Agent 47 (Olyphant), a formidable gun-for-hire employed by "The Agency", is ensnared in a political conspiracy, which finds him pursued by Interpol and the Russian military as he treks across Eastern Europe.
3 - Hitman
Agent 47 (Olyphant), a formidable gun-for-hire employed by "The Agency", is ensnared in a political conspiracy, which finds him pursued by Interpol and the Russian military as he treks across Eastern Europe.
2 - Beowulf
In the 6th Century, a great warrior named Beowulf comes to defend the court of King Hrothgar from the monster Grendel, but on killing the beast, has Grendel's equally evil mother to contend with..
BOX OFFICE 08/12/2007
Set near the Rio Grande, No Country for Old Men traces a hunter's mysterious discovery of dead bodies, a packet containing heroin and over $2 million in cash. Pocketing the money, he suddenly finds himself pursued by two very different men; Tommy Lee Jones' world-weary sheriff Ed Bell, and Javier Bardem's psychotic assassin.
Spice Girls Deny Lip Synching at Comeback Gig
The Spice Girls have denied reports they lip-synched their way through theopening night of their world tour in Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday (02Dec07), insisting it was all live. The reformed five-piece wowed the sold-out crowd of 16,000 with hit after hit, but were accused by some critics of actually miming to a backing track.
However, a spokesperson for the group has dismissed the criticisms, saying, "All of the girls sang live. There is a click track for the band to keep them in time, which is standard, but all of the girls' vocals were live."
Nicole Kidman Now Highest Paid Actress
Nicole Kidman can claim a new crown. The Hours Oscar winner is the new chart-topper on the fifth annual list of highest-paid women actors in the film industry, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Kidman, who commanded a salary of nearly $22 million for her upcoming movie The Invasion (set for August 2007 release), rose from the No. 2 spot she previously held.
Julia Roberts, whose salary has reached $26 million a movie, was No. 1 for the first four years of the trade paper's ranking. But she didn't pop up on this year's list at all – having taken a break from the screen to star in the Broadway drama Three Days of Rain and to care for her twins with husband Danny Moder, Hazel and Phinnaeus.
Assuming the No. 2 spot by commanding $19 million per movie is this year's Walk the Line Best Actress Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon.
Jennifer Love Hewitt: 'A Size 2 Is Not Fat!'
It should be the time of her life for Jennifer Love Hewitt, instead the newly engaged actress is taking to the Internet to speak out about unflattering photos of herself snapped by the paparazzi during her Hawaiian getaway with fiancé, Scottish actor Ross McCall. "Like all women out there should, I love my body," Hewitt, 28, wrote on her blog after photos of her in a bikini hit the Web. "I know what I look like, and so do my friends and family." Hewitt, who has modeled for Hanes, explains, "I've sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women's bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I'm not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image." She adds, "A size 2 is not fat! Nor will it ever be. And being a size 0 doesn't make you beautiful. … To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a bikini – put it on and stay strong."
Celebs Cheer Jennifer Love Hewitt's Views on Weight
Celebs Cheer Jennifer Love Hewitt's Views on Weight
Jennifer Love Hewitt's now-famous "bikini blog post" and her critical comments about a celebrity culture obsessed with weight continue to reverberate. PEOPLE magazine's latest cover story, on newsstands Friday, gets the story behind Hewitt's experience, after she was widely ridiculed over photographs taken of her in a bikini from a recent Hawaiian vacation.And at the Dolce & Gabbana fragrance launch party in New York this week, several female celebrities told PEOPLE they felt solidarity with Hewitt. Here's what they had to say:
• Model Petra Nemcova: "There are different angles that everybody, even if you're in great shape, can look bad in a photograph. And printing these images is definitely influencing people's minds – the stars themselves, but also the people who are reading and looking at the images, the teenagers. It's definitely good that she spoke out."
• Rosario Dawson: "They'll make a whole story about it if someone gains 5 lbs. ... It think there is a huge obsession with size-zero jeans, and it's just really scary. I don't really know where that comes from. We're not really in the Twiggy era anymore. It makes me really nervous, because I don't know how in the world we're supposed to be that thin unless we're totally starving and drugging up."
• Anne Hathaway: "[As an actress], most of the year, your body is your own. But to be ridiculed for it is upsetting. But to also have to defend it or explain it or rejoice in it or put it down, or to be expected to have a public opinion about it ... I don't understand when that happened. I don't think women should only be defined by their bodies and their weight. It's a cycle we've been in for some time, and I don't really like it." Meanwhile, Hewitt herself shook off the controversy this week – with a trip to Disneyland with fiancé Ross McCall and three of their friends. "She went on a bunch of rides," says a friend of the 28-year-old actress. "She had a great time."
Paris Hilton & Stavros Niarchos Cause a Stir in Miami
Paris Hilton and Stavros Niarchos Photo by: Storms Media Group
Paris Hilton is turning heads in Miami this weekend as she's been hitting the clubs and smooching with on-again, off-again boyfriend Stavros Niarchos – and according to some eyewitnesses, clashing with club goers. Sources tell PEOPLE Hilton scuffled with club goers two nights in a row – Thursday at SET nightclub in Miami Beach, and again Friday night at Cameo – but no charges were filed with police and Hilton's rep denies Paris fought with anyone. "Paris did not slap anyone in Miami," the rep tells PEOPLE. Hilton, 26, and Niarchos, 22, who called it quits again last Spring, are in South Beach for the annual Art Basel art festival and for work. Hilton spent her time in Miami promoting her latest perfume fragrance Can Can at Macy's Dadeland mall. Before the nightclub incidents, the two dined together at the Forge.
This part of the divorce was sponsored by P***S !
Marriage, the last of the seemingly surviving sacred institutions just got sold for a paltry 1.5 Crore last week. The quoted amount also included the value and self-integrity of two individuals (in and out of Page3), in addition to the professional and moral ethics carefully built over the last three decades, in short, their lifetimes.
Picture this.
A canny marketing whiz, representing a Cosmetic Company on the verge of a comeback (duh?comeback?), zeroes in on a couple who have built up their professional and personal environments and who would not mind a little more publicity, and convinces them to proclaim to the world, one fine morning, that "Yes ,we are separating because of 'irreconcilable differences'..( I so love that term).
He manages to convince them, that this is all in the greater good of the cosmetic-loving general public, who would 'love to see you undergoing through this period of difficult time and emerging stronger by love at the end of it, which is so in tune with the corporate theme of the Cosmetics Relaunch affair.
And then of course, there is the organic cultured, environment friendly Carrot on the stick - 1.5 Crore !
And so the very next day, every single media company worth its microphone and intellectually questionable PYT claws into this breaking news with malicious glee.
'Malaika Khan and Arbaaz Khan reportedly heading for a divorce.'
And before you said ,face cream, every single 'expert' and fledgling papparazzi wanted a piece of the action.
