RAJ KUNDRA SETS OFF TO MARRY SHILPA

Rohit Roy and Jackky Bhagnani in marriage march.

London-based businessman Raj Kundra left in a chariot this (Nov 22) evening to marry his actress fiancee Shilpa Shetty in Khandala, a hill station in Maharashtra.

Kundra left Amrit Villa, situated about five minutes away from Bawa Villa, where the wedding is going to be held, in a chariot driven by two horses.

Clad in a maroon sherwani with golden embroidery, Kundra was sporting a turban with his face implied by a sehra (string of flowers/pearls).

He was also holding a sword in his hand, as per Indian tradition.

Noticed dancing in the baraat (marriage procession) were actors Rohit Roy and Jackky Bhagnani.

Half the road was blocked by security guards by ropes on both sides of the chariot while the police were trying to find the way the traffic on the other half.

SHILPA SHETTY TIES THE KNOT WITH RAJ KUNDRA

Clad in a red sari and pompous diamonds and emeralds, Shilpa Shetty exchanged wedding vows with London-based businessman Raj Kundra in a close-knit family affair in Khandala.

Shilpa Shetty married London-based businessman Raj Kundra in a prolific ceremony at Khandala.

Previously Raj had arrived in a chariot decorated with flowers and drawn by two horses from Amrit Villa, located about five minutes away from Bawa Villa, where the wedding was held.

Clad in a maroon sherwani with golden embroidery, Kundra was sporting a turban with his face indirect by a sehra (string of pearls). He was also holding a sword in his hand, as per Indian tradition.

Noticed dancing in the baraat (marriage procession) were actors Rohit Roy and Jackky Bhagnani.

Shilpa, decked in a burgundy and red saree designed by Tarun Tahiliani, married Raj in a Mangalorean ceremony.

Shilpa's beau Raj Kundra wore creations by Shantanu and Nikhil.

Before the marriage, it was the wedding card, which created a buzz for it's look and content.

A reception will be held in Mumbai on 24 November.

AJAY DEVGN, KAJOL THROW HUGE PARTY TO CELEBRATE SUCCESS OF ALL THE BEST

Abhishek Bachchan walked in with Amar Singh, as a substitute of his Paa or his wife, at Ajay Devgn's first-ever bash for his friends in the industry on Thursday evening. Bashful and mocking about glam-gatherings, Ajay Devgn has always shunned attendance parties and has never before thrown one.

But the new power-packed Devgn newly thrilled by the success of All The Best has resolved to let the world know he's ready to conquer showbiz.

Devgn's buddies Sanjay Dutt and Maanyata were the first to arrive and also among the first to leave, since Sanjay had an early-morning flight to catch to South Africa. And then there was Fardeen and his wife Natasha. After his successful back surgery in New York, Fardeen Khan was back in Mumbai for his first public appearance to celebrate his first successful film in ages at Ajay Devgn's first-ever party for his colleagues held at the Sahara Star hotel on Thursday night, a day after Devgn wrapped up Prakash Jha's Rajneeti in Bhopal.

All the preparations were taken care of by Ajay Devgn and his wife Kajol who were very outstandingly a part of the celebrations. The party went on till late. John Abraham and Bipasha showed up much later.

But as one of the guests later said, "This party was a show of strength for Ajay Devgn. For too long he has smirked and silently watched the Khans rule as the glamourous elements in Bollywood. With wife Kajol at his side, Ajay wants to build Brand Devgn in a par with Saif-Kareena and Abhishek-Aishwarya. The party on Thursday night was the first step in that direction."

B.O. UPDATE: 'AJAB' TAKES GHAZAB START; 'JAIL' GETS SIDELINED

AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI took the country by storm by eye-catching one of the biggest starts at the box-office. The start was at par with LOVE AAJ KAL at several screens, even though LAK had more shows than APKGK, since LONDON DREAMS has retained some screens, while JAIL, the other new release, has also opened quite wide.

The trends were evident on Thursday night itself, when the paid previews of AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI were held. The response was unbelievable. The early morning shows opened to an awesome response and the film was maintaining the tempo during the subsequent shows. The opening is at par with any superstar's film, the various distributors/exhibitors this writer spoke to, echoed in unison.

The youth has taken to AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI in a big way and the first weekend numbers of the film should be incredible. It's easily Ranbir Kapoor's biggest opener to date and catapults him to the 'Prime Club'. Besides, the Ranbir - Katrina jodi seems to be the new flavour of the season. Rajkumar Santoshi too has bounced back with renewed vigour, while Ramesh Taurani, its producer, has yet another Hit to his credit.

On the other hand, JAIL has been sidelined due to the AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI wave. The film carries favourable reports, so let's hope its numbers show a jump on Saturday and Sunday.

“I WAS OFFERED NEW YORK”

Says Saif Ali Khan while in Dubai with girlfriend Kareena, to promote his latest film Kurbaan.

