Bollywood Masala- 'I wanted none other than Ash'

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in "Pink Panther 2", its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.

"Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! Aishwarya was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role," Starger told from Los Angeles in an e-mail interview.

Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris Aug 20 for the film by Harold Zwart.

"Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her."

Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. Also, Hrithik Roshan was asked to play detective Clouseau's assistant Vincent in part two of the comedy, but he too turned it down.

However, Aishwarya's international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.

Sheffield said: "Negotiations went on for a month to secure Aishwarya and her dates. The script is absolutely wonderful and the wardrobe is great.

"The film's costume designer Joe Aulisi has chosen some really hot items from Dolce & Gabbana. If any one of the actresses mentioned had really been offered this A-level role in such a big-budget international film, they would have jumped to join it and not have passed on the opportunity as they state, believe me.

"What I love about Aishwarya is that she just calmly continues along the path she has chosen, does her work, lives her life and never has a bad word to say about anyone."

Sheffield also has a lot to say about the actresses' absence at the unveiling of her statue at Times Square and for the promotion of her latest international film "The Last Legion".

"I see this trend happening more and more in the media with events falsely confirming Aishwarya's attendance to boost sales and media attention.

For one, Aishwarya was never confirmed to appear at the unveiling in New York City, nor did we confirm she was appearing on the late night talk show and a morning news programme during her brief visit to Los Angeles.

"She did, however, confirm she was appearing at India Splendor celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's Independence. When Aishwarya confirms an appearance, it is confirmed and she will without fail attend and always has.

"As for the promotions for 'The Last Legion', it is up to the producers and distributors of the film to make such arrangements and in this case numerous phone interviews with the international media took place over the past two months. There was nothing else requested of Aishwarya prior to the film's US release."

Bollywood Masala- Kareena and Shahid break up?

According to the latest buzz in Bollwywood, Shahid-Kareena relationship has hit a dead end and the reason behind it is none other than 'single' Saif Alik Khan, who reportedly did some serious damge to Bips-John love story as well.

The sources claim that it all happened on the sets of Yash Raj Films' Tashan in Ladakh and later, Jaisalmer where Saif and Kareena instantly got attracted to each other. This news comes close on the heels of rumours that her relationship with Shahid is on the rocks.

However,Shahid's close friend reveals that the actor is clueless about Saif’s closeness to Bebo as he’s in Canada shooting for Nagesh Kukunoor’s Tasveer.

But how serious is Saif about Kareena?

While Bebe has been in a relationship for a long time now, Saif seems to be in a mood to play games.So will this fling last is the million dollar question everyone is asking.

Kareena chose not to comment on the story but for more details, stay glued to this space

Bollywood Masala- Salman Khan is paying for his sins

Bollywood star Salman Khan Saturday left for Jodhpur to surrender before a district court that has issued an arrest warrant against him for hunting an endangered chinkara deer nine years ago.

"I have full faith in the law of the land and I will abide by (its ruling). I am going to Jodhpur to surrender," Salman told reporters outside his Bandra residence here.

Hundreds of his fans had gathered outside his home as Salman, dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans and sporting sunglasses, drove to the airport.

The 41-year-old actor is to take a Jet Airways flight scheduled to reach Jodhpur at 12.30 p.m. Salman's lawyers are likely to file for his bail application as soon as he surrenders.

In a show of solidarity, Salman's friends from the Bollywood fraternity streamed into his house 'Galaxy' through the night Friday.

There was a deep-rooted distress all around when news of Salman's 5-year sentence reached Mumbai.

"Shit! First Sanjay Dutt, now Salman….One comes out, the other is ordered to go in. He doesn't deserve this," said one of his steady female co-stars before hastily adding, "Please don't quote me on this."

The producer most immediately and directly affected is Boney Kapoor in whose Wanted Dead & Alive (a remake of the Telugu blockbuster Pokhiri) Salman has been working for the past one month.

What happens to the film now?

"The sentence isn't a bolt from the blue," says Boney calmly. 'We went into it with our eyes open. I wanted only Salman for this role, and given a chance I'd still not change my decision to have Salman. He's my 4 am friend. I remember how he stood by me when I was financially challenged during No Entry. "

Boney who was shooting Wanted Dead & Alive in Hyderabad says, "We've been shooting since 23 rd July. In all we've completed 25 percent of the film in Thailand where we shot two songs, and Hyderabad where we've completed a large number of key scenes including the film's biggest action sequence. Now the next schedule is in October."

Anything can happen by then. And Boney, like all of Salman's well-wishers, has his fingers crossed. "My director Prabhu Deva, Salman and I have had lots of fun shooting this film. Actually Prabhu Deva and Salman go back a long way.

Prabhu has choreographed many of Salman's songs, and he has also choreographed some of my best numbers including Que sera sera in Pukar and a song in Shakti. In both Prabhu danced personally on screen."

How is Prabhu Deva as a director? "He and Salman got along like a house on fire. Shooting with Salman is always exciting. There's never a dull moment."

As for the impending incarceration… "These things happen. I won't let it bog me down. We all need to stand by Salman. I'm sure my film will be completed.

But right now there're bigger issues….and by the way, the first schedule of my film directed by Anees Bazmi with Harman Baweja in Norway was completed simultaneously."

Is that a Sanjay or a Boney Kapoor production? "They're the one and the same," says Boney, and chooses not to add that his other brother Anil whose career Boney nurtured closely, is now a producer independent of Boney. Salman Khan is always surrounded with some or the other problem and knowing or unknowingly he gets caught in a controversy. It seems Salman and Controversy are the two sides of the same coin.

Lower Court rejected Salman’s plea and upheld the five years imprisonment given to him by a Lower Court in Jodhpur. Salman Khan is most likely to surrender on Monday as he is away shooting for his movies now.

Let’s take a sneak peak about controversies Salman was involved in

• Salman Khan got involved in legal matters in 1997 when he was involved in a Chinkara poaching case in Ghoda farms in Rajasthan on October 11, 1997.

• In 1998, the second one came when he killed two black bucks which is endangered species and aklso illegal to kill. He shot them when he was in Rajasthan while shooting for Hum saath saath hain in Rajasthan.when Salman and several co-stars went hunting in the nearby Thar Desert. The group strayed into a Bishnoi-dominated area.

• In 1999, there was news all over that Salman had physically abused his then girlfriend Aishwarya Rai and to add to it Rai family lodged a complaint that “should not be held responsible for any untoward incident involving the actor.” Salman was earlier also accused of abusing her Pakistani girlfriend Somy Ali and hence Aishwearya’s case added to it.

• After that Salman was accused of harassing Vivek Oberoi, who was Aishwarya’s then boyfriend and was dating Vivek Oberoi then. It is believed that Khan had made numerous obscene and angry calls and sent 41 smses to Vivek in one night that irritated Vivek arranged a press conference for the same.

• All these did not end and in 2002 Salman was caught in the biggest case of his life. He was charged of killing one person and injuring three others when Khan was heavily drunk and was drove the car on the group of people sleeping on the pavement at a bakery in Bandra on September 28th.

There was also a policeman in Khan’s car and despite this Khan absconded from the scene. It was later that he confessed that he was scared that the mob gathered there can danger his life and hence he left that place.

• On February 17, 2006, the Chinkara case got Salman back into the limelight. He was sentenced to one year in prison for hunting the Chinkara, which is an endangered species. The sentence was stayed by a higher court during appeal.

• On April 10, 2006, Salman was sentenced five year jail term for hunting the endangered Chinkara. He was remanded to Jodhpur jail, and remained there until April 13, when he was granted bail.

The case came up for hearing today (Aug 24) and as things stand Khan will be heading to jail on Monday, August 27th 2007.

