F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo wants to meet Aishwarya Rai

Formula One apart, if there’s one thing on Australian racer Daniel Ricciardo’s mind, it’s Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. “I still remember her in Bride and Prejudice. And, I’ve heard a lot about her American films. She’s really pretty. If I get a chance, I would like to meet her when I’m here for the Grand Prix,” says the 22-year-old, who is a part of the Hispania Team that’ll be competing on the Buddh International Circuit between October 28-30.

And, the foodie’s favourite Indian food is “curry”. “Whenever I think of India, I think of curry,” says Ricciardo, who feasted on Indian food at the ITC Maurya, shortly after a prelude to the Indian Grand Prix at Rajpath on Saturday.

Though his girlfriend, whose name he shies away from revealing, will not accompany him for the event, he says she’ll cheer for him on TV. “Like I would not go and spend a day at her office, it’s the same for her. When it comes to drivers, they keep their personal lives private. But some are open about it, like Lewis Hamilton is usually accompanied by Nicole Scherzinger and Jenson Button by his girlfriend,” he says.

A fan of rock music, Ricciardo is looking forward to the Metallica concert in Delhi on October 28. “I’d prefer Metallica to Lady Gaga (who is also performing at the event). I respect the band.” Though he has to be in his team uniform at most events, Ricciardo says when he’s off the circuit, he’s super casual. “I usually roam around in shorts, flip-flops and sometimes even without a tee,” he says. Anticipating a “big welcome” when the Grand Prix starts, he says, “It’ll be a different experience for the crowd, as they’d see such an event for the first time here.”

Who is Ricciardo? 

 
Name: Daniel Ricciardo

Age: 22 

Date Of Birth: July 1, 1989

Number of F1 races: 6

Team: Hispania Racing Team

Recent wins: British Formula Three (2009), Formula Renault 2.0 WEC (2008).

You can race, too
The official e-game for the Indian Grand Prix, launched recently by Zapak, has drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton as characters, and the Buddh International circuit as the venue. Ibibo.com has also added an F1 car to their already live game, Parking Wars.

Complaint over loud music leads cops to Deepika Padukone's new house

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone's house-warming party ended abruptly early on Saturday after the police landed up at her brand new pad at Prabhadevi. A witness, who was present outside the flat, told TOI, "A police patrolling van stopped outside the building around 3.15am. An officer went to Padukone's flat on the 26th floor. We learnt that local residents had called up the police control room complaining of loud music.''

Deepika Padukone's house-warming party ended abruptly early on Saturday after the police landed up at her brand new pad at Prabhadevi

"Later, another police vehicle came and plain clothed cops went up to Padukone's apartment. Strangely both vehicles and the cops didn't exit from that side of the building where a lot of people were present. They preferred to leave from the other gate of the building, probably to avoid being asked questions by the waiting media on whether the actor was penalized," said the witness.

A few minutes after the cops had left the building, some of the actor's guests, too, made an exit. These included actor Imran Khan his wife Avantika, liquor baron Vijay Mallya, actors Abhay Deol and Preeti Desai. The guest list at the party was top notch with names like Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, Siddharth Mallya, Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Riteish Deshmukh, Ranveer Singh and Genelia D'Souza. Bachchan even tweeted about being the oldest guest at the party.

An officer from the Dadar police station told TOI no complaint was received from the local residents. "Our team went to the building as a large number of people had gathered downstairs, including mediapersons, and we didn't want a law and order problem cropping up," an officer said. 

 

Bharati Dubey & Nitasha Natu, TNN

See Video of Pregnant Ash's glowing new look! | Aish's New Ads Lux Soap with Ankita Lokhande and Suashant singh

Pregnant Ash's glowing new look!
Pregnant Ash's glowing new look! | Aish's New Ads Lux Soap with Ankita Lokhande and Suashant singh

Kunal Kapoor helps Sikkim earthquake victims

The actor teams up with footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, who too was caught in the quake, in his initiative to help the victims.

