Priyanka Chopra to release her international music album

She has wowed the Indian audience with her acting as well as crooning skills and now Priyanka Chopra is all set to venture onto the world stage releasing her debut music album.

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, and Desi Hits, have signed a worldwide recording agreement with actress Priyanka Chopra. As a part of this deal, Priyanka will release her debut music album in North America with Desi Hits through Interscope Records and in other International markets on Island Records UK.

A trained Western Classical singer, Priyanka is currently in the studio, writing and recording her debut pop album, which will be sung in English. Troy Carter, CEO of Atom Factory, who also manages Lady Gaga has signed with Priyanka to manage her music career across the globe.

“It has been a long cherished dream which is finally coming true”, said Priyanka Chopra about her music debut. “I am truly excited to have an opportunity to present my musical dimension on a world platform. I am privileged to be a part of the Universal Music – Desi Hits family and to be working with some of the most illustrious names in the music industry. This is a fascinating new experience for me and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey”, added Priyanka.

Priyanka is also the first major international signing for Desi Hits, which was founded by Anjula Acharia-Bath in partnership with UMG in 2010 as the pre-eminent home for highly creative artists with Indian/South Asian roots. Ms. Acharia-Bath, the Chief Executive of fusion multi-platform media company Desi Hits!, flew to India with UMG UK Chief Executive David Joseph to sign on Priyanka.

“Priyanka is an international superstar who has captivated millions around the world. Her foray into the American music industry meets the vision of our company, which strives to fuse the best of the eastern and western culture to create magic. It’s truly a dream come true, and we are very excited to bring this multi-talented artist to the rest of the world,” said Anjula Acharia-Bath, CEO of Desi Hits!

“Pop music has always had a love affair with Indian culture and with Priyanka’s unique talent and experience, we have the opportunities to push the boundaries of popular culture,” stated Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “I feel this is an amazing opportunity for all of us.”

“Bollywood has had Priyanka to itself for too long,” commented David Joseph, Chairman and Chief Executive of Universal Music UK. “She has exceptional talent and we look forward to launching her recording career around the world.”

“We believe wholeheartedly in Priyanka’s talent, drive, and creative vision,” stated Anthony Saleh, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Atom Factory. “We are confident in Priyanka’s ability to redefine pop music on her own terms”

Her music debut will add another dimension to this actor, humanitarian, green crusader and brand ambassador. Priyanka Chopra, one of the most recognized talents in Indian cinema, is a recipient of the prestigious Indian National Film Awards amongst many others. She is acknowledged as one of the most versatile actors with many path breaking performances. Priyanka is also actively involved in her role as the National Ambassador for UNICEF in India and the Green Ambassador of a nationwide environment awareness campaign in India.

Sharman Joshi to play the lead role in Ferrari Ki Sawaari

After months of speculation on who will be playing the lead role in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s next big production Ferrari Ki Sawaari, the verdict is now finally out and its none other than Sharman Joshi who has bagged the coveted lead role.

Sharman, it may be recalled, played an important part in Vidhu’s last production 3 Idiots which went on to become an all-time blockbuster. Industry buzz is that Vidhu Vinod Chopra has taken a bold decision by going ahead with Sharman for the lead role but the maverick filmmaker believes he has made the right choice.

Says Vidhu Vinod Chopra, “We have seen the screen test of Sharman Joshi, and
strongly feel that he has understood the character and done a brilliant job in the screen test.”

Ferrari Ki Sawaari is certainly a big solo project for Sharman Joshi who has until now mainly made a mark only in multi-starrers. The film, which goes on floors in February 2011, is being directed by debutant director Rajesh Mapuskar (who has assisted the likes of Raju Hirani).

Yash Chopra awarded with Asian Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema

Tributes continue to follow Yash Chopra who added the “Asian Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema” honour to his long list of well-regarded achievements on Tuesday, October 26, in London. This follows Mr. Yash Chopra being felicitated with the ‘Swiss Ambassador’s Award 2010â€� for his contribution in promoting ‘Brand Switzerland’ through his movies, earlier last week.

