WE HAVE LOST 2 GREAT PERSONALITY THIS OCTOBER

Legendary film director, screenwriter and film producer Yash Chopra is dead. Chopra, 80, had been admitted to Lilavati hospital in Bandra on October 13 after being diagnosed with dengue, according to TV reports.

Known for making some of the best love stories and action dramas, the veteran had been busy shooting for his last directorial project — Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Noted comedian and filmmaker Jaspal Bhatti, 57, died in a road accident near Shahkot in the early hours on Thursday. Bhatti along with his son Jasraj who was on the wheel, and two others was coming to Jalandhar from Bathinda for the promotion of his new film 'Power Cut' when the car hit a tree on the roadside.

SAIF-KAREENA GRAND NIKAAH CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY

 The much-hyped wedding of Bollywood's most celebrated couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor took place at Mumbai's Taj Mahal palace hotel. They had a court registered marriage in the morning with only close family members & friends followed by a grand Nikaah ceremony in the evening.

The nikaah ceremony was attended by most of the high profile Bollywood celebrities, present there to bless & congratulate the newlywed couple.

Shahrukh Khan stepped in the venue along with wife Gauri. Gauri dazzled in her white lehenga dress, whereas Shahrukh was striking in the black suit.

TODAY, BOLLYWOOD SHAHENSHAH, AMITABH TURNS 69

TODAY, Bollywood's mega star AMITABH BACHCHAN, TURNED 69.

Despite completing 40 years in Indian film industry Bollywood, the ageing actor is not the one to rest on his laurels. He is busy shooting for Indian film director Ram Gopal Varma's 'Department', despite getting injured on the sets of the film.

He is also hosting the season 5 of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)' an Indian game show based on the UK game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' on Sony TV.

"One of the best ways to bring in birthdays is to be working at what you need to be working on...I work because of I need to ....love!!," Bachchan said.

The actor returned home at midnight after shooting for the diwali episodes of KBC and said he could just make it home in time for the clock to strike 12 and for the family to wish him. "The greatest joys of life are in the simple wishes," he said.

Immediately afterwards, he settled to interact with fans from all over the world on his blog and micro-blogging site twitter.

"It is past midnight! It is my birthday today! It is another year gone by! It is stepping in to the 70th year for me! Thank you! Have just been released from the clutches of work form KBC... and here to thank you all for the love and affection you shower!!

"They ask me what I wish for my birthday .. why only on the birthday, it should be everyday... I wish another day to pass in peace ! Thank you all once again for all the Birthday wishes ... I am so humbled and filled with pride .. you make it all happen .. my love," he said.

On his blog, Bachchan recalled that he was born in a small private maternity outfit run by a missionary Dr Brar, in the most-crowded market area of northern Indian state of Allahabad.

"I was brought home by my parents in the best possible transport machinery that they could afford – a tonga! (horse-driven cart) Wrapped in a 'gudari', I still refer to many that I am a 'gudari ka lal' – a human that is affiliated with the cheapest form of clothing. I loved being in that form and still love
it.
"There is a certain sense of attachment every time I come in close contact with people and circumstances that narrate to me stories of the time," he wrote.

"As I step into the 70's unabashedly, I need to thank several of those that I feel were the ones that seemed distressed with the number of my age. But no they are not so!

When they speak of age and involvement, why must we only look upon the aged, onto those that show the ravishes of time and the hunger of recognition. I would imagine that we must let the world be as it is and allow whatever shape it desires to take vis-a-vis individuals," he wrote.

Bachchan gained popularity in the early 1970s as the 'angry young man' of Hindi cinema, with films like 'Agneepath', 'Trishul', 'Deewar', 'Zanjeer'.

Year 2011 saw Bachchan rekindle his 'angry young man' image, that he is best known for, in 'Bbuddha Hoga Terra Baap'.

But on the personal front, he is set to become a grandfather again, as son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai are expecting their first child.

His other Indian film, 'Aarakshan' that hit the screens this year got mired into controversy due to its subject – 'reservation'.

Bachchan even turned 'item boy' for a song titled 'Go Meera'. He was seen in a colourful and flamboyant avatar, dancing to his own golden hits like --'Khaiyeke Paan Banaras Wala', 'Pag ghunghroo baandh Meera naachi thi', 'Rang Barse', 'Sara Zamana' among others.

"All these years, I have been desperately waiting to be called an item boy.

Please call me that. I feel with this song, my wish has come true...and I am satisfied," Bachchan had said.