India's star footballer Baichung Bhutia was caught in the devastating earthquake in Sikkim last week which has resulted in the loss of over hundred lives, left thousands of people homeless and left parts of Sikkim completely paralyzed and cut off.

Baichung had asked people all over the country to come forward to help his home state and has also announced plans for a charity match to raise funds.

News is that actor Kunal Kapoor has taken initiative and come forward to lend a helping hand. The actor has joined hands with footballer Baichung Bhutia to help raise funds, through a relief fund started by Baichung Bhutia.

The actor makes a fervent plea for help, "The situation in Sikkim is quite bad. Lots of people have lost their lives and homes. Baichung Bhutia has started a fund. It's the USFC And Sikkim express fund a/c no 24950100005733, Bank of Baroda and RTGS BARB0GANGTO, Bank code 012. Every contribution no matter how big or small will help. And you can be assured it'll go to the right place. Thanks."

Baichung Bhutia was quoted as saying "Sikkim is going through a tough time. But we are resilient people and there are numerous people that are going out of their way to help us. Hopefully with all the support we'll tide through these difficult times."

I don't want Salman's help: Zarine Khan

Zarine Khan is currently living with her family in Bandra but is looking for a new, bigger house in the same locality. But ask her whether good friend and "Character Dheela Hai" dance partner Salman Khan is helping her in the house hunt, and the actress clams up. Zarine says she is fed up of Salman's name cropping up in every story connected to her.

Khan has been searching for a larger home in Bandra for the past year but hasn't been successful so far. When quizzed about whether she has asked Salman for help, Zarine says, "Can we please keep him out of this? I don't want to answer questions related to Salman anymore. We are very good friends but people keep asking me about him, which is not right. I don't like using his name and our friendship. I don't want Salman's help in finding a new home. I am capable of doing that myself!"

Zarine prefers to open up about the new house she is seeking, instead. "Right now, I am living in a one BHK apartment. I have been living in Bandra for years, so I'm looking forward to finding a new house here itself. It's been almost a year but I haven't come across something that I've liked in my budget. The rates in Bandra are sky-high and I don't have a lavish budget. Affordability is important, especially since it is a three-BHK flat that I am looking for."

Zarine won't be living alone in the new apartment. "My mother will be moving in with me. I just want some open space around me and no constructions around. Most houses are so close to one other that one can see what others are doing in their homes. I don't want that."

The actress will next be seen in "Housefull 2" and the Tamil film "Karneekaran" with Vikram. 

Upala KBR, TNN

Deepika may ditch Saif for Ranbir!

It had to happen. Once Deepika Padukone signed on Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani with her ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, everything else had to take a backseat. The first casualty seems to be Abbas Mustan's Race 2, where she is teamed opposite Saif Ali Khan.

Our source informs, "Race 2 is meant to be shot between January 2012 and June 2012. Saif, John Abraham (the baddie), Anil Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha have allotted dates accordingly. However, Deepika is not able to accommodate this film now as the dates of Race 2 and YJHD are clashing."

Deepika was asked to make a choice and she chose Ranbir (naturally) over Saif. Reports suggest that producer Ramesh Taurani is livid with Deepika. Her last-minute ditch may leave the project in limbo.

Since it is a multi-starrer with big names involved, putting the project together with all their dates itself has taken a while. Now, Deepika's exit may just jeopardise it. Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Anushka Sharma don't have dates for this project either.

Deepika's spokesperson said, "It's still not final whether Deepika will quit Race 2. Her dates are being worked out." 

Meena Iyer, TNN 

Mumbai Indians look strong: Ameesha Patel

"Though I wanted Kolkata Knight Riders or Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the Nokia CLT20 trophy this time, but it seems unlikely as Mumbai Indians are looking stronger.

Anyhow, it will be nice to see an Indian team winning the world championship of club cricket."