MALAIKA ARORA-KHAN

BOLLYWOOD dipenuhi aktor dan aktres kacak yang sekali gus memiliki bentuk tubuh yang seksi. Namun, dalam ramai pelakon yang seksi itu, siapakah agaknya yang memiliki punggung paling seksi?

Menerusi satu undian membabitkan 1,000 responden wanita baru-baru ini, bintang Bollywood yang mengepalai gelaran tersebut ialah John Abraham dan Malaika Arora-Khan. John yang muncul memakai seluar mandi berwarna kuning menerusi filem Dostana meraih undian sebanyak 55 peratus mengalahkan saingan terdekatnya, Ranbir Kapoor yang hanya meraih undian 17 peratus untuk berada di tempat kedua. Tempat ketiga disandang Hrithik Roshan dengan 13 peratus undian, sementara tempat kelima hingga keenam masing-masing diraih Saif Ali Khan (7 peratus), Akshay Kumar (6 peratus) dan Salman Khan (2 peratus). Undian paling rendah yang diraih Salman mungkin sebagai isyarat kepada aktor yang sering menanggalkan baju itu supaya dia mengubah strategi dengan lebih kerap muncul dengan menanggalkan seluar pula.

Persaingan di kalangan aktres Bollywood pula lebih sengit, namun menduduki takhta pertama ialah Malaika Arora-Khan yang berjaya mengumpul 25 peratus undian, mengalahkan Shilpa yang meraih 23 peratus undian. Lara Dutta dan Bipasha Basu pula berkongsi kedudukan tempat ketiga dengan masing-masing meraih 19 peratus undian. Katrina Kaif pula di tempat keempat dengan 12.5 peratus, sementara Deepika Padukone di tempat keenam dengan hanya 1.5 peratus undian.

Mengulas ‘kemenangan’nya itu, Malaika yang penuh teruja berkata: “Wow! Apa yang boleh saya cakap. Terima kasih kerana mengundi saya.” Dalam pada itu, ketika ditanya siapakah selebriti yang pada pandangannya memiliki punggung tercantik di dunia, Malaika menegaskan: “Sudah tentulah Jennifer Lopez dan Kylie Minogue!”

John Abraham turut berterima kasih dengan pengundi yang memilihnya. “Terima kasih kepada semua wanita yang mengundi saya. Saya mencintai kamu semua,” ujarnya.

Kosmo

MUMBAI – Bollywood’s leading actors are hitting the gym as never before, adding brawn and biceps to their on-screen repertoires and winning a legion of new fans in the process — including other men.

The latest weight-training convert is Aamir Khan, who enlisted the help of physical trainer Satyajit Chourasia two years ago to get in shape for the film “Ghajini”, which is released on December 25.

His daily four-hour regime appears to have paid off.

Giant advertising hoardings show a shaven-headed Khan, who plays a man with memory loss who tattoos himself and takes Polaroid pictures to remember people and places, stripped to the waist, exposing a finely-ripped torso.

The 43-year-old said the film’s director A. Murgadoss told him to bulk up because it was essential for the character.

“I too felt that I will not be able to do justice to my role if I am not in this shape,” he said this week.

Asked whether his new look could help boost box office takings, he said it was creating “a lot of buzz among viewers, which is good for the film.”

Historically, the muscle-bound macho hero has never been in vogue in Bollywood.

Instead, leading men were as likely to be measured by the manly thickness of their chest hair or how they carried a tune or moved in the set-piece song and dance routines.

Eyeing the success of Hollywood’s Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1980s, Bollywood’s Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt began working out, winning accolades and a dedicated fanbase.

But it was not until megastar Shah Rukh Khan got a “six pack” for his 2007 blockbuster “Om Shanti Om” that muscle tone became a must for aspiring Bollywood actors.

Actor John Abraham enlisted the help of Hollywood personal trainer Mike Ryan to prepare for appearing on camera in only a pair of swimming trunks on Miami beach in the film “Dostana”, which was released in October.