'Discussion Experts' on prime time TV dissected celebrity marriages and the 'demanding toll it took on individual careers' and a tonne load of blah-blah, whether you liked it or not, were so affectionately served to you, courtesy your favourite TV channel.
And all the while, our canny ad-wizards and their team shared conspiratorial smiles and feedback with the Cosmetic Comeback Czars.
And then, one evening, the same TV channels and portals are caught with their collective foot-in-their -mouths when they realize that all of this was part of a publicity stunt for the launch of a range of NEW COSMETIC PRODUCTS of a leading Cosmetic Company.
No body looks handsome with a dunce-cap over their heads, you see.
Or caught with their commonsense-pants down in full National glare.
And so the same PYT's this time does a furious turn around, lick their wounds and go all cylinders blasting on the 'wretchedness' of it all.
While the couple, laughs away the 'triviality' of it all, and promises to exchange vows once again for the sake of love that has kept them together for the past decade.
And later during the next day, the full import of their actions for the past week strike the Star Couple, and they are at their apologetic best, repenting again, in the media.
They are profusely apologizing for the heartbreak and pain it caused to all their relatives, and loved ones. How all of this was not explained to them by the spokesman of the company before all hell broke loose. Though they hasten to add that the 1.5 Crore got in the bargain never hurt, but the reactions of their umpteen fans have left them devastated(duh!).
Agreed, everyone is looking for their 15 minutes of fame these days, more so in Tinselville, but is that all there is to Life?
Do they really think that someone is actually going to walk up to that tired and bored face in the Cosmetics Section of her friendly neighborhood Supermarket and ask 'Hey, do you have that Malaika divorce thingy
lip gloss?'
Ladies and Gentlemen, RGV is back
You can take RGV out of Bollywood, but you just cant take Bollywood out of RGV.
After that lemon called RGV ki Aag, Mister Maverick seemed to be under self-imposed hibernation till Sarkar Raj could finally take shape, spread wings and soar, just like the original Sarkar did.
Umm..did I say original?
Well, Godfather was always an inspiration, but RGV managed to make a decent interpretation out of it.
Unlike Sholay.
And unlike Sarkar, Sarkar Raj promises to be completely original(!), and is slated to be shades darker and better that Sarkar.
The First Look was unveiled last Sunday to a select audience, with Big B (Lead Actor, Movie Patriarch, Indulgent Father all rolled into one), who stood visibly beaming as the Real/Reel couple of the movie, spoke about their wedding anniversary, Karan Johar's Dostana, life after marriage, Shankar's ROBOT, ..and err..Sarkar Raj, via satellite from Miami where they are currently busy shooting.
Sarkar Raj is the next generation's take on current matters and the differences in ideologies in the Nagre family, between Sarkar (Subash Nagre a.k.a AB) and Shankar Nagre ( Abhishek Bachchan).
Anita Rajan (Ms.Aishwarya Rai Bachchan),CEO of an International Power Consortium brings a proposal to start a powerplant in rural Maharashtra and presents it in front of the Nagres'.
Nagre Junior jumps at the proposal, convinces senior Sarkar against his reservations, and accompanies Ms.CEO to the hinterland, to personally garner support for the project.
The rest of the movie is in true blue spirit of RGV, where double-dealings, blackmails and communal overtones all come together to a spectacular finale, with Jr and Sarkar caught spank in the middle.
Slated for release on June 6th, Sarkar Raj is co-written by Prashanth Pandey, whose Bollywood Value will rise or fall with this movie.
This also happens to be the second movie where the First Family comes together, the first one being Bunty and Babli.
Not that it helps in anyway with the fate of the movie.
But, given the frivolous limits to which our marketing mandarins go to market a movie these days, please don't be surprised to have this very fact being touted as the USP of the movie, if everything else fails.
Public memory being what it is, in another fortnight, the media would be awash with the teaser promos of the movie and before you know, you would be caught up in the media frenzy just like any other RGV release that came your way.
Yeh bhi hai Bollywood meri jaan
They ask me why I am such a Bollywood buff. They tell me that Bollywood is all crap – with running around trees and flowers mating, it's not even entertaining. They say Bollywood is mindless and for the bores!
I say there is Bollywood that moves, Bollywood that conveys a point, Bollywood that awakens conscience, Bollywood that has meaning that can shake our souls.
I am talking about Bollywood that is real in reel. I am talking about movies that have moved me, made me cry like nothing else can; movies that are truly a splendid piece of art that depicts reality.
It's been decades since the Hindu-Muslim wars have been on. It's been decades that we have all been hearing about those, sitting like voyeurs in our comfortable sofas, passing cynical judgements since that is all we are capable of doing.
Yet, a movie like Bombay shakes the very soul. To even think of what happened during those dreadful times of Hindu-Muslim riots in Mumbai, the pride of , tears our hearts out. Just watching the movie, after years of it being made, still made me go through the same various emotions that Mani Ratnam was trying to project – separation, fear, agony, trauma, pain and so many more that my limited vocabulary doesn't even allow me to describe. What might it have taken a man to think of these and have them emoted on screen – it has to be sheer passion to show the world what happened and sheer dedication to make it go through the emotions that he wanted to display.
I am not pointing out a good movie from a bad one, not critiquing the finer aspects of cinema making, not trying to give my version of what was and what could have been. All I am trying to appreciate here is the power of cinema. The power that engulfs people for those 3 hours and makes them see the world through the lens it wants them to wear, go through a change of heart while you're in it, with it. Bollywood is no different, not behind any other world-class cinema that transports people from their real worlds into the reality that it attempts at painting.
I have always been the sorts who gets moved by human atrocities, which is why maybe this is about all those movies that have attempted at pointing the same out. It is unfortunate that time and again, it has all boiled down to the same Hindu-Muslim issue, to the same old Mumbai blasts, the often remembered and feared Babri Masjid episode. All in vain because I don't think we have yet been able to see the point or the pointlessness of that. How could we when Mr. Advani has been accepted as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the next elections, when the very man responsible for the biggest black mark in recent times in Indian history is getting sympathy for his autobiographical book (that I see no point for even having been written)?
Movies like Bombay, Black Friday, Zakhm and even Dev etc have time and again tried to move our souls. It has taken bold men to make such movies that must have been traumatic to make, given the makers of the film must have lived the catastrophe day in and day out, which I can't seem to bear for the 3 hours that I get the opportunity of watching. And yet all we do is forget about such movies, as we do about such occurrences in our society and crib about Bollywood being a farce and the Hindu-Muslim issue a mere political power struggle.
Both might be true to some extent, but how can we even begin to overlook the effect they both have on us, the influence they can possibly have on our minds and the impact they have on our society?
This might be a boring and un-called-for piece of writing for many but to me, it is a reiteration of the fact that social causes are our own to accept and Bollywood that attempts at shaking our conscience is our own to respect.