A few months back, Bachchan broke the news of his Indian actress and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai expecting a baby.

"And so to becoming a Dada! The excitement and the joy of the first Bachchan coming after my brother and me. Nana I was, but now Dada!!," he had said on a social networking site.

The actor had said that he felt the grandchild would bring the child in him

TODAY, BOLLYWOOD DIVA, REKHA TURNED 58

TODAY, Bollywood's enigmatic beauty REKHA turned 58.

Rekha, who captivated the hearts of millions of her fans over the decades, has acted in more than 180 films in her career that spanned over 40 years.

Born Oct 10, 1954, Bhanurekha Ganesan started her career with screen-name Rekha in 1966 as a child actress in the Telugu movie Rangula Ratnam, though her film debut as a lead happened four years later with Hindi movie SAWAN BHADON (1970).

Throughout her career, she has often played strong female characters and, apart from mainstream cinema, appeared in Arthouse films, known in India as parallel cinema.

She has won three Filmfare Awards, two for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress, for her roles in KHUBSOORAT (1980), KHOON BHARI MAANG (1988) and KHILADIYON KA KHILADI (1996), respectively.

Her portrayal of a classical courtesan in UMRAO JAAN (1981) won her the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Rekha added one more feathers to her glorious career this year when she took oath as Rajya Sabha MP.

Rekha made her first appearance in the Parliament during the Budget session as she took oath as a Rajya Sabha member on May 15.

The voting for the Vice-Presidential election this year was the first time when she exercised their ballots as MP of the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

Former Indian President Pratibha Patil had approved the names of Rekha and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar for nominated seats in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year.

BOLLYWOOD WISHES KISHORE KUMAR, A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Though he is no more between us today but his songs will always thrive in the hearts of many. Abhas Kumar Ganguly, popularly known as Kishore Kumar left behind a musical legacy comprising thousands of hit Bollywood numbers. Today on his 83rd birthday, we will pay tribute to the legendary singer, whose voice is still the favourite of youngsters.

He was born on August 4, 1929 into Ganguly family in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. He was the son of Kunjalal Ganguly (Gangopadhyay), who was a lawyer and Gouri Devi. Kishore Kumar was the youngest of the four siblings, Ashok Kumar, Sati Devi and Anoop Kumar. Music composer Bappi Lahiri is also related to Kishore Kumar to his mother's side.

In an interview, Kishore's brother Ashok Kumar had revealed that when the legendary singer was 10 years old, his voice was very coarse grating but he loved singing. One day, when his mother was chopping vegetables, he rushed in such a speed that his leg banged into the chopper, Kishore suffered immense pain and cried nonstop for almost 20 hours daily continuously for a month; this crying ultimately cleared his voice and results to a ultimate singer of the Bollywood which created history. Ashok Kumar entered Bollywood when Kishore was a child later Anoop Kumar also ventured into cinema.

The singer also expressed his desire to join his brothers in Hindi film industry. He became a fan of singer-actor Kundan Lal Sehgal, whom he considered his guru, and tried to follow Sehgal's singing style. Abhas Kumar changed his name to Kishore Kumar and started his career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his brother worked.

Kishore Kumar's first movie as an actor was Shikari (1946), in which Ashok Kumar played the lead role. Music director Khemchand Prakash gave him a chance to sing Marne Ki Duayein Kyun Mangu for the film Ziddi (1948).

Kishore Kumar was offered many roles after this but he was not serious about a film career as he was interested in singing. But Ashok Kumar wanted him to be an actor like him.

His hidden talent was observed by music director SD Burman, who once heard him imitating KL Sehgal. He appreciated Kishore and asked him to develop his own style instead of copying anyone. Keeping his suggestion in mind, Kishore developed his own style of singing. He featured the yodeling that he had heard on the gramophone records of Tex Morton and Jimmie Rodgers bought by his bother Anoop Kumar.

Later Kishore and Burman's teamed up and recorded for Munimji, Taxi Driver, House No. 44 , Funtoosh , Nau Do Gyarah , Paying Guest , Guide, Jewel Thief , Prem Pujari, and Tere Mere Sapne.

He also recorded various tracks with RD Burman including O Maajhi Re, Yeh Shaam Mastaani, Chingari Koi Bhadke and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge.

Kishore Kumar sung for many actors but his voice best suited for superstar Rajesh Khanna. He sang for Rajesh Khanna in Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Namak Haraam, Aap Ki Kasam, Mehbooba and many more.