The Asian Award was presented to Mr. Yash Chopra by Gurinder Chadha. The Awards honour excellence and talents from business to the arts, technology to politics, sports to public service. Presented by Lord Sebastian Coe, this year the Asian Awards 2010, saw many industry leaders in attendance, including Ratan Tata, Sunil Mittal, Sachin Tendulkar, A. R. Rahman and Vijay Mallya who were also awarded for their yeoman services in their own spheres. Guests at the award ceremony included luminaries Jermaine Jackson, Nasser Hussain OBE, Gurinder Chadha, Christian Louboutin and singer Sonu Nigam. Mr. Amitabh Bachchan was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Britain’s Deputy PM Nick Clegg was also in attendance. With such prestigious figures lending their full support, make The Asian Awards 2010 one of the most important awards ceremonies to launch this year.

The Asian Awards recognized Mr. Yash Chopra for his excellence as a director (including Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Waqt (1965), Daag (1973), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Silsila (1981), Deewaar (1975), Trishul (1978), Lamhe (1991), Chandni (1989), Darr (1993), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer-Zaara (2004) among a host of others), Along With Being An Exceptional Producer (Of Mega Hits Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dhoom (2004), Dhoom:2 (2006), Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Fanaa (2006), Chak De India (2007), Hum Tum (2004), Mohabbatein (2000), New York (2009), Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) to name a few) and for the active industry icon that he continues to be.

Arguably, Mr. Yash Chopra can be called India’s most successful confluence of creativity and administrative genius and remains an inspiration for all young directors and producers. Amongst his other pioneering efforts, Mr. Yash Chopra has also solely paved the way for the ‘Studio model’ in India.

The first of its kind event celebrating achievement and excellence among South Asians from around the world, the inaugural Asian Awards supported the charity Save the Children and saw many South Asians gather under one roof at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Yash Chopra awarded with Asian Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema

Tributes continue to follow Yash Chopra who added the “Asian Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema” honour to his long list of well-regarded achievements on Tuesday, October 26, in London. This follows Mr. Yash Chopra being felicitated with the ‘Swiss Ambassador’s Award 2010â€� for his contribution in promoting ‘Brand Switzerland’ through his movies, earlier last week.

The Asian Award was presented to Mr. Yash Chopra by Gurinder Chadha. The Awards honour excellence and talents from business to the arts, technology to politics, sports to public service. Presented by Lord Sebastian Coe, this year the Asian Awards 2010, saw many industry leaders in attendance, including Ratan Tata, Sunil Mittal, Sachin Tendulkar, A. R. Rahman and Vijay Mallya who were also awarded for their yeoman services in their own spheres. Guests at the award ceremony included luminaries Jermaine Jackson, Nasser Hussain OBE, Gurinder Chadha, Christian Louboutin and singer Sonu Nigam. Mr. Amitabh Bachchan was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Britain’s Deputy PM Nick Clegg was also in attendance. With such prestigious figures lending their full support, make The Asian Awards 2010 one of the most important awards ceremonies to launch this year.

The Asian Awards recognized Mr. Yash Chopra for his excellence as a director (including Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Waqt (1965), Daag (1973), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Silsila (1981), Deewaar (1975), Trishul (1978), Lamhe (1991), Chandni (1989), Darr (1993), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer-Zaara (2004) among a host of others), Along With Being An Exceptional Producer (Of Mega Hits Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dhoom (2004), Dhoom:2 (2006), Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Fanaa (2006), Chak De India (2007), Hum Tum (2004), Mohabbatein (2000), New York (2009), Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) to name a few) and for the active industry icon that he continues to be.

Arguably, Mr. Yash Chopra can be called India’s most successful confluence of creativity and administrative genius and remains an inspiration for all young directors and producers. Amongst his other pioneering efforts, Mr. Yash Chopra has also solely paved the way for the ‘Studio model’ in India.

