure Sports Group snapped up the city as the highest bidder with $370 million (Rs 1,702 crore). Kerala-based consortium Rendezvous Sports bid $333.

33 million (Rs 1,333.33 crore) to get Kochi as the other franchisee to make the IPL a 10-team affair from 2011.

Interestingly, Katrina Kaif was also there but she was not bidding with Salman. In fact, she was representing the Adani Group from Ahmedabad which was bidding for Pune as well.

Sources close to the actor are surprised that his bid didn't make the cut, "Salman is very upset and is trying to figure out what happened overnight when he lost the winning bid. He had flown into Chennai in a private aircraft.

He was very confident till Saturday night about winning the bid. And is wondering if there was foul play by vested interests.

Namely to do with star who owns a team." Katrina Kaif was also present at the bidding process in Chennai yesterday, raised a commotion when she left with Salman, even though they arrived separately.

She clarifies, "I wasn't bidding with Salman. I accompanied Reshma who is my close friend.

Reshma (from Matrix) and I had gone to represent Matrix who put in a bid with the Adani Group. I was not bidding at all.

Salman had put in a separate bid." Salman?? remained unavailable for comment.

Katrina Kaif was also present at the bidding process in Chennai yesterday, raised a commotion when she left with Salman, even though they arrived separately. She clarifies, "I wasn't bidding with Salman.

I accompanied Reshma who is my close friend. Reshma (from Matrix) and I had gone to represent Matrix who put in a bid with the Adani Group.

I was not bidding at all. Salman had put in a separate bid.

" Salman?? remained unavailable for comment (less)

Shahrukh will be walking the ramp with wife, Gauri, for Karan Johar?s line while Salman will walk for his charity clothesline, Being Human. Even though Salman roped in Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt, he still didn?t get the finale.

His event will be on October 13th. Meanwhile Salman?s endorsement manager and the couture week event organizer, Reshma Shetty says that Salman didn?t want the finale.

His is a charity event so the other actors too had been booked for October 13th. And Salman won?t be in Mumbai on the day of the finale (less)

What on earth, are we doing! He's been trying to kick the butt for the longest time ever, and now with wife Reshma pregnant, he's finally found a great reason to do so. Even though it's easier said that done, Sulaiman (of the Salim Sulaiman fame) is well aware that quitting smoking is going to do him a world of good.

On the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day, he tells CS why it is uncool to light up: My stamina levels are going to shoot up, I'm sure when I quit smoking. Most of us don't even realise that our health is going up in smoke, and when we do, it is often too late.

I know I am polluting the environment every time I light a cigarette. With all of us going green, I don't think it is fair on my part to do so.

Passive smoking kills too. I guess we smokers need to be conscious of this every time we have the urge to light a ciggy.

Smoking in public places is a complete no-no. For me personally, this is a good time to quit smoking since my wife Reshma is pregnant.

All this while I had been struggling to give up, but now I think I couldn't have a stronger motivation. I don't want to expose the little one to the smoking hazards.

As responsible citizens, we should strive to set a good example to the youth of the country. If we become callous, you can imagine what's going to happen to the Gen Next.

'? ??There is a lot of online literature that can help change your attitude towards smoking??Begin to condition yourself physically: Start a modest exercise programme, drink more fluids, get plenty of rest etc??Tell your family and friends that you're quitting and when. They can be an important source of support??Stop carrying cigarettes with you.

Make them difficult to procure?? Smoke, smoke everywhere I know I am polluting the environment every time I light a cigarette. With all of us going green, I don't think it is fair on my part to do so.

No child's play He's been trying to kick the butt for the longest time ever, and now with wife Reshma pregnant, he's finally found a great reason to do so. Even though it's easier said that done, Sulaiman (of the Salim Sulaiman fame) is well aware that quitting smoking is going to do him a world of good.

On the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day, he tells CS why it is uncool to light up: My stamina levels are going to shoot up, I'm sure when I quit smoking. Most of us don't even realise that our health is going up in smoke, and when we do, it is often too late.

I know I am polluting the environment every time I light a cigarette. With all of us going green, I don't think it is fair on my part to do so.

Passive smoking kills too. I guess we smokers need to be conscious of this every time we have the urge to light a ciggy.

Smoking in public places is a complete no-no. For me personally, this is a good time to quit smoking since my wife Reshma is pregnant.

All this while I had been struggling to give up, but now I think I couldn't have a stronger motivation. I don't want to expose the little one to the smoking hazards.

As responsible citizens, we should strive to set a good example to the youth of the country. If we become callous, you can imagine what's going to happen to the Gen Next.

'? ??There is a lot of online literature that can help change your attitude towards smoking??Begin to condition yourself physically: Start a modest exercise programme, drink more fluids, get plenty of rest etc??Tell your family and friends that you're quitting and when. They can be an important source of support??Stop carrying cigarettes with you.

Make them difficult to procure?? A better man Passive smoking kills too. I guess we smokers need to be conscious of this every time we have the urge to light a ciggy.

Smoking in public places is a complete no-no (less)