Besides hindi, Kishore Kumar sang in many Indian languages including Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam and Oriya. He worked in films including New Delhi, Aasha, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Half Ticket and Padosan.

He won 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and and holds the record for most number of Filmfare Awards won in that category.

He was awarded the "Lata Mangeshkar Award" by the Madhya Pradesh government and from that year onwards, the Madhya Pradesh Government initiated a new award called the Kishore Kumar Award for contributions to the Hindi Cinema.

Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Bengali singer and actress Ruma Ghosh. His second wife was actress Madhubala and after her death he tied the knot with Yogeeta Bali and his fourth wife is actress Leena Chandravarkar.

On October 13, 1987, Kishore took his last breath and died of heart attack in Mumbai. He is survived by wife Leena Chandravarkar and two sons Amit Kumar and Sumit Kumar.

SAIF-KAREENA POSTPONED WEDDING DATE

The media could not refrain from asking the big question during the 'first look' launch of Kareena Kapoor's film HEROINE. Though right in the beginning of the function UTV's Siddharth Roy Kapur made it clear that questions not pertaining to the film will not be welcomed. Everyone was aware about the news of the postponement of Saif-Kareena wedding that was to happen in October 2012 and the media wanted to confirm with the (would-be) bride herself the veracity of the report that had appeared in a morning tabloid. The bride termed the report as speculative yet did not deny it and informed the media that the prerogative to announce the wedding date is of the groom i.e. Saif Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi.

As far as she is concerned her priority at the moment is her big film HEROINE. It is obvious that Kareena Kapoor is not in a hurry to give up the privileges of a 'heroine' to don the mantle of a dashing Nawab's Begum.

SHASHI KAPOOR UNDERGOES EYE SURGERY

As per media report, 74 year old, veteran actor-filmmaker Shashi Kapoor was admitted to a Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (Mumbai) for cataract surgery.

According to reports, the procedure went well. He will be discharged soon.

Kapoor is remembered for many hit Hindi films like JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE, KANYADAAN, PYAR KA MAUSAM, EK SHRIMAN EK SHRIMATI, HASEENA MAAN JAYEGI, SHARMEELEE, AA GALE LAG JAA, FAKIRA, PHAANSI, CHOR MACHAYE SHOR, MUKTI, SATYAM SHIVAM SUNDARAM, HEERALAL PANNALAL, JUNOON, SWAYAMVAR, CHORI MERA KAAM, PHAANSI, SHANKAR DADA, CHAKKAR PE CHAKKAR, DEEWAR and NAMAK HALAAL.

In 2011, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

SUNNY LEONE MIGHT TAKE OVER ENTIRE BRANDING OF JISM

It is a known fact that Sunny Leone is already a force to reckon with, courtesy millions of gazing fans that she has accumulated in India after capturing the West. With her explicit online image doing the trick, one wonders of Bhatts ever feel that she might take over the entire branding of JISM so much that even a good story and direction may end up being on the backburner.

"We all understand that JISM is a one of its kind brand and anybody getting associated to it would require a certain profile that fits into the template. We were sure that Sunny would fit the bill. As for her taking over the brand then well, I would say that she has added an extra sheen to it. JISM 2 is a heady cocktail of Sunny, the brand 'jism' and definitely the narrative. Audiences will realize that within 15 minutes of the film," says Mahesh Bhatt in a confident tone.

While his affection for Randeep Hooda is a known fact, he has similar confidence in his second male lead Arunoday Singh as well. Though the actor has been making a slow and steady progress over the years, Mahesh Bhatt believes that he has it in him to be a player in the big league.

RANI MUKHERJEE WILL RECEIVE PETA AWARD

Doe-eyed Bollywood star Rani Mukerji can add another award to her trophy case, this one from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.

According to news reports, Rani was shooting for her upcoming film AIYYA when she saw that a stray dog was being harassed by a few onlookers on the set. Rani rushed to help the dog and stopped these people in their tracks. Rani will receive a Hero to Animals Award from PETA India.

"This dog would have been terrified and suffered more abuse were it not for Rani's compassionate and quick action," says PETA India Manager of Media and Celebrity Projects Sachin Bangera. "We encourage everyone to stop and speak up for animals who are subjected to pain or suffering, because if you don't, maybe no one else will."

