'The Unforgettable Tour' all set from July 18

'The Unforgettable Tour' is being unveiled on 18th July in Toronto and rehearsals for the tour have already begun in Mumbai. Taking time off from their busy schedule, the lead stars have already begun preparations for the elaborate song-n-dance-dialogue routines.

The first leg of the tour spans 10 cities, traveling to destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Trinidad & Tobago, Houston, Atlantic City, New York, Vancouver, London and Amsterdam. 'The Unforgettable Tour' will bring together, for the very first time, the legendary Bachchans -- Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan -- on one stage.

Also participating in this Tour are Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Preity Zinta and Riteish Deshmukh. The performances will be choreographed by Shiamak Davar, while music will be provided by Vishal-Shekhar. Wizcraft International Entertainment P. Ltd., the pioneer of many extravagant and mesmerizing events, has been instrumental in shaping the Tour.

AB, AB & AB rehearse for THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR

THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR, a never seen before extravaganza of Indian Cinema magic,is being unveiled on 18 July 2008 in Toronto, and rehearsals for the tour have already begun in Mumbai. Taking time off from their busy schedule, the lead stars have already begun preparations for the elaborate song-n-dance-dialogue routines that will bring alive the most unforgettable moments in cinema.

The first leg of the tour spans 10 cities, traveling to exotic destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Trinidad & Tobago, Houston, Atlantic City, New York, Vancouver, London and Amsterdam, the tour promises to be an out-of-the-world experience, an event that would leave Indian movie fans asking for more. THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR will bring together, for the very first time, the first family of Indian cinema - the legendary Bachchans - Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on one stage enthralling their global fans.

Speaking on the commencement of the tour, Abhishek Bachchan who is getting ready for the release of the much-awaited SARKAR RAJ said, "This tour surely promises to be an 'unforgettable' experience for Indian film aficionados across the globe. The report in one of the magazines about my beloved wife Aishwarya's pregnancy is false. We are all geared up to perform and entertain our audiences. Aishwarya will be performing on some of her most popular numbers, including with Madhuri Dixit on the superhit "Dola Re" from DEVDAS. I am thrilled to be a part of this tour and am eagerly looking forward to performing "Kajra Re" with my family and some of India's most sought after actors and friends Akshay, Madhuri, Preity and Riteish. We are all committed to ensuring the success of the concert tour. It definitely is an experience to look forward to."

Preity Zinta, one of India's leading actresses and current hot-favourite Riteish Deshmukh will be accompanying the Bachchans on this extravaganza. But the magic for Indian film aficionados only begins there. Indian Film Industry's icons Akshay Kumar and Madhuri Dixit will be adding their charm to the trip as celebrity guest performers in specific cities. To add to this, the spectacular performances will be choreographed by India's ace choreographer, Shiamak Davar, while music will be provided by the hot and happening music director duo, Vishal and Shekhar.

Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the pioneer of many extravagant and mesmerizing events, has been instrumental in shaping THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR.

Madhuri’s Kolhapuri connection!

Madhuri has been married for years now and yet her charm and beauty never fails to engulf her admirers!

The beautiful actress paid a visit to Kolhapur, a city in Maharashtra recently while she was in India to receive her Padmashree and left no stone unturned to please her Kolhapuri fans!

“I love Kolhapur and everything about this place! I remember when I was here for the shoot of Prem Granth, I used to live on bhakri (rotis made from the mixture of jowar and wheat flour) and Thecha (mixture of green chillies, groundnut powder and onions)! The bhakri-thecha combination is supposed to be extremely spicy but I in spite of being a Mumbaikar enjoyed this local speciality of Kolhapur”, revealed Madhuri.

Mads didn’t stop enthralling her Kolhapuri fans there, she went ahead and displayed her singing skills as she sang her famous dance number from her film Anjaam called, “Mein Kolhapur Se Aayi Hoon’!