The first of its kind event celebrating achievement and excellence among South Asians from around the world, the inaugural Asian Awards supported the charity Save the Children and saw many South Asians gather under one roof at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Yash Chopra felicitated with Swiss Ambassador’s Award 2010

The Embassy of Switzerland felicitated Bollywood dream merchant Yash Chopra with the Swiss Ambassador’s Award 2010 for his contribution in promoting ‘Brand Switzerland’ through his movies. The award was presented at a scintillating evening hosted at the lawns of the Swiss Ambassador’s residence on Monday, October 25, 2010.

Popular actor Deepika Padukone was present on the occasion and congratulated Yashji on being presented this prestigious award. The highlight of the evening’s cultural performances was the Swiss Ambassador’s opening of the ceremony with music from Waqt (1965) that he brilliantly played on a Flügelhorn. This was followed by colourful dance performances by troupes to songs from Yash Chopra’s films.

While presenting the award to Mr. Chopra, the Swiss Ambassador H.E Mr. Philippe Welti said “We are pleased to honour Mr. Yash Chopra with the first of its kind award. Mr. Chopra’s association with Switzerland dates back to 1965 when he was present at the very same lawns while shooting for his golden jubilee hit, Waqt. Our association has come a long way since then with numerous of his movies showing the splendid serenity of Switzerland. To many Indians, a Yash Chopra movie has been their window to a scenic dreamland… a window to Switzerland.”

“I am honoured by the gesture shown by the Swiss Ambassador H.E Philippe Welti by giving me this award. Switzerland has always been my first choice of destination for shooting outside India. Be it for its picture perfect snow capped mountains or lush green fields, it is truly a heaven on earth that has made every angle, every shot and every frame of my movies breathtaking with the scenes vividly etched in peoples’ minds” said Yash Chopra on receiving the Swiss Ambassador’s Award.

Mr. Chopra’s romance with Switzerland began during his honeymoon and has continued ever since. On many instances in the past, the Swiss Government has honored Yash Chopra for helping rediscover Switzerland- for e.g. he was presented a special Award by screen goddess Ursula Andress, on behalf of the Swiss Government. The entire unit of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the 1995 Bollywood blockbuster shot extensively in Switzerland, was given a rare Swiss recognition in Mumbai for its successful running for over 500 weeks. In fact, a lake in Switzerland has been unofficially named ‘The Chopra Lake’ because of the way Mr. Chopra has used it in films.

Hence it was only apt when Mr. Chopra, who has shot a portion of all his films in Switzerland, felt the need to share his romance with the country with his fans and decided to partner with the reputed Brandinvest AG, in bringing the “YRF Enchanted Journey” to life – a tour which gives consumers a firsthand opportunity to live the authentic YRF experience by visiting original sites and locations in Switzerland used by Yash Raj Films.

Swiss Ambassador’s Award is presented to personalities, who have played an outstanding role in promoting relations between India and Switzerland. This award is being presented for the first time in 2010.

Sachin Tendulkar insists on making time for special date with Bollywood

After scoring his 49th century last week Sachin Tendulkar made a call to his buddy filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra with a request. Sachin and his wife wanted to watch the recently released highly-acclaimed working-class comedy Do Dooni Chaar which brought the Rishi Kapoor-Neetu Singh pair together again after 30 years.

Sachin didn’t know the film’s makers and therefore asked Chopra with whom he has lately been in touch, about watching Do Dooni Chaar. As luck would have it, Vinod Chopra himself loved this little film about a mathematics professor in Delhi trying to buy a car for his family, and immediately got in touch with the film’s team

Sachin Tendulkar, his wife and their close friends watched Do Dooni Chaar at the Ketnav dubbing studio in Bandra recently.

Sachin was overwhelmed.

Says the film’s director Habib Faizal, “Sachin did express a wish to relax with my film after his triumph last week Vidhu Vinod Chopra is a good friend of Tendulkar’s. And luckily for us, Vinod too loved Do Dooni Chaar. Sachin Tendulkar seemed to really connect with the film. It could be because Sachin has himself come up the hard way. And though today is a super-icon he knows the middleclass milieu of my film. I think he remains a man rooted to basics.”

A Marathi by birth Sachim seemed to enjoy the Punjabi milieu and jokes in Do Dooni Chaar.

