Govinda: I will ask my wife before doing a sex comedy

 Govinda attends an interview as a part of the IIFA festivities
Bollywood actor Govinda has nothing against sex comedies which are a trend in tinsel town nowadays. Whether he will be part of such a project or not is a decision he would want to consult his wife for.

Asked about his take on sex comedies, Govinda said here: "I feel whatever gives business, somewhere it is right. Something which is accepted by everybody cannot be wrong. Whichever comedy it might be, I think comedy is comedy."

Is he open to sex comedies?

Pat came the reply: Well I will have to ask Sunita (my wife) about that.

While Govinda seems to be embracing the new twist to comedy films in the Hindi movie world he is also happy about young and new talent in the industry.

"Ranveer, Varun, everybody is doing well. These youngsters are working hard. We have never worked so hard. In our times, we were only actors. We were not body builders," Govinda said.

"The youngsters are great, they are fantastic. May god bless them," he added. (Also read: Varun says comparisons with Govinda unfair)

Govinda is here to attend the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards with his wife Sunita in tow.

copyright : movies.ndtv.com

Florida-based travel agent sues IIFA for 7 million dollars

A Florida-based travel company owner has sued IIFA organisers for breach of trust

A Florida-based travel company owner has sued IIFA organisers for for 7 million dollars alleging breach of trust.

Company owner Akarsh Kolaprath has filed a lawsuit against Wizcraft, the organisers of the 15th International Indian Film Academy Awards after the company decided to do their own bookings and arrangements.

Kolaprath claims that about three years ago, Andre Timmins and Viraf Sarkari of Wizcraft finalised a deal through his family company, 7M tours, according to which he was supposed to co-ordinate finances and make arrangements for the event in the US.

Wizcraft reportedly promised him 3 percent of the entire profit to Kolaprath, for his services.

However, the event organisers have apparently decided to make arrangement on their own.

Kolaprath who claims, spent around 2,65,000 US dollars on the arrangements, has sued Wizcraft for 7 million dollars, aborting the deal midway.

Kolaprath in his claims, also mentions a loss of more than 400,000 US dollars in hotel cancellation fees and wants stay on the event till the matter is settled.

Talking to a leading tabloid, Kolaprath said, "This has affected us very badly; we have been working on the whole thing. I was the one who introduced them (Wizcraft) to the sponsors.

But suddenly after we had done all the arrangements, we got to know that they were dealing directly with the sponsors and wanted me out of the picture. Their intention is not right."

However, an official statement on behalf of Wizcraft and IIFA claims, 'The claims made by Akarsh/7M tours are false and frivolous. It is a concocted story lacking any substance. Since the matter is sub judice, we shall respond to these claims appropriately before the court.'

Copyright : indiatoday.intoday.in

Yes, I am in love with Harman: Bipasha

A day after Harman Baweja announced to the world that he is dating Bipasha Basu, she came out and "stated the obvious" that she is also in love with Harman. She said this on her twitter account.

Bipasha Basu  -"Stating the obvious!Yes Harman n Me r a couple :) Finally I have met a person who is a far better human being than I am.Blessed."

Not that Bipasha wanted to make the declaration. On Tuesday, when questioned whether she will be attending IIFA with Harman, Bipasha had said, "I am going to IIFA alone. So I am looking for an eligible bachelor there." She had earlier said she was waiting for a proposal.

Bipasha is all set to perform at the IIFA awards in Tampa Bay, Florida. 

Harman and Bipasha profess love for each other.

That statement didn't look very good for Harman who had said earlier in the day, "Our starting to see each other was very organic. Barring the fitness factor, we are very similar. She (Bips) is a simple, straight-forward and honest girl who is caring and loving. For both of us, family and friends mean the most in the world and we are both emotional, caring and simple," Harman had said.

On Wednesday, the actor took to her Twitter account to announce that she and Baweja are a couple. She said that she feels blessed to have finally met Baweja, who according to her is a far better human being than she is. 

In an earlier tweet, the actor had said, "(I) am in a very happy space in my personal life and it would be fair if people just respect that and not speculate."

Basu has earlier dated Bollywood actors Dino Morea and John Abraham. She and Abraham had an acrimonious break-up; he allegedly married girlfriend Priya Runchal earlier this year in a hush-hush ceremony. 

