IG's Video Blog - A Grand Success

NOTE: SURIYA'S RESPONSE TO FANS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON INDIAGLITZ SHORTLY!

You wanted to see Suriya the hottest star of Kollywood. And in fact he wanted to see you!

We at IndiaGlitz had our fingers on your pulse, and made your wish come true!!!

With our special Video Blog with Suriya, ardent fans uploaded their video messages to the actor, and guess what - Suriya replied with his very own message! Over 1,000 fan videos hounded the blog in just a matter of 36 hours and the actor only seemed ecstatic about seeing his fans! He patiently watched each and every question and responded for the ones which attracted him very much with undying enthusiasm.

Suriya's and the community as a whole, categorically said this is way better than a live chat or a text blog, because it gives both the fans and the celebrity enough space to talk their mind in leisure. Even on TV shows so far user interaction has been mostly over the phone, but this medium pushes it further and allows the celebrity to actually see and listen to their fans first hand.

First of its kind and unmatched in its genius, our Video Blog was a resounding success!! Thanks to you!

IndiaGlitz’s status as a leading entertainment portal has been further validated by such initiatives and an ear for fans’ voices. Though it has also become a recent trend in for actors to have blogs, this is the first time that a celebrity has had a live Video Blog. It was conceived by IndiaGlitz, which now has plans to open such blogs for many more leading actors in the industry. This will be just another step by IndiaGlitz to cater to your wishes.

We have plans to roll out EXCLUSIVE Video Blogs and are currently hard at work to let you express yourself to your favorite stars. No matter where you are in the world, with just a click of a button (and a webcam) you can tell your beloved stars just how much they mean to you! So stay tuned to IndiaGlitz and watch for more in this space!

Are Kajol and Karan heading toward splitsville?

They are known as the Golden Trio Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar. The threesome are the best of buddies and often create cinema magic together. But Karan’s latest venture 'My Name Is Khan', and Kajol’s motherly instincts are threatening to cause a rift in the Kajol/Karan relationship.

Insiders report that Karan is currently busy shooting parts of the film with 'Slumdog Millionaire' star Tanay Chheda in Mumbai’s Borivilli area. He’s hoping to plan a shoot schedule in the US once Shah Rukh gets back from his IPL2 commitments. But Kajol is apparently not very thrilled with the idea of going abroad because she would have to leave her daughter Nysa back home. The star’s daughter has started school, and while Kajol had no problems with it when she was shooting in Mumbai, she’s having a tough time separating herself from her child.

Karan, on the other hand is adamant that the planned shoot in US go ahead as per schedule and expects Kajol to understand his predicament. In this tug of war, we wonder what Shah Rukh is going to do!

I went to South Africa to cheer for Delhi Daredevils: Akshay

Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Akshay Kumar, who vowed not to be a part of any Indian Premier League (IPL) game in South Africa, was recently seen at a match with friend Preity Zinta. The actor says he went to Cape Town just to cheer for the Delhi Daredevils.

Akshay was seen at the IPL match between Delhi Daredevils and Preity Zinta-owned Kings XI Punjab last Sunday. Earlier, he had refused to be a part of the match even though pals Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty own two teams in the IPL.

"I had no intentions of going. But the Delhi Daredevils did it. Although this year I'm no longer professionally or financially associated with the team I had to go for their sake to the IPL match on Sunday. There I met up with my buddy Preity Zinta and naturally the cameras went berserk. So what if her team was playing against the Delhi Daredevils? Off the field we're still the best of friends. But that's it. I won't be attending any of the other matches," Akshay said.

Akshay is now in Singapore to resume the shooting of Priyadarshan's "Dan Dana Dan".

"First it was Preity's darshan, now I go for Priyadarshan," he said.

"Somehow I've always had one Darshan or the other in my life," he quipped about the contribution of Suneel and Dharmesh Darshan and Priyadarshan to his career.

Shah Rukh's smoking act at IPL match ruffles anti-smoking lobby

Panaji, April 25 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's smoking act during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match April 21 has not gone down well with the anti-smoking lobby which is trying to ensure that television footage of celebrities smoking should not be broadcast.

The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) said in a statement issued here Saturday that its counterpart South African National Council Against Smoking (NCAS) is lobbying with the official broadcasters to ensure that footage of smoking, especially by celebrities, should not be broadcast.

"We have sent the details to Supersport, who are the official broadcasters of the IPL and the NCAS is in the process of soliciting an agreement that they will not show anyone smoking," NCAS's convener Peter Ucko informed NOTE Friday.