Says Habib, “After the match at Bangalore where Sachin scored his 49th century he expressed a wish to relax by watching Do Dooni Chaar. I think he’s a fan of Rishi Kapoor and Neetuji. Unfortunately, they couldn’t attend the screening at Ketnav.”

Though cricket and Bollywood are never far apart cricket’s biggest icon Sachin Tendulkar, a self-confessed movie buff, hardly gets time to watch movies, let alone act in one. Recently, he turned down Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ferrari Ki Sawari. But after watching Do Dooni Chaar, he has expressed a desire to work with Habib Faizal.

Ravi Chopra to produce Chenab Gandhi

Every aspiring filmmaker looks up to his mentor to be at the helm of things when they start with their debut venture and so did Vibhu Puri, associate director and co-writer of Saawariya.

Puri was all set with his directorial venture Chenab Gandhi which was to be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. But Bhansali made Puri wait for almost a year, something that wasn’t appreciated by the young filmmaker. Not wasting anymore time, Vibhu approached Ravi Chopra, who will now be producing the film. Though one would expect a lot of bad blood to run between Bhansali and Puri, but it isn’t so. In fact, Puri he has even penned four songs in Guzaarish. As for Chenab Gandhi, there is news that many couple of stars have been short listed for the cast, but their names are yet to be revealed.

Yash Chopra honoured with prestigious National Kishore Kumar Award

The prestigious ‘National Kishore Kumar Award’ for the year 2009-10, given by the Madhya Pradesh Government, was conferred on Yash Chopra, at an investiture ceremony held yesterday (October 14th, 2010). This ceremony took place at Khandwa, MP, which also happens to be the birthplace of the late Kishore Kumar, on the eve of his birth anniversary, October 13.

It’s totally needless to say that Yash Chopra, a contemporary legend in Hindi cinema, has played a seminal role in the Indian film industry. With this award, he has added yet another prestigious accolade to his long list of achievements. Laxmikant Sharma, the State Cultural Minister presented him with the award, a traditional shawl and also a cash prize.

Archana Tipnis, the State Education Minister and Vijay Shah, State Tribal Welfare Minister, were present at the occasion. “By agreeing to accept this award, Mr. Yash Chopra has added to the reputation of MP as a state. He is one such great director whose films have been socially relevant since more than 50 years”, said Laxmikant Sharma.

Yash Chopra was overwhelmed at receiving this award and thanked the Madhya Pradesh government for the same. He fondly recalled his association with the late Kishore Kumar, while appreciating the great work done by the Madhya Pradesh government in Kishore Kumar’s honour.

The National Kishore Kumar award, instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government in 1997, is given away for direction, acting, script writing and lyrics every year. Past recipients of the prestigious award have been the late Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, Shyam Benegal and also Amitabh Bachchan.

Priyanka Chopra to be brand ambassador of Samsung

After Aamir Khan, it’s now Priyanka Chopra who is all set to endorse Samsung. While the electronics major has been having a longstanding association with Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan, sources close to Bollywood Hungama have confirmed that they have now chosen Priyanka Chopra to endorse their range of washing machines.

Looks like Priyanka is all set to become the undisputed queen of brand endorsements too!

Sherlyn Chopra banned from posting images on Twitter

Wherever Sherlyn Chopra goes and what ever she does creates a storm. Proving this was her recent ban from the micro blogging site Twitter. If what we hear is to be believed then the seductive temptress Sherlyn Chopra has been banned from posting images on Twitter.

This comes after Sherlyn had posted naked images of herself on the site, saying that they were from a photo-shoot she had done. While not too long ago, she tweeted saying, “Where has my pic disappeared!!! This is strange! Can Twitter kindly let me know where my pics are? Is there a censor board on Twitter???” It turned out that the censors for content on Twitter deleted her images and also banned her from posting of images.

Later Sherlyn updated, “Twitter has banned me from uploading pics…My Team is tryin 2 get in touch with Twitter to sort out the matter.” Chopra has also suggested that she will quit the social networking website if the problem doesn’t get resolved soon.

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