Slumdog Girl's Dad Cleared on Allegedly Selling Daughter

Maybe it really was just a misunderstanding after all.
The father of "Slumdog Millionaire" child actress Rubina Ali was cleared today by Indian police on charges that he was allegedly about to sell his daughter to a Middle Eastern sheikh just a few days ago. Police are citing insufficient evidence to move forward with a possible case against Rafiq Qureshi.
"So far there is no evidence of any offense, hence there is no registration of complaint and no arrest," Nisar Tamboli, a senior police officer, informed Reuters.
The fallout from this incident has been heavy and severe for a country that is struggling with trying to stop child trafficking. Just yesterday, Kurshida Davade, Rubina Ali's biological mother, fought Ali's stepmother Munni Qureshi on the streets of Mumbai while Ali's father was trying to clear his name. His entire defense was that the Middle Eastern sheikh, who was really a journalist in disguise, was "playing tricks on him" while reportedly led to a negotiation of what the price would be for Rubina. The price went to as high as $300,000 in an attempt to better his life.
As far as Rubina Ali is concerned, her future will be in good hands. There is a trust fund set up for her and co-star Azharuddin Mohammed. The Jai Ho Trust Fund, which is supported by "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson have issued fund that requires that a social worker check up on her to make sure she is okay, a lump sum for her to have once she turns 18, and the reassurance that her living and education costs are taken care of. While this alleged sale deserves scrutiny and media attention, the Jai Ho Trust fund wants people to remember that little Rubina Ali is only nine years old. A statement from them reads: "The Jai Ho Trust requests the media consider the possible negative impacts of the recent media scrutiny on 9-year-old Rubina, and assist in protecting her interests through sensitive reporting to limit further unnecessary exploitation of her rights and interests."
Something about all of this is a bit fishy. I think in a case like this, it should take more than just a couple of days to probe and figure out whether this situation is worthy of charges and a subsequent trial. It just seems like people want to nip this in the bud and move on. Let's just hope we never have to hear about a story like this again, even if it just alleged because that only hurts the child here. Let us know what you guys think of this case seemingly being dismissed already.

Sir Ben Kingsley and Amitabh Bachchan Share the Big Screen

The last time we saw Ben Kingsley doing a movie based in India was in the Oscar-winning movie 'Gandhi'. Well, we will be seeing Sir Ben Kingsley and Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan sharing the screen in Leena Yadav's "Teen Patti" which is said to be inspired by the Hollywood flick "21".
Amitabh, who is currently in London to shoot the last schedule of the film, posted on his blog: "Soon after we (have to) get into a photo shoot and (start) reading rehearsals for the shoot with Sir Ben Kingsley. He plays an important part in the film."
"Sir Ben Kingsley is every director's dream actor, with acting prowess honored the world over," says Yadav. "In a sense, Teen Patti brings him back to the same land that made him a legend with Gandhi. Speaking for myself, I am thrilled to be directing two of the world's finest acting talents, Sir Ben and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. I could not have asked for more.'
Recent media reports indicated that Hollywood star Richard Gere would also be a part of the film and Amitabh has fuelled rumors hinting the presence of some big names in the film on his blog.
"There are some important names being mentioned for the shoot, but unless it all happens it would be premature to talk of them. Perhaps a little later when we are deep in progress on our work," he wrote.
"The possibility of meeting up with two decorated personalities and in fact working with them together seems awe inspiring," said Amitabh.
In "Teen Patti", Amitabh plays a professor who tutors five of his brightest protégés, played by R. Madhavan and newcomers Siddharth Kher, Dhruv Ganesh, Vaibhav Talwar and Shraddha Kapoor for high stake gambling, but with a cause.
The film was being shot at FLAME College in Lavale, Pune while other parts of the film was set in England were shot at St John's College, Cambridge.
With that in mind, what do you guys think, will Amitabh Bachchan and Ben Kingsley's presence together in this film make the movie successful or not? Give us your thoughts on it.

Shahrukh Khan Dreams of Oscar Gold

After being a presenter at the Golden Globes, Shahrukh Khan has set his eyes on the prize. He has decided that it's time to get serious and now one of the biggest and well recognized actors in Bollywood is going for the gold, Academy Awards gold that is. Shahrukh Khan wants to go into what he calls "serious cinema," which will give him an opportunity to take part in an award winning performance. Shahrukh Khan was offered a role in the Oscar winner 'Slumdog Millionaire,' but at the time refused. It probably didn't give him much pleasure to see that the film won big at just about all of the award ceremonies, since he could've been a part of that international fame. That's why he's not passing up any more chances at Oscar gold.
His close friend Preity Zinta told Shahrukh Khan that she'll be teaming up with Indian/ Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta for her next film. This made Shahrukh Khan want an introduction by Preity Zinta to the critically acclaimed director on their trip to South Africa for the IPL.
Shahrukh Khan undoubtedly hopes that this will bring him closer to Oscar worthy recognition. But will it all be enough? Shahrukh Khan is no doubt an accomplished actor, but is he really Oscar worthy? Will this meeting with Deepa Mehta be the right thing to get his career geared up? It'll be interesting to see what kinds of roles Shahrukh Khan takes on in the near future to get closer to his new dream.
We want to know what our readers think about Shahrukh Khan getting into more "serious cinema". Do you think that he's already Oscar worthy? What would you change about the King of Bollywood? Give us your thoughts on Shahrukh Khan's latest dreams of fame.