Juice Recipe- Kiwi Crush ( mocktails )

Ingredients:

½ cup crushed Ice
4 ripe medium Bananas
4 medium Kiwis, peeled
1 cup fresh Orange juice


Method:
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

4 Servings


Tip: Always use natural fruit juices. Canned or artificial juices suck

Juice Recipe- Vanilla Almond Soy Shake( mocktails )

Ingredients:

1 tsp Honey
1 ripe Banana
2 cups of Soymilk
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 tsp Almond extract


Method:
Just place all the ingredients in a blender and blend.
Serve chilled.


Tip: Crushed ice cools food and drinks fast; block ice lasts longer.

Juice Recipe- Strawberry Banana Shake( mocktails )

Ingredients:

1 tsp Honey
1 ripe Banana
3 cups of Soymilk
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 cup frozen Strawberries


Method:
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend.
Serve cold.


Tip: To keep coconut kernels fresh rub a little salt over them, or sprinkle a little salt water on them

Juice Recipe- Dandy( mocktails )

Ingredients:

20 Blackberries
2 measures Lime Juice
6 measures Apple Juice
2 measures Strawberry Syrup
Cracked Ice
Blackberries and Mint sprigs, to decorate


Method:
Put the apple juice, strawberry syrup, lime juice and the blackberries in a food processor with some cracked ice and process until smooth.
Pour into 2 tall glasses. Decorate each with a blackberry and a mint sprig.


Tip: The secret for making cold punches is to chill all ingredients before combining them.

Juice Recipe- Acapulco( mocktails )

Ingredients:

200 ml Single cream
Castor Sugar (to taste)
400 ml Pineapple juice
200 ml Grapefruit juice


Method:
Mix the ingredients in a blender with ice.
Serve in straight-sided wine glasses, with cocktail straws and sticks of cubed fresh pineapple and crisp apple.

Serves: 6-8


Tip: To prevent formation of ice, rub table salt to the insides of your freeze.

Juice Recipe- Cardinal Punch( mocktail )

Ingredients:

30 ml Lemon juice
60 ml Orange juice
120 ml Cranberry juice
Slice of Orange and Lemon
Top up with chilled Sugar Ginger Ale


Method:
Pour the fruit juices into a cocktail glass and stir before topping up with ginger ale.
Decorate the side of the glass with the orange and lemon slices.


Tip: Always use natural fruit juices. Canned or artificial juices suck

Juice Recipe- Princess Margaret ( Mocktails )

Ingredients:

Slice of Pineapple
Juice of ½ Orange
Juice of ½ Lemon
6 large Strawberries
2 dashes of Strawberry syrup
Sugar


Method:
Blend ingredients with some cracked ice cubes in a blender until frothy.
You can crown this royal extravaganza with a fraise-soaked sugar frosting around the rim of a Highball glass, decorated with a strawberry.


Tip: To prevent formation of ice, rub table salt to the insides of your freeze.

Juice Recipe- Tonga

Ingredients:

1 Egg White
Juice of 1 lemon
40 ml Pineapple juice
Soda water to top-up
1 tsp Grenadine syrup


Method:
Shake all th ingredients except soda water with ice.
Strain into a highball glass with ice cubes.
Top up with chilled soda water.
Add pineapple cubes and kiwi fruit on sticks.


Tip: Fast easy way to make iced tea... place a big tea bag or 4 small tea bags in a gallon jar and either set it out in the sun or even on your counter in the kitchen under the light.

Foodies Recipe- Black Currant Short Cake( Bakery )

Ingredients:

150 gms Flour
175 gms Butter
1 tbsp Icing Sugar
50 gms Castor Sugar
25 gms Chopped Nuts
150 gms Ground Almonds

For the Mousse:

4 tsp Gelatine
2 Eggs, separated
50 gms Castor Sugar
450 gms Black Currants
300 ml Double cream, lightly whipped


Method:
Preheat the oven to 180° C.
Sift the flour into a bowl and stir in the ground almonds. Rub in the butter, stir in the sugar and bring the mixture together to make firm dough.
Cut the dough into two halves and press one half onto a baking tray. Cut out a circle using a 20 cm/8 inch spring-form tin. Sprinkle over the chopped nuts.
Press the remaining dough into the bottom of a 20 cm/8 inch spring-form tin. Bake both rounds for 25 minutes until golden. Cool slightly and then cut the round on the baking tray into 8 equal, triangular wedges.
Pick over the blackcurrants and reserve 9 good ones for decoration. String the remaining blackcurrants (remove from stalks) and place the berries in a pan with 4 tbsp water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 5 minutes until softened. Rub the fruit through a sieve.
Sprinkle the gelatine over 4 tbsp water in a small pan, stir and leave until spongy – about 5 minutes. Stir over low heat until dissolved.
Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until pale and creamy. Stir the puree into the yolks with the dissolved gelatine.
Whisk the egg whites to form soft peaks and fold into the mixture with three-quarters of the cream.
Line the sides of the tin with baking parchment; pour in the mousse over the shortcake and chill for 2-3 hours until set.
Remove the mousse from the tin and put on a serving plate. Use the remaining cream to pipe 8 rosettes evenly around the top. Arrange the wedges at an angle on the cream. Pipe more cream rosettes on the shortcake and decorate with the blackcurrants.
Sift the icing sugar over the top if wished.


Tip: Prevent sharp edges on muffins, bar cookies or quick breads by greasing the muffin cups or pans only on the bottom and halfway up the sides so the batter is higher than the greaseline.

Foodies Recipe- Raisin Brownies ( Bakery )

Ingredients:

2 Eggs
85 gms Raisins
45 gms Plain Flour
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
225 gms Castor Sugar
55 gms Cocoa powder
85 gms Chopped Walnuts
115 gms Butter or Margarine


Method:
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Line the bottom and sides of an 8 inch square baking tin with grease-proof paper and grease the paper.
Gently melt the butter or margarine in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and stir in the cocoa powder.
With an electric mixture, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla together until light. Add the cocoa mixture and stir to blend.
Sift the flour over the mixture and gently fold in. Add the walnuts and raisins and scrape the mixture into the prepared tin.
Bake in the centre of the oven for 30 minutes. Do not overbake. Leave in the tin to cool before cutting into 2 inches squares and removing.
The brownies should be soft and moist.


Tip: To prevent icing from running off your cake, try dusting the surface lightly with cornstarch before icing.

Foodies Recipe- Caramel Cake( Bakery )

Ingredients:

4 Eggs
½ tsp Salt
1 cup Milk
2 cups Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
3 cups Maida, sifted
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
½ tsp Garam Masala
3 tsp Baking powder
1 cup Butter, softened
½ tsp Nutmeg, ground

Caramel Sauce

½ cup milk
½ Cup Butter
2 cups Brown sugar

Frosting

¼ Cup milk
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
½ cup Caramel Sauce
3 cups powdered Sugar


Method:
Preheat oven to 350° C. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan.
In a large bowl, cream butter, add 2 cups sugar slowly, beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, Cinnamon, garam masala, nutmeg, and salt together.
Measure milk and add vanilla essence to it.
Add the flour mixture and milk mixture to the large bowl, alternating between the flour and milk. Blend thoroughly after each addition.
Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 40 minutes. Start checking for doneness after 30 minutes. The middle should be firm and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.

Caramel Sauce

Combine butter and brown sugar in a saucepan and heat over medium.
Once the butter has melted and the mixture is hot, add milk and stir well. Boil for a minute.
Remove from heat and divide into two equal portions. Let it sit for 5 minutes after removing it from oven.
Using a fork, poke the top of the cake to make an even pattern of holes.
Slowly pour half of the Caramel Sauce over the top, spreading it evenly. Let cake cool.

