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.

Priyanka Chopra begins shooting for Anurag Basu’s Barfi

If anyone thought they could catch Priyanka Chopra playing a mentally challenged girl in Anurag Basu’s Barfi, they are in for a disappointment. Priyanka is much too nervous to perform in front of onlookers. She has made it clear she needs optimum privacy for this part. For an actress who has braved through the toughest sequences of love-making and violence in Saat Khoon Maaf in the presence of a full crew, this need for seclusion is a startling departure from the norm.

But this is no ordinary role of a mentally challenged girl. Priyanka took extra time to prepare. Those close to her say she has been withdrawn tense and edgy for the last two weeks.

Says Priyanka’s business manager, “She has been tense lately. She has not been going out or entertaining friends.”

The pall of silence apparently fell on Priyanka after she began meeting people suffering from the mental condition that her character in Barfi suffers from. Says a source from the team, “It freaked Priyanka out. She simply stopped meeting her friends. She first had to digest the enormity of the mental condition and then understand how to project it without seeming to act.”

Most of her recent roles have required Priyanka to get into an aggressively performing mould for the camera. For Barfi she needs to go the other way. Says the source from Burfi, “She needs to look like she is not acting. That is the brief from Anurag Basu.”

No one will be allowed on the set when Priyanka Chopra starts shooting for Barfi in Mumbai. Only the skeletal crew will be present when she does her first scene with Ranbir for Barfi.

Known to play audacious never-done-before characters, Priyanka Chopra suddenly got cold feet about her role of a physically challenged woman in Barfi.

For the first time in her career Priyanka has cancelled shooting to give herself more time to prepare for the very complicated part. The shooting was to commence on March 11 but then got pushed to March 24.

Says a source, “No one except leading man Ranbir Kapoor, director Anurag Basu and the cameraman will be allowed to be around when Priyanka begins shooting on Thursday.

Says a source close to Barfi, “It’s very strange. But the first stint of Priyanka’s two new films Agneepath and now Barfi both got cancelled. In the case of Barfi, she personally asked director Anurag Basu to postpone the shooting. She was that nervous about it. She has never been this way about any of her roles before.”

Apparently, the shooting was to begin with a very complex sequence for Priyanka on March 11.

Priyanka just didn’t feel she was prepared for the part.

Says a source, “Priyanka just didn’t want to play the mentally challenged girl by using the normal tools of self-expression. As Anurag has written the part, the girl Priyanka plays suffers from a very subtle psychological disorder. It took Priyanka some time to understand her character’s mental disability. She needed more time to get into character. She asked for the shooting to be postponed.”

According to sources she still doesn’t feel she’s ready. But Barfi can’t wait any more.

After the first day’s shooting, Siddharth Roy Kapoor of UTV, who is producing the film exulted, “It was great, super-charged atmosphere. Both Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were really enthusiastic. And Anurag Basu was happy to be back shooting. We all think we’re on to something special.”

Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi to marry early next year

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Karan Johar might just win the award of “revelation king” what with so many secrets and speculations are brought to rest, and beans that were spilled on his show. Be it Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor’s break-up story or Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor’s affair, even Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka’s mutually animosity, it all came oozing out on ‘Koffee With Karan’.

And now with Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi making an appearance at the show as a couple, some interesting news is up for grabs as well. Lara and Mahesh have made a statement on the show that two will tie the knot in February; as for the date their families are busy fixing it.

There were lots of discussions about the marriage plans as the two looked clearly in love. As for the gossip part of it, lots of discussions took place on the past affairs, relationships and the link ups, a la Karan style.

Another Bollywood wedding waits in the coming New Year, and many a heart will break with Lara tying the knot.

Priyanka Chopra arrives in auto-rickshaw for charity event

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In this day and age when superstars are known to throw tantrums for the smallest of things, Priyanka Chopra did otherwise. The actress was to reach a press conference organized by the NGO ‘Pearl Wave’ when all of a sudden her car’s tyre gave way.

The poor organizers readily arranged for a car to pick her up from where she was stranded mid-way but Piggy Chops refused their offer and preferred to hop onto a rickshaw instead. Braving the Mumbai traffic, Priyanka reached the venue bang on time in the auto-rickshaw much to everyone’s amusement.

Must say, here is one actress who indeed knows how to stick to her commitment even if it means taking the road less travelled.

Sanjay Dutt to play the main villain in Agneepath remake

One film that has been in the news ever since its announcement has been the remake of Agneepath to be directed by debutant Karan Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

By now its common knowledge that Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra star in the lead roles of this eagerly anticipated remake. However, the latest development is that besides Hrithik and Priyanka, Sanjay Dutt has also been signed for the film. Apparently, Sanjay would be playing the main villain in the remake (a role played by Danny Denzongpa in the original version)

It may be recalled that Hrithik and Sanju did clash with each other on-screen in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Mission Kashmir almost 10 years ago. Now with Hrithik playing the hero and Sanju the villain, it would be interesting to witness this clash all over again.