Her efforts to oblige the crowd and their love for her were definitely appreciated as her fans couldn’t get enough of the actor and blew whistles after every second of her speech!

Now that’s what we call...Madhuri mania!

Madhuri, Juhi snub Paanchvi Pass

Did not take Paanchvi team’s calls; SRK had to call KJo at the last minute

Madhuri Dixit was supposed to feature with Rani Mukerji in the celebrity episode of Paanchvi Pass, which was shot on Wednesday. At the nth hour the actress remained unreachable.

As a result, Juhi Chawla was asked to be on the show. But Chawla, too, did not respond to the phone calls. As a last resort, host Shah Rukh Khan called buddy Karan Johar to step in.

Paanchvi, produced by Siddharth Basu’s Synergy Communications, had been in touch with Madhuri. But when the date to shoot was nearing, she remained elusive. As a result, Juhi’s name was considered.

Says a source, “Time was running out, SRK took on the onus to salvage the situation. He called buddy Karan Johar (who picked up the phone!) and the director made his way to the show.”

Says Rikku Rakeshnath, Madhuri’s spokesperson, “I don’t think she was supposed to be on the show.”

A Very Very Happy Birthday Madhuri!!!

If you ask who fits the bill of eternality in Bollywood then here's a prompt answer to your question 'Madhuri Dixit Nene'. The only diva who dominated Bollywood with her oodles of acting talent and graceful dance still holds the title of Queen of Bollywood.

With her myriad commercially and critically successful films she established herself as one of the most respected and prominent female actors in Bollywood. Throughout late 80's and 90's she ruled the roost with her award winning performances in the films like TEZAAB, RAM LAKHAN, BETA, DIL, SAAJAN, KHALNAYAK, DIL TO PAGAL HAI and DEVDAS. After successfully handling family Mrs. Nene also did a comeback film AAJA NACHLEY. Though the film didn't work but she was welcomed happily on her return to films.

Recently, she received 'Padma Shri' for her contribution to Indian cinema and the Bollywood diva expressed her gratitude saying the honour is a result of her hard work and honesty. What more could she have asked on her 41st birthday today!

Come let's add to her joy by wishing her a verrrry happy birthday. And also congratulate her on a very deserving honour.

Post your Birthday Wish

I do have a life beyond movies: Madhuri

Madhuri Dixit received Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian cinema and the former Bollywood diva says the honour is a result of her hard work and honesty.

"It's always a wonderful feeling to have your work honoured. One has worked so hard for so many years. The Padma Shri is a culmination of all my hard work and honesty. I think I'm being honoured for doing my work sincerely," Madhuri told IANS.

Madhuri's children are in the US with her in-laws and her parents.

"They're all there. I guess my kids are lucky to have three sets of parents. My husband was here with me to share this moment. He left on Sunday."

Did Madhuri's children share her excitement about the award?

"Not the younger one. He's only three. Too young to understand, but my five-year-old son kept asking me why I was getting this award. I told him it was because I did movies in India for many years. 'You did movies. Why? Why do people call you Dixit?' he asked me.

"I think he's finally getting to know that his mom who cooks meals and puts them to bed had a life beyond the home and kids before marriage."

Bollywood's former diva admits it's hard to bridge the gap between the life she has now in the US and her long and successful innings in the film industry.

"I've gotten used to a life with my husband and kids. And to leave them behind in the US and come to Mumbai to work is tough. Although our parents take really good care of the kids, Ram and I still worry about what's happening back home when we're in India," said the actress.

She reigned the Hindi film industry in 1980s and 90s and churned out greatest hits like "Tezaab", "Ram Lakhan", "Beta", "Dil", "Saajan", "Khalnayak", "Dil To Pagal Hai" and "Devdas".

Madhuri says the fact that back home people still want to see her on screen makes her happy.

"It is wonderful to know that people still think about me in my home country, although I don't live here any more. That they still want me back, it makes me feel very wanted."