The interviews with the media were programmed at Park Hyatt from 2.30pm yesterday, but Saif Ali Khan and girl friend and co-star Kareena Kapoor walked in exactly one and a half hour late. Saif apologized for the delay and Kareena kept beaming her stunning smile. And then Saif looked at the much-talked about Kurbaan poster and said, “Wow! Who’s that hot guy? Oh! That’s me.”

This bold poster is already the talk of the town. What’s Saif’s take on it? He says, “I have got so much feedback for this poster that I already feel the film is a hit.” When we asked Kareena, who was just sitting a few feet away from Saif and giving interviews, the same question, the lady admiringly looked at the giant poster standing behind her and said, “There is no doubt it is bold but then it also translates the emotional and raw intensity of the film. I think this is the only way it could have been shown.”

The look might be different but isn’t the storyline of Kurbaan eccentrically similar to New York? Saif said, “I had gone through the script of New York since I was offered a role in the film. I have not seen the film except for the songs and I think it has a very young storyline with college guys partying at pubs and having fun on the campus. On the contrary Kurbaan is very mature.”

Kareena adds, “The film is gritty, gripping and cutting edge. It is a love story where the woman has a very important role and audiences will keep on thinking what will happen to her?”

What happens to her? We definitely want to know.

SHILPA IS FEELING ‘JUST LIKE ANY BRIDE’

She shares her thoughts on her blog.

Shilpa Shetty, who is marrying London-based Raj Kundra on Nov 22, is facing pre-nuptial blues. She admits she is experiencing "mixed feelings" as the D-day draws near.

"To all those who want to know how I am feeling, I just want to say I'm going through a lot of mixed feelings - happiness, enthusiasm, nervousness, just like any bride to be and sadness as well," Shilpa posted on her blog.

The 34-year-old actress is tying the knot with capitalist Raj Kundra, whom she has been dating since 2007.

"Honestly it still hasn't sunk in completely, it's a strange emotion, can't describe it. The only consolation is that I'm tying the knot with Raj - a man who lets me be myself and doesn't want me or my life to change and that erases premarital jitters," she said.

"Obviously marriage is a huge step and with it come responsibilities, and since I believe in the institution, so I hope and pray that I can make ours a success."

Shilpa says she has been busy with the wedding preparations for the past two weeks but is also trying hard to fulfill her professional commitments so that she can set out for a one-month honeymoon with Raj after the wedding.

She is currently shooting in Hyderabad for the last schedule of Indo-Chinese project "Desire".

"I'm shooting in Hyderabad, everything had to be done before I'd left for this schedule. In the midst of Odissi rehearsals (can you believe it! ‘cause I am shooting for a song here), (I'm handling) guests list, hotel arrangements, wedding planners, trousseau outfits, the list is never ending.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I will be shooting and dubbing till a week before the wedding. Got to finish all work commitments before I leave for a month after the wedding," she said.

The actress is now only hoping that her younger sister Shamita Shetty, who is a participant on reality show "Bigg Boss 3", comes out to be with her in the "last few days at home".

Shilpa will have a quiet wedding ceremony with close friends and family Nov 22 and has plans for a lavish reception two days later.

SHAH RUKH TURNS 44, BUT FEELS 25

He wants to give something back to society. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan turned 44 today (Nov 2), but said he still feels just 25 - barring the physical problems he has had in the past year. The heartthrob also said he wants to work for youngsters and poor girls.

"I have been in my 40s since a few years now and I stylishly accept the age. But frankly, I feel like I am just 25 or 26 except for the physical problems I've had in my past year," Shah Rukh told reporters in Mumbai.

"Maybe I look older, but then when I look younger, people say I get plastic surgeries done to my face. When I look old, they say I am over and done with. But the fact is that when I sleep well, I look young and when I don't get enough sleep, I look old," he quipped.

The actor underwent an arthroscopic surgery for keen pain in his left shoulder in February and was on a forced break to recuperate completely. But he promises to make up for his absence.

"I am a workaholic, but in the last year I couldn't do much due to my shoulder problem, my team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn't do too well and I shot for just one film 'My Name Is Khan'. My injury also pulled me down in terms of my endorsements but I had time to introspect and spend a quieter time at home and with my children.

"I feel more energetic and happy now and totally ready for a comeback with many projects in the next two years after this one year break," added Shah Rukh.

Apart from work, he wants to do good to society by "doing something for youngsters, deprived girls and talk to 16- 17-year-old children who are on the threshold of voting for the government and lead the world forward".

"I don't know whether I want to join an NGO or something of the likes, but in my heart, I have this strong feeling that I want to give something back to society," he said.

Among his forthcoming films are "My Name Is Khan", Farah Khan's "Happy New Year", "Don 2", but he says he is most keen to work in a superhero film, which he is designing on his own.