Kareena has no plans to enter IPL

Bollywood actresses Preity Zinta, Juhi Chawla and Shilpa Shetty are trying their luck in the business of cricket through the Indian Premier League (IPL), but Kareena Kapoor says she has no such plan.

Kareena says, “I have no idea about business. I only know how to act. As for business, I will think about it five years later”.

These days Kareena is busy working for forthcoming films Kambakth Ishq, Main Aur Mrs. Khanna, Three Idiots and an untitled Renzil D'Silva project.

Shilpa Shetty breaks the ice with Preity Zinta

The two IPL queens are battling it out for the upcoming IPL Series but there came as a sudden twist to the tale as Shilpa Shetty extended an olive branch to her supposed rival in the IPL, Preity Zinta.

Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra are hosting a grand party to celebrate their entry into the IPL March 10 at the Grand Hyatt and Preity is invited for the event.

Shilpa thinks these rivalry stories are unnecessary. She says "We’re both decent well brought-up girls. We were even together in the Bachchans’ world tour. And we got along fine. We don’t need to be seen as these warring women at all, please."

Malaika dresses up for Knights and Warriors

Shilpa Shetty joins Rajasthan Royals wagon

Rajasthan Royals needed the glamour quotient of Shilpa Shetty

In the headlines for buying stakes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals with boyfriend Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty admits candidly that she has joined in to add glamour to the team and not because of her business acumen.

Shilpa Shetty was at her vivacious best at the press meet where she had turned up with boyfriend Raj Kundra to announce their business tie-up with Indian Premier League cricket team, Rajasthan Royals.

Coming to the big cricket deal, when asked how she will be able to handle the business, Shilpa said, "There is immense trust, faith, and understanding between us. I don't have to worry with Raj around. He has handled business well and I can rely on him completely."

'Well I am not going to bullshit myself into believing I've been brought in for my business acumen. The team had it all. They needed the glamour quotient and for that I am here,' said Shilpa.

'But please, I am not going to be one of the pom-pom girls on the field, if that's what the spectators expect. I'm certainly not going to be the eye candy of the venture,' she added.

Shilpa and London-based businessman Raj Kundra bought a 12 percent stake in Rajasthan Royals.

Asked her where her glamour quotient will be used, she said: 'In the music video, to begin with. Our next move is to shoot a music video. We want it to be the slickest and the best. Of course, I'll be in it. Isn't that a given?'

Despite a hundred cameras trained at them, Shilpa never once looked uncomfortable and was seen exchanging laughs and asides with Kundra. Neither did she dodge questions about her marriage with him. "Whenever we fix the date there will be an announcement and it will happen soon," said the lady.

Shilpa Shetty for IPL In Pics

Shilpa Shetty to enter the IPL

Last Year 's IPL Series saw two of the Bollywood Stars- King Khan and Preity Zinta enter the world of cricket. But this year they wont be alone for the IPL Series - II. This year giving them company would be none other than the ever sensuous and seductive Shilpa Shetty.

Shilpa along with business partner Raj Kundra has invested approximately $15.4 million in acquiring 12% stakes in the Rajasthan Royals team. Shetty said she would have a role in the team's promotional activities this year. "I will be promoting the team. Perhaps a music video will also come," she quipped.

Last Year's IPL Champs which is lead by the legendary Australian spin doctor Shane Warne is likely to have big names in the cricketing world like South African skipper Graeme Smith and Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson.

SRK Back to his field after IPL

Actor Shah Rukh Khan is back shooting for films. In fact while he was busy at the IPL, SRK used to shoot for Priyadarshan's Billoo Barber , too. With just one schedule remaining, we guess the makers of this one are keeping a rather low profile.

It was not very long ago that the shooting schedule of this film was to take place in a village. Shah Rukh who plays a simple, aam aadmi in this movie, had no choice but to travel with the cast and crew to a village in North India – where Viraasat was shot.