NCAS has said that television footage showing icons smoking dangerously increases the chances of children and other non smokers picking up the habit as they try to emulate their heroes.

NCAS, in its letter to NOTE, further said that while smoking in public places is still not banned in South Africa, the department of health there was very active in lobbying for the concept of no smoking in public places.

"If Khan does it again we will ask the management to caution him, or we will seek his removal from the stadium," the press note states.

The NCAS has also assured that they would lobby with the chief executive officer of the Wandereres stadium Alam Kourie to enforce the 'no smoking in enclosed areas' law.

"We have also asked the stadium management to make no smoking announcements through the match and during drinks breaks."

Manchester United in talks with Kaka

Manchester United are reported to have held talks with AC Milan playmaker Kaka over a potential summer move to Old Trafford as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo should the Portuguese leave for Real Madrid.

It is understood that the representatives for the 27-year-old Brazilian met with United officials to discuss personal terms, which in wages alone could earn the player £35m over five years.

The Sun report a source close to Kaka as saying: ''It was a very positive meeting, although nothing was agreed.

''The player wants a five-year contract and wages of £135,000 a week. He is very keen to join United and these are figures that are within United's pay structure. It's up to them what happens now.''

No transfer fee was discussed however Milan could expect to receive at least £70m despite the prevailing economic climate - after all in January Kaka was subject to a £100m transfer bid from Manchester City.

Although United's parent company recently reported debts in excess of £600m the club could afford a move for Kaka if they decide to reinvest the cash they would receive for Ronaldo, who at the least would command a fee in the region of £70m.

While Kaka is understood to have baulked at the possibility of a move to the City of Manchester Stadium earlier this year, Old Trafford is a different proposition, as the Brazilian has previously admitted when he said: ''They have some great players in Giggs and Scholes and especially Wayne Rooney.

Real to appeal Pepe's ban

Real Madrid are planning to appeal the 10-match ban inflicted on their Portuguese international Pepe for his violent outburst against two Getafe players in a league game this week.

The suspension, handed down Friday by the Spanish Football Federation, will rule the 26-year-old Brazilian-born player out of Real's last six league games of the season, including next weekend's home game against arch rivals and league leaders Barcelona.

"What a catastrophe!" Real president Vincente Boluda said in a report in Saturday's Marca sports daily.

"The punishment doesn't match what happened on the pitch" added Boluda who said the club were planning to appeal the decision.

Pepe was sent off during Real's 3-2 win at home over Getafe on Tuesday after he shoved Francisco Casquero to the ground to concede a late penalty and then brutally stamped on the midfielder several times.

He then palmed the angry Juan Albin in the face in the ensuing melee and insulted the referee.

Real, the defending Spanish champions, are in second place in the league with 75 points, six points behind leaders Barcelona.

Tamim, Tk 7.7 lakh boy

The table (top) shows the price tag of Tamim Iqbal during the auction of the Port-City Cricket League (PCL) while models display the flags of the eight participating teams at the Chittagong Club yesterday.Photo:

Amid colours, deafening sounds and nonstop flashing of lights, auction of 48 cricketers for the country's first-ever Twenty20 tournament, the PCL (Port-city Cricket League) 2009, was held yesterday at Chittagong Club auditorium with dashing Tigers opener and local boy Tamim Iqbal stealing the show with a whopping Tk 7.70 lakh price.

The nine-day tournament is scheduled to begin at the MA Aziz Stadium on May 2 and the final will be held on May 10.

The one-and-half hour gripping auction got off with a buzz when Ormaan Rafay Nizam, an experienced international tea auctioneer, pronounced the name of one of the two most highly-rated (Category A+) players -- Tamim -- at the very outset at around 11.40am.

Representatives from Chittagong Mohammedan, Chittagong Brothers and Chittagong Abahani confronted in the first bidding of the day for around three minutes before Abahani finally got hold of Tamim for Tk 7.70 lakh against his base price of Tk 30,000.

For the aggressive left-hander, Mohammedan offered Tk 1.30 lakh while Brothers ended their bid on Tk 7.00 lakh.

"I'm really surprised. My expectation was Tk 2 lakh," said a visibly amazed Tamim in his instant reaction.

"I want to thank the organisers who have taken the initiatives to arrange this kind of tournament which will encourage the young players. Others can learn from the Chittagong organisers. I am really delighted that I can play a Twenty20 tournament before the World T20. Right at the moment I am only thinking about the T20 World Cup [in England in June]," he added.