Frosting

Whip the remaining Caramel Sauce with the powdered sugar and vanilla essence.
Slowly add the milk, beat to a nice spreading consistency.
Spread over cooled cake. Serve with a nice cold glass of milk.


Tip: When baking a cake, instead of dusting the pans with flour, use granulated sugar. The cakes come out of the pan just as easy and taste better with that little bit of melted sugar on them.

Foodies Recipe- Red Velvet Cake ( Bakery )

Ingredients:

1 tsp Salt
2 large Eggs
1 tsp Vinegar
1 cup Buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
2½ cups cake Flour
1 tsp Baking powder
4 tbsp Red food coloring
1 cup Vegetable shortening
1½/2 cups Granulated sugar
1 tsp unsweetened Cocoa powder

For White Frosting

1 cup Milk
2 tbsp Flour
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 cup unsalted Butter
1 cup Confectioner''s sugar


Method:
Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).
In the bowl of a mixer, cream together the shortening, eggs and sugar.
In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa and food coloring.
Add the paste to the shortening mixture.
Sift the flour and salt together over parchment. Add to the batter alternately with the buttermilk in 3 additions.
Add the vanilla essence. Fold in the baking soda and vinegar.
Pour the batter into 2 greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let cool on a cooling rack. Invert the cakes from the pans.
Cook the flour and milk over medium heat until thickened. Let cool.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in the flour mixture.
Frost the top of the first layer with frosting and set the second layer on top. Frost the entire cake with remaining frosting.

Makes 10-12 servings


Tip: Always preheat oven to the required temperature before placing the cake in the oven.

Foodies Recipe- Milk Cake ( Bakery )

Ingredients:

4 Eggs
1 cup Milk
2 cups Flour
2 cups Sugar
1 stick Butter
A pinch of Salt
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Vanilla essence


Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a tube pan.
Sift flour, salt, and baking powder and set aside.
Cream eggs and sugar. Add to flour mixture.
Bring milk and butter to a boil, then gradually add to mixture with vanilla.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes.


Tip: Always preheat oven to the required temperature before placing the cake in the oven.

Foodies Recipe- Banan Nut Cakes ( Bakery )

Ingredients:

1 Egg
½ cup Oil
¼ cup Milk
1¼ cup Flour
1½ cup Sugar
½ cup Walnut
3 Mashed Bananas
1 tsp Baking powder


Method:
Mix all the ingredients together.
Pour into lightly greased and floured oblong or small loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for half an hour.


Tip: Cover rising dough with waxed paper coated with a vegetable spray to prevent sticking. Allow kneaded dough to rest, covered with a cloth or bowl, for ten to fifteen minutes before shaping or rolling.

Foodies Recipe- Pumpkin Orange Cookies( Desert )

Ingredients:

1 Egg
½ tsp Salt
2½ cups Four
Orange glaze
½ cup Brown sugar
2 tbsp Orange juice
1 3/4 cans Pumpkin
½ cup chopped Nuts
½ tsp Baking powder
1 cup Butter, softened
1 cup granulated Sugar
1 tsp grated orange peel


Method:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.
Combine butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl; beat until creamy.
Add egg, pumpkin, orange juice and orange peel; beat until combined.
Gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined. Stir in nuts. Drop dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are set. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Spread each cookie with about half a teaspoon of orange Glaze.
For Orange Glaze combine one and a half cup powdered sugar, 3 tbsp orange juice and half teaspoon of grated orange peel in medium bowl until smooth.


Tip: To avoid breaking and crumbling, cool bar cookies and cakes completely before cutting.

Foodies Recipe- Chocolate Walnut Cookies( Desert )

Ingredients:

1 Egg
½ cup Ghee
¾ cup Sugar
1 cup Maida
½ cup Walnuts
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
3 tbsp Cocoa powder
½ tsp Baking powder


Method:
Cream butter, sugar, egg and vanilla esence till light and fluffy.
Sift together maida, baking powder two times.
Mix into cream mixture and blend well.
Stir in coco powder and walnuts. Mix well.
Drop on greased tray with teaspoon 2" apart.
Keep in fridge for 10 min.
Bake at 200° C for 10 to 15 minutes or till done


Tip: To soften rock-hard brown sugar, simply add a slice of soft bread to the package and close the bag tightly. In a few hours the sugar will be soft again.

Foodies Recipe- Chicken Salad( salad)

Ingredients:

210 gm Pineapple
750 gm Chicken
50 gm Cream
10 gm Salt
100 gm Honey
50 gm Lemon
4 leaves of Lettuce
10 gm Mustard paste
200 gm Mayonnaise sauce
10 gm White Pepper powder


Method:
Boil the chicken and cut into pieces.
Cut the slices of pineapple and mix with mayonnaise sauce.
Add lemon, honey and cream, mustard paste and seasoning according to taste.
Arrange lettuce as a bed in the salad bowl.
Mix all the ingredients and decorate. Serve chilled.


Tip: For tenderizing soak chicken in buttermilk, cream or yogurt.

Foodies Recipe- Chicken Macoroni Salad( salad )

Ingredients:

2 tsp Oil
¼ tsp Sugar
1 large Capsicum
2 tbsp fresh Cream
¼ cup Tomato puree
½ tsp Red Chilli paste
2 tbsp Tomato ketchup
¼ tsp Red Chilli powder
2 tbsp Coriander leaves
1¼ cups uncooked Macaroni
2 Chicken breasts, boiled, shredded


Method:
Boil 3-4 cups of water with 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of oil.
Add macaroni to the boiling water. Cook covered for 8-10 minutes till soft and well cooked but not mushy.
Strain and wash several times with cold water.
To boil chicken, add 1/4 cup of water in a pressure cooker with 1/4 tsp of salt and chicken. Pressure cook to give 2 whistles.
Drop the pressure by putting water on the lid of the cooker. Cool and shred the cooked chicken.
Heat oil in a nonstick pan. Add the chilli paste and tomato puree. Stir for 1/2 minute.
Add the tomato sauce and 3/4 cup of water. Simmer the sauce on low flame for 1-2 minutes.
Add salt, sugar, chilli powder. Keeping the flame low add the cream. Switch off the flame immediately.
Add the cooked macaroni, chicken and coriander. Stir gently.
Transfer to a bowl and cover and keep in a refrigerator to chill.
Arrange some lettuce leaves on a serving platter. If salad gets a little dry add a few tablespoons water to get a slightly wet consistency.
Transfer the macaroni salad on the lettuce leaves. Deseed the capsicum and cut into thin rings. Half the rings and arrange on the edges.
Serve cold.


Tip: To turn your chicken golden colour when you roast it, spread it with lemon juice all over before you introduce it in the oven

Foodies Recipe- Raw Papaya Salad( Salad )

Ingredients:

1½ Raw Papaya, grated
2 tbsp Roasted Peanuts, crushed

Grind to paste

1 tsp Sugar
5 Pods Garlic
3-4 Green Chillies
2 Medium Tomatoes
Salt according to taste


Method:
Mix grated papaya with tomato, chillies and garlic paste.
Add peanuts and mix well.


Tip: The best way to be sure the entire salad is dressed is to toss it in a large bowl. You will also use less salad dressing using this method.

Foodies Recipe- Mixed Fruit Salad( salad )

Ingredients:

1 Apple
1 Guava
2 Chicku
2 Lemon
1 Papaya
2 Banana
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Sugar
2 boiled Potato
100 gm Grapes
½ tsp Kala Namak
½ tsp Chat masala
1 cup Pomegranate seeds
½ tsp Black Pepper powder


Method:
Finely chop all the fruits.
Put them in a serving bowl.
Add chat masala, salt, black pepper, kala namak, sugar and juice of lemon.
Mix it properly and serve immediately.