Apparently, sources close to us say that the one thing SRK hates is shooting in a village. After all, the actor is used to the lavish luxuries of life, and the close-to-no-facility areas provide much discomfort to him. A unit member informs us, "I don't know much about his likes and dislikes, but Shah Rukh is a sport. He adapted ok and didn't as much as complain even once. He was ready to do whatever it took for him to deliver! Also, he mingled well with one and all and didn't have any prolems. He went out of the way to make the locals there feel special."

Well, here's to the professional, who has returned to the luxuries of his home!

No More Cricket - Deepika Padukone

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is now gone down in history along with Rajasthan Royals and Bollywood was well represented at the matches.

However, one glowing face that was a regular fixture six months ago was nowhere to be seen or sighted, by Dhoni, Yuvraj or the fans.

No guessing game here! We are talking about Deepika Padukone. We guess, Ranbir is not interested in cricket. But while on Deepika, it is interesting to note that her idea of a dream home

“Is staying with my parents.” Agreed, the girl is constantly on the move all the time and time spent with family is always a “dream”! Well, said Deepika. But that’s what we called paying a heavy price for stardom!

Katrina - THE ROCK STAR

Katrina Kaif has not just been rocking the industry with five back to back hits, she’s also rocking the IPL scene!

Sanjay Gupta, who directed her recently, has a lot to say about the IPL film that he has shot for Vijay Mallya with Kat. “I wanted to project Katrina as a rock star. When Mallya asked me whom I wanted to work with, I said Katrina. She’s had the hits so far. But she hasn’t been projected correctly as a diva. I explained to Katrina that I wanted to present her as a rock star like Annie Lennox!”

And two singers, Aanchal and Sophie Chowdhry, sang Jeetenge Hum Shaan Se for Katrina. “Shaan is the first word that comes to mind when we speak about Vijay Mallya. Katrina was barrels of fun to work with. She pulled a prank on me that had me sh***ing bricks. My assistant came to me and told me Katrina had fainted due to the heat. I immediately swallowed it. But she was back. She’s a thorough professional and a true rock star to work with.”

Aamir dazzled by Sachin's Predictions

The IPL mania came to an end, in what was one of the most thrilling finals seen in a long time. Although Mumbaikars missed their team 'Mumbai Indians' in the final, they surely must have considered themselves lucky to get to see a cracker of a contest between two well deserving teams- 'Rajasthan Royals' & 'Chennai Super Kings'.

The VIP stand of the swanky D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai saw some bigwigs from the world of politics, business, sports and Bollywood make their presence felt. A rare sight was that of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar enjoying the game with none other than Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan.

While Aamir has been a lover of the game for a long time, this is the first instance when he took out time for attending the IPL matches. Although the actor was there with his nephew Imran and son Junaid, he seemed to be having a hearty talk with Sachin. The duo seemed quite animated while discussing the finer nuances of the game. And just as the match went down to the wire, the tension seemed to be building among spectators. With one run needed to win for Team Rajasthan of the final delivery, Aamir was once again seen in a discussion with Sachin. And in case you are wondering what the duo were talking during the course of the match, well the actor himself reveals it all.

Aamir in his latest blog on www.aamirkhan.com relives the memorable experience of watching the thrilling final with the Master Blaster himself. The actor says, "The match last night was certainly exciting but what made it a unique experience for me, was that I had Sachin next to me. You will find this hard to believe, but Sachin was able to predict every ball before it was bowled. 'He is going to bowl a Bouncer next.' 'This one is going to be a slower one.' 'Next one will be a Yorker.' It was uncanny. He got it right each time!!! No wonder it's so difficult to bowl to him. He has an amazing instinct."

After bring dumbstruck by the Master Blaster's acumen the actor apparently told Sachin, that the next time they watch a film together it would be his turn to tell what's going to happen next.

Shifting gears, Aamir in his blog, also talks about what's keeping him busy off-late. "My friend Paul Blackthorn was visiting Bombay and I spent the week with him reliving Lagaan. In fact we had a bit of a reunion for him and it was really great to meet everyone."