With Tamim opening the floodgates to the auction, the concourse was expecting similar battle of bidding to follow as far as price was concerned. But what happened afterwards surprised many as none of the 47 remaining cricketers could even breathe close to Tamim, albeit there was several intense bidding involving few stars.

The next best price was Tk 1.70 lakh for Dhaka Mohammedan all-rounder Sohrawordi Shuvo against his base price of Tk 20,000 and Pirates of Chittagong, a team of Continental Group in the PCL, bought him by beating another business group's (MEB Group) team Dada Warriors after a two-minute breathtaking battle. Dada breathed last at Tk 1.60 lakh for Shuvo.

Tamim and Shuvo apart, only two more cricketers were able to take their value beyond six digits -- Zunaed Siddiqui of Surjo Torun and Abdur Razzak of Partex. Dada Warriors this time conquered Zunaed, whose base price was Tk 20,000, for Tk 1.31 lakh in a three-minute bidding overpowering Brothers who went upto Tk 1.21 lakh for him. However, Brothers didn't hesitate to buy national left-arm spinner Razzak, the only other Category A+ player with base price of Tk 30 thousand after Tamim, for Tk 1.10 lakh defeating Dhaka Sports Tigers of Laxmipur, who offered Tk 1.00 lakh.

The 'value' or 'fate' of some well-known faces, who have vast experience of playing Test and ODIs, appeared as a stunning feature in the auction. The likes of Rajin Saleh (Surjo Torun), Javed Omar (Bangladesh Biman), Nazmul Hossain (Abahani) and Rubel Hossain (Gazi Tank) had to wait until the second round of bidding as they remained 'unsold' in the first!

Rajin was later sold for Tk 21,000, just six thousand taka up from his base price, to Dhaka Sports. Chittagong Mohammedan came forward to buy Javed at his base price of Tk 8,000 while Nazmul and Rubel were also sold at their base prices, Tk 20,000, and both of them went to Dada Warriors.

Among other stars Syed Rasel, Talha Jubair, Taposh Ghosh, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahadat Hossain made very poor impression in the auction as none of the eight participating teams showed that much interest in them as far as money was concerned! They were however sold out in quick time with a very low price.

Shahadat and Mushfiqur took only 23 seconds each, Rasel 18 seconds, Talha 29 seconds and Tapas 15 seconds to be sold out to their respective teams -- Dada Warriors (Tk 30,000), Ispahani (Tk 26,000), Abahani (Tk 26,000 and Tk 15,000) and Dhaka Sports (Tk 8,000) respectively.

Officials of all eight participating teams -- Chittagong Mohammedan Sporting Club, Chittagong Brothers Union, Chittagong Abahani Ltd, Ispahani Ltd, Dada Warriors, Top Sports, Dhaka Sports Tigers and Pirates of Chittagong -- were present at the auction venue.

Chittagong Divisional Commissioner and president of Chittagong Divisional Krira Sangstha, which is organising the event, MAN Siddique formally inaugurated the auction.

Lawmaker and Chittagong Abahani president Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner Fariduddin Ahmed Chowdhury, PCL Organising Committee Chairman AZM Nasiruddin, chief coordinator and BCB member Sirajuddin Md Alamgir, vice-president Ali Abbas and satellite TV channel ATN Bangla's head of programme Nowajesh Ali Khan were present at the auction.

ICC to help Pakistan

Cricket's governing body Saturday pledged support for cricket-deprived Pakistan after the troubled country was stripped of its share of 2011 World Cup matches because of security fears.

The promise came during a meeting between Pakistan's sports minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani and officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) here on Friday.

Jilani said he had made clear the disappointment caused by the ICC's decision to strip Pakistan of its 14 World Cup matches over the uncertain security situation there.

"I conveyed the displeasure of the Pakistani fans, and although we did not agree on every point... I am confident the ICC is committed to making sure international cricket will flourish again in Pakistan," said Jilani.

India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will now host the mega event in two years' time, leaving Pakistan in further sporting wilderness.

The question of stripping Pakistan of its World Cup matches was raised after March's attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which dented the already troubled country's reputation as sporting venue.

Even before the Lahore attacks, which killed eight policemen and left seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach injured, teams had been refusing to travel to Pakistan over security fears.

Australia, who have not toured Pakistan since 1998, forced their hosts to play their current series at the neutral venues of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Jilani said ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat explained the decision-making process and the reasons behind the decision.

