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.

ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO WITH HER DAUGHTER, ANJA

Taking care of some errands, Alessandra Ambrosio headed over to the Malibu Country Mart to pick up a few things.

Joined by her daughter Anja and the family dog, the Victoria’s Secret stunner was more than happy to romp around on the nearby playground, looking cute in a loose-knit hooded sweater with denim shorts.

Earlier this week, Alessandra and her beau Jamie Mazur gave all their attention to newborn son Noah with a family trip to a Malibu park.

And before long, Ms. Ambrosio will be packing her bags and leaving on a jet plane for London, England, where she’ll make an appearance at the 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies as a representative of her home country of Brazil.

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.

"AMERICAN IDOL" IS ON THE HUNT FOR STAR POWER IN THE FORM OF MARIAH CAREY

After the departure of both Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, "American Idol" is on the hunt for more star power in the form of Mariah Carey.

The 42-year-old diva is finalizing a deal with "Idol" carrying a price tag of approximately $17 million, according to Deadline.

No contract has been signed yet, but if acquired, the mother of twins may be joining other rumored hosts Adam Lambert and judges' table mainstay Randy Jackson.

In other Mariah news, the superstar singer was just announced to be named a "BMI Icon" at the BMI Urban Awards on September 7th in Beverly Hills for her "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers."

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.

JESSICA GOMES IN BIKNI ON MIAMI BEACH

Bikini girl and "world's hottest swimsuit model," Jessica Gomes was seen taking in the sunshine on the shore of Miami Beach

Giving fellow sand-revelers quite the fantastic eyeful, the Australian-borb beauty donned a classic black two piece suit before covering up with a plaid shirt, jean short and over-sized Chanel bag.

Gomes' seaside relaxation comes just ahead of her planned appearance at Mercedes Benz Beach Swim Week.

And those around the world can't wait to see Jessica strut down the swimsuit catwalk again and again, the model recently revealed that she wasn't always so happy with her now-famous frame. "I'm very skinny on the bottom, but then I have these big boobs," she told press.

"When my body started changing I would go to castings and and call my agent, very upset, saying, "My boobs are growing, and they're not fitting into the sample-size tops!" Gomes later added, "But I was very lucky that, as I was becoming a mature woman, other people were digging it, and I was able to be a swimsuit model."

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.

MIRANDA KERR WITH HER ADORABLE SON, FLYNN

Tending to her motherly duties, Miranda Kerr picked up her adorable son Flynn and whisked him off in a chauffeured SUV in New York City on July 19.

The beautiful Aussie supermodel ended up giving the paparazzi an eyeful as she bent over to buckle her boy into his car seat and her purple thong peeked out above her jeans.

Miranda is featured in a new promotional campaign for Victoria’s Secret’s new cotton lingerie collection, and it’s nothing short of super-sexy.

And now there’s a newly-released behind-the-scenes clip from the photo/video shoot for everyone’s viewing pleasure!

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.

FREIDA PINTO AT HER FLAUNT MAGAZINE LAUNCH PARTY

Freida Pinto hosted the Flaunt Magazine and Agave Denim “All Wrapped Up in Blue” dinner reception in Los Angeles.

The “Immortals” actress hammed it up with Agave Denim founder Jeff Shafer during the event, held at Sherbourne restaurant to celebrate The Denim Issue.

Miss Pinto has been busy promoting her new film “Trishna” as of late, and in a recent interview she talked about her experience playing the lead role for the first time.

“It was great. I think it would be every actor’s dream to have 11-hour days when you’re there on almost every frame. You really feel like you’re finally being utilized properly as an actor, that the director really is giving you a lot of material to work with, so in that sense, yeah, I felt really great. I was constantly active, thinking about my character, what she was going to do next or whether it was that particular scene and it was nice because I was exploring a different, even though it was a part of India, it is a culture very different from mine.

Something I was not very familiar with growing up, so it was kind of a character research for me as well to explore something completely different and play something completely different from what I actually am or who I actually am.”