“I went on high protein and vigorous training to get that kind of look,” he said.

“It was essential to work out more because I had little time on my hands and had to get that kind of muscular look to complete the film on time.”

His new look has won him a legion of new fans, including in the gay community, he added.

“Earlier some women used to make a pass on me but now even men make passes at me,” said Abraham, who has been nicknamed “The Hunk.”

Satyajit Chourasia is full of praise for actors he has worked with, from Aamir Khan to Saif Ali Khan and Zayed Khan, as well as Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgan.

“All the actors are very dedicated. They don’t skip their exercises and maintain themselves which you can see with their looks on the big screen,” he said.

Demand is now so high that Chourasia said he has had to open a second gym in Mumbai, two in his home town of Nagpur, some 900 kilometres (560 miles) east of Mumbai, and two in the Indian capital New Delhi.

But having a perfect physique can have its disadvantages.

British director Danny Boyle has said that casting a Bollywood beefcake as the lead in his hit film “Slumdog Millionaire” would not have worked, even though Indian actors had the talent.

Instead he cast a skinny British Asian actor, Dev Patel. The film is now a hot favourite at next year’s Oscars.

“You know when guys can’t put their arms down cause they have all this muscle mass? They’re 18; they’re only just beyond kids — and their heads are really small,” Boyle told The Huffington Post on November 25.

“They haven’t put any weight on their heads. So you’ve got these tiny little heads and big bodies; that was just wrong for the film.” – CNA/vm

Channel News Asia

MUMBAI : Live Earth India, a massive concert promoting environmental awareness has been cancelled due to the wave of terror attacks in Mumbai.

Celebrities from around the globe such as Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters, rockers Bon Jovi, Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am and Indian rapper Hard Kaur were scheduled to perform on December 7 at a Mumbai stadium.

Bollywood stars, including actors Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta were also due to perform.

A joint statement released by the organisers which includes former US vice-president Al Gore, said that everyone involved with the concert was “stunned and saddened by the tragic events” in which gunmen attacked two luxury hotels and several major sites, with at least 195 dead and scores injured in the siege.

“Together, we will continue to work for solutions to the climate crisis for the good of the people of India and around the world,” the organisers said.

“But for now, our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims of this terrible attack, with the bereaved, with the people of Mumbai and with everyone across India.”

Last year’s Live Earth concerts were a musical extravaganza, with seven concerts spanning four continents, featuring 150 acts performing over a 24-hour period.

Live Earth India’ proceeds would have been channeled to charities in the country.

- CNA/jk

Channel News Asia

MUMBAI – Bollywood stars and Western artists including Jon Bon Jovi will join forces at next month’s Live Earth India concert to raise money for solar energy projects, organisers announced Thursday.

Among the big name Indian screen stars at the December 7 event in the western city of Mumbai will be actors Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta.

Musicians include Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters, rockers Bon Jovi, plus Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am, Indian rapper Hard Kaur and sitar player Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of Ravi Shankar and half-sister of Norah Jones.

Host broadcaster STAR and Live Earth said there will also be appearances and messages from the former US vice-president Al Gore, who co-founded the project with Kevin Wall, and Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The concert, announced in September, follows on from the series of gigs on seven continents over 24 hours on July 7 last year, which were seen by more than two billion people and were designed to raise awareness of global warming.

Live Earth India follows a similar theme, but is also geared towards supporting the emerging economic power to take a lead on tackling climate change as it takes a greater role on the world stage.

The concert is to be beamed to millions of viewers worldwide by STAR’s network of channels. It will also be streamed live on the Internet at

Channel News Asia

The 2008 MotoGP World Championship will be aired ‘live’ from Sepang (RTM1, Sunday, 3.05pm).

IT’S an adrenalin rush of a race yet again for sports fans this weekend.

The 2008 MotoGP World Championship motorbike race at the Sepang International Circuit will be aired “live” on Sunday over RTM1 at 3.05pm.

There will also be the delayed telecast of the Formula One race in the F1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit over the same network at 11pm.