Hrithiks' Fading Fame
Alright, I have just found a piece of bollywood news that im sure all bollywood fans would love to see. This story is so intresting and so well presented that its better we just give you the link instead of telling it in an incomparible and boring story. This is about Hrithiks' fame in bollywood and after this, you can be the judge if he's just looking for the right film still, or he is just a one hit wonder. Here it is, Hrithiks Fading Fame brought to you by Smash Hits.com and their segment, Zoom in. Also, be free to see some other stories set up by this great website.
Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star
Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star
STARTING APRIL 11, on Fridays and Saturdays, at 10pm, Star Plus is coming up with ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar’- a platform that identifies the most popular small screen musical reality idol between the ‘Champions’ (winners) and ‘Challengers’ (runner-ups) of the popular musical reality shows such as ‘Amul Star Voice of India’, ‘Indian Idol’, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’, ‘Fame Gurukul’ etc.
The jury of the show boasts of some prominent names like ace choreographer and Bollywood director; Farah Khan and music director duo; Vishal-Shekhar. And lifting the spirits on the sets, apart from adding a dash of glamour, is the host Mandira Bedi.
Adnan Sami 'Lifts' Indian Idol to new Heights!
Indian Idol has reached its penultimate stage. The top three are in place. The three young men were looking like rock stars. They are singing at their best. Today Adnan Sami 'Lifts' the Sprits of the Top 3 Contestants in Indian Idol. Everybody was as delighted as the contestants to have him on stage with the contestants singing Aa raha hoon main from Dhamaal the film that boasts of having Adnan as the music composer. Each contestant sang two songs each… all Kishore Kumar numbers of Adnan's choice.
Emon swept everybody off their feet with his opening number…Yeh jo mohhabat hai from Kati Patang. After last week's controversy and arguments about his singing, Javed Akhtar was very happy with his singing and performance. Prashant followed it up with a delightful rendition of Ek ladki beegi bhaagi si.. Annu Malek's whole hearted praise reduced the young man to tears. It was the first time anybody had showered him with so much praise. When Amit sang, time seemed to stand still. The judges were unanimous in their verdict…the film industry has found a new singing sensation they said.
In the next round the contestants dedicated songs to their loved ones. Emon dedicated Banke tera jogi to his parents. Prashant dedicated to his friends in the police force Bheege honth tere… Amit the emotional one amongst them dedicated to his grand mother … Betaab dil… for which he bagged full marks from Javed Akhtar.
The evening ended on a high note with the jugalband between Adnan and Fazal Qureishi the talented younger brother of Ustad Zakir Husain.
Amit Paul has all the trappings of an Indian Idol
He is good looking; he sings like a dream, he is a ladies’ man. He is Amit Paul. He hails from Shillong. He can sing in Hindi, English, Nepali, Khasi and Bengali too, that is when he isn’t singing in Tamil and Telegu etc. Is that good enough to be the next Indian Idol? The next week will tell. Soft spoken and well mannered, Amit Paul is a hit with women wherever he goes. This multi talented youngster auditioned for Indian Idol for a lark. Only after moving ahead in each round, did his confidence grow. But when his best friend and buddy Bhavin was voted out of Indian Idol, an emotional Amit could not go ahead with his performance. Overcome by emotions he forgot his lines. It did not go down well with the judges, but when he revealed the real reason for forgetting his lines, he won over the viewers and the judges as well. Viewers voted him back in the Wild Card round. Amit has not looked back since. Having felt the angst of elimination, he practices hard and remains the most focused contestant on the show. With each week, he has gone from strength to strength in his performances. The judges are amazed by his determined fight back. They see in him the next Indian Idol. So do most people, going by the flood-gates of votes that have opened for him. If Amit Paul is your choice for Indian Idol; go ahead and vote for him in large numbers. It is your chance to play an important role in giving the Indian music
industry a voice to be proud of.
Voting public to be blamed for bad singers coming in Indian Idol
Sony Entertainment Television is strongly denying the rumours going around that there is some rigging going in Indian Idol voting process. An offical source said, "We have a reputed third party organization which audits the voting process, which is very fair. People are wrongly blaming us for Emon's and Chang's Ouster, You don't vote for the right singer, and then cry about a lesser person coming ahead. Prashant has a sizable number of people in his home area and the police force who are voting en block , so he is winning." The source went on, "Don't the judges (Alisha wanted to walk out ) also complain about audiences voting pattern? Although Emon was a good singer, we alway knew that he will be out, because he did not have required public support."On the question of making the vote figures public, our source said, "The format(
Indian idol is international format) does not allow for the same . And secondly, if we do give the voting figures, will it not affect the next rounds result?". Taking a dig at the opposition, the source further went on to say that both those shows(Sa Re Gama SVOI) are homegrown and could have had the judges saving the contestants( which we cannot do, due to above format restriction) , but even then they prefer to ape us. When reminded that something similar had happened during Qazi victory in Fame Gurukul2, the source empathetically denied any wrong doing even then too. "We Indian's like the underdog and support him, hence Qazi came ahead..
So please vote for your favorite contestant rather then just crib.
Indian Idol finalists Rock Mumbai!
The stage at Nirmal Lifestyle, Mumbai was on fire as the two Indian Idol finalists, Prashant Tamang and Amit Paul rocked the city with their performances. The show started off Hussain, Amit and Prashant welcomed the audience in their own typical ways. Then Sanjay Dutt made a guest appearance on stage to cheer for two competitors and to also thank the audience for their support during his crucial time. With the festive occasion of Ganesh Chathurthi coming up, Sanjay and the contestants performed the Ganapati Arti on stage Sanjay quickly bid everyone a farewell, after officially giving the count down to the voting lines being open and followed it up by singing a song from the movie - Kaante and by talking a little about his latest release - Dhamaal.
Soon after Sanjay’s exit, Amit and Prashant consecutively took over the stage. Amit made the audience fall in love with love all over again by singing - Pehla Nasha, Nasha yeh Pyaar Ka Nasha Hain, and Yaad Aa Rahan Hain Tera Pyaar…Later, Prashant got the entire crowd on their tows by singing - Rind Posh Mal from Mission Kashmir, Dil Ne from Kaho Na pyaar hain, and Bas Ek Pal.
Soon after the performances, Ritesh Deshmukh joined the performers and spoke to the audience about his new film - Dhamaal. Karishma Tanna did a little jig with the guys on - Ishq Di galli from No Entry. Preeti Saberwal and Vidya from Chak De India, too came to wish both men the very best for the finale, and presented them with a hockey stick each. Then for duo again rock the stage. The audience were simply crazy about them.
Indian Idol is now in a stage of finish to the finals. As the voting lines are open so start voting for your favorite contestant. Today Bollystar Bipasha and John Abraham is going to come to boost the spirit of Indian Idol.
John Vs Bipasha in Indian Idol
John Abraham and Bipasha team up with Indian Idol Finalists;Amit Paul and Prashant Tamang. Bipasha choose to support Amit while John Choose Prashant. Their "Goal" is to support and boost the two competitors before the finals . So with the battle lines drawn and the sides picked, there was no time to waste as the fabulous fight of music rolled on.