Last time Madhuri was in the country, it was for the release of her comeback film "Aaja Nachle". The film didn't work, but she says its failure wasn't a blow to her.

"I did my part sincerely. And I did everything I could. So did the whole team. I've worked in this field long enough to know you win some, you lose some. Sometimes you feel everything is going right and the end product still falls apart. It's okay."

So what is she doing to rectify her fans' sense of disappointment?

"Is that your way of asking if I'm doing another movie? Next time I'll ask my fans what they want to see me do on screen. The fact that I did a part for a woman specially written for an actress my age was a triumph. I'm not in India to sign another movie, not this time. I came just to receive the Padma Shri."

After the Padma Shri, Madhuri is staying back in Mumbai to catch up with family friends and a whole lot of personal work.

"I do have a life beyond movies," she laughed.

I finally touch on the Madhuri Dixit aura undiminished by time, marriage, motherhood and the failed comeback vehicle.

"I never thought of what you call an aura. For me this life as a wife and mother was what I dreamt of almost all my life."

Thank God, she did at the right time.

"What's the right time?" she quipped. "If you mean the right time to have kids then let me remind you a 63-year-old woman had twins. Nothing is impossible at any age any more.

"As for me, I had always said if I meet the right person I wouldn't think twice about giving up my career. And that's exactly what I did. I never planned anything in life."

Madhuri Dixit has no plans to act in movies

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, who has been captivating viewers for more than a decade, has no plans to act in movies as of now.

But, a section of the media reported that filmmaker Yash Chopra will himself direct Madhuri in their next film as their erstwhile release with her 'Aaja Nachle' was a dismal flop.

A Yash Raj films (YRF) spokesperson said that the reports were baseless. "There is not an iota of truth of these reports", the spokesperson said.

Madhuri's business manager Rakeshnath alias Rikku also said that the actress is leaving for her home in US in a week's time and is not planning to do any movies.

The reports coincided with Madhuri's visit to India to receive the 'Padmashri' award for her contribution to Indian cinema.

Except attending the premiere of 'Jimmy', Mithun Chakraborty's son Mimoh's debut film and receiving the 'Padmashri' in Delhi at the hands of President of India Pratibha Patil, Madhuri is spending her time visiting family and friends, Rikku said.

The actress, who married US based Dr Sriram Nene in 1999 after a successful career in films, is a mother of two. She made a comeback after six years in Yashraj's 'Aaja Nachle' in November last year. However, the film did not do well.

Madhuri missed meeting favourite director

Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, who is a big fan of Indian-American director, producer and writer Manoj 'Night' Shyamalan's work, regrets that she couldn't be formally introduced to the spook specialist in Delhi. But she is happy he was being recognised alongside her.

The two film personalities were given Padma Shri Saturday in the capital."Never mind. It's wonderful to see talent from India making a name in Hollywood and being recognised at home as well. I feel, with increasing globalisation more and more Indian talent will be recognised all over the world," Madhuri, who made a comeback with "Aaja Nachle", told IANS.

"I've watched his 'Sixth Sense' like six times. When I was going to watch it for the first time, I was told I'd never be able to guess the ending. I thought I'd be able to because I thought it would be something impossible, which I'll catch on to. But I still couldn't guess the suspense. Sheer genius," added the actress who gave hits like " Tezaab", "Ram Lakhan" "Beta" and "Dil To Pagal Hai".

Madhuri's husband Sriram Nene was also here for the occasion but he left for the US from Delhi immediately after the ceremony. Madhuri, however, stayed back and is now in Mumbai for a week to catch up with friends and relatives.

Delhi was tough on Madhuri's health. "I've got this wracking cough because of the humidity. And the contrast when I'm indoors cooped in the air conditioning and the heat outside is making it worse. Thankfully, I didn't bring my kids along."

Before leaving for Delhi for the Padma Shri, Madhuri attended the premiere of "Jimmy" for her co-star Mithun Chakraborty's sake. "Jimmy" is Mimoh's launch vehicle.