Tip: Any salad tastes better and crisp if the vegetables have been soaked in chilled water for a while.

Foodies Recipe- Butter Chicken( meals )

Ingredients:

2 tsp Sirka
8 tbsp Ghee
1 kg Chicken
4 tbsp Cream
Salt as per taste
2 tsp Chilli powder
1 tsp Garam Masala
¼ Tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste
150 gm Onions, chopped
4 tsp Cashewnuts, powdered


Method:
Remove skin of chicken and cut into big pieces.Wash and squeeze out the water.Add vinegar, salt. Allow to soak for half an hour.
Heat ghee in the pressure pan. Add 2-3 pieces of chicken at a time, cover ther pan and fry till brown and remove. Open it after 2 minutes.
In the remaining ghee fry the onions till brown.
Add ginger garlic paste and fry well.Add chilli powder, garam masala and tomatoes. Fry till the tomatoes form a thick paste.
Add the fried chicken pieces and one cup of water.
Add salt to taste. Pressure cook for 8-10 minutes.
Cool the cooker for 10 minutes. Add cashew powder and simmer for 2 minutes. Pour the creami on top and serve hot.


Tip: Chill chicken for 1 hour after coating it. The coating will stick better when cooking.

Foodies Recipe- Chicken Tikka Masala( meals )

Ingredients:

400 gm Chicken
Salt to taste
100 gm Curd
50 gm Cream
100 gm Butter
1 tsp Chilli powder
½ tsp Kasoori Methi
1 tsp Garam Masala
1 chopped Capsicum
½ tsp Fennel powder
100 gm chopped Onions
100 gm chopped Tomato
½ tsp Cardamom powder
1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste
4 gm chopped green Chilli
5 gm chopped Coriander leaves


Method:
Wash the chicken in cold water and cut into diced pieces (boneless).
Marinate the chicken with ginger-garlic paste, garam masala powder, chilli, salt and curd and rest it for 10 minutes.
Later insert in the skewer and cook in the tandoor till the chicken is cooked about 80 per cent.
Take a saucepan, put butter and heat it up and add onions and cook till it turns golden brown.
Add ginger-garlic paste, garam masala powder, chilli, saunf powder saute it for five minutes.
Add chicken tikka to it and put 1/2 cup water and cook it for ten minutes.
Garnish with juliennes of ginger, chopped green coriander and cream.


Tip: Roast diced onions, carrots, and celery in the pan right along with chicken. With the vegetables cooked down and flavored with the meat juices, you've the base for a wonderful gravy.

Foodies Recipe- Chicken Korma( meals )

Ingredients:

3 Cloves
2 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste
1 tsp Cumin
100 ml Curd
2 Cardamoms
¼ cup Almonds
675 gm Chicken
¼ cup Cashewnuts
2 Onions, chopped
½" Ginger, chopped
75 ml Double cream
1" piece of Cinnamon
1 Red Chilli, chopped
½ cup Coriander leaves
1 tsp Coriander powder
2 flakes of Garlic, chopped


Method:
Cut the chicken into about 1 inch cubes.
Blend the nuts, ginger, garlic and chilli into a coarse paste with 150 ml of water.
Heat the oil in a pan.
Fry the spices and then the onion until golden.
Add the nut paste and curd and cook for about 10-15 minutes.
Add the chicken pieces and simmer for about an hour or until the meat is tender. Add water if necessary.
About 10 minutes before serving add the double cream, fresh coriander and salt to taste.


Tip: For tenderizing soak chicken in buttermilk, cream or yogurt.

Foodies Recipe- Punjabi Lamb Shanks in Spinach and Tomatoes

Ingredients:

4 Cloves
2 tbsp Ghee
2 Bay Leaves
4 Green Chillies
4 pods of Garlic
1 Cinnamon stick
400 gms Tomatoes
60 ml Tomato paste
1 tbsp grated Ginger
1 tbsp ground Cumin
1 tsp ground Nutmeg
2 tsps Garam Masala
2 tbsps Vegetable Oil
1 tsp ground Coriander
300 gms Onions, sliced
1 Cardamon pod, bruised
1 tsp ground Cumin, extra
500 gms Spinach, chopped
1.5 kg French trimmed Lamb shanks


Method:
Blend or process garlic, chillies, ginger, cumin and oil until pureed.
Spread chilli mixture all over the lamb shanks; cover; refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
Heat ghee in large pan; cook onions, stirring, until browned lightly.
Add bay leaves and spices; cook, stirring, until fragrant.
Add lamb, cook, stirring, until lamb is just browned.
Boil, steam or microwave spinach until just wilted; drain.
Blend or process spinach, crushed tomatoes and tomato paste until pureed.
Add to lamb mixture. Simmer, covered, for 1¼ hours. Remove cover; simmer 30 minutes or until lamb is tender and sauce is thickened.


Tip: Always turn meat and chicken pieces with tongs instead of a meat fork. Piercing it with a meat fork allows the juices to escape and can cause food to become dry.

Foodies Recipe- Dry Mutton ( Meals )

Ingredients:

4 Cloves
5 Cardamoms
½ cup of Ghee
500 gms Mutton
2 Onions, chopped
1 tsp Chilli powder
2 Cinnamon pieces
1 tbsp Curd, beaten
3 tsp Cumin powder
2 Black Cardamoms
2 Tomatoes, chopped
Salt according to taste
5 tsp Coriander powder
2 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste


Method:
Heat ghee, add cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms, onions and fry untill brown.
Add ginger-garlic paste and fry. Then add coriander and cumin powder.
Now add tomatoes, curd, meat, salt and chilli powder and fry it untill the meat juices are absorbed.
Add 4 cups of water and cook on low fire untill done and the mutton is dry. Sprinkle coriander leaves.


Tip: Roast diced onions, carrots, and celery in the pan right along with meat. With the vegetables cooked down and flavored with the meat juices, you've the base for a wonderful gravy.

Foodies Recipe- Fish Makhanwala( sea food )

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Ghee
125 ml Cream
750 gms Tomatoes
1 tbsp Lemon juice
½ tsp Chilli powder
1 tsp Garam Masala
3 tsps ground Cumin
Salt according to taste
200 gms Onion, sliced
4 pods Garlic, crushed
½ tsp ground Cinnamon
2 tsps Coriander powder
1 tbsp grated fresh Ginger
4 Cardamom pods, bruised
750 gms boneless Fish fillets
2 tbsp chopped Coriander leaves


Method:
Cut fish into 4 cm pieces.
Heat ghee in large pan; sauté onion until brown and tender.
Add garlic, ginger, spices and salt, cook stirring until fragrant.
Add tomatoes, cream and lemon juice; simmer uncovered, for about five minutes or until the sauce is slightly thickened.
Add fish; simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or until fish is tender. Just before serving sparkle with coriander.

Serves: 4


Tip: Use a shallow four to five-inch pot with a large opening, and cook shrimp uncovered to lessen the fishy odor.

Foodies Recipe- Prawn Masala( Sea Foods )

Ingredients:

1 Onions
1 tsp Salt
¼ cup Oil
250 gm Prawn
2 Green Chillies
1 tsp Garlic paste
1 tsp Ginger paste
1 tsp Chilli powder
½ tsp Garam Masala
Chopped Mint leaves
1 tsp Fenugreek leaves
3-4 Tomatoes chopped
Chopped Coriander leaves


Method:
Heat oil add onion, fry till slightly golden then add ginger and garlic paste, chilli powder, salt and chopped tomatoes then cook well till tomatoes are tender.
Add in prawn with half cup of water. Cover and cook till prawn tender.
Finally add in green chillies and the remaining ingredients, stir well and remove.


