stoppress BEYONCE, JAY-Z WELCOME BABY GIRL
I’M NOT DATING ANYONE: NEIL
Pop star Beyonce Knowles and husband Jay-Z welcomed their first child, a daughter, on Saturday night in New York. The couple has reportedly named her Blue Ivy Carter. Friend and music mogul Russell Simmons was among the first to celebrate the arrival, tweeting: “congrats to my good friends Beyonce and Jay-Z.” Rihanna wrote: “Welcome to the world princess Carter! Love Aunty Rih.”
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, 29, has rubbished reports that he is in a relationship with a Delhi girl. “Guys just for the record. I am single! A lot of speculation happening. Wouldn’t mind betting (sic) into a relation!” he tweeted on Saturday night. Neil parted ways with designer Priyanka Bhatia in 2010.
‘Who says I won’t be here?’ P 3 N EW D E L H I , M o n d ay J a n ua r y 0 9 , 2 0 1 2 , 8 PA G ES w w w. h i n d u s t a n t i m e s . c o m
MINORITY REPORT
BIPASHA TO PLAY BHANWARI DEVI?
Guys get half the pay and attention Vaishali Bhambri ■
vaishali.bhambri@hindustantimes.com
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veryone s fighting a battle at the overcrowded Auto Expo visitors are struggling for space to walk, female models are combating lecherous advances, the cars competing for attention. But, no one seems to have noticed the predicament of the male promoters, who re perhaps getting the rawest deal at the ongoing event at Pragati Maidan. The guys make up for just
about a tenth of the total strength of promoters at the motorshow, and say they feel unwanted, left out and discriminated against, with the girls lapping up not just the attention but also the big bucks. Most young men at the pavillions are earning half of what their female colleagues are. Guys are definitely paid less; it s just that certain jobs are more suitable for women than men, says Amit Arora, a model coordinator with Glitz, which has provided PHOTOS: WASEEM GASHROO
A male promoter at the Audi pavillion
promoters to Toyota. Somesh Mathur, 25, a male promoter for Peugeot, says, It s not that people don tcome to our exhibits at all, but of course, female promoters attract more crowds. We get paid as less as half of what the girls get. Boys feel it s time promoters were hired on the basis of their knowledge of automobiles, and not their looks. I think a person who is passionate about vehicles should be made the promoter, be it male or female, says Jasdeep Singh Bhasin, 20, a promoter for Peugeot, one of the only two pavillions with male models. The other is Audi, whose officials proudly claim, Male models are always a part of our crew. Out of a total strength of 25, we have 10 males. The guys are, however, learning to have fun anyway. Many women come to our pavillion with surprise, as we re an unusual sight, says Bhasin. So, the times are changing.
I think an interest in cars matters. Not whether you’re male or female Jasdeep Singh Bhasin, 20, promoter
Prashant Singh ■
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Any announcement will happen in a proper manner. Right now, there’s nothing Bipasha Basu, actor
TV bahu to Boss’ pick ■
navdeep.marwah@hindustantimes.com
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aturday night saw television actor Juhi Parmar winning the fifth season of reality show Bigg Boss, after spending 98 days in a house under the prying eyes of 55 cameras. The 31-year-old, who became a household name after her portrayal of an ideal bahu in Kumkum, says, To be honest, I never dreamt I would win the show. Mujhe hamesha lagta tha ki pata nahi kya hoga. The journey was very difficult yet memorable, and a life-enriching experience. Juhi is the second female contestant to win the show, after Shweta Tiwari won season 4. Juhi walked away with R1 crore after defeating Mahek Chahal, who came second and Sidharth Bhardwaj, who ended up in
the third place. Others in the top five included Amar Upadhyay and Sky. Juhi feels that her biggest victory was that she was able to make great friends in the house. She says, I think my biggest achievement is that I have made so many friends, such as Pooja Bedi, Sky, Sunny Leone and Raageshwari. I did not make even a single enemy, and that s great. I am very proud of myself because for me, the way one wins a show is as important as winning it. What about all the flak she got for supporting Sky? Heconsiders me his sister ... tell me, do you throw your brother out if he does something wrong? she says. The actor plans a holiTALK TO US ■
Do you think Juhi was the right choice as the winner of Bigg Boss 5? Write in to us at talktous@hindustantimes.com
SALLU SLAMS POOJA BEDI
The show’s team including host Salman Khan (L) congratulates Juhi (in blue) on her win
day now. Ek short vacation toh banta hai. Having said that, I am very charged up. I plan to take up exciting work, both soaps and reality shows. It s the beginning of a new phase, and I am looking forward to it.
