Showing posts with label WOMAN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WOMAN. Show all posts

Monday, April 18, 2011

Deepika Padukone


 Deepika Padukone

Born January 5, 1986 (age 24)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Occupation Actress, Model
Years active 2006–present


Deepika Padukone (Konkani: दीपिका पडुकोण, Kannada: ದೀಪಿಕಾ ಪಡುಕೋಣ pronounced [diːpɪkaː ˈpəɖʊkoːɳ]); born 5 January 1986) is an Indian actress and a former model. Padukone made her acting debut in the 2006 Kannada film Aishwarya. The following year, she made her Hindi film debut in the blockbuster Om Shanti Om which earned her the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award.Contents [hide]
1 Early life and background
2 Career
2.1 Modeling
2.2 Acting
3 Other work
4 Personal life
5 Awards and nominations
6 Filmography
7 See also
8 Notes
9 External links

Early life and background

Deepika was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her family moved to Bangalore, Karnataka, India, when she was eleven months old.[1] Deepika is of Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin origin, and her mother tongue is Konkani.[2] Her father, Prakash Padukone, is a retired badminton player of international repute, and her mother is a travel agent. Padukone also has a younger sister, Anisha, born on February 2, 1991.[3]

Padukone attended Sophia High School in Bangalore, and completed her pre-university studies at Mount Carmel College Bangalore.[4] While in high school she played badminton at the state level.[5] However, she was not keen on pursuing a career as a badminton player.[6]
Career
Modeling

While in college, Padukone pursued a career in modeling.[7] She was spotted in a ramp competition in NLS, Bangalore.[citation needed] Over the years, she has modeled for such Indian brand names as Liril, Dabur Lal powder, Close-Up toothpaste and Limca, and has been "brand ambassador" for the Jewels of India retail jewelry show.[8] The cosmetics company Maybelline made her its international spokesperson.[9]

At the fifth annual Kingfisher Fashion Awards she was awarded the title "Model of the Year".[10] Shortly afterward, she was chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006 and won two trophies at the Idea Zee Fashion Awards: "Female Model of the Year - (Commercial Assignments)" and "Fresh Face of the Year".[11][12] Padukone was also chosen as the brand ambassador of Kingfisher Airlines and later Levi Strauss and Tissot SA.[13] In addition, she appeared in the music video for Himesh Reshammiya's song Naam Hai Tera.
Acting

In 2006, Padukone made her cinematic debut in the Kannada film Aishwarya opposite actor Upendra. She later made a successful Bollywood debut in 2007 with Farah Khan's blockbuster Om Shanti Om opposite Shahrukh Khan.[14][15] Her performance was well received, earning the actress a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award as well as her first Filmfare Best Actress nomination. Taran Adarsh from indiaFM noted, "Deepika has all it takes to be a top star — the personality, the looks and yes, she's supremely talented too. Standing in the same frame as SRK and getting it right is no small achievement. She comes as a whiff of fresh air!"[16] Padukone was then seen in Siddharth Anand's romantic comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno opposite Ranbir Kapoor and alongside Bipasha Basu and Minissha Lamba. The film, which released on 15 August 2008, performed reasonably well at the box office. Her next film Chandni Chowk To China, released on 16 January 2009, and was a critical and commercial disaster. Padukone's fourth release Love Aaj Kal, released on 31 July 2009 and proved to be one of the biggest hits of 2009.[17] Her first release in 2010 was Excel Entertainment’s Karthik Calling Karthik opposite Farhan Akhtar.

Padukone was last seen in Sajid Khan’s Housefull alongside Akshay Kumar. The movie was a commercial hit. Her future projects include Yash Raj Films' Lafangey Parindey, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar, and Kunal Kohli’s Break Ke Baad co-starring Imran Khan.
Other work

In 2009, Deepika started writing weekly columns for HT City, the lifestyle supplement of Hindustan Times. These columns appear online on social network, Desimartini.[18]
Personal life

In March 2008, Padukone began dating Ranbir Kapoor, her co-star from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008).[19] The couple broke up in November 2009.[20]
Awards and nominations
See also: List of awards and nominations received by Deepika Padukone
FilmographyYear Film Role Notes
2006 Aishwarya Aishwarya Kannada film
2007 Om Shanti Om Shantipriya,
Sandhya (Sandy) Double-Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award &
Sony Head N Shoulders Fresh Face of the Year
Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
2008 Bachna Ae Haseeno Gayatri
2009 Chandni Chowk to China Sakhi (Ms. TSM),
Meow Meow (Suzy) Double role
Billu Herself Special appearance in the song Love Mera Hit Hit
Love Aaj Kal Meera Pandit Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna Raina Khan Special appearance
Love 4 Ever Herself Special appearance (item number)
Telugu film
2010 Karthik Calling Karthik Shonali Mukherjee
Housefull Sandy
Lafangey Parindey Pinky Palkar
Break Ke Baad Aaliya Releasing on 25 November 2010
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Kalpana Datta Releasing on 3 December 2010
2011 Desi Boyz Filming
Race 2 Pre-Producrion[21]