In the first round, each contestant sang a song of their choice. In the second, they sang a song given by the other as challenge. Prashant sang Amit's choice of song for him "Badi mushkil hai" so beautifully that Anu Malik vote hom for the Indian Idol title. Prashant's challenge for Amit was to sing Bulla ki jaana main kaun.. Amit got a standing ovation from all the four judges for it!
In the final segment both contestants sang Tanhaiyee… from Dil chahta hai… the judges found it hard to decide who was better. It is going to be even harder for the viewers, this is a fact. Once again every viewer wishes that the best man wins the Indian Idol title. Go ahead and select your BHARAT KI SHAAN!!
“I want to rule the music industry” - EMON CHATTERJEE
When the heartbeat of Indian Idol, Emon is eliminated everybody including Mini and Anu Maliik, cried for him but he did not shed a single tear. He came across as a brave soldier, who is ready to take the Indian film industry by storm.
You seem to have taken the verdict quite sportingly. Or are you hiding your disappointment?
I am not hiding anything. Definitely I am sad that I’ve to leave now. But it`s ok… it is a part of the game. It could have been anyone’s turn this time. It could have been Prashant bhaiya or it could have been me. Now I’ll go out of here, practice hard and become the best singer. I promise that to those who voted for me.
Did you expect it?
I did expect it today. We have come to a stage in the contest when anyone can be eliminated. It could have been Amit or Prashant, too. If I was shocked then I would have cried a lot and said ‘I don’t want to go’. I didn’t say a single word. Today was my turn to go… it’s that simple.
Does this verdict prove that Prashant and Amit are better singers than you?
Won’t say better singers… but it is for sure that my training helped me a lot in my good singing, while Prashant bhaiya has never received training… still he sings well. This is a huge thing. Apart from this, he is a very good human being.
About Amit bhaiya, from day one I said that he has the talent to be the Indian Idol. He is original. No one ever said that he imitates anyone and he consistently gave good performance. He is an able candidate to be the Indian Idol.
Do you imitate Sonu Nigam consciously or it is just a coincident?
Absolutely not. I never consciously imitate him. And I don’t believe I sound like Sonu Nigam at all. Two people can be similar in looks and voice… it can happen everywhere. It is just a coincidence. Why should I imitate him? After all he is already there in the music industry… why would people take me if he is already there… why should I imitate someone who is ruling the music industry?
Javed declared that you can neither make it as a playback singer nor as a stage performer. Are you willing to challenge him and prove him wrong?
I don’t want to comment on that… I guess he was hurt or irritated by something… it`s ok… he is an elder and he is the best lyricist in India… I`d rather not talk about his talent. But he advised me that I shouldn’t sound like Sonu Nigam and I’ll defiantly work hard to sound different. I have a dream that one day I’ll sing a song written by him and composed by Anu Maliik. Hope, it comes true one day.
You said that you want to be a true Indian Idol. Tell us about it.
I meant that I want to be an Idol in the true sense. The real idol for the masses… the people of India. I want to take music career to new heights. I want to rule the music industry.
Who would you vote for? Amit or Prashant?
I’ll vote for both. But otherwise I would pray that Amit bhaiya wins. It`s not that Prashant bhaiya is not good. He is a good singer, but Amit bhaiya is even better. I want Amit Paul to be the Indian Idol.
What are your future plans?
I want to work a lot harder on my voice and be the best singer in India. After my board exams I want to come back to Mumbai to start my career in the film industry.
Will you try acting?
If I get a chance then I’ll definitely give it a try. But the deal would be that I get to sing for myself in the movie. I would like to be like Kishore Kumar—who was a good actor, composer, music director, lyricist and producer all packed into a single personality. I would like to be a versatile performer.
AMIT VS PRASHANT ? Who Will Win The Crown!!
This struggling singer had given up his studies to pursue his passion. When the chance to participate in Indian Idol came along, Amit Paul thought it was a godsend. But his dreams seemed to be in danger of dying even before they matured. He was voted out early in the show.
But he got a second lease of life through a wild card entry. And there has been no looking back since. This perfectionist is now in the finals. Will the `find of Indian Idol`, as the judges call him, be crowned the winner.
Public Voting in Reality Shows - Boon or Bane?
As the jungs between contestants in our favourite musical reality shows are growing nearer, we, as the viewers, are clinging onto our seats, in utter anxiousness to see if our winner will come to the end. How can we assure that our favourite will make it to the top? Well, if you've got no mobile or cell phone, you're pretty much out of luck. For years together now, the basis of voting in music shows have been us, the janta. We make the final decision of who wins the title and who doesn't - but is this fair?Tears fall from our eyes when we see our favourite contesants get eliminated from a show and lose their chance of becoming India's next voice. This gives the incentive for viewers to not blame themselves, but rather, the channel. Whose fault is this?Channel heads will blame it on the public voters - after all, it's use who send hundreds of SMS messages everyday to keep our favourites at the top, but when we see them go, who do we blame? The last resort is to blame the format of the musical reality shows, where this question arises - should we continue to have public voting as the final decision maker for the shows? If talented contestants are getting ousted out each week, then should the judges have the final say in who goes and who stays? What should be the actual format for these shows?We cannot decide ourselves, but we can surely think. Is public voting the way to go? Are we able to trust our janta to the fullest and make sure that talent wins over everything else, or must the judges and other important factors be forced to play a key role as well?
Kolkata is taken by storm
It was a never before musical night at Kolkata. Amit and Prashant looked as excited The crowd kept on cheering them. Amit and Prashant sang one after another. Both of them were looking great and performed superbly. A sweet Bengali girl came up the stage and asked Amit out for a date. Amit blushed like a boy! Soon, glittering stars like Usha Uthup, Anu Maliik, Mona Singh and finally Zubin Garg came to boost them up. Usha sang Saiyoni and Hari om Hari with them. Zubin sang Ya Ali with both the finalists. The show ended with some great performances by cool duos.
Countdown begins for Indian Idol
The countdown has began in the northeast for today's final of the Indian Idol singing contest with two finalists -Darjeeling-born Prashant Tamang and Meghalaya's Amit Paul - getting an overwhelming response from people of the region. Tamang, declared a brand ambassador by the Sikkim goverment, has received support from several associations of journalists, taxi drivers, tribal youths and businessmen as well as ministers and MLAs. Huge banners and hoardings have been put up across Sikkim that hail the young singer as the "glory of the hills". His mother has toured different parts of the state to make emotional appeals to people to vote for him on the reality show. GNLF chief Subash Ghising, AIGL Chairman Madan Tamang and CPI-M MP Suraj Pathak have also campaigned for Tamang in the Darjeeling Hills. In Meghalaya, the telecom department has assured people that they will not face any line congestion during the show featuring local lad Paul. A car rally was organised in Guwahati today to mobilise support for him. Several other functions were also organised in the past few days to garner support for Paul, who hails from Meghalaya's capital Shillong.