"If you remember, I had done one of my best films 'Prem Pratigyaa' with Mithunda. From the beginning he was such a gentleman, always very professional. Even if he was late, he'd warn me, 'Don't come on the set before 11 a.m. tomorrow.' Yeah, that's what it meant to be disciplined back then."In fact, she met another of her other co-star Govinda at the "Jimmy" premiere.

"Yeah Govinda too was very sweet. Fortunately, everything in Bollywood is getting more organised. We get ready scripts. So there's more incentive to come. Ten years ago it'd have been impossible for me to come down to Mumbai to work. I wouldn't even have thought of it."

Tezaab was a turning point for me: Madhuri

New Delhi: Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit was in the Capital to receive the latest addition to her kitty of awards, the Padmashree.

Awarded the Padmashree, for her contribution to Indian cinema, Madhuri Dixit had a long list of people to thank.

"I feel elated. It's wonderful. But i have a lot of people to thank. Right from my hair dressers, to the make up to the technicians, everybody has a share in this and i want to thank all of them today," says Madhuri.

CNN-IBN: Do you think Padmashree should have been bestowed on you much earlier, may be at the height of your career?

Madhuri Dixit: I don’t know. A lot of people ask me that. I believe that whenever I have worked in movies, it has been with all my heart and honesty. I have never really worked towards any awards. That has never been on my mind. Now that I am receiving this award, it is a great honour. I don’t care if it is late or early. I just appreciate that fact that I don’t live here anymore. I am in the US and people still think about me. They gave me this honour. I accept that very humbly.

CNN-IBN: When you first started your film career with Abodh, did you ever know that the Indian Government will decorate you as an actress?

Madhuri Dixit: When I started with Abodh, I was too young, I did not even know what I was doing at that time.

CNN-IBN: You have done more than 67 Bollywood films. Which film do you think was a turning point in your career?

Madhuri Dixit: It is hard to say which film was a turning point. I think the biggest hit was Tezaab. That was my first hit film. There are a lot of turning points in my career. That was, maybe, one of my first.

CNN-IBN: Were you disappointed with the reception that Aaja Nach Le got?

Madhuri Dixit: No not really. Sometimes, you win and sometimes you lose. I really had fun working on the movie, working with all the different artists that I did. And that is what matters finally.

CNN-IBN: Aren’t you planning another film here?

Madhuri Dixit: Not yet. But I will see.

Source: CNN-IBN

Padmashri Madhuri Dixit Nene!

It was a moment of glory for Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit as she received the prestigious Padma Shri award today (May 10) from President Pratibha Patil for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

The actor who is in the country with her husband Dr. Shriram Nene especially to receive the award is exceedingly happy with this recognition.

"It is a great honour. I am elated," said Padma Shri Madhuri Dixit.

Noted industrialist Ratan Tata, NRI steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, Metroman E Sreedharan and chess wizard Viswanathan Anand were also among the recipients of the Padma awards.

Former bureaucrat PN Dhar, former Chief Justice of India AS Anand and Nobel-prize winning environmentalist RK Pachauri also received the prestigious Padma Vibhushan at a glittering function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Adding glamour to the event were Hollywood director Manoj Night Shyamalan, Punjabi folk singer Hans Raj Hans, versatile actor Tom Alter and footballer Baichung Bhutia, who received Padma Shri awards.

Melody queen P Susheela and noted economists Lord Meghnad Desai, Kaushik Basu and Padma Desai also received the Padma Bhushan award.

The best round of applause was reserved for Tata, who was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, Bhutia, Shyamalan and Dixit, who received the Padma Shri.

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams did not turn up to receive the Padam Bhushan while respected Russian diplomat Yuli Mikhailovich Vorontsov's daughter received the award conferred on him posthumously.

Ignoring the clamour for Bharat Ratna triggered by BJP leader LK Advani's letter to the Prime Minister proposing Atal Bihari Vajpayee's name, the government decided against naming anyone for the award for the seventh consecutive year this time.