Tip: If fish is to be stored for more than a day, clean it, rub with salt, turmeric and if liked, a dash of vinegar before freezing.

Foodies Recipe- Broccoli Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

4 Eggs
2 cups Water
1 cup fine Noodles
¼ tsp Garlic paste
½ tsp Garam Masala
400 gm Chicken broth
150 gm Chicken chunk, flaked
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
300 gm frozen Broccoli, chopped


Method:
In medium saucepan, combine broth, water, broccoli, and garam masala. Bring to boiling over high heat.
Stir in noodles. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
Stir in chicken. Keep hot over low heat.
In large pan, bring 3 inches of water to boiling. Break eggs into small bowl. Reduce heat to simmering. Hold bowl close to water's surface and let eggs slide separately into water.
Cook until whites are set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 3 to 5 minutes.
Pour 1 cup of the soup into each of 4 bowls. Lift eggs with slotted spoon and gently lower onto soup. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of the cheese.


Tip: Before roasting a chicken store in the refrigerator for 24 hours for richer flavor.

Foodies Recipe- Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

1 Onion
1 tbsp Oil
¼ cup Milk
Salt to taste
6 Tomatoes
2 tbsp Butter
2 green Chillies
3-4 Garlic flakes
1 tbsp Corn flour
Coriander leaves
1 tsp cream for garnishing
Black Pepper powder to taste


Method:
Heat oil in a pan. Fry chopped onions and crushed garlic in heated oil until golden.
Add chopped tomatoes. Cook on a moderate heat until tomatoes are soft.
Let the tomatoes cool and grind the mixture along with the chillies to get a puree. Sieve the blended mixture if required.
Heat butter in a pan, add the cornflour. Fry for a minute and add the milk and let it boil for about 5-6 minutes on a low heat.
Add the puree, salt and pepper powder and allow to boil for 5-6 minutes. Add water if required.
Add the chopped coriander leaves.
Serve very hot garnished with a dash of cream.

Serves: 4


Tip: Thickening for the Soups - Put instant mashed potato and gravies to thicken. Stir thoroughly and Keep on adding as much desired.

Foodies Recipe- Ginger Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 Egg
½ tsp Salt
85 ml Black Teracle
250 gms Plain Flour
2 tsp Ground Ginger
½ tsp Grated Nutmeg
225 gms Castor Sugar
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
2 tsp Bicardbonate of Soda
100 gms Light Brown sugar
115 gms Butter, at room temperature
115 gms Margarine, at room temperature


Method:
Preheat a 325 degrees F/175 degrees F/Gas 3 oven. Line 2-3 baking sheets with greaseproof paper and grease lightly.
With an electric mixer, cream half of the caster sugar, the brown sugar, butter and mangarine until light and fluffy. Add the egg and continue heating to blend well. Add the treacle.
Sift the dry ingredients 3 times, then stir into the butter mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Place the remaining sugar in a shallow dish. Roll tablespoonfuls of the biscuit mixture into balls, then roll the balls in the sugar to coat.
Place the balls 2m (5 cm) apart on the prepared sheets and flatten slightly. Bake until golden around the edges but soft in the middle, 12-15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before transfering to a rack to cool.


Tip: To prevent nuts and fruits from sinking to the bottom of a cake during baking, warm them a bit in the oven and toss them with flour. Shake off excess flour before mixing them into the batter.

Foodies Recipe- Chocolate Sandwich

Ingredients:

6 Eggs
1¼ tsp Salt
115 gms Plain Flour
1 tsp Baking powder
2 tsp Vanilla Essence
225 gms Castor Sugar
55 gms Cocoa powder
115 gms Unsalted Butter

For the Icing

3 Eggs, separated
3 tbsp Castor Sugar
85 gms Unsalted Butter
250 ml Whipping cream
225 gms Plain Chocolate, chopped


Method:
Preheat a 350 degrees F/ 180 degrees C/Gas 4 oven. Line 3.8 x 1 ½m (20 x 3 cm) round tins with greaseproof paper and grease.
Dust evenly with flour and spread with a brush. Set aside.
Melt the butter over a low heat. With a spoon, skin off any foam that rises to the surface. Set aside.
Sift the float, cocoa, baking powder and salt together 3 times and set aside.
Place the eggs and sugar in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of hot water. With an electric mixer, heat until the mixture doubles in volume and is thick enough to leave a ribbon trail when the beaters are lifted, about 10 minutes. Add the vanilla.
Sift over the dry ingredients in 3 batches, folding in carefully, after each addition. Fold in the butter.
Divide the mixture between the tins and bake until the cakes pull away from the sides of the tin, about 25 minutes. Transfer in a rack.
For the icing, melt the chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler, or in a heatproof bowl set over hot water.
Off the heat, stir in the butter and egg yolks. Return to a low heat and stir until thick. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Whip the cream until firm, set aside. In another bowl, heat the egg whites untill stiff. Add thw sugar and heat until glosssy.
Fold the cream into the chocolate mixture, then carefully fold in the egg whites. Refrugerate for 20 minutes to thicken the icing.


Tip: Having trouble removing muffins or cakes from their pans? Place a wet towel beneath the hot pan and they'll usually lift out easily.

Gossip-Plz shed some weight Vidya!

Vidya Balan is all set to shed her extra fat for her role in a film that also stars Shahid Kapur.

According to a unit member from Mirza's film, "Vidya has been asked to lose at least fifteen kilos before she starts shooting for this film. Although the film is a love story between a younger boy and an older woman, the actress needs to look better than what she looked in ‘Heyy Babyy’."

It is learnt that Vidya has begun working out so that she looks perfectly in shape before starting the film.

"Shahid as it is looks like a kid in front of her. She is older to him but they cannot afford to make her look like his mother in the film," said an industry source.

"Vidya has a pretty face and is a promising actress all she needs to do is keep herself fit like most of today's actresses do," added the source.

Gossip-'Muzamil is a male chauvinist'

Actor-turned-director Pooja Bhatt, who's currently having a face-off with Muzamil Ibrahim starring in her upcoming film 'Dhokha', says he is a chauvinist who can't take a woman giving him instructions.

"Muzamil is a chauvinist and he can't cope with the fact that he is being directed by a woman," Pooja told.

"It is not my nature to be personal. Fundamentally he is not a bad person... the problem is the background from which he comes. He has studied in a boys' school and hasn't come out of the shell as yet.

"We have worked with so many newcomers... Muzamil is the only unpleasant experience we have had," she maintained.

'Dhokha' deals with the issue of terrorism and its incalculable spiritual costs. And model-turned-actor Muzamil plays the role of Zaid Ahmed, a bright, young Muslim police officer.

Muzamil had earlier stated in leading newspapers that 'Pooja Bhatt does not exist for me', even though it was she who had given him an entry into Bollywood as a hero.

Pooja, who has churned out films like 'Paap' and 'Holiday', pointed out that it took a lot of blood and sweat to work with budding actors.

"Working with newcomers is like teaching a child how to walk. You can imagine, we shot 'Dhokha' in 38 days while we did 40 days of rehearsals before shooting."

Gossip- Shilpa was asked before Ash!!

Shilpa Shetty was indeed being considered for the role of Sophie in the "Pink Panther" sequel before the job was handed over to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Reaffirming this, her publicist and spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar dismissed claims made by Aishwarya's international agent Simone Sheffield in a Mumbai tabloid that "Aishwarya is the first and only choice to play Sophie in the Hollywood film "Pink Panther".

A couple of secondary actresses claim to have refused the role Ash is starring in".