The Countdown Begins to Crowning Bharat Ki Shaan
As pulse rates get higher, and time ticks by, the whole Nation is gearing up to witness the Indian Idol Grand Finale Tonight. So Are You All ready for the Finale??
The Final Countdown has Begun and we are just a few hours away from crowning our new Bharat Ki Shaan...The Indian Idol Finalists Prashant Tamang and Amit Paul are just one step away from reaching the pinnacle of Success, as their fate will be written tonight in the Grand Finale. Whatever the result be, the whole Nation has fallen flat for these two Future Rock stars and Singing Sensations! On the eve of the Grand Finale, Amit Paul and Prashant Tamang savoured the dream-opportunity of meeting the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh at his office. The small-town boys who have become the Nation's Pride now, were believed to be overjoyed with this interaction. Back in their hometowns, the tension associated with the Grand Finale seems to have peaked to no end, as the voting lines close at 6 in the evening today.
Indian Idol is surely going to have one nail-biting finish, with the whole Nation rooting for both Amit Paul and Prashant Tamang. Well, as time ticks by, the Music Lovers all across the Globe have only one common prayer to say – May the Best Talent Win!
Prashant Tamang is Bharat Ki Shaan, The Indian Idol 3
Hailing from Darjeeling, Prashant has now become the Boy Next door, as he has managed to walk into the hearts of the people of India, with his lively songs. John Abraham declared the name of the winner at a glittering function in New Delhi. An ecstatic Prashant hugged his parents and thanked the Kolkata Police, judges and his fans as he accepted the prize--a one-crore music contract and a Maruti SX car. After months of hard work, perseverance and dedication, the 24 year old Prashant Tamang reached to the winning title in grand style. From being a part of the police force in Kolkata, to being the youth icon of the country, Prashant surely has come a long way. With a total of 7 crore votes that came in, Prashant Tamag got away with the maximim votes.
The runner up of third season on Indian Idol was the young heart throb of millions - Amit Paul. Amit not only managed to make it to the top 2, with the wild card entry, but was also chosen as the Brand Ambassador of Meghalaya during his journey in Indian Idol. Along with Prashant Tamag, Amit Paul too was gifted a brand new Maruti S4 car, for his brilliant performance. Both the contestants were gifted a Sony Erricson mobile phone, apart from the love and fame that they recieved over the last three months from people all over the world. We wish the lucky winner - Prashant Tamang a hearty congratulations, and wish Amit the very best for future.
'My world has changed overnight' --- Prashant Tamang
He's tired and excited simultaneously. He's extremely eager to go back home and meet his friends and family. The 24-year-old is yet to come out of the dream run that has just ended a few days ago.
Are you relieved?
Quite. I can't believe that from a nobody I‘ve suddenly become note worthy. My world has changed overnight. I am stunned to see that so many people gathered outside the airport to see me.
Aren't you a star now?
If I am, I owe it to all those who voted for me. I can't stop thanking them. There are quite a few people in Darjeeling and Kolkata who are special to me. I would like to meet and thank them.
You mean your colleagues in the Kolkata police department?
Yes. I know how aggressively they have campaigned for me. My seniors too who have given me so much love.
What about the celebrations back home in Darjeeling?
I heard that a holiday has been declared there and people burst crackers all night. I'm happy that I could make their dream come true.
Weren't you under pressure till you were declared the winner? Who wouldn't have been under pressure?
I would be lying between my teeth if I said I wasn't. But more than myself, I
was concerned about my mother. I could see her tense face in the crowd and knew that if I didn't win her dreams of seeing me as a singer would be shattered. Fortunately, nothing went wrong.
Didn't the announcement shatter Amit Paul's dreams?
That upsets me. I would have been equally happy if he had won. We have both got a platform. It will help us in the future. Everyone likes to win. Amit and I had become very close friends. We will continue to be.. the show's result will not affect us.
Any plans to become a professional singer now?
Definitely. So far the votes have done miracles for me. But now it's up to me and I won't let the chance slip away. I would love to sing in films too apart from the album.
What about your job with the Kolkata police?
I haven't decided yet. I have won only a few days ago. The euphoria is still there. But I am confident that my superiors will help and support me in making my dreams come true.. just the way they have been helpful so far.
We are friends and we will be friends: Prashant, Amit
Till the last few minutes before Prashant Tamang was declared the third Indian Idol, Amit Paul and him, the best of friends, kept holding hands. And when Prashant won the title, the happiness and joy was noticeable on Amit’s face too. I am really happy that my best friend has won the title, so what if I did not win, it has gone to the same house as he is my family, Amit told. To me both of us are winners and I would have been happy even if Amit would have won it, he has been with me since the beginning, added Prashant. Now, the doors are open, the birds are flying and the world is colourful for both of them after this dream-come-true event. While Prashant got a one-year contract with contest organisers Sony, Amit is confident that he will also get a number of opportunities. Now there is no looking back, I want to win the hearts of millions of people with the help of my talent and I hope this will happen, Amit maintained. But for Prashant there is a matter of concern: he has to take permission from his Kolkota police employers to make his passion a profession. I will go back to Kolkota and take the permission of my seniors to go on singing, he said. Prashant, a 24-year-old Kolkata constable of Nepali origin, hails from Darjeeling, while Amit, also 24, is from Shillong.The two singers have different expectations from Indian Idol-4 next year. One says it’s the best as it is and the other feels changes are required. I don’t think any change is required. Indian Idol is best as it is, said Amit. Prashant felt the contest should go to small towns too as there is a lot of talent there. Till the time they explore this they won’t find the true talent. Prashant attributed the bulk of his 70 million SMSs to his friends in the Kolkota police and to Mayor TB Rai of Mirik town in West Bengal. I am really thankful to my Kolkota police friends who encouraged me to participate in the show, he said.
Deepali's Take on Life after Indian Idol
Deepali, one of the popular contestants of the recently ended Musical Reality, Indian Idol talks about her life post Indian Idol.
Life after Indian Idol: Life has changed completely; I am a different person altogether now. My personality has changed for the better, I am more confident. Socially, people have started recognizing us and they love us.
Your First Stint as a Playback Singer: I sang with Emon for Annu Malekji. I don’t remember the movie name, but it was a Shakti Productions banner. It was a soft romantic song.
Your take on Annu Malek, the Music Director: We all thought that Annuji was very strict, but it was so nice working with him. He was like a father to me and Emon, we learnt a lot from him.
Friends with all? : Yes, we are all in touch. We are contenders later, but firstly, we are friends..
Any new offers in the pipeline: We are doing many shows for the channel, but nothing more as a playback singer.
Rocked the night after the finals, did you? : Yes, we all had a blast after the finals. We danced the whole night and had a blast.
Your best ever Concert performance: It has to be the concert I did with Prashant in Nepal. That was the best show, people there love Prashant a lot. It was raining badly, it was cold too, but all in the crowd danced their way thro’ the night and enjoyed. It was absolutely flashing, was a Hit Show.