Celina Jaitley Inspired by Kate Moss

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.imageCaption{width:250px; margin-bottom:10px; height:60px;} seen this fabulous swimwear shoot of one of my favorite models, Kate Moss. I instantly knew that I had to do something on the same lines. I was really inspired and wanted to do a shoot which is quite beautiful and of course very sensuous."
Model and actress Celina Jaitley turned up the heat for a shoot she did recently. She posed in a bikini for Stardust and said that her inspiration came from a somewhat unexpected source. "I had seen this fabulous swimwear shoot of one of my favorite models, Kate Moss. I instantly knew that I had to do something on the same lines. I was really inspired and wanted to do a shoot which is quite beautiful and of course very sensuous."

Although India isn't known for their bikini and swimsuits on movie stars, there have been quite a few women who aren't afraid to show a little skin. Desi Hits! gave you a list of our top 5 picks last year and we're doing it again in honor of Celina Jaitley's barely legal bikini. Five of the hottest for the summer include Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, and Amrita Arora.
Priyanka Chopra brings new meaning to the bikini with her wild and sexy mixture.
Katrina Kaif is as sexy as always and turns up the heat with her bathing suit.
Deepika Padukone gives an aesthetically beautiful look in her picture. She manages to be sexy, but not give the feeling that she's showing too much.Kareena Kapoor reveals just the right amount of skin in all the right places.
Amrita Arora dons her two-piece the way Lara Croft from 'Tomb Raider' would.

We want you to check out the Bollywood babes as well as model Kate Moss and tell us who you think looks the best in the barely there bathing suits. Do you think that Bollywood should push more to wear racier swimwear? Or are you happy with how they have progressed thus far? Give us your thoughts!

Indian Prisoners Stage Hunger Strike Over Cricket

By Alex Gonzalez
Remember when you were a kid and you were so mad at something that you would break your own toys? Or stomp around the room very petulantly when things don't go your way. Multiply that by 500, sprinkle in a little bit of cricket and you have the Alipore Central Jail in West Bengal. Inmates at the jail are clearly fans of the Indian Premier League, because they were demanding that the games be shown in their jail cells. Just picture 500-plus inmates yelling, "We want cricket! We want Cricket!" Does someone need to remind them that they're in prison where that kind of freedom isn't handed to them because they took it away from themselves?
The prisoners went so far as to go on a hunger strike to show their displeasure in not being able to see the games. Cricket is by far India's favorite sport and the Indian Premier League has been a major success after just one year. The second season began in South Africa this past weekend. The inmates did not get their way when they demanded the games be shown, so when their slop of food allotted to them came, they said no. Only in jail does someone say "Food? No. Cricket? Please."
An officer said two of the prisoners had manhandled a guard after the authorities stuck to their decision.
"The guard was pushed and abused by some of the prisoners. An inquiry is on," he said.
B.D. Sharma, the inspector-general, deemed the inmates' demand "unjustified".
"I have heard about the hunger-strike but the issue is absurd and the demand unjustified. The inmates should remember that they are in a jail and not in a five-star hotel," he said. Sharma said that only undertrials, not convicted prisoners, had joined the strike. "We will not accept the demand even if the undertrials continue with their protest. Security has been stepped up to avert any untoward incident," Sharma added.
Prisoners inside Alipore Central Jail can only watch state run television shows and reading newspapers and magazines. Until further notice, the only way these prisoners will be able to keep up with the IPL is through scorecards and results.
I love sports and I understand if someone's upset that they can't see their favorite sport on TV. I'm also not a criminal, so to the prisoners protesting, here's the one way you can make sure you can watch all the cricket in the world all while having a belly full of food. Stop committing crimes. Until then, eat. It's one of the only rights you'll have while you're in there.
So what do you guys think about this crazy story? Is there anyone out there that thinks these undertrials should actually get the cable TV they crave so they can watch IPL cricket? Are they being irrational by not eating? Drop us a comment about how ridiculous these prisoners are.

Katrina Kaif and Freida Pinto - Global Beauties on the Forefront

The International spotlight is on Katrina Kaif and Freida Pinto. These prominent beauties have swept up two major international campaigns. Katrina Kaif is excited to work with Matel as the new face of Barbie. Freida Pinto, who has already taken strides to global stardom, will take her strut from the runway to the big screen on to Estee Lauder's new campaign.
Matel has been looking to India to further globalize the iconic Barbie. Before Katrina Kaif agreed to the deal, Matel asked Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Genelia D'Souza. Both actresses declined, but Katrina Kaif was thrilled. The Barbie doll, which turned 50 on March 23rd has featured the likeness of other international celebrity faces including Diana Ross, Cher, and Beyonce. Every girl at some point in time in her childhood has played with a Barbie doll and wanted to be just like a Barbie doll, and so have I. She makes a sweet, fun and lively companion," said Katrina Kaif to Brit-Asian Magazine. Matel not only found a new face for the Barbie, they are breaking ground. Katrina Kaif is the first Indian to be made into a Barbie. Matel also worked beside Indian designers to reveal a new line at Lakme India Fashion Week 2009.Freida Pinto is now Bollywood's highest paid actress in history, reportedly drawing in a £200,000 for the Estee Lauder campaign. In the past the campaign has featured Liz Hurley and currently has Gwyneth Paltrow on board. It has been rumored that Gwyneth Paltrow is worried about being pushed to the side by up and coming Bollywood actress Freida Pinto. This is the fourth time that an international cosmetic brand has promoted an Indian actress. Previous Indian actresses featured have been Diana Hayden for L'Oreal Paris, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also for L'Oreal Paris, and Ujjwala Raut for YSL. Freida Pinto 's management wants her to be a global star, it looks like she's doing a pretty good job. She's been seen on glamorous magazine covers like Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Maxim and there is hype that she may be the next Bond girl.What do you think is next for Katrina Kaif and Freida Pinto? How do you feel about these stars going global?