Bhagwagar said Shilpa was approached about two months ago for playing the "important" character in the film. He said, “We are professional people and we deemed fit not to boast, as we decided not to do the film.”

To back his statements, Bhagwagar disclosed the content of an initial mail to Shilpa from the film's casting director Ilene Starger in New York City requesting him to check the availability of dates of the "Big Brother" winner.

"Please let us know her availability as soon as possible. If she is available we would like to have some demo material on her," Bhagwagar quoted Starger. This documented proof, for now is a huge blow to Ash’s PR machine.

Shooting for the film, produced by Robert Simonds, started from August 20 in Paris, and is expected to wrap up in the first week of November.

Aishwarya has already been photographed on the sets of the film, also Casting Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina and John Cleese. After a two-week stop in Paris, the Uncomplted movie, directed by Harald Zwart, will be shot in Boston and Massachusetts.

Popkorn Newz-I regret not getting Aamir, Salman on 'Koffee...': Karan Johar

The third season of his show 'Koffee With Karan' is almost over, and this time too the dynamic Karan Johar managed to chat up with most big names from the industry except Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.

Mumbai(IANS) The third season of his show 'Koffee With Karan' is almost over, and this time too the dynamic Karan Johar managed to chat up with most big names from the industry except Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.

And he regrets not having them on the show.


'I would've loved to get Salman and Aamir. I regret not getting them on 'Koffee With Karan'. I have great regard for them as people and as individuals,' Karan told IANS.


'I'd have loved to discuss cinema with Aamir. And Salman is hugely entertaining on television. Wasn't he fantastic on KBC ('Kaun Banega Crorepati')? I'd like to interact with them as not just a talk-show host but also a filmmaker.'


The chat show was about the comfort level Karan shared with his guests.


'I didn't want the celebrities to give me quotable quotes. I wanted them to be comfortable on my show. And that comfort showed.'

His criterion for the guests was newsmakers whom audiences wanted to see and hear.


'For instance, Rakhi Sawant was great. I needed people who could talk.


Celebrities, no matter how big, who were monosyllabic just didn't qualify.'


He said: 'I enjoyed doing 'Koffee With Karan'. But there were only X amount of guests I could call on the show. We still have to telecast episodes with Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone-Farah Khan. Shah Rukh and Farah are hugely entertaining and this would be Deepika's premiere appearance on television.'


Trust Karan to bring out another side of his guests. He had Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi on his show along with Farhan and they were completely chilled out.

'Javed and Shabana were light and casual on my show, not cerebral as you'd expect them to be. Javed saab had never been on the show before.'


Composer-singer-actor Himesh Reshammiya too opened up on his show.


'I found Himesh Reshammiya realistic, modest and honest. He came alone and he held his own. He mentioned his wife and son for the first time. He's a surprising success story. I somewhere had the confidence that he'd open up. And I was right. I knew he'd be on a roll once the camera rolled.'


One person who never showed up was Ram Gopal Varma.


'He was busy with 'Sarkar 2' and his version of 'Sholay'. So I never really followed him up.'


'I've done 52 episodes. I'll re-visit it after a few years. Let people miss it. Didn't people miss KBC? In its own small way 'Koffee...' made a dent. Yes, it has its audience. Now people can watch me on NDTV where I'm part of the entertainment section which Samir Nair helms.


'We do a lot of brainstorming. He's the brain and I storm in and out of their office. He understands the small-screen medium much better than me.'


Karan plans to end the third season with Bollywood's hottest couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan

Popkorn Newz- Crore's for Rani's home

Now who would even think of spending crores on interior decoration but the queen of Bollywood herself want to keen in investing.

Now who would even think of spending crores on interior décor but the queen of Bollywood herself. Rani Mukherji is so particular about getting the ambience in her year-old bungalow right that she has roped in Hrithik Roshan's wife Suzanne for the job.

Sources reveal that the actress has already blown up Rs 4 crores on just the designing of her living room. Apparently, Rani was not satisfied with the interior decoration of the drawing room left behind by the bungalow's previous owner. That's when a close friend referred Suzanne's name to her. Suzanne has a professional interior designing degree from the United States. Her designs impressed Rani so much that she told the designer not to worry about the expenditure.

Besides décor, Rani is also keen about investing in property. She recently purchased a flat in Juhu in which she wanted a drawing room with a combined Western-Eastern contemporary feel. Extremely happy with the results in her bungalow, Rani has now handed over the interiors of her "Janki Kutir" flat to Suzanne again.

Popkorn Newz-Salman in Jail, Producers in Pain

Sanjay Dutt's six-year imprisonment is threatening to cause a loss of Rs 150 crore to the Hindi film industry. Now, Salman's sentence is slated to be a setback of another Rs 100 crore.

Sanjay Dutt's six-year imprisonment is threatening to cause a loss of Rs 150 crore to the Hindi film industry. Now, Salman's sentence is slated to be a setback of another Rs 100 crore. Although Sallu's recent release "Marigold" was a flop, with a very low opening, his previous film, "Partner", went on to become a superhit.

Let's take a look at some of the actor's upcoming ventures, some of which may remain incomplete if he is sent to jail.

List of Salman's films

"Pokhiri Remake" - Boney Kapoor (currently shooting)

"God Tussi Great Ho" (completed)

Boney Kapoor's yet-to-be titled film (50 per cent complete)

"Hello" (completed)

"Saawariya" (guest appearance)

"Om Shanti Om" (guest appearance)

Subhash Ghai's "Yuvraj" (incomplete)

"Mr. and Mrs. Khanna" (incomplete)

"Tom and Jerry" (sequel to "Partner") (Announced)

"London Dreams" (announced)

"My Punjabi Nikaah" (announced)

"Mera Bharat Mahaan" (announced)

Sports- Cricket Youth Icon Dhoni

WICKET THOUGHTS Mahendra Singh Dhoni: `Cricket is not everything; it is not life. The person you are off the field and how you behave with others matters'

Over the last season, due to his exploits with the bat, Dhoni has emerged the latest poster boy of Indian cricket. This even led to him being crowned the MTV Youth Icon of 2006. "I think it is a prestigious award. The youth are the ones who poll and decide who is the icon," he reflected. "Most others (contestants) were from different fields, and that's where I feel cricket played a role in my winning the award. But it was also about how you are off the field. Cricket is not everything; it is not life. The person you are off the field and how you behave with others matters. You have to be a good human being and that is a challenge, a tough challenge."

Recently an advertisement featured Dhoni on a bike and it has now emerged that the man is a hardcore bike enthusiast. Rumours have it that he has laid his hands on a Suzuki Hayabusa, the most powerful bike in the world. But Dhoni said the truth is far from it. "No, I haven't got a Hayabusa. I have a Kawasaki ZX 14. But I like dirt biking the most. So, TVS is building a customised dirt bike for me because one is not available in the market. This has been kept confidential till now."

Another face of Dhoni not many know about is a passion he shares with Ronaldinho — their love for gaming. While playing too much on a play station is being cited as a reason for the Brazilian's poor performance at the World Cup, Dhoni made his priorities very clear. "Off the field it is one of the things I do most of the time. But I like to play only if I get a stretch of two to three hours. I don't like to leave the game in the middle, go for a training session and then come back."

Dhoni will also feature in a computer game, the next edition of Brian Lara Cricket. But he said he much prefers cricket in real life. "I am into basically first-person shooting games. Counter Strike, Black Hawk Down, Men Of Valour..."

Talk over the last few weeks has been of the much-vaunted cricket reality show. It aims to discover talent from across India, which according to Dhoni will be a long-drawn process. "I think it should work. It depends on what their plan is. It remains to be seen how they will explore rural and urban areas. It also depends on how the plan is executed. It is a stage-by-stage process."