Shifting base to Mumbai? : I really don’t know. I want to shift, but if I do, I will have to come with my mom. I cannot imagine of staying alone. When we are busy with shows, it is fine. Otherwise, I am totally jobless, and it hurts being alone.
Deepali, the Performer or the Singer: Deepali is a better performer now, after Indian Idol. But I can never compromise on my singing; I have always been like that. But now, I sing with lot of attitude that it really looks like a performance. This is a learning curve, so I am learning.
Your Future Plans: I want to establish myself as a playback singer, but it is a very tough route ahead. You can see many struggling to reach there. I need to work hard on my voice and singing. I think I need to prepare even harder for the next few years to reach this level.
Any Bollywood Aspirations: No, Deepali is better off as a singer. There are many who are more beautiful than me. As of now, I want to concentrate on singing.
Tisca Chopra says Working in Taare Zameen Par has been the most splendid experience
Praise from Aamir Khan for her realistic performance as the boy's mother in Taare Zameen Par wasn't enough.
The talented Tisca Chopra has been asked by none other than Naseeruddin Shah to take a few classes and teach the new students at Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International School, when not shooting!!
Says Tisca,"It is definitely a great honor for me to get the opportunity to be part of Mr Ghai's magnificent school and I hope to teach as many classes as I can when I am not shooting! Working in Taare Zameen Par has been the most splendid experience and I hope to get many projects like this soon!!
"Stoneman" is the latest film on real life crimes
Entitled "Stoneman", the film will present the notorious real life criminal in the thriller format featuring K.K. Menon and Arbaaz Khan as cops.
Says Arbaaz: "What makes this real life story interesting is the way it has been written. Manish Gupta, who has written Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar", has converted the gruesome serial killings into a thriller. Such is the screenplay that the needle of suspicion points to all the characters, including me and K.K. Menon."
"Stoneman" is the latest film on real life crimes. Decades ago, R.K. Nayyar shot "Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke" about a real life murder. Most recently, Anurag Basu's "Gangster - A Love Story" was inspired by the life and crimes of Abu Salem.
Amitabh agree to act in sequel to the old Don
It seems that Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan who were called as senior and the junior DON dons will again battle at the box office.Farhan Akhtar is made his success in making the sequel for his latest Don-The chase begins Again” which released in 2006,.
Katrina thinks that it’s time to move onto new roles
Actress KATRINA KAIF has had a blast doing comedy films, but now she thinks that it’s time to move on. Having got herself what she calls “a body of hits”, Katrina is now looking for more meat in her roles. “Enough is enough, otherwise audiences would start to believe that being a prop in comedy films is all I can do,” she said.
“I’ve done a series of them. Even Namastey London was comic, though it offered me a brilliant role. But I got a shock when I saw how much of me was there. More often than not the girl just hangs around in our comedies. I’ve done that repeatedly from my first film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. It does get a bit boring, she said.
Ask her if Welcome and then Singh Is Kingg (both with Akshay) were her last two comedies and the diplomat in Katrina surfaces. “I wouldn’t like to say anything so definite. As for Welcome, I’m quite kicked by it. This film is going to have the audiences hysterical with laughter. More than anything else, Anees Bazmee is a fantastic writer. I laughed at the scenes even while reading the script,” shared Katrina.
Hard to believe, but Welcome was one of the first films that Katrina signed. “Yes, it has been in the making for a long time. she said.
Branded a hit actress, especially with Akshay Kumar, Katrina must be burdened with the thought of making Welcome work. But the actual outcome depends on destiny.
Kareena Kapoor will no more appear in Item Songs for a while
This year has been a year of travel : Amrita Rao
Born on 17th June , 1981, a Gemini knows Hindi, English, Marathi and Konkani. Amrita Rao with her cute , natural beauty ventured into the big world of Hindi Movies while she was auditioning for an advertisement of Fairever fairness cream ad. She never aspired to be a full time actress as she was born into a well to do Chitrapur Brahmin family but destiny had a lot in store for her when she got selected for that advertisement . She was selected for the close –up ad and after that she became the model for top brands of the country. After that she never had to turn back and has been loaded with numerous offers both for movies and advertisements. Her debut film was Ab ke Baras realesed in 2002 for which she even got nomination for the screen weekly awards for the Most Promising Newcomer .She came out as a real winner with her dancng skills , innocent looks and decent acting skills . She was later seen in Rajkumar Santoshi's The Legend of Bhagat Singh. But all the while she was not much of a recognized face in the film industry. It was Ken ghosh's 'Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar' which brought her to public notice.
This year has been a year of travel and living out of the suitcase for Amrita Rao. But Christmas is thankfully going to be in Mumbai. “I’ll be back in Mumbai from Jaisalmer on Christmas day and I am really looking forward to my return. In fact, I have always loved the spirit of celebration in this city. During festivals, it becomes only more beautiful. I plan to drive down to Mount Mary Church for midnight mass.” Here’s to the X’mas spirit!
Mithun has become as good as the best in the industry
Mithun Chakraborty is perfect actor ,said by the film industry.
Director of Don Muthuswami, Ashim Samanta says that “Mithun has become as good as the best in the industry. He had asked us for the entire script of the film in advance, and would daily ask us which scenes we were shooting.
He would then go through the scenes, make his notes and rehearse the scenes with all the artistes four to five times. Whether others liked it or not, they had to practise the scene before the take. Naturally, this reduced my burden.” We’re sure the filmmakers are happy with their perfect casting. they adds.
It was a very strange and nice feeling: KARISMA KAPUR
For the first time the famous Karisma Kapur did his first ramp walk in the city and, well, proved again that she can be a showstopper.
she says, "It was a very strange and nice feeling. I did it only for my friend Manish Malhotra. This is the very first time that I walked the ramp and I would not have done it for anybody other than Manish."
But it was husband Sunjay who got the full impact of his wife’s appearance and couldn’t stop gushing. "I came only to see her walk the ramp." And the moment Karisma appeared on the ramp, he said, "My God, doesn’t she look gorgeous?"
"As an actress, I have always believed in quality work. So, once I feel that the script is good enough to make me face the camera again, you will definitely get to know about it."she adds.
The gold is the way to go:Lara Dutta
Lara Dutta has a unique collection of fine gold jewellery.
Lara Dutta is just the appropriate face to represent the conscious women of today who is fashion-savvy and would go ahead and pamper herself with gold.
The actress has been associated with a gold jewellry brand for four years now, and she tells us that gold is the way to go.
“The way the prices of the metal are appreciating is amazing!” With her last few hits, we are sure Lara’s fee is also appreciating. At this she laughs and says, “It’s a good feeling to have some good films under your belt.” And this Golden Girl is simply basking in her glorious golden moments.
Aamir Khan to tie the knot today
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is all set to tie the knot with his longtime beau Kiran Rao at a simple ceremony in Mumbai today, after which the couple would head towards the cool climes of Panchagani for a gala celebration.