Bharat Ratna was last given in 2001 to Lata Mangeshkar and Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and several union ministers attended the function.

Among the Padma Bhushan recipients were veena exponent Ustad Asad Ali Khan, industrialist Baba Neelkanth Kalyani, tribal leader Mian Bashir Ahmed, Inderjit Kaur, Jasdev Singh, Kantipudi Padmanabhaiah, Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, Suresh Kumar Neotia, Sushil Kumar Saxena, Viswanathan Ramachandran and Ravindra Kelekar.

Those who received Padma Shri included Aheibam Jayant Kumar Singh, Amitabh Mattoo, Barkha Dutt, Bholabhai Patel, Cannigaiper Uthamaroyan Velmurugendran, Pandit Gokulotsav Maharaj, Heisnam Sabitri, Indu Bushan Sinha, Jawahar Wattal, KS Nishar Ahmed and Kaleem Ullah Khan.

French national Colette Mathur and Russian theatre personality Gennadi Mikhailovich Pechnikov also received the honour.

Karuna Mary Braganza, Kasturi Lal Chopra, Kekoo M Gandhy, Kutikuppala Surya Rao, Madan Mohan Sabharwal, Mohan Chandra Pant, Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakkyar, Rakesh Kumar Jain, Sant Singh Virmani, Sheela Barthakur, Sirkazhi G Siva Chidambaram, Surjya Kanta Hazarika, Vellur Ramachandra Gowrishankar, Yella Venkateswara Rao, Mohammed Yusuf Taing also received the Padma Shri.

Dancing queen Madhuri Dixit shows of her jalwa

The competition in this week’s Nach Baliye will reach boiling point as the reigning queen of Bollywood, Madhuri Dixit, dances her way onto television screens this weekend as a guest on India's answer to Stricly Come Dancing - Nach Baliye.

The actress with the 1,000 watt smile will duet with celebrity judge choreographer, Vaibhav Merchant to entice viewers to dance along to her smash hit song Aaja Nachle.

Madhuri is sure to mesmerise with her electrifying jhatkas in what promises to be the most spectacular show in the series so far.

High-energy dance spectacle, Nach Baliye, captures the drama and emotional journey of 10 celebrity couples from the small and silver screen through a high powered dance-off competition, where they compete to impress three A-list celebrity judges - the sensational actress Isha Koppikar, ace director David Dhawan and promising choreographer Vaibhav Merchant.

The stakes are high this year with the theme being "Yeh Nach Nahin Aasaan" (Dance is Far From Easy), and so the show tests the dancing mettle of each celebrity couple to the limits. With only four weeks left to the finale show, the remaining couples which include Raakhi Sawant and Kashmeera Shah with their respective baliyes, are battling it out for the grand prize.

Each week, the couples have to perform on challenging themes, which test their dancing skills and their choreographer's imagination.

The theme for this weekend’s unmissable show will see contestants perform their own renditions of some of Madhuri’s hit songs. Catch Rakhi Sawant and her baliye perform their very own rendition of Madhuri’s hit 80’s song Ek, Do, Teen.

Nach Baliye with Madhuri Dixit will be broadcast on STAR Plus on 22 March at 9.00pm.

Asian News

Madhuri dixit feels proud and honoured for Padma Shri

Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit today said she was proud and happy to be honoured with the ‘Padma Vibhushan’ award.

Her secretary Rakeshnath alias Rikku said ‘’she was extremely happy to receive the news in Denver in US, where she is settled”.

”Madhuri told me that her entire career, beginning as a struggling teenager in the film industry till she attained superstardom came as a flash in front of her eyes when she heard of the news,” Rikku informed.

He said Madhuri will definitely come down to India to receive the award.

The actress, after marriage, made a comeback in Yashraj films’ ‘Aaja Nachle’ in 2007 but the film flopped at the box office.

UNI