The Chappell doctrine for Indian cricket has laid a lot of emphasis on mental toughness and Dhoni appears to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of it. In the series at the West Indies, for the first time, accolades were reserved for his wicket keeping, especially to the spinners. "I have been working hard. It has been a gradual process. In the domestic circuit you hardly get bowlers with the calibre of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. The two bowl with so much pace and bounce. The more you keep to them, the more you improve."

Dhoni must come across as the stuff of nightmares to bowlers, but in person, he is far from that image. He believes in being positive and controlling his aggression. "There are times when it is really hard to control yourself but you have to. Because it's cricket, not boxing."

Comparisons have been made to Aussie hero Adam Gilchrist. Though the two players are worlds apart, Dhoni does seem to have some of that Aussie grit and aggression in him.

"That's a real hard thing to judge. I haven't judged myself. But one thing is for sure, wherever I am part of — cricket, soccer or any other game — I am serious. I give 100 per cent. I may succeed or lose. But when the day ends and I go to my room, I should be confident I did what I could."

Sports- Cricket Youth Icon

He is called The Wall for his unruffled play in the trickiest of situations. But there’s more to this cool good-looking dude than his knack for hitting boundaries. He is a Padma Shri and has been declared Youth Icon of the Year by MTV.

The Wall has transcended all barriers to attain iconic status. When Rahul Sharad Dravid was chosen for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year Award, ahead of Amitabh Bachchan, Ratan Tata, A.R. Rehman and Amartya Sen, his fans were not surprised. They knew that it was a just reward for a remarkable role model. And when the Padma Shri award ceremony followed a few days later, his fans were overjoyed. For Dravid, however, receiving awards and accolades has become a matter of routine.

When he was bestowed the Arjuna Award in 1998, and the Wisden award in 2000, Dravid was all modesty. He never gloated over his achievements, though he has a lot to be immodest about.

While receiving the MTV award in Mumbai the other day, Dravid presented a picture of dignity and charm, with no airs of a celebrity. "I don’t think of myself as an icon at all," he said. But he admitted that such awards did not come without achieving something.

"I guess I have done something right to win this award, and I will just keep doing that". One of the very few cricketers to receive the Padma Shri, he reacted in his trademark humble manner when he was chosen for the coveted award. "Each award you win is prestigious. It’s a recognition of your good work," he noted.

Dravid has an interesting pan-Indian identity. Born on January 11, 1973 at Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Dravid did his schooling at St. Joseph’s in Bangalore. He was a good student, who maintained a first class academic record at the St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, despite missing classes to play cricket. His role model in cricket was his own father, and uncle. Dravid’s exploits had encouraged his school`A0St. Joseph’s to make cricket as a subject in the school curriculum.

Now, this player makes it a point to teach cricket in the school while in the city. And he has also contributed liberally for the school to expand its activities.

Dravid has loosened his purse strings for many noble, charitable causes, though he does not make a song and dance about them. He has been a goodwill ambassador of the Tuberculosis Association of India, to`A0create awareness among the people about the preventive vaccination.

`AlThough he promotes myriad of products, he is very choosy about lending his name to a product. He keeps clear of liquor promotion, and surrogate ads, so as not to`convey any wrong message to his fans.

The ten winners of the`Rahul XI Mobile Gaming Promotion, launched by Hutch, who were felicitated by Rahul, came to Delhi from all over India just to meet their idol. Each one of them praised Dravid’s humility, and the friendly manner in which he treated them. They all felt that the kind of cricket Dravid played was almost divine. While some praised his faultless stroke play, and classical technique, others hailed his footwork.

Dravid himself plays games on his mobile when he’s waiting to catch a flight and while travelling, which is quite often. He’s also a purveyor of classical movies. There is this interesting story about Dravid and Sehwag going for an English movie in Australia and Sehwag deciding never to repeat the feat, as their wavelength "did not match." Dravid, indeed, is a man of classical tastes, whose interests go far beyond the boundaries of cricket. Being a student of history, Dravid derives his lessons from the past, to prepare himself to face the present, and tackle the uncertain future. Despite his charm and innocence, Dravid’s is an enigma to many off the field.

Indian coach John Wright disclosed that Dravid vanishes into his private world of books and music once he’s done with his cricket duty on the field. He immerses himself in reading, and listens to Dire Straits and Sting to tune himself out of the mundane, and focus on the goal ahead. He has proved to be an anchor for Ganguly more often than not, and has bailed out the team from tight situations on many occasions. The scourge of bowlers — who keeps stonewalling the best of the lot, spin and pace bowlers alike — Dravid has always projected the image of a composed, collected player. He has never let his emotions rule over his action, nor boasted of his prodigious talent.

An intensely private person, most cricket watchers have only seen Dravid’s public persona — that unruffled approach, under the most trying conditions and situations, to play for the team’s cause, and to steer the side to safety or victory.

He has never shunned responsibility, and has always risen to a challenge, when confronted with a daunting task. His impregnable defence has earned him the nickname — The Wall. And many a bowling reputation has taken a shattering on this impenetrable human wall.

His well-scrubbed, clean good looks neatly disguise the fire in his belly. And his spotless image makes him the perfect role model for the youth. His game is built on a strong foundation; it is not flashy or impetuous. He has served the cause of the Indian cricket team with dedication in various capacities, like wielding the willow and batting in myriad positions with elan before settling at one down, donning the gloves and captaining the side.

Though Dravid has earned the epithet of being the "most successful vice-captain of India", he has never consciously thrown his hat into the captaincy ring. In fact, when he was told about his being the "most successful vice-captain of India" in a press meet in Delhi some time ago, he did not take offence. With an amused look, he remarked that this was an interesting revelation to him.

Dravid has been content serving as a reliable deputy to captain Sourav Ganguly, as he has stood with his skipper through thick and thin. Though Dravid is reckoned as the best cricketer in the world, along with Jacques Kallis of South Africa, the Bangalorean does not crave for limelight. He’s happy serving the cause of the team, with quiet efficiency and authority. He has the temperament, technique, talent and determination to excel, to be the best.

Yet, his place in the one-day side was at stake once, when critics labelled him a ‘grafter’, a ‘plodder’ who could not "pace up" the innings. But his ability to keep wickets helped Ganguly plead Dravid’s case, and get him an assured slot in the one-day side.

But the strain of shouldering the batting, as well as the keeping responsibilities, is telling on him. But Ganguly does not trust anyone else with these jobs. He wants Dravid to carry on with his twin responsibilities.

"Dravid as wicketkeeper has worked for us in one-dayers. It has helped the team in terms of balances and batting depth," Ganguly had observed the other day.

Wicketkeeping is a taxing job. But Dravid is willing to go along, if his captain thinks that he’s best suited to don the gloves. "I have an open mind on the issue. I am comfortable with whatever suits the team combination best," Dravid has observed. Ganguly sees no reason to remove Dravid from the keeper’s job. "He’s doing a wonderful job, and we will stick to it," the captain asserted. No doubt, Rahul Dravid is any captain’s delight.

His performances in Australia and Pakistan last season were nothing short of miracles. He almost won the series Down Under, and in Pakistan, he displayed his captaincy skills too, and beat them in their own turf.

"The beauty of Dravid is that he keeps his counsel, and lets his bat and glove do the talking", noted a cricket fan.
He prefers spending time at home, whenever he is in Bangalore. He turns to books and music to unwind. Winning awards is nothing new to him. And being awarded the Padma Shri was another high point in his life

The secret of Dravid’s success lies in his unwavering concentration, and his ability to stick it out and play long, patient innings. He may not set the stand ablaze from the first ball, but once he gets going, it takes a Herculean effort to uproot him from his wicket.