According to media reports, Bipasha and Harman are likely to tie the knot this year.

Copyright : hindustantimes.com

Bollywood and Hollywood stars to rub shoulders at IIFA in US

Bollywood hopes to forge a bond with Hollywood via the coming 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) to be held at Tampa Bay, Florida, in April. 

The 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards and weekend will see a host of Hollywood celebrities as well as biggies from the Hindi film industry rubbing shoulders at the event that is to be held for the first time in the US. 

The IIFA weekend, which promotes Indian cinema offshore by organising various activities like premiers, discussions and award functions, will take place here April 24-26. 

IIFA awards has been previously held at exotic locations like Sun City, Amsterdam, Colombo, Johannesburg, Toronto, Macau and Singapore. 

International singer Akon, who got a roaring response for lending his voice to "Chammak challo" - a popular track from Shahrukh Khan's "Ra.One" - is also expected to be present for the awards. 

The festivities are much awaited due to the introduction of IIFA Stomp, a free-to-all public party with "a taste of India". This will have an entertaining mix of Indian food, music and handicrafts and will take place April 23 at the picturesque Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park which overlooks the Hillsborough river. 

The IIFA weekend and awards will also have IIFA Rocks, an exclusive night of music and fashion; IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards; and the main IIFA Awards night. 

Bollywood actors like Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, who are associated with IIFA, are busy promoting the prestigious event. They toured Los Angeles, Tampa Bay and New York with the IIFA management to create a buzz about this edition of the awards extravaganza. 

Both Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra have an international connect. While Anil is popular for his act in the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" and TV show "24", Priyanka launched her career as a singer with her first single "In my city" in the US. 

Tampa Bay is also gearing up for the event with some of the event's key delegates visited Mumbai and New Delhi last year in order to strength ties before the mega event. 

Santiago Corrada, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Bay, met Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sohail Khan and singer Sonu Niigaam. 

Copyright : apunkachoice.com

Stars leave for Colombo to attend IIFA

By ndtv.com

The Hindi film industry stands divided on the issue of whether to attend the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards. While some stars have declared that they won't be attending the award function, others like Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi and Boman Irani amongst others are in Colombo to attend IIFA. Here's a look...

Ex Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Lara Dutta arrives at the Mumbai airport to leave for Colombo.

Actor Riteish Deshmukh steps out of his car to catch a flight to Colombo.

Actor Boman Irani waves at the photographers just before leaving for Colombo.

Music composer and singer Salim Merchant arrives at the Mumbai airport.

Vivek Oberoi speaks to the media at the Mumbai airport just before leaving for Colombo.

Vikram Phadnis arrives at the Mumbai airport.

Lara Dutta goes in for a security check at the Mumbai airport.

Lara speaks to Boman Irani at the Mumbai airport.

Lara Dutta will be performing on stage at this year's IIFA.

Riteish Deshmukh gets ready to board the flight to Colombo.

Lara Dutta at the Mumbai airport.

Riteish waits near an eating joint at the Mumbai airport.

Lara at the Mumbai airport.

Vivek arrives at the Mumbai airport.

Salim Merchant at the Mumbai airport.

Lara Dutta arrives at the Mumbai airport.

Riteish poses for the shutterbugs just before leaving for Colombo.

Dia Mirza at the Mumbai airport.

Sharman Joshi at the Mumbai airport.

Zarine Khan at the Mumbai airport.

Manish Malhotra at the Mumbai airport.

Rocky S at the Mumbai airport.

Sonu Sood at the Mumbai airport.

Ronit Roy at the Mumbai airport.

Nandita Methani at the Mumbai airport.

Hansika Motwani at the Mumbai airport.

