Gossip Roundup--Dec 11

Priyanka Chopra at Miss World
Priyanka Chopra, a Miss World winner in 2000, has jetted off to Johannesburg, South Africa to serve as a judge for this year's pageant.  The 2009 Miss World Pageant begins December 12.

As an aside, I get that Priyanka is a former winner and that it isn't unusual to have past title-holders come back to judge, but is it possible for maybe one day to go by where Priyanka doesn't try to further peg herself into the "fashionista" slot?  Now not only are all of her roles in the fashionable-fashiony-fashion designer vein, but her real life is too?  Please please expand a bit Priyanka.  Please.

Aishwarya Rai to Star Opposite Ben Kingsley

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been cast opposite Ben Kingsley in the 2011 release "Taj Mahal."  Kingsley, an Academy Award winner for the 1982 hit film Gandhi, in which he portrayed the title character, will play Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who ruled Northern India in the 17th century.  Aishwarya naturally has been cast as his wife, the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal, for whom Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal.  (Interestingly, Sir Ben's real-life wife has been cast as the Emperor's first wife, Khandari Begum.) Kingsley's own production team is helming the $30 million project, with shooting scheduled to begin in July. 

Irrfan Khan Too Shy to Dance?

In this installment of "news that makes me love Irrfan Khan even more than I already do," it seems that Irrfan was too shy to film his dance sequence in front of co-star Kangna Ranaut.  He had to ask the director to get her to leave before he could bring himself to pull off the moves.  How sweet!

Gossip Roundup

Deepika Endorses Fairness Cream

Deepika Padukone has become the new brand ambassador for Neutrogena Fine Fairness Cream.  According to Deepika, "it’s not about using a product and suddenly becoming fair. The fairness creams are used to even out your skin tone and protect your skin from pigmentation due to harsh sunlight."

Fairness creams are popular in India where a light-colored complexion is often seen as the highest beauty standard, and ads for them are as ubiquitous as those for makeup or shampoo.  Some stars have taken a stand against endorsing such products, most notably Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, as they believe that fairness creams help perpetuate discrimination against those with darker complexions.  Some fairness creams are little more than bleaching agents, and have been known to cause damage to the skin.

I say shame on Deepika.  Surely her natural beauty could be better put to use endorsing less offensive products?

Sonam Kapoor Won't Star for Zoya

Has Sonam Kapoor lost her marbles?  She's just turned down a chance to work with Zoya Akhtar, the critically-acclaimed debut director of Luck By Chance.  Zoya's second film follows a to-die-for cast which includes Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol as they roadtrip through Spain.

After her debut in Saawariya and her adorable and well-played turn in Delhi 6, has Sonam decided to only do commercial films?  Let's hope she changes her mind--any semi-attractive Barbie doll can star in a few Bollywood hits, but this is Sonam's chance to claim some ground in the growing success of India's independent cinema scene.

A R Rahman Gets Two Grammy Nominations 

Tune in January 31st to find out if A R Rahman's Slumdog Millionaire momentum can carry him to two Grammy Awards!  The Jai Ho-wallah is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and Best Song Written for Motion picture, Television or Other Visual Media.  Best of luck maestro!