See also
List of Indian film actresses

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa Shetty (Tulu: ಶಿಲ್ಪಾ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ; born 8 June 1975) is an Indian film actress and model. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar (1993), she has appeared in nearly 40 Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films, her first leading role being in the 1994 Aag. Although she has been through years of decline during her career, Shetty has been willing to reinvent herself quite often. Her performances in Dhadkan (2000) and Rishtey (2002) were appreciated, while her portrayal of an AIDS patient in Phir Milenge (2004) won her many accolades. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is also a Bollywood film actress.

Shetty has been embroiled in various controversies including suspected mafia links. In 2006 she was issued with a warrant on charges of obscenity. After taking part in the British Celebrity Big Brother TV show in 2007, Shetty was crowned the winner with 63% of the final vote,[3] after an international racism controversy involving her and fellow contestants Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd. This was followed by a re-establishment of her status in the film industry in 2007 when she appeared in two successive movies, Life in a... Metro and Apne, with her performance in the former drawing positive reviews.[4]

Shilpa Shetty was born in a traditional close-knit family in Mangalore[5] that hails from the Bunt community.[1][6]

She is the eldest daughter of Surendra and Sunanda Shetty, manufacturers of tamper-proof caps for the pharmaceutical industry,[5] and her native language is Tulu although she speaks several other languages at differing levels, including English, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, Telugu, Urdu and basic French.[7]

In Mumbai, she attended St. Anthony Girls' High School in Chembur, and later attended Podar College in Matunga. A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, she is also into sports, was the captain of the volleyball team in school, has earned a black belt in karate and is currently a dancesport expert and enthusiast.[8]

Shetty's younger sister Shamita Shetty is also a Bollywood actress. They worked together once in the film Fareb (2005).

At 5 ft 10 inches (178 cm), Shilpa Shetty is among the tallest actresses in Bollywood. It was revealed on 29 March 2009 that Shilpa had purchased a house on St. George's Hill in Surrey, England with her husband Raj Kundra.[2]
[edit] Career
[edit] Film career
Shetty at the Miss Bollywood-The musical

Shetty started her career by modelling for Limca in 1991 at age 16,[9] and made her film debut in 1993 with Baazigar, portraying a woman murdered by her psychopathic boyfriend. Shetty took the supporting role of Seema, co-starring alongside Shahrukh Khan and Kajol; the film was a major success and earned her a nomination for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.[10]

Her first leading role was in the film Aag in 1994, which was averagely received at the box office. She had a hit that same year with the film Main Khiladi Tu Anari opposite Akshay Kumar.[11] This was followed by many films which were average to poor performers at the box office. Shetty starred in another big film that year, Aao Pyaar Karen, followed in 1995 by Hathkadi, where she was working alongside actors such as Saif Ali Khan, Govinda and Madhoo, but they failed at the box office. 1997 was one of her busiest years: she appeared in six different films, beginning with the Telugu language film Veedeva Dani Babu. Her first major Bollywood film of that year was the action thriller Auzaar. Shilpa portrayed the character of Prathna Thakur alongside actors Salman Khan and Sanjay Kapoor. In 1998, she had one release, Pardesi Babu, for which she received critical acclaim and won the Bollywood Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2000, Shetty received much acclaim for her role in Dhadkan which earned reasonable takings at the Indian box office.[12] She received several nominations under the Best Actress category in different award ceremonies. She would later go on to star with Anil Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor in the film Rishtey (2002). Her comic performance as an eccentric fisherwoman was appreciated and she received a nomination under the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award category and various nominations for Best Comedian as well.[13]

2004 was also a good year for Shetty with the release of Garv in which she portrayed a Muslim orphan and disillusioned table dancer starring opposite Salman Khan. According to Shetty, she chose to do the film because she liked the subject. The film was a cop drama.[14] However, she received much acclaim for her performance in Phir Milenge, where she made a sensitive portrayal of a successful city high-flyer who contracts HIV via unprotected sex and becomes a social outcast as a result. The film, based on 1993's Philadelphia, was perceived to have tackled a social taboo as yet unaddressed by Bollywood.[15] The film earned Shetty a Filmfare Best Actress nomination, and provided an impetus for her HIV-related charity work (see below). Film critic Taran Adarsh from indiaFM noted, "Phir Milenge belongs to Shilpa Shetty completely. She delivers, what can be rightly called, the performance of her career. The viewer feels and empathizes with the character mainly because of her effective portrayal. She conveys the pain and the emotional upheaval through her expressive eyes, making it amongst the most memorable performances the year has seen so far."[16] This marked a break from the previous trend of superficial song-and-dance items in favour of roles which have a greater depth of character,[14] exemplified by her film Dus (2005), an action thriller. Although it received average returns at the box office,[17] Shetty stated that she had taken the role in order to reinvent herself by portraying the rather unconventional character of an anti-terrorist squad member.[14] She also starred with her sister in the film Fareb in 2005. Shilpa had one release in 2006, the much delayed Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar. The film was a box office flop, but she got good reviews for her role as a not entirely likeable wife.[18] In 2006, she was a judge on Jhalak Dikhlaja, a Sony Entertainment Television dance show based on the original UK show Strictly Come Dancing.