"I was briefed about the process and now I am confident the ICC is committed to the future success of Pakistan cricket, because we are an important member of the community," said Jilani.

"I know the ICC will not let Pakistan cricket fall back during this difficult time. Cricket cannot be revived in Pakistan without the ICC and they are determined to make sure the game survives and thrives in our country," said the minister.

Lorgat said the ICC was aware how much of a blow the decision had been to Pakistan and its fans.

"We fully understand the disappointment felt by Pakistani fans, players and officials, and we will do everything possible to support Pakistan," he said.

"The decision was not taken lightly or hastily. Our number-one priority is to deliver a safe, secure and successful event and the uncertainty created by events within Pakistan created a huge question mark," said Lorgat.

"The important thing for us now is to work out how we can prevent the game from suffering more than it has to. Every ICC Member agrees that Pakistan is an important member.

"We want teams to return to play cricket in Pakistan as soon as possible and we are willing to assist the Pakistan Cricket Board to prepare for that time."

Taibu cleared of charges

Tatenda Taibu has been acquitted of assaulting Zimbabwe Cricket's general finance manager. The Harare Magistrates' Court found "glaring inconsistencies" in the prosecution's evidence, describing it as discredited and unreliable.

Taibu had been charged with assaulting Esther Lupepe, allegedly over payments owed to him by ZC. But Tapiwa Godzi, the magistrate, said the court was still in doubt as to how the assault was alleged to have been perpetrated. "It's either this case was fabricated or the testimony of the witnesses is grossly exaggerated to the extent of making it unbelievable," Godzi said. "In the premises, the application for discharge at the close of the State's case is hereby granted. The accused is accordingly found not guilty and acquitted. It would be futile to put the accused person to his defence."

Taibu had protested his innocence throughout the proceeding, and countered that the accusation is part of a wider plot by ZC to silence him from going public over concerns of the board's handling of funds and the poor incomes of players.

Taibu has had a fractious relationship with senior board officials since he walked out in 2005 after alleging threats had been made against his family. He subsequently returned, but following the accusations by Lupepe he was only persuaded at the last minute to join the national squad when it headed to Canada for a quadrangular Twenty20 tournament.

Deccan ride on Gibbs

South Africa's Deccan Chargers opener Herschelle Gibbs hits a six during his side's IPL Twenty20 match against Mumbai Indians at Kingsmead in Durban yesterday. Gibbs hit a swashbuckling 58.Photo: AFP

A spinning masterclass from Pragyan Ojha and disciplined back-up from Venugopal Rao ensured Deccan Chargers consolidated their position at the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) table with a 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians here on Saturday.

Chasing 169, Mumbai looked destined for victory when they entered the final 10 overs of their innings needing 85 to win with nine wickets in hand and star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and JP Duminy at the crease.

But Ojha's 3-21 swung the match as he had Tendulkar caught at short extra cover by Herschelle Gibbs for 36, then removed Shikhar Dhawan and Duminy (47) in consecutive overs.

"I was nervous coming into the match, but I know that if I work hard I can do it, and at the end of the day I did it for my team," said Ojha.

Fellow spinner Rao squeezed the batsmen at the other end, allowing just 21 runs from his first three overs as Mumbai managed a meagre 24 runs in the five overs after the 'strategy break'.

Dwayne Bravo and Harbhajan Singh led spirited resistance, but when Fidel Edwards removed fellow West Indian Bravo for 21, Mumbai's fate was sealed and they ended their innings on 156-7.

An opening stand of 63 between Adam Gilchrist and Gibbs set Chargers up for a big total after they won the toss and elected to bat under sunny Kingsmead skies.

Even after Gilchrist had fallen for 35 to the bowling of Bravo, Gibbs continued the assault on Mumbai's bowlers with Dwayne Smith as Deccan reached 124-1 in the 13th over.

But when Smith was bowled by Sanath Jayasuriya for 35, his dismissal instigated a collapse and none of the batsmen who followed reached double figures.

Top scorer Gibbs was run out for a feisty 58 as Deccan made 168-8 in 20 overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF
DECCAN CHARGERS: 168 for 9 wickets (Gibbs 58, Gilchrist 35, Smith 35; Malinga 3-19, Bravo 3-34)
MUMBAI INDIANS: 156 for 7 (Duminy 47, Tendulkar 36, Bravo 21, Harbhajan 20; Ojha 3-21, Edwards 2-27, RP Singh 2-27)
Result: Deccan Chargers won by 12 runs.
Man-of-the-match: Pragyan Ojha.