Rani - who won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her last film, NO ONE KILLED JESSICA, has also lent a hand to her aunt, actor Debasree Roy, a National Film Award winner, to garner support for abandoned animals, particularly stray dogs. Rani's upcoming movies include AIYYA and TALAASH.

RAJESH KHANNA PASSES AWAY AT 69

Superstar, Rajesh Khanna is no more after being critically ill from last few months.

He breathed his last in the presence of his ex-wife Dimple Kapadia, daughters Rinkie and Twinkle, son-in-law Akshay Kumar, grand children and close relatives.

From the dizzying heights of fame to quiet shadows behind the arclights, Rajesh Khanna's life had a theatrical sweep, almost like one of his films.

In an era long before this age of instant connect of mobile phones and internet, Rajesh Khanna was the man who sparked a frenzy never seen before and never since, not even by the likes of Amitabh Bachchan.

His very name spelt magic in the 1970s. He sparked hysteria, particularly amongst his legions of women fans, who would line the road for a glimpse, chant his name, cover his car with lipstick marks and even write him letters in blood. They got married to his photograph, cut their finger, let the blood flow and applied 'sindoor'.

Truly, "O mere di ke chain"!

Kaka, as he was popularly known, was one of the highest paid actors of his time, his record of consecutive solo super hits still unbroken. Who can forget the years between 1970-1979 when he starred in mega hits like "Safar", "Kati Patang", "Sachaa Jhutha", "Aan Milo Sajna", "Anand", "Amar Prem" and "Mere Jeevan Saathi". Ever the urbane, suave romantic who wooed like few others.

Glory and fame galore came his way with the two 1969 films - "Aradhana" and "Do Raaste" - where he teamed up with two of his best co-stars, Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz, respectively. Both the films were super hits. Hindi film's first superstar was born.

Between "Aradhana" in 1969 and "Prem Kahani" in 1975, Rajesh enjoyed god-like status.

It was all about charisma - a certain something that went beyond the art of acting. He had that unique way of delivering a dialogue, of crinkling his eyes and that interesting head tilt that were all his own - and designed to get fans swooning.

Describing the charm of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh once said: "I got famous purely because I was working with Rajesh Khanna in 'Anand'. People asked me questions like, 'How is he to look at? What does he do?'"

The mega story had a small beginning in Amritsar. Born Jatin Arora on Dec 29, 1942, he was adopted and raised by foster parents.

He went from being Jatin to Rajesh, thanks to his uncle who changed his name, when he decided to join films.

In 1965, the journey to filmdom started after he won the All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare. He made his debut with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966.

It was a fairly easy road to superstardom after that.

He became the heartthrob of the nation, singing timeless melodies like "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani..." in "Aradhana", "Zindagi Ek Safar" in "Andaaz" or "Yeh Shaam Mastani" in "Kati Patang". Singer Kishore Kumar and composer R.D. Burman were amongst his closest friends.

In his four-decade career, he appeared in about 160 films, of which 106 had him as the solo lead hero and 22 were two hero projects.

Rajesh proved his mettle in offbeat films too. He teamed up with Hrishikesh Mukherjee for the critically acclaimed "Bawarchi" and "Namak Haram". The quintessential romantic also did the intense "Avishkar", directed by Basu Bhattacharya.

But then age caught up and the star began fading away.

He moved to television and played the main lead in two serials - "Ittefaque" and "Apne Paraye" during 2001-02 and also featured in "Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi" between 2008-09.

The decline to B-grade films was inevitable. There was also the sorry "Wafa" with Laila Khan, who was found murdered this July.
He dabbled in politics, being Congress MP from the New Delhi constituency from 1991-1996.

Like the Hollywood legends of yore, the personal life also had a larger than life dimension.

He fell in love with Dimple Kapadia, who was only 16 and whose first film "Bobby" was yet to release. She was 15 years younger to him but the pull was strong and they got married after a whwhirwind romance in 1973.

It was the stuff of tabloid headlines. They had two daughters Twinkle and Rinke. The marriage lasted only 11 years.

It was a lonely life for Rajesh after that. He disappeared from the headlines and appeared to be a shadow of his former self in his rare public appearances.

But the family came together in his last days. His estranged wife was the one who took care of him during his illness. Son-in-law Akshay Kumar was also a great comfort.

Rajesh reappeared in an ad a few months before his death, and once again became the talk of town - he was clearly unwell but the zest in his voice was intact as he intoned "Babumoshai" from his much loved film "Anand".

Like Anand from the film, the man is gone. But the memories will live on.