Sanjay Dutt to play the main villain in Agneepath remake

One film that has been in the news ever since its announcement has been the remake of Agneepath to be directed by debutant Karan Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

By now its common knowledge that Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra star in the lead roles of this eagerly anticipated remake. However, the latest development is that besides Hrithik and Priyanka, Sanjay Dutt has also been signed for the film. Apparently, Sanjay would be playing the main villain in the remake (a role played by Danny Denzongpa in the original version)

It may be recalled that Hrithik and Sanju did clash with each other on-screen in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Mission Kashmir almost 10 years ago. Now with Hrithik playing the hero and Sanju the villain, it would be interesting to witness this clash all over again.

"I’m definitely making 2 States" – Sajid Nadiadwala

Off late there have been numerous speculations, rumours, gossips and hearsay circulating around the making of the newest Sajid Nadiadwala production which is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s popular book 2 States.

The film was announced shortly after the release of Nadiadwala’s last production Anjaana Anjaani and though there was an official statement made in this regard, tongues have continued to wag around it’s director, star cast, timeline and other logistics. While Siddharth Anand is supposed to direct the 2 States adaptation, there have been constant murmurs around Saif Ali Khan walking in and out of project as well as the choice of heroine being either Priyanka Chopra or Deepika Padukone. Also, the film by itself has been a bone of contention as apparently the screenplay hasn’t been finalised yet, hence leading to further doubts around whether it would come on floors in near future.

“I am most definitely making 2 States. I have bought the rights so eventually I would be making the film,” says producer Sajid Nadiadwala.

At Bollywood Hungama, we bring to you all the bare facts right from Sajid Nadiadwala, the man at the hot seat.

The director
“Siddharth is on board as a director. He is already working on putting together the screenplay.”

The hero
“Saif Ali Khan is confirmed as the leading man for the film.”

The heroine
“No heroine is finalised, whether it is Priyanka or Deepika or anyone else. The screenplay has to be finalised first.”

The screenplay
“Most screenplays take time to be written. Sometimes it can be cracked in 15 days, sometimes it takes 6 months. Siddharth is working on it.”

The timelines
“There is no timeline decided yet. As I said, first the screenplay has to be finalised, then the remaining actors would be approached and its only after all of this is locked that we can make announcements around the shooting kick start.”

In the meanwhile…
“I am constantly asked if Siddharth can make any other film for another production house. Of course, why not? I can understand if there is some time that Siddharth needs to get the screenplay in place for 2 States. If he feels that he would want to use the interim time period to make another film, he can take a call. He is not under any contract with ‘Nadiadwala Grandson’ and make films for outside banners too, if he desires.

Vivek Oberoi ties the knot in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi today tied the nuptial knot with management graduate Priyanka Alva at a resplendent ceremony here marked by razzmatazz of the Hindi tinsel world.

In the wedding, which saw a touch of traditional Punjabi exuberance and cultural beauty of coastal Karnataka, 34-year old Oberoi exchanged garlands with Priyanka (28), the daughter of former Karnataka minister late Jeevaraj Alva and reputed dancer Nandini, at a late night ceremony here.

The day was marked by a series of rituals, in keeping with the typical Indian tradition, sources close to the family said.

The wedding day commenced with prayers to bless the couple, followed by a haldi ceremony.

“The haldi ceremony began the with smearing of vermilion on Priyanka as it is considered to be auspicious,” said one of the guests.

The ”sehra bandhi” ceremony, saw

Vivek Oberoi ties the knot in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi today tied the nuptial knot with management graduate Priyanka Alva at a resplendent ceremony here marked by razzmatazz of the Hindi tinsel world.

In the wedding, which saw a touch of traditional Punjabi exuberance and cultural beauty of coastal Karnataka, 34-year old Oberoi exchanged garlands with Priyanka (28), the daughter of former Karnataka minister late Jeevaraj Alva and reputed dancer Nandini, at a late night ceremony here.

The day was marked by a series of rituals, in keeping with the typical Indian tradition, sources close to the family said.

The wedding day commenced with prayers to bless the couple, followed by a haldi ceremony.

“The haldi ceremony began the with smearing of vermilion on Priyanka as it is considered to be auspicious,” said one of the guests.

The ”sehra bandhi” ceremony, saw

Deepika Padukone replaces Priyanka Chopra in Race 2

It’s by far the most awaited and talked about sequel in Bollywood, to be produced by Ramesh Taurani and directed by Abbas- Mustan. Yes we are indeed talking about Race 2 which has been in the news ever since its announcement. is all set to thrill. The casting of Race 2 has been a hot topic in media for a while now. It was last head that Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and John Abraham are part of the project while Priyanka Chopra would be playing the female lead in the film.

However, times have changed and latest news is that Deepika Padukone will be replacing Piggy Chops in Race 2. Ramesh explains, “To be frank Priyanka was never actually in the film. Yes, we were in talks with her initially but due to date issues, since she is busy shooting for Don 2, we dropped the idea.”

Further he clarifies, “As of now we have finalized Deepika, who will be playing the female lead in the film. Apart from her, there will be two other actresses who will also be in the film, but they have not yet been locked.”

As for the script of the film, Ramesh chirps, “We have already finalized and locked the script, and are looking to start shooting next year. While for the music, it’s going to be Pritam.”

Race 2 certainly seems to be speeding its way to shoot floor.

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