This will be the second marriage for Aamir, who has divorced his first wife Reena some time back but first one for Rao.
Speed apologises for 'sad' end to CWC
International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed apologised Sunday for the "very sad way" the World Cup Final finished amidst farcical scenes in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday.
Players and spectators at the Kensington Oval, not to mention millions of television viewere, were left baffled by the climax to Saturday's match which saw Australia celebrate victory twice and forced Sri Lanka to bat in pitch-black darkness on a ground without floodlights.
A team of officials, including on-field umpire Steve Bucknor, standing in a record fifth World Cup final, managed to overlook a standard playing condition.
This states that once 20 overs have been bowled in both innings enough cricket has been played to have a result declared under the Duckworth/Lewis system for rain-affected games.
Instead the teams, following instructions from Bucknor and Pakistan's Aleem Dar, the other on-field umpire, came back on to bowl three more overs in gathering gloom in a match Australia then won by 53 runs under the D/L system.
Speed, flanked by ICC general manager David Richardson who oversees the sport's elite officials, told a Kensington Oval news conference on Sunday: "David and I are here today on behalf of ICC to say to the wider stakeholders of the game that we too are very sorry this incident occurred at the end of what, on any view, had been an outstanding day of cricket.
"It was an unecessary error, a fundamental error, it was made under difficult circumstances at the end of the match.
"It was unfortunate, a very sad way to finish the World Cup. I hope we can recall the great day's cricket we had before this very unfortunate ending."
One consolation was that, with Australia well ahead, the incorrect ruling didn't affect the outcome.
Former South Africa wicketkeeper Richardson couldn't explain how a group including match referee Jeff Crowe and experienced third umpire Rudi Koertzen could make such a basic mistake.
"We've tried to come up with an explanation and we can't. We've spoken to them (the officials) and they are at a loss to try to explain.
"I can only say it's similar to the situation where you are sitting at home and the answer to a quiz question on TV looks very simple and you just lose your train of thought when you are in that heated, pressure situation.
"If you do get sidetracked by the pressure situation it only takes one guy to sow a seed of doubt in the other people's minds."
Crowe, a former New Zealand batsman, suggested on Saturday that South Africa's Koertzen had initiated the sequence of events that led to the final's bizarre conclusion and Richardson said: "I think that's quite correct."
He added: "What worries me, as the guy ultimately responsible for how match officials perform is that we get ourselves into a pressure situation and we are not able to cope with it.
"That's what it's about, whether you are playing or officiating.
"Everybody knows, you all know, certainly as players once we got to 20 overs (in the second innings), we all used to rub our hands and say 'tomorrow's off'. I'm sure you think the same way and the umpires do as well, funnily enough. It just went a bit cloudy."
Speed insisted no member of the five-man playing control team faced instant dismissal but Richardson said: "Malcolm has said we are not going to over-react but we are certainly going to take it very seriously and look at how it could have happened."
World Cup referee Crowe admits error
World Cup match referee Jeff Crowe admitted on Saturday that Sri Lanka had been mistakenly asked to come back on the field for a final three overs in the rain-reduced World Cup final against Australia.
Australia were celebrating their third consecutive World Cup victory after the Sri Lanka batsman had gone off for bad light when the teams were told they would have to complete the final three overs or come back on Sunday to finish the match.
The game, in fact, was already completed under international cricket rules because Sri Lanka had batted the minimum 20 of their reduced allotted 36 overs and failed to reach their target.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting and his Sri Lanka counterpart Mahela Jayawardene agreed that the Australian spinners, instead of fast bowlers, would bowl the final overs because of the bad light.
Crowe told a news conference the highly experienced umpiring team of himself, on-field referees Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar and the third and fourth umpires Rudi Koertzen and Billy Bowden would take collective responsibility for the error.
"It's a human error," he said. "It was a mistake," said Crowe who indicated that Koertzen had first suggested the game could continue on Sunday.
COLLECTIVE MISTAKE
"Rudi was talking about the allowances and obviously he was talking about the possibility of tomorrow and we were all there and Steve Bucknor heard the same information and so did Aleem Dar," said Crowe.
"I don't think it was Rudi's mistake, I think it was a collective mistake. The fact that maybe Rudi might have suggested it early doesn't mean the other umpires couldn't have over-ruled him.
"The two on-the-field umpires are the ones that are actually controlling the match," said Crowe.
Jayawardene said he realised the match was over when his batsmen were offered the option of going off for bad light.
"The umpires said we had to play three overs," he told a news conference. "We were surprised, we found out later they had got it wrong," he said.
"Before I went out to the middle I did try to explain to the third umpire but they had already made up their minds," he added.
The Sri Lankan captain had said that he had taken his players off because, with the game effectively lost, he did not want them facing quick bowlers in very poor light.
"I didn't want to put my guys at risk and that was a call I made," he said.
Victorious Australia skipper Ponting said he thought Dar was kidding him when he interrupted the team's celebrations to tell him three overs would have to be played on Sunday.
"I actually thought he was having a bit of a joke with us to try and stop our celebrations or something. He said 'it looks like you'll have to come back tomorrow and play three overs'.
"I stopped and looked at him and said 'mate, we've played the 20 overs, we've finished the game'. It was a little bit disappointing way to end a World Cup," Ponting said.
Ponting hails unbelievable Gilchrist knock
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting hailed Adam Gilchrist for his "unbelievable" 149 after sweeping to an unprecedented hat-trick of consecutive World Cup titles on Saturday.
Wicketkeeper Gilchrist scored the biggest and fastest hundred in a World Cup final to cap Australia's virtually unchallenged run through the tournament with a 53-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Kensington Oval.
"He hasn't played a better one," Ponting said. "To go out in a World Cup final and play 149 off 104 balls, hardly missed the middle of the bat for most of the day, it is an unbelievable innings.
"One of the best innings you will ever see and it was one of the best innings I have ever seen.
"Matty Hayden in many ways has been the batsman of the tournament and he (Gilchrist) has been at the other end looking pretty shaky and scratching.
"There was one difference in both teams today, in the outcome of the game and that was Gilly's innings.
"To take the game away from the opposition as Gilly did was pretty special stuff and to happen in the final says a lot about the bloke."
Gilchrist has scored half centuries at least in each of his three World Cup final appearances.
Aussies are extra special - Jayawardene
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene believes that Australia have that something extra which separates champions from the others.
Australia won the World Cup for a record third successive time when they completed a 53-run victory on Duckworth-Lewis method against Sri Lanka in virtual darkness at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday.
"I think they always keep improving. A lot of teams have competed really well against Australia in the past, but maybe when they come to a big tournament they seem to have that little bit of extra," said Jayawardene.
"They have different ways of going about things. They went unbeaten when it was difficult to remain unbeaten in the tournament because of different conditions and opposition, but they played really good cricket."
