Shilpa Shetty's new bald look

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty will be seen sporting a bald look for her upcoming movie The Desire. According to reports the actress has not shaved her head but is using prosthetics for her role. The film is a Indo-China venture and is directed by R. Sarath.

Along with Chinese actor Xia Yu the film also stars Jaya Prada, Anupam Kher, Sheetal Memon and Sachin Khedekar.The film revolves around an Indian classical dancer who falls in love with a Chinese artist.

Shilpa Shetty food chain to close down?

Shilpa Shetty's former restaurant business is reportedly in financial trouble.

The company, which took over the already troubled Bombay Bicycle Club chain, has filed for bankruptcy, according to The Times of India.

"When Shilpa invested a huge sum in the group, the prospects seemed brighter," a source told the paper.

They added: "Apart from not-so-positive reviews from the press, the establishment has also had to deal with monetary issues like debts and loan approvals."

It is claimed that Shetty and her tycoon husband Ray Kundra invested £6 million to grow the modern Indian cuisine chain globally.

The former Celebrity Big Brother winner refused to verify the stories, but admitted that she has moved onto "bigger and better" things since leaving the chain in December 2010.

In February 2011, the actress launched a range of Indian vegetarian meals in collaboration with chef Andy Varma.

I AM NOT PREGNANT: Shilpa Shetty

Fed up of congratulatory messages, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has finally spoken out about her rumoured pregnancy saying the news is not true.

"Sick and tired of all the congratulatory msgs and calls, so for the last time 'I AM NOT PREGNANT'. All this is so annoying...grrrrrrrrr (sic)," Shilpa posted on micro-blogging site Twitter Thursday.

Last week, the grapevine was abuzz that Shilpa, and her businessman husband, Raj Kundra, are expecting their first child together. They tied the knot in November 2009.

Initially, Shilpa chose to deny the news in a subtle manner.

She tweeted: "To all my followers 'If, how and when I wish to make any personal announcement, is entirely MY (not the press') prerogative! As of now there's none to make.

"I do know I am in the public domain, and everyone is curious, but these are sensitive issues, hence would appreciate the press respects my privacy. Thanks."

The actress is busy cheering for her Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals these days.

Shilpa Shetty 'pregnant with first child'

Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra are said to be expecting their first child together.

The Celebrity Big Brother winner, who got married in 2009, will make an official announcement once the pregnancy has passed the three month stage, The Times of India reports.

A source told the newspaper: "Shilpa is expecting and the couple are extremely happy. Only close family members and friends have been informed of the new arrival. They do not want to announce it publicly before the first trimester passes."

The Bollywood star, who achieved international recognition after winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, has wanted to start a family for a long time.

In an earlier interview, Shetty revealed: "I'm desperate to start a family. I just love children, and we've a beautiful ready made nursery. I want at least two children.

"There is already a child's bedroom here because Raj has a nephew and I can certainly see my children running around this place."

Shetty is currently focused on managing Rajasthan Royals, the IPL cricket team she owns with Kundra.

Shilpa to throw a private party for Shane Warne's flame Liz Hurley

Shilpa Shetty will throw a private bash in Mumbai for Elizabeth Hurley when she returns to India on May 17

Shilpa Shetty will host a party in Mumbai for UK hottie Elizabeth Hurley on May 17.

The British model-actress is currently in India to meet her good friend Shane Warne, who is captaining Shilpa's IPL team Rajasthan Royals. Liz goes back to London in a week's time but will return in time for RR's important match in Mumbai on May 17.

Shilpa hasn't been able to meet her at all.
Shilpa Shetty had planned to host a party for Liz in Jaipur but had to cancel it because of a severe pain in her neck as reported 'A pain in the neck' (Hitlist, April 26).

The actress has been laid in bed with severe spondylosis and back spasms for more than 10 days now.

Stuck at home
Says a source, "She had a bad attack while travelling to Jaipur for a Rajasthan Royals match. When she returned, she couldn't get up or visit any RR matches after that.

To make matters worse, a muscular back spasm made it almost impossible for her to move out of her home much. "

"Shilpa and Raj plan to throw a party for Liz at their bungalow in Juhu. A lavish dinner is being planned but it will be a simple, intimate affair as Shilpa will be still recuperating from her illness.

She has been advised another week of bedrest but has already starting planning for the party. "

Hurley, who joined Warne and RR during their Bangalore game on Tuesday, has bonded well with the owners and the team.

Says a source, "After Liz landed, she spent a couple of hours with Shane before he headed for practice and team meetings.

He wrapped up early and joined her... they had lots to catch up on, given that they hadn't seen each other for almost a month. "

Credit : Mid-Day.com

Shilpa Shetty 'only famous for her body'

Shilpa Shetty has reportedly been snubbed at a major industry party because she is 'only famous for showing off her body'.

The actress has not been invited to the World Kannada Meet despite an initial invitation being extended to fellow Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai.

Speaking to Mid Day, a source said: "We prefer Shilpa to other Bollywood stars since she has acted in Kannada movies and connects well with the Kannada audience.

"But some writers are not comfortable with the idea and plans have been changed just to avoid controversy."

The Celebrity Big Brother winner has starred in two films translated to the Kannada language.

Shilpa's low and skimpy dresses too hot to handle for us

The sex siren was scrapped from celebrity invitee list after writers criticised her for exposing her navel while starring in two Kannada films

Following close on the heels of the recent displeasure expressed by writers over Infosys chief N R Narayana Murthy inaugurating the Viswa Kannada Sammelana (World Kannada Meet), another noted personality faces their ire for a very different reason.

Writers preferred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as special invitee and perfect representative of Kannada pride outside the state, as opposed to Shilpa Shetty, because they think that the latter is known for her skimpy dressing sense.

The list
Shilpa has acted in Kannada films including Preethsod Thappa and Auto Shankar. But, the writers were not happy with her because of her steamy scenes and she exposing her navel while draped in a sari. They added that while she was a celebrity outside the state, she could not be seen as the pride of the state.

Deepika Padukone was also short listed along with Aishwarya and Shilpa as these glam dolls of Hindi filmdom are from the Tulu speaking part of Karnataka. But, since she was currently out of India and since the orthodox writers did not favour Shilpa, former Miss World Aishwarya was a clear winner.

Organisers speak
However, organisers sought to decline that skimpy dress sense was the criteria saying that Aishwarya was always the proffered choice.

A source from the organising committee requesting anonymity said "We prefer Shilpa to other Bollywood stars since she has acted in Kannada movies and connects well with the Kannada audience. But some writers are not comfortable with the idea and plans have been changed just to avoid controversy."

"Shipla Shetty was in the list, but we could not include everyone because of the space and time limit. Also, security was another major concern and we decided that Aishwarya would be the only invitee among all the film stars, " said Prabhakara Kore, working president of the meet. "I hope she will speak Kannada when she greets the audience, " Kore added.

'Ash no different'

Tara, Kannada film actress and a member of the BJP, was irked. She said, "It is ridiculous to reject anyone for their onscreen dressing. We have to be mature enough to see an actor beyond their onscreen roles.

If we say Shilpa was seen in revealing clothes, then Aishwarya is no exception as she has been seen in steamy scenes as well."

"Shilpa or Deepika are a better choice since both have acted in Kannada movies unlike Aishwarya, who has none to her credit, " she said. She also added that while people have heard Shilpa and Deepika speaking Kannada, no one she knew could vouch for Aishwarya.

I M Vittalmurthy, special officer of the meet, said, "Not that we have ignored other achievers by inviting Aishwarya alone. We have selected her as a representative of all of them."

Credit : Mid-Day.com