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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Julia's Hinduism, Aamir's favorite and Big Stars on TV

How Julia Came To Hinduism


Oscar winning Hollywood actress Julia Roberts became interested in Hinduism after seeing a picture of the saint Neem Karoli Baba, who died in 1973.


In an interview with anchor George Stephanopoulos for the news programme Good Morning America on ABC News on August 9, Roberts said her interest in Hinduism "came from seeing a picture of a guru called Neem Karoli Baba and I was so drawn to this picture of this person and I did not know who he was or what he was about but felt a very strong interest."



Asked by Stephanopoulos if she had met the seer, Roberts replied, "No. He passed away long before I saw his picture but you know, just very intriguing, and that is the way things come into our lives. They are not these big gate-crashing moments, it is just a little like... what is this about." Roberts said she did practise Hinduism and added, "Hinduism is something I am very intrigued by and very interested in."



The September issue of women's fashion magazineElle, for which Roberts, 42, is the cover girl, adds: The entire Roberts-Moder family, she reveals, goes to the temple together to 'chant and pray and celebrate. I'm definitely a practising Hindu,' says Roberts, who grew up with a Catholic mother and Baptist father.



Neem Karoli Baba, born as Lakshmi Narayan Sharma in Akbarpur (a village in Uttar Pradesh [ Images ]), is also known as Maharajji, and has a large number of followers in India [ Images ] and the West, including guru Ram Dass (author of Be Here Now), yogi Bhagwan Das, musicians Jai Uttal and Krishna Das, spiritual activist Lama Surya Das, humanitarian Dr Larry Brilliant, etc.



Apple CEO Steve Jobs reportedly travelled to India to meet him but the Baba died on September 11, 1973, before he could reach.



According to reports, Roberts has been interested in yoga for quite some time. She was in Haryana in September last to shoot for Eat, Pray, Love in an ashram. In January 2009, she sported a bindi during her trip to India when she also visited the Taj Mahal with husband Danny Moder. She has a production company called Red Om Films.



Julia Fiona Roberts, one of the most successful Hollywood actresses besides being a producer and fashion model, has won the best actress Oscar for Erin Brockovich and earned Oscar nominations for Pretty Woman and Steel Magnolias.



Now You Know Who Is Aamir’s Favourite!

PTI

Govinda is one Bollywood actor who can leave Aamir Khan in splits. Khan, who has been a part of cult comedy hit ''Andaaz Apna Apna'', says Govinda has a great comic timing.

"My favourite actor is Govinda. He can really make me laugh.

I just love his films," he told PTI. "Govinda is one actor who really entertains me. He has got a great comic timing and he is a fine actor," said Khan, who was here to promote his next release ''Peepli Live''.

Among many films starring Govinda, one that Khan has seen a dozen times is ''Sandwich''. "I have seen his film ''Sandwich'' some 10 or 12 times," Khan said.

Directed by Anees Bazmee ''Sandwich'' starred Govinda alongwith Raveena Tondon and Mahima Chaudhary and was released in 2006. Without mentioning names of his contemporaries like Shah Rukh and Salman Khan, the actor said he does not like being0 compared with anyone.

"I m not comparing myself with anyone. I think they are all very successful and popular and doing films that have received a lot of viewership and have entertained a lot of people including me," the 45-year-old star said.

Asked if his recent films like ''Taare Zameen Par'', ''3 Idiots'' and ''Peepli Live'' are a step towards parallel cinema, Khan said he did not see cinema in commercial and parallel terms. "For me its a mass media and I only do films that excite me.

It should be economically viable and people investing money should not lose."



Bollwood Bigwigs Descend On Telly

Radhika Bhirani/IANS

The festive season in October is usually a time when Bollywood bigwigs fight it out at the box office. But this year will be different, as no less than Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan will have television as their battleground.

The three actors will try to drive up TRPs (Television Rating Points) as hosts for three big shows that are expected to hit the small screen in October.

While Amitabh and Salman will be seen in Colors and Sony respectively, Akshay has shifted base to STAR Plus after being replaced by actress Priyanka Chopra for the third season of 'Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi 3' on Colors.

Amitabh, who hosted 'Bigg Boss 3' for Colors, is all set to host the fourth season of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', expected to go on air on Sony TV Oct 11, which also marks the megastar's birthday.

When asked about the small screen competition with 67-year-old Amitabh, Salman said: 'There is no competition. We are two different personalities, we have different styles; so there is no comparison. I don't think I can host KBC the way he does.'

Salman, who used to add spark to Sony's 'Dus Ka Dum', has replaced Big B as the host of the reality show 'Bigg Boss 4'.

'I am happy that they have taken Salman. I have seen him in his 'Dus Ka Dum' show and he was most innovative and fun. I am certain he will be very good on 'Bigg Boss' as well. The audience loves him as I am certain the inmates of the house will too,' said Amitabh.

Akshay, who used to work as a chef in Bangkok before getting a break in Bollywood, will go back to his culinary instincts for 'Master Chef India', a competitive cookery show.

Incidentally, all shows will hit the tube in October. But on the face of it competition is not bothering any of them.

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