The 1999 World Cup was a case in point. He struck two hundreds and totalled the highest aggregate, which earned him the Wisden Cricketer of the Year Award. These days flashy cricketers rule the roost, the likes of Dravid are rare gems.

Actor Sanjay Dutt's short Biograph

Sanjay Dutt (born July 29, 1959) is a famous two time Filmfare Awards winner movie staractor in Bollywood and also indulges as playback singer, he is considered the ultimate macho man in the Bollywood film industry.

He is the son of a Bollywood "power couple", Nargis and Sunil Dutt. Both his parents were awarded the Padmashree, a high civilian honor in India. His father Sunil Dutt was also a politician who campaigned for the Congress Party of India. He has a daughter (by his marriage to his first wife) named Trishala who lives in New York with her grandparents and aunt. She was born on August 10, 1988 and is now currently 18 years old and is best known as the Paris Hilton of India whenever she visits due to her extravagant spending habits, poses, and popularity. Out of all the bollywood celebrity kids, Trishala Dutt is well known in New York City amongst the who's who, and in India.

He made his acting debut in the film Rocky in 1981 which was produced and directed by his father. Though Rocky was a hit it did not establish him as a star.He steadily began to build his career, and he had many hits such as Vidhaata (1982), Naam (1986), Hathyar (1989), Sadak (1991) and Saajan (1991).
His breakthrough role finally came in Subhash Ghai's Khalnayak (1993). The release of Khalnayak happened to coincide with Dutt's arrest in connection with the 1993 Mumbai Bombings. The hype surrounding the event and his convincing portrayal of the villainous role in the film gave his career a much needed boost and a filmfare nomination for best actor. Khalnayak went on to become a huge hit also partly because of the use of a popular song in the film "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai".
Dutt retained his macho image after being released from jail and built on his steady fan following. Over the last 10 years, he has matured as an actor, with action, gangster and comedy roles being his forte.
His performances in Vaastav (1999), Mission Kashmir (2000), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) earned him rave reviews. His performance as a gangster in "Vaastav" earned him almost all the top awards that the industry has to offer, further cementing his place as one of the best actors in the Indian Film Industry.He along with friend and director Sanjay Gupta (Director) formed a production company called "White Feather Films". They have produced films such as Kaante (2002), Musafir (2004)and Zinda (2005) of which also star Sanjay Dutt in lead roles. His latest release "Shootout At Lokhandwala" has done very well at the box office, and is a hit according to boxofficeindia.com.

Tragedy seems to love Dutt and Dutt often seems to be actively courting tragedy. Despite getting into trouble with the law, Dutt has maintained his huge fan following, Perhaps the two main reasons that fans love this troubled star is his ability to survive and fight through the deepest tragedies of his life, and the exemplary respect that the common man in India has for both of his parents. After every setback he has managed to survive. Every time he has gone to the brink of absolute destruction, he has miraculously and sometimes unbelievably managed to claw back.
His mother died a few weeks before his first film was to be released, following which he took up drugs. After attending a rehabilitation program in the United States, a sober Dutt learned that his wife had cancer. His wife's death after a long battle with the disease was followed by a bitter custody battle between Dutt and his in-laws over the custody of his only daughter.
After resurrecting his career with the mega hit "Saajan" and his first Filmfare nomination for the best actor in a lead role, Charges were filed against the actor for his alleged involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bombings. Sanjay Dutt spent more than 18 months in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.
After being released from jail, Dutt married Reha Pillai but the marriage did not last too long and the couple divorced in 2005 after spending the last few years apart.
His father Sunil Dutt, died in May 2005. Sunil Dutt was the sports minister of India at the time of his death.
On November 28, 2006, A special TADA court found actor Sanjay Dutt guilty under the Arms Act of possessing an illegal weapon. He was cleared, however, of the charges of terrorism and conspiracy.Dutt's bail has been extended a number of times since the ruling and is still in progress.While Sanjay was cleared of terrorism charges namely the TADA Act, one of his friends who transported the AK-56 guns for Sanjay namely Baba Chouhan was found guilty under TADA Act.

Some interesting facts about his life may be enlisted as follows:-
He has no children by his marriage to socialite Rhea Pillay.

He has a "Never Give In" sticker on his car from his days at Lawrence School, Sanawar.
His fans fondly call him "Sanju Baba".

After the success of his MunnaBhai movies,a section of the media and fans also have started to refer to him as "Munna Bhai".

The 6ÆÂ?" hulking actor is the inspiration for professional wrestler Sonjay Dutt's stage name.

He has figured in all editions of the India Today - Top 10 List of the Most influential Bollywood personalities.

His sister Anju (Namrata Dutt) is married to actor Kumar Gaurav, the son of yesteryears actor Rajendra Kumar.

His sister Priya contested and won the election for her father's constituency and is now a Member of Parliament.

His peers are among his biggest fans. Salman Khan, Zayed Khan, Fardeen Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and many more look up to Dutt as an icon.

He was the first choice to play the lead in Subhash Ghai's Hero, but after witnessing Sanjay Dutt in his drug phase during the shooting of Vidhaata, Ghai picked Jackie Shroff.

Super star Amitabh bachhan's Short Biograph

Amitabh Bachchan born October 11, 1942 is a renowned Indian film actor, popular mostly in the Indian sub-continent and the Middle-East. Bachchan's acting career began in 1969, reaching heights in the mid 70-80s. After withdrawing from acting career, Bachchan returned in 2000 as the host of the television show Kaun Bangea Crorepati? on Star Plus. He is presently active in the Indian film industry.

Bachchan was also a member of Indian Parliament (MP), being elected in 1984 from Allahabad. His political career was short lived as he resigned from this post after only 3 years.
Bachchan was born in the city of Allahabad, India. His father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was a well-known poet of Urdu and Hindi. The original last name of the family is "Srivastava"; "Bachchan" was in fact a pen name used by his father. However, when Bachchan entered films he did so under his father's pen name. Now he is never known as anything but Amitabh Bachchan. His immediate family has also adopted the Bachchan surname. His mother is Teji Bachchan.
Bachchan attended Allahabad's Boys' High School, followed by Nainital's Sherwood College, where he gained a degree in art. He later went on to study at Kirori Mal College in Delhi University earning a degree in science. When he was in his twenties, Bachchan gave up a job as freight broker for the shipping firm, Bird and Co., based in Kolkata, to pursue a career in acting.
He is married to actress Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan). The couple have two children: daughter Shweta and son Abhishek. Abhishek Bachchan has also entered the Bollywood film industry.
Bachchan is said to have met Jaya Bhaduri at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) at Pune, though there is no evidence to confirm that he was ever enrolled there as a student.
In 1984, Bachchan briefly entered politics in support of long-time family friend Rajiv Gandhi. He contested Allahabad's Parliament seat against H. N. Bahuguna, a well-known politician, and won by a large margin (68.2% of the vote). His political career, however, was short-lived: he resigned after only three years, not finishing his term. At the time of his resignation, it was rumoured that he might have been involved in the Bofors Scandal. Bachchan was not implicated in the case, and has since distanced himself from the Gandhi family. He denies that the two events were connected, commenting that he "should have never got into politics".
He has two grandchildren: Navya Naveli and Agastya Nanda.
In November 2005, Bachchan was admitted to India's Lilavati Hospital, in order to undergo surgery on his intestine. The procedure came after Bachchan complained of pain in his abdomen, and the issue is said to have been related to a 1983 injury. After the operation, Bachchan took several months off from work, unable to leave his home even to shoot the sequel to his recently-launched television program, Kaun Banega Crorepati 2. By April 2006 Bachchan had resumed shooting for most of his projects