I did not make even a single enemy in the house ... I’m proud of myself because for me, the way one wins a show is as important as winning it Juhi Parmar, Bigg Boss 5 winner
Actor Salman Khan has reacted sharply to the controversy surrounding him and Bigg Boss 5 ex-contestant Pooja Bedi, who alleged that it may have been Sallu who did not allow her to be part of the show’s finale. In an interview to Mumbai-based daily DNA, Salman was quoted as saying, “Yes, tomorrow Pooja will blame me for her birth too. In the last 20 years, I must’ve met her 2-3 times, so I know her that well ... I was initially surprised at her behaviour, but not anymore.”
WHAT THE RUNNERSUP SAY >> PG 8
French label names shoe after Bollywood
Snigdha Ahuja
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snigdha.ahuja@hindustantimes.com
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he French seem to be soaked in Bollywood, right from tip to peeptoe. French luxury shoe designer Christian Louboutin s latest line has two staggeringly tall designs named Bollywoody and Devidas both inspired from Indian films. Ilove Bollywood and all those films. The women there are very feminine. And I love saris, the designer had said
recently. The embroidered shoes that seem to have incorporated typically Indian motifs, beads and strass embellishments are high on the kitsch factor, and their presence has created a stir in global fashion circles. He now plans to enter the Indian market with stores in Delhi and Mumbai. Fashion experts back home are thrilled. Shoe designer Swati Mehrotra says, I am a huge fan of Christian Louboutin, and it s very exciting to see international labels
It’s very exciting to see international labels getting inspired by our country Swati Mehrotra, shoe designer getting inspired by our country. Mumbai-based designer Archana Kochhar adds, Such designs put India on the global fashion map. Delhi-based Nancy Minhas, 22, an assistant at fashion house Gemma Carver, says, Everybody is doing it, even Chanel, Hermes and Victoria s Secret. I like how they blend worlds.
prashant.singh@hindustantimes.com
ollywood never shies away from reinterpreting reality. And now, the controversial case of missing Rajasthani nurse Bhanwari Devi is the latest on the burgeoning list of Hindi films inspired by real life. Producer Mahendra Dhariwal, who made films like Maa Tujjhe Salaam (2002) and Nehlle Pe Dehlla (2007), claims he is planning to make a film on Devi s disappearance and alleged murder. Interestingly, Dhariwal claims to be in talks with Bipasha Basu to play the title role. We re also discussing the project with Mallika Sherawat, apart from Bipasha. They ve agreed in principle but nothing is confirmed right now, he asserts. Dhariwal has already registered a title for his film Ajab Bhanwari ki Gazab Kahani. I need an actor who can
WHAT NOT TO MISS AT THE AUTO EXPO >> PG 4
Navdeep Kaur Marwah
Bhanwari Devi, a nurse and mid-wife who lived near Jodhpur, disappeared in September last year. Two politicians, who were known to be having an affair with Devi, have been arrested in connection with her murder. Minister for Water Resources Mahipal Maderna was sacked, and MLA Malkhan Singh is under investigation.
Maa Tujjhe Salaam producer claims he’s in talks with Bips and Mallika Sherawat for lead role
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FACT FILE
Christian Louboutin’s ‘Bollywoody’ heels
Others see it as a mere business move. Designer Narendra Kumar says, Designers abroad have done Indiainspired collections before.
Just because it s made by a foreign brand does not make it special. It is what has been done with the inspiration that counts.
shoot continuously in a start-tofinish schedule towards the end of February. We will see how dates work out. That s why no paper work has been done yet, headds. Bips, who has already worked with Dhariwal in Nehlle Pe Dehlla, says: Any announcement will happen in a proper manner. Right now, there s nothing. Mallika, who is shooting for Kismat Love Paisa Dilli, remained unavailable for comment. But Mallika s team members feigned ignorance about any such offer. Dhariwal, on his part, will direct as well as produce the film. He claims he has been researching the subject for long. But since the case is coming to a close, I feel it s the right time to go ahead with it. Within a week s time,I m sure we will have more clarity, he says. Dhariwal says it will be a mainstream film with lots of music and songs. Since Bhanwari Devi was involved with a lot of Rajasthani music albums, we lhave local music and folk songs, he says, adding that he plans to approach Divya Dutta, Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah for other roles in the film.