Australia are unbeaten in their 29 Cup matches beginning with 1999, with their last 22 wins coming under Ricky Ponting's captaincy.
"Probably wait for some of their players to retire soon. One (fast bowler Glenn McGrath) is going," Jayawardene said when asked of the gap between Australia and other nations.
"We thought we had a very decent chance in the final. We initially thought that it's a 100-over game and had an even chance, but they proved us wrong. They have some very good players who deliver in big games."
The Sri Lankan captain was all praise for Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist who smashed an unbeaten 149 - the highest ever in a World Cup final - off 104 balls with eight sixes and 13 fours.
Man-of-the-match Gilchrist's blitz helped Australia post a challenging 281-4 off 38 overs. Sri Lanka were 206-7 after their a rain-revised target of 269 off 36 overs.
"That was a brilliant innings and unfortunately I was the opposing captain looking at it. He did the same to us in one of the VB finals at Brisbane," Jayawardene said, referring to Gilchrist's century at Brisbane last year.
"I can't take anything away from our guys because they bowled in good areas. It was solid hitting. You can't control when Gilly is in that kind of mood and it was difficult chasing after that."
Jayawardene said he was still satisfied with his team's performance in the tournament because the players put in a lot of hard work.
"I am very proud of the guys because they put in very good effort. When we were leaving Sri Lanka, we were a good team but no one expected us to be in the final," said Jayawardene.
"We proved a lot of people wrong because we worked very hard in the last six months. I am really proud of the way the guys performed in the tournament.
"I am disappointed with the final because this is a lifetime opportunity for you to win a World Cup. We didn't play that well, but obviously it was because of a brilliant knock."
"You try different things, but sometimes even a mistimed shot went over the ropes, so it was Gilly for you. You just have to wait for an opportunity. I thought 240-250 would have been a very score competitive to chase."
Sri Lanka looked in the game when opener Sanath Jayasuriya (63) and wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara (54) put on 116 for the second wicket.
"The way Sanath and Sanga chased we thought we had a chance, but after the rain we had to go for the Duckworth-Lewis method and take few chances. We lost three wickets and that was it," said Jayawardene.
Gilchrist credits squash ball after heroics
Australia's Adam Gilchrist credited a squash ball stuffed inside his glove after pulverising Sri Lanka's bowlers with his match-winning 149 in the World Cup final on Saturday.
Gilchrist hit 13 fours and eight sixes from just 104 balls and pointed to his glove as he celebrated the fastest hundred in the history of Cup finals.
"I was pretty pumped up," he told a news conference after being named the player-of-the-final. Australia beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method for truncated games to complete a unique hat-trick of World Cup titles.
Australia piled up 281 for four in the 38-overs-a-side match after a delayed start due to rain. Sri Lanka ended at 215 for eight after two more overs were deducted due to the weather.
"I also had a little message, to wave to someone at home in Australia about something in my glove," he said.
"(It was) the guy (Bob Meuleman) who helps me with my batting at home," he explained. "I had a squash ball in my bottom hand in the glove that I use in training just to help with my grip.
"I decided I will use that in this World Cup in a match but hadn't.
LAST WORDS
"His last words to me before I left the indoor training centre where I train with him in Perth were 'if you are going to use it, make sure when you score a hundred in the final you show me and prove to me you got it in there'.
"I had stayed true to that."
Gilchrist bettered skipper Ricky Ponting's 140 not out in the 2003 final against India, the previous highest score in a World Cup final.
"What I do know is the belief that arrives from the teammates around you and the coaching staff around you and everyone involved," he said.
"That belief those guys gave me allowed me to go out and play with freedom."
Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said Gilchrist had put the game out of his side's reach.
"It was a brilliant innings," he said. "Unfortunately, I was the opposition captain looking at it."
Australian press lament 'Tour de Farce'
They might have walked away with the coveted World Cup trophy, but Australians were on Monday shaking their heads at the bizarre ending to the biggest event in cricket's one-day calendar.
"Victory in tour de farce" trumpeted Sydney's Daily Telegraph, which bemoaned the official bungling that saw the last minutes of the final against Sri Lanka played play out in near pitch-black darkness.
Confusion over whether the game had finished, which saw Australia celebrate victory for ten minutes before being asked to play three more overs, had reduced the competition to an "international laughing stock," the paper said.
The criticism did not stop at the rain-interrupted final played at Bridgetown's Kensington Oval but extended to the entire tournament, which was dismissed as too long and boring.
"The 2007 tournament will go down in cricketing history as being short on organisation and long on duration," The Australian daily sniped in an editorial.
The contest was overshadowed by the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer after his team were stunned by cricket minnows Ireland, triggering concerns that match-fixing syndicates had again infiltrated the game.
Moreover, the World Cup was "dull and one-sided", with Australia comfortably winning every game they played, leaving outgoing coach John Buchanan to say the difference between the Aussies and the rest was as "between night and day," it said.
AUSSIE DOMINANCE
Such was the dominance of the Australians in the limited overs game that tail-enders Glenn McGrath, Nathan Bracken and Shaun Tait never had to bat.
The Sydney Morning Herald, under the headline "Blind led the blind," decried the competition hosted by the West Indies as the "most tedious of tournaments".
The absurdity of the Barbados final, it said, was "in keeping with a tournament that has witnessed everything from the murder of a coach to the erosion of supporter goodwill courtesy of overly officious administrators."
The Australian eleven will nonetheless be afforded the respect of champions on their return, with a public welcome home in Sydney on Thursday to congratulate the team and bid farewell to McGrath, who retired after the final.
In McGrath's home town of Narromine, locals are considering erecting a bronze statue of the lanky 37-year-old paceman or naming a park in his honour.
"Australia's victory at the Cricket World Cup against Sri Lanka yesterday was nothing short of brilliant," The Australian said in its editorial.
"But while the team soared to ever greater heights, the Cup itself sank to new lows, with a farcical final that saw players, umpires, commentators and organisers literally groping in the dark."
No positive dope tests at the World Cup
There were no positive dope tests at the recent World Cup in the West Indies, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.
A total of 68 players were tested during the 47-day event which ended on April 28 with Australia clinching an unprecedented third successive titles.
Two players from each team were chosen randomly in 15 of the 51 Cup games and from two warm-up matches.
"The fact that all drug tests at the ICC Cricket World Cup proved negative is a great result for the game," chief executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement.
"It sends out a very positive message, something everyone connected with the game can be very proud of."
Although cricket is not widely associated with doping, the sport was rocked last year when Pakistan pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were axed for the ICC Champions Trophy following positive tests for banned steroid nandrolone.
They were initially banned but an appeals panel of the Pakistan Cricket Board cleared them and lifted their suspensions.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), of which the ICC is a signatory, has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision to clear them.
Both were subsequently withdrawn from the World Cup squad after being declared unfit by the board's medical panel.
Enjoy, enjoy ...
few flakes dropped last night, so a new coat for the mountain.
A couple shots from the deck.
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