Salman, Jacqueline visit war-torn village in Sri Lanka

By ndtv.com

Bollywood star Salman Khan accompanied by Sri Lankan beauty queen Jacqueline Fernandez visited a project site to build homes for the people displaced by the three-decade long civil war. (Photo: AFP)

The 43-year-old actor, who is participating in the IIFA weekend said, "Many people lost their lives or have been displaced due to war and constructing 100 homes is a commendable and a good start." (Photo: AFP)

The construction of the homes in the village of Ja'ela is part of the IIFA's Charity initiative to rehabilitate those affected by war in the country. (Photo: AFP)

Salman said he identified with the aims of the initiative and had agreed to become the brand ambassador of the IIFA charity initiative because it works towards building a stronger community. (Photo: AFP)

"I am glad that IIFA is standing by this worthy project,” Salman Khan said. (Photo: AFP)

“I hope that this first step taken by IIFA will further motivate others to sign up and contribute to this project to build a 100 homes and put a roof on the heads of those who desperately require it," he said about 'Habitat for Humanity', an organisation initiated by former US president Jimmy Carter. (Photo: AFP)

As a symbol of solidarity with the Sri Lankan people, IIFA in partnership with the organisation will adopt and rebuild the village of Ja'ela. (Photo: AFP)

"The building of homes here is a symbolic gesture of contributing to the host country of Sri lanka and spreading the message of IIFA-one people, one world," Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizcraft, organisers of IIFA, said. (Photo: AFP)

IIFA splits Bollywood wide open

By ndtv.com

Bollywood seems to be divided on the issue of attending the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards scheduled to be held in Colombo from June 3-5. Amidst pressure on the Hindi film industry to skip the IIFA ceremony, some film stars have decided to give IIFA a miss while many others have confirmed that they will attend the event. Let's see who will attend and who won't…

Amitabh Bachchan:Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan will not be attending the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards scheduled to be held in Colombo from June 3-5. "I am not going to IIFA," Bachchan tweeted in reply to a query about his plans. He did not provide any reason for his decision. 

Big B had earlier been targeted by Tamil groups who staged protests outside his residence in Mumbai last month and asked the actor to stay away from IIFA Colombo.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Aishwarya is also likely to give IIFA a miss this year as the actress is busy with other assignments.

Abhishek Bachchan:Abhishek too won't be attending the film festival.

Arjun Rampal: Arjun Rampal will not be attending IIFA as he is busy promoting his movie Raajneeti, which releases on June 4, 2010.

Shah Rukh Khan: King Khan has also decided to give IIFA a miss citing prior work commitments. SRK was also supposed to be the captain of Bollywood cricket team, which is scheduled to play a charity cricket match involving Indian and Sri Lankan movie and cricket stars.

Mani Ratnam: In May noted filmmaker Mani Ratnam announced his intention to stay away from IIFA Colombo. His forthcoming film Raavan was to be screened at the three-day event. Although Ratnam said he wouldn't be attending because Raavan was not complete, there are speculations he did not want to risk alienating the Tamil film industry by going to Sri Lanka this year. Ratnam had premiered his Yuva at IIFA 2004 in Singapore.

Kamal Haasan: Kamal Haasan had also issued a statement, announcing his decision to boycott IIFA, hours after a group of Tamils staged a demonstration in front of his office in Chennai, demanding his resignation as Chairman of Media and Enertainment Conclave of FICCI. Kamal said his move was not pursuant to the demonstration and he had taken the decision long back, giving respect to the sentiments of Tamils.

AR Rahman: Music maestro AR Rahman too won't be attending IIFA. Rahman has decided to boycott the award function to snub the Lankan Government for its "genocide against the Tamils".

Katrina Kaif: Katrina Kaif will not be attending IIFA this year as she is in Venice.

Despite all that oppositions, a lot of film stars have decided to grace the occasion. 

Salman Khan: Salman Khan, who is the brand ambassador of the IIFA Charity Initiative will be attending the award function. Recently, members of the Tamil community staged a protest in Mumbai against the actor's proposed visit to Sri Lanka. According to rumours Salman is also scheduled to perform at IIFA.

Priyanka Chopra:Priyanka Chopra too has confirmed that she will be attending IIFA this year.

Ranbir Kapoor: Ranbir Kapoor will also be a part of the prestigious award function.

Kareena Kapoor:Kareena Kapoor will attend the award function.

Saif Ali Khan: Saif Ali Khan will also be there to give his lady love company at IIFA this year.

Bipasha Basu: Bipasha will also be attending IIFA and will be performing some of her popular numbers there.

Lara Dutta: Lara Dutta has also confirmed that she will be attending IIFA.