Aishwarya looks best in a sari: Designer Neeta Lulla br/

Gurgaon, Ace designer Neeta Lulla has been lending her creative touch to Aishwarya Rai’s wardrobe for more than a decade. Having dressed the actress in varied costumes in movies like “Taal”, “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” and “Jodhaa Akbar”, the designer feels the sari suits the former beauty queen best.

“No doubt Aishwarya looks beautiful in Indian outfits, but, personally, I feel that she looks her best in a sari. She can carry a simple cotton to a designer sari with equal poise and elegance,” Lulla told IANS in an interview.

Lulla has been named for a National Award for best costume designer in “Jodhaa Akbar” – her third National Award. She previously won the award in 1992 for “Lamhe” and in 2003 for “Devdas”.

The Mumbai-based designer was here to give a sneak preview of yet-to-be opened entertainment destination, Kingdom of Dreams, which will play host to Bollywood musicals. Lulla will be designing the costumes for the stars performing there.

Lulla said she was more than happy to be a part of the project as it will give her a huge opportunity to explore her creative side.

“In Bollywood, you do sometimes face limitations. With this magnum opus concept, I can see myself putting my creativity at its best and exploring various new facets,” she said.

Her association with Kingdom of Dreams would require Lulla to spend more time here than her home in Mumbai, but the designer seems unperturbed and welcomes the change.

“This city is huge and sprawling…I like it for many reasons. So I don’t mind spending some time here. It’s just that I would be juggling between the two cities. But the concept behind this project is so intriguing that I couldn’t have said no,” said the soft-spoken Lulla.

Lulla has been a part of the industry for over two decades and has designed for over 350 movies.

Expressing happiness over winning her third National Award, Lulla said these honours not only make her feel special but also inspire her to perform better.

“It’s always nice to receive appreciation for your work. I do feel special but at the same time each project that I take on gives me an opportunity to work and explore my creativity and this in the end helps in delivering a good product,” she said.

Lulla’s upcoming Bollywood project is Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey” that has Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. But she refused to divulge any details about the movie saying, “It’s too early to talk about it.”

source: bollywoodworld.com

Was Vivek following Aishwarya-Abhishek in Delhi? br/

New Delhi, Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi seems to have taken a fancy to following star couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan. He did it yet again here Thursday evening, almost a fortnight after reportedly found tailing them in Mumbai.

Vivek made an unexpected late entry at the premiere of “Rann”, at the PVR Select Citywalk, where Aishwarya and Abhishek were present for the red carpet premiere of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer.

Vivek, who was linked with Aishwarya earlier, arrived hastily at the venue half an hour after the premiere had begun, adjusting his cuff links and with his bodyguards in tow.

The actor bumped his leg on a barricade before he was ushered on the red carpet – making a lonesome sight with no one to walk beside him. The star cast of “Rann” – Riteish Deshmukh, Gul Panag, director Ram Gopal Varma apart from Amitabh – had already moved into the theatre by then. Aishwarya and Abhishek were also in the multiplex.

“It’s strange to see Vivek here. We don’t know if he has been invited here or has come over just because he is in the capital for an event. He has one lined up for Friday,” a source who was there, told IANS.

Vivek was reportedly an uninvited entry at Hrithik Roshan’s birthday bash early this month at Shah Rukh Khan’s house Mannat in Mumbai, where the Bachchan couple was present.

He was also spotted chatting with Big B and his wife Jaya at a recent awards function where Aishwarya and Abhishek were noticed sitting at a far distance.

Releasing Friday, “Rann” has been co-produced by Madhu Mantena and Sheetal Talwar.

Also starring Paresh Rawal in a pivotal role, it is about the conflict between business and conscience in the electronic media these days.

source: bollywoodworld.com

Abhishek Aishwarya back in Filmistan after 11 years br/

New Delhi, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan got nostalgic while filming an ad with wife Aishwarya Rai at Filmistan Studios, the same location where they gave their first shot together 11 years ago when they were mere acquaintances.

“It was here on the very same floor 11 years ago that we gave our first ever shot together. The movie was ‘Dhai Akshar Prem Ke’. Great memories,” Abhishek posted on his Twitter page.

“Then, I would have never dreamt that the next time we shoot here would be as husband and wife. How time flies, how lives change,” he added.

Produced by actor Dino Morea, the ad film was shot Tuesday by filmmaker Tarun Mansukhani who directed Abhishek in the hit film “Dostana”.

“Shooting an ad with the Mrs (Aishwarya). My friend Tarun directing. Great to step in front of his camera again. He’s great. And we’re all set! The wife is looking her usual stunning self, and me……. Well, I’m looking like Shrek’s cousin,” he joked.

source: bollywoodworld.com

Padma Lakshmi beats Aishwarya in most desirable list br/

London, Supermodels Padma Lakshmi and Lakshmi Menon have beaten Indian actresses Aishwarya Rai and Freida Pinto in a most desirable women poll conducted by a portal.

According to the top 99 women poll by askmen.com, Padma Lakshmi has grabbed the 15th spot while Menon sits at the 45th position leaving behind “Slumdog Millionaire” star Pinto and former Miss World Aishwarya in 50th and 63rd positions respectively.

“I am delighted that the readers of this portal have chosen to include me on their list. I am extremely flattered,” the website quoted Padma as saying.

Beating all of them, however, is Canadian actress Emmanuelle Chriqui, who tops the list. It also features singer Beyonce Knowles at sixth position, Spanish actress Penelope Cruz and “Tranformers” star Megan Fox at seventh and 11th spots respectively.

After a six-week long voting period, six million votes decided the ranking of these beautiful women.

source: bollywoodworld.com

Karan Johar keen to work with Aishwarya Rai br/

Mumbai, (BollywoodWorld.com) If grapevine is to be believed, Karan Johar is toying with the idea of finally working with Aishwarya Rai, with whom he hasn’t made a single project in his over decade-long career.

“Karan said that Aishwarya is his ideal heroine and all the scripts that he writes are keeping her in mind. He also said that various reasons have veered them from working together. But he is hoping that it is the right time that he gets her to work in his production sometime soon,” a source, who overheard Karan’s conversation with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The two filmmakers were discussing Aishwarya at Sonali Bendre’s birthday party Dec 31.

“Sanjay Leela Bhansali was overheard telling Karan Johar that Aishwarya is very original and there is no one like her. He further said that if a director has not worked with her in his or her career, it’s a big loss for them. Sanjay also praised her work in ‘Guzaarish’,” the source said.

Aishwarya has worked with Bhansali in “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” and “Devdas” – both of which did well at the box office. Now she is being directed by him in “Guzaarish”, which also features Hrithik Roshan.

source: bollywoodworld.com