Did you know? : Gauri Khan celebrates Diwali with Salman Khan, sans SRK

Ever since Katrina Kaif’s controversial birthday that turned into a fight between superstars Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan, it seems that the rift is never going to end. Although, it appeared that the rivals have patched up after hugging at an Iftar party this Ramazan, the two don’t seem to have let bygones be bygones.

According to the Times of India, Salman got all agitated when on his show Bigg Boss 7, a contestant referred to SRK as ‘bhai’ (brother) with respect while mimicking him. He apparently told him off by saying that not all Khans are brothers and then covered up by laughing out loud.

And while Salman still needs to resolve his grudges, it seems that SRK isn’t putting an end to the rift as well. According to Indian Express, his wife Gauri Khan caused quite a stir when she arrived at Salman’s Diwali bash without him. Even though the actor previously said that he is no issues working with his Kuch Kuch Hota Hai co-star again, he seems to have sent a clear message across by not attending Salman’s party. But we wonder why Gauri chose to go ahead with it, instead.

Deepika, Ranveer on good chemistry and working together again

Deepika says she is not tired of being asked about her chemistry with Ranveer. PHOTO: FILE

MUMBAI: Deepika Padukone is one lucky girl. From her big break in Om Shanti Omalongside B-town favourite Shahrukh Khan to her recent mega-hit Chennai Express, Deepika is very much the Bollywood woman of the moment.

And if it’s not enough that she bags projects alongside big stars like Shahrukh, she also gets paired with the cutest blokes on the block. Recently seen in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani with eye candy Ranbir Kapoor, she is all set for a November 15 release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’sRam-Leela — alongside a ripped and rugged Ranveer Singh. If the trailers and promos of the film are anything to go by, we must say the onscreen chemistry of the two young actors is hot.

“When you are doing a film like Ram Leela, which is an intense, passionate love story, you need that kind of chemistry between the leads,” said Deepika on Monday, while promoting the film at a radio station in Mumbai.

“I hope when people see us together in the film, they would want to see more of us every time we are not on the screen. I also hope that we get to do some other work soon,” she added, referring to the adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

When asked if she’s sick of people talking about her pairing with Ranveer — whom she is seen pecking on the lips — she said, “I am not tired. I am more than happy to talk about it. Let’s not shy away from the fact that it is one of the main things that people are talking about as far as the promos are concerned. It’s the first thing that people react to when they see the promo, so it is definitely a great thing,” she said.

Ranveer is just as thrilled. “I would love to collaborate with Deepika again because she is one of the best we have. Hopefully, we will get that opportunity sooner rather than later. I hope after Ram-Leela, it will just happen on its own.”

“For me, it’s been the most wonderful experience working with her. There is so much I have learnt about the craft and about professionalism,” added the actor who made his debut in 2010 with Band Baaja Baaraat. “She is really somebody I admire, somebody who is so grounded, somebody who values the opportunities that comes one’s way and values the success that you have been blessed with. It’s amazing to see her grow in just one year,” said the actor, referring to her back-to-back hits Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Chennai Express. That’s a lot of love for a very beautiful girl, we think!

Ram-Leela, another magnum opus from the stable of Bhansali, will hit the screens on November 15.

Mother arranged Stewart's meeting with Pattinson

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. PHOTO: AFP

LOS ANGELES: Kristen Stewart’s mother arranged a secret meeting between the actress and her former beau Robert Pattinson.

The former couple, who parted ways in May, has reportedly been spending time together once again. Friends of the duo have said that it was the actress’ mother, Jules, who helped them get back in touch, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“Jules is like a surrogate mother to Robert in Los Angeles and she reached out to him and invited him over to see her with Kristen. They were both very worried about him,” a source told Grazia magazine.

“He’s at a low ebb right now and enjoyed seeing Kristen. One thing led to another and they’ve hooked up quite a few times since in secret. She has been trying to help Robert get his life back on track. She’s still madly in love with him,” the source added.

However, while Stewart is hopeful that these meetings could signal the start of a romantic reconciliation, Pattinson is clear about his thoughts.

“Kristen misses Rob desperately and there is still a lot of chemistry there. It’s been a hard few months for them both and she is desperate for them to give their relationship another chance,” the source said.

“Rob has softened towards Kristen, but as far as he’s concerned they’re not getting back together. This is a temporary state of affairs and he has told friends they don’t have a long-term future. He can’t face the scrutiny their relationship always comes under – but with these two, who knows,” the source added.

David Beckham named stylish man of the year

He was honoured for his classic style and influence in fashion. PHOTO: AFP

BERLIN: Former football player David Bechkam has been named the most Stylish Man of the Year at an award ceremony.

The 38-year-old was feted Thursday at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, where he was honoured for his classic style and influence in fashion at the prize giving here, reportscontactmusic.com.

Jose RedondoVega, editor-in-chief of GQ Germany, praised Beckham at the function.