Two reality shows are returning for their new seasons. They are Carrefour Duniaku, which kicks off tomorrow over TV3 at 7.30pm and My Starz LG, to be aired also over TV3 on Sunday at 10pm.

The 12-episode Carrefour Duniaku is sponsored by the Carrefour Hypermarket and features several elimination rounds.
The winner gets to upgrade his or her existing mini market or open and manage a new outlet, Carrefour Express Store.

My Starz LG is a talent-search reality show for the next young showbiz sensation.

Over ntv7, the fourth season of Grey’s Anatomy ends tomorrow. It comes on at 9.45pm.

This second of a two-part special entitled Freedom – Part 2 sees a couple undergoing surgery, Alex breaking up for the first time, and George getting a second chance, among others.

If you’re still in the Raya mood, catch Syawal Bersama Anuar Zain tomorrow (TV9, 8.30pm), where the award-winning crooner joins his fans and family members in a showcase featuring festive songs and chart-topping hits.

Guest artistes include Rem, Deja Moss and Siti Sarah.

TOMORROW

Midnight Movie (RTM1, 11.30pm) –

A Few Good Men

In this dramatic courtroom thriller, lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a navy lawyer who has never seen the inside of the courtroom, defends two stubborn marines accused of murdering a colleague.

Starring Tom Cruise, Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore.

Bollywood On 2 (RTM2, 12.30pm) –

Just Married

Two strangers become husband and wife after an arranged marriage and go on a honeymoon where they discover each other’s idiosyncrasies. Starring Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol.

Saturday Nite Special On 2 (RTM2, 9pm) – How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

An advertising executive cuts a deal with his competitors in order to win a coveted project – he must make a woman of their choice to fall in love with him in 10 days.

In comes a writer who is on an assignment to pen an article on how to lose a guy in 10 days. Starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson.

Panggung Sabtu (TV3, 2pm) – Krrish

Dr Siddhant Arya recruits a superhuman named Rohit Mehra to build a computer that can forecast the future. This leads to Rohit being killed in an accident.

However, Rohit has a son who inherits his powers. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Rekha.

Hong Movie Saturday (ntv7, 11.45pm) – Always On My Mind

When a shady newscaster is diagnosed with an incurable disease, he turns to his family for help. A satire on the excesses of the media, it stars Michael Hui and Josephine Siau.

Chinese Movie (8TV, 8.30pm) – Lavender

An angel lands up in the home of a woman named Athena.

In order for the angel to survive, he must receive love from people. However, Athena isn’t in the mood to love as her boyfriend had just died.

Starring Kelly Chen and Takeshi Kaneshiro.

SUNDAY

TV3 Cinema (TV3, 12.30am) – Timeline

A group of archaeologists and combat experts use a “3-D fax machine” to time-travel back to France in 1357 to rescue a trapped member of their group.

They have to fend off marauding hordes at war with British invaders and race against the clock in the process, with increasing numbers of them falling victim to the violence. Starring Paul Walker, Gerard Butler and Anna Friel.

Sunday Day Time Special (RTM2, 3pm) – Faith Of My Fathers

A movie adaptation of Republican Party presidential nominee John McCain’s best-selling autobiography Faith Of My Fathers, this film chronicles his experience as a navy pilot, his years as a prisoner of war in then North Vietnam and how it shaped the man that he is today.

Starring Michael Arata, Joe Chrest and Erin Cottrell.

Pesona 3 (TV3, 3pm) – Dewi Cinta

A tale of two star-crossed lovers, the story opens with Dewi, who is upset and heartbroken over her boyfriend.

She tries to commit suicide but is saved by a mysterious young man. Starring Fauziah Ahmad Daud, Azmil Mustapha and Richie Ricardo.

Sinema (TV9, 10pm) – Deejay

A radio deejay has a fan frequently calling in to her show.

One day he invites her for a date. But instead of turning up, she gives in to her shyness and asks a friend to fill in for her.

Starring Norsheha and Nazril Yusof.

New Straits Times