And finally for all you Taare Zameen Par fans, there is good news, as the DVD of TZP should be out any time now. "My apologies for the delay in the DVD release of TZP. The final work is almost over. I assure you I have tried my very best to make the wait worth it. Very soon I will tell you'll the exact release date, which is any day now." signs off Aamir.

Salman Khan to perform in the finals of IPL

If all goes well, Salman Khan will perform at the Indian Premier League (IPL) final, to be held at Y R Patil Stadium (Nerul) on June 1. We hear Salman will perform the music video of his upcoming reality show 10 Ka Dum live and also shake a leg to one of his filmi songs.

Sources say “The IPL tournament has been a huge hit right from the beginning. Salman's performance will be the icing on the cake.”

So, will Salman perform during the break or before the match begins? “No, Sallu won't perform during the interval or before the match. Sallu's performance will be a part of the closing ceremony. It will be a rocking item,” our source adds.

It is learnt that Salman has yet not rehearsed for his act during the IPL final. Right now, he is in Australia shooting for Main Aur Mrs Khanna. Our source adds, “Sallu does not need a rehearsal. He is too good. He can spontaneously start dancing at any given moment.”

And what about the possibility that the unpredictable Sallu backs off at the last minute? Just a few days ago, he refused to attend a film award function simply because he didn't feel like it. “Now, that's one thing that nobody can confirm. There's no doubt that Sallu is very moody. So far, he has agreed in principle. Let's hope for the best.”

Salman has already finished shooting four episodes of 10 Ka Dum, which is based on the American game show Power of 10. In true Sallu ishtyle, once he cycled all the way from Bandra to the shoot for the show at R K Studios in Chembur. A few days before that, he jogged down to Mehboob Studios for the show’s rehearsals. We hear Salman even cancelled the shoot of the music video of 10 Ka Dum simply because the workers were taking time to ready the set.

As of now, the IPL organisers can only keep their fingers crossed that the moody bug doesn’t bite Salman just before he is to perform at the final’s closing ceremony!

Preity leaves for Cannes Film Festival

Preity left for the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday morning at a time when she's neck-deep in IPL affairs. “Can't help it, yaar," she phoned and groaned groggily from Frankfurt airport. "It's been two years now that I've been the brand ambassador for Chopard and it requires me to be at Cannes every year, come what May… pun intended."

Understandably, she's exhausted. "But I'm also exhilarated," she's quick to add. "IPL has been a learning experience," remarked Preity.

IPL has evoked mixed response from the audience. In fact some people believe IPL to be confusing cricket. "Not at all," denies Preity vehemently. "Considering the fact that players of different age groups and varied nationalities are interacting on one platform, it's quite an eye-opener. Also, it's only here that the younger players get the golden opportunity to learn the ropes from senior and international players."

Ask about team player Bret Lee singing for Preity and she makes a disgusted noise. "This isn't even worth talking about. The man is married and has a kid. Besides, Bret sings for everyone on the team. He's always fooling around, singing and always up to some masti. All cricketers make an effort to keep the team spirit going. So there's nothing great about it."

Talking about team spirit, it is not a hidden fact that Preity has taken to her IPL town, Mohali in a big way. "People there are so warm and friendly that Ness and I have begun to care for the town," Preity justifies. "While other IPL team owners have got developed cities, we're the only ones who were given an upcoming town. We're proud to be part of that growth. Mohali is an air-force base so only army planes land there. However, thanks to IPL, there's already a talk of an international airport and several luxury hotels in the offing."

Preity has several events lined up in Cannes, but no movies. "I would have liked to bring my film Har Pal here, but it isn't ready as yet. If Rituparno Ghosh’s The Last Lear is screened, I'll go for it. But Chopard events are sure to keep me on my toes for the next three days. I've a red carpet event, a dinner, followed by a picnic. I will return to Mumbai on May 17 and immediately head for my IPL commitments."

Preity is also excited about accompanying the Bachchans in The Unforgettable Tour. "The Bachchans are my buddies. I'm joining them on their world tour in July and am really looking forward to it. I've been on a world tour with them earlier and had a ball. So I'm looking forward to this one as well," she concludes

Star Studded IPL In Pics