“Like no other athlete, David Beckham represents style and fashion influence. With his trendsetting and sometimes daring appearances he has created a bridge between the world of design, models, and photographers, and the world of world-class sports, and brought glamour back to a male sport,” RedondoVega said.

Australian singer Kylie Minogue won Gentlewoman of the Year title at the event.

Did you know? Jiah Khan’s body to be exhumed?

Human tissue and blood were found in Jiah's fingernails. PHOTO: FILE

The findings of a forensic report reveal that fragments of human flesh were found under late actor Jiah Khan’s fingernails, which experts say is usually a sign of struggle. Her mother Rabia Khan, who has maintained all along that her daughter did not commit suicide, has now demanded that her body be exhumed and re-examined. She has urged the Juhu police, re-investigating the case, to take this information into account.

According to the police, she hung herself from the ceiling fan in her room on June 3. Rabia has written a letter to Additional Commissioner of Police, Vishwas Nangre Patil, in which she has accused the police of turning a blind eye to the report, according to the Times of India.

Rabia has also submitted independent opinion of Dr RK Sharma, former head of Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, AIIMS, on all the evidence submitted in the case. Dr Sharma has expressed shock that the most important piece of evidence – human tissue and blood caught in Jiah’s fingernails – was not only not properly investigated, but also summarily destroyed by the investigating team.

“If the police do not decide to exhume the body soon, we will file an application in court,” said Rabia’s lawyer Dinesh Tiwari.

Darkness and Light

Real Madrid is plagued by black holes in defence, through which the enemy is able to penetrate. But it is a completely different story in attack, where the light shines brightly. Fortunatley, there is enough light to drown out the darkness. And at times the team plays at the speed of light, its wingers charging up the bylines as if on rails.

To see Cristiano in full flight is to feel the landscape rushing past you in a flurry, as if everything around him were locked in slow motion. It gives you the sensation that in the blink of an eye a whole train of events could unravel that could be over in a flash. Whilst others might need to cut back and forth in order to break through in attack, Ronaldo only needs to glimpse an opening for himself and the flood gates open, as he charges towards the opposing goal like a torrent.

And if this bolt of lightning speed weren't enough, then there is Bale's force. The Welshman is as fast as a bullet - blink and you might miss him as he rushes forward like a storm waiting to be unleashed.

It is a real feast for the eyes to see Ronaldo and Bale take off. They leave others in the shade, leaving them to wallow in the darkness whilst they touch the light. Their speed is pure adrenaline, like a star blazing a trail accross the dark night.

So in the end, darkness is overshadowed by light. Real Madrid's shortcomings at the back are more than made up for by its smouldering attack, burning its way through the opposition. But as Ancelotti knows full well, he can't reply on this firepower in every match. He desperately needs to strenghthen his hand, for the times when the gunpowder doesn't go off and his bullets are turn out to be blanks - for even shooting stars like Ronaldo and Bale are only human.

Pakistan seek more cricket cooperation with SA

Sethi said Pakistani players, unable to play at home due to security concerns since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, will learn by playing in South Africa. PHOTO: AFP

ABU DHABI: Pakistan and South African cricket officials Friday agreed on more cricketing cooperation after deciding on a short limited over series later this month.

Pakistan will tour South Africa for a short tour with three one-day and two Twenty20 matches to fill the gap that was created by a shortened India tour to the Proteas in December.

India were initially due to play three Tests, seven one-days and two Twenty20 matches but the tour was shortened to two Tests and three one-days, allowing South Africa to invite Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) interim chairman Najam Sethi and Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the short trip on the sidelines of one-day series between the two nations in Abu Dhabi.

Sethi said South Africa will allow Pakistani players to feature in their domestic cricket.

“Our players will play in South African domestic cricket and that will give them more cricket. I have talked to Lorgat and he has promised me to encourage our players to play in their local leagues,” Sethi told reporters.

Sethi said Pakistani players, unable to play at home due to security concerns since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, will learn by playing in South Africa.

“If South Africa let our players in the local leagues then it will give them good outing and good education,” said Sethi, hoping India will also allow Pakistani players to feature in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

“My concern is that our players should play in India in the IPL and I will talk (about that) when I meet (the) Indian cricket board chief next week,” said Sethi.

Pakistani players featured in the inaugural IPL in 2008 but were then barred from it in the wake of strained relations between the two nations since terrorists attacks on Mumbai, which India blamed on Pakistan.

Lorgat, also a former chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), said CSA will consider allowing Pakistani players.

“I did suggest that we could look into (the possibility) that Pakistani players will play in our T20 league which is very popular,” said Lorgat.

Lorgat disagreed that India will not be happy with the fill-in arrangements.

“I don’t see why it should, Pakistan was available and it’s a bilateral arrangement between the two nations, and we are simply delighted that we can get Pakistan to South Africa,” said Lorgat.