Shetty was once featured in Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai.

2007 proved to be Shetty's most successful year at the box office so far. Her first release, Life In A... Metro, won a significant reception, and became the first Bollywood movie to premiere at Leicester Square.[19] The film performed well at the box office, and was declared a semi-hit within three weeks. Additionally, the film was critically acclaimed and Shetty's performance was appreciated, with Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN writing, "It's a terrific performance and unquestionably Shilpa's best to date."[20] Her second release, alongside three Deols, Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby, the drama Apne, was also a box office success.
[edit] Celebrity Big Brother 2007

Shetty was a contestant in and the winner of Celebrity Big Brother UK.[21] and was the first Indian celebrity included in the Celebrity version. Reportedly paid Rs.31.5 m (£367,500 GBP) for her participation,[22] she said to presenter Davina McCall, "I just want every Indian to be extremely proud that I'm in here".[23] As for her participation, she stated: "I have zero expectations. The only thing I really hope to keep is my self-respect and my dignity."[24] Her sister Shamita told the Times of India that this "is the boldest decision Shilpa has taken hitherto."[25]

During her time, Shetty instructed fellow housemates Carole Malone and Ken Russell in meditation,[26] and flirted with Dirk Benedict[27] but tempers started to fray by Day 7 as a clique formed in the house disapproving of Shilpa's presence.[28][29] Following a worldwide controversy that publicised her as a target of racist bullying within the house (see below), Shetty won the contest after gaining 63% of the public vote and described the experience as "incredible and overwhelming". She further thanked the public for "a fantastic opportunity to make my country proud".[30]
[edit] Post Celebrity Big Brother

In February 2007, Shetty attended a reception at the House of Commons by invitation of Keith Vaz MP to meet with then Prime Minister Tony Blair.n:Big Brother star meets Tony Blair She was also invited to meet with Queen Elizabeth II at Marlborough House in London in March 2007. During an interview on This Morning, Shetty confirmed that she had been asked to act in the British EastEnders soap opera, and turned it down as it would mean all her other arrangements would have to go on hold.[31]

She was the subject of a Sky One documentary entitled The Real Shilpa Shetty, which was produced by British television production company Twofour. The large number of commercial offers that Shilpa received after winning Celebrity Big Brother themselves became reason for controversy with an increasing number of accusations about her riding the 'racism' wave to commercial gain.[32] She was on the cover of the first issue of OK! Magazine to be sold in India.[33]

In early September 2007 she modelled at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, which also displayed some famous Bollywood actresses including Lara Dutta and Celina Jaitley.[34] As of October 2007, Shilpa will be seen in a musical titled Miss Bollywood. On her agenda next is a cookery book titled Soul Curry and the role of Sita in Uru Patel's international venture Hanuman.[35]
[edit] Bigg Boss

In August 2008, Shetty began hosting the second season of Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother. Controversially, Jade Goody was one of the initial housemates. Goody left the Bigg Boss House early in the series after receiving news that she had cervical cancer, of which she later died on 22 March 2009.
[edit] Indian Premier League

In February 2009 Shilpa and her husband Raj Kundra became part owners of the Indian Premier League franchise cricket team Rajasthan Royals by paying approximately US $15.4 million for a 11.7% stake.
[edit] Other commitments

As well as modeling and acting, Shetty has associated herself with several other commercial and non-profit organizations.
[edit] HIV-AIDS

In February 2006 Shetty lent support to a BBC World Service Trust television show designed to tackle the problem of HIV-AIDS in India.[36] The project, which also involved other celebrities Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza, and Raveena Tandon in separate episodes, featured Shetty as she shadowed a young achiever whose work involved raising awareness about the condition. According to reports, she participated in order to show solidarity with HIV-AIDS sufferers.[36]

The issue is particularly close to Shetty's heart as she had portrayed an HIV-positive sufferer in her 2004 movie Phir Milenge. Speaking about the movie and HIV in general, Shetty said: "Why not a film on HIV positive patients? It is a social stigma in our society. We made this film to highlight this problem ... This film will bring about a social awareness about AIDS in our country. It is high time we talked about this in our society".[14]
[edit] PETA
PETA campaign advertisement

In March 2006 various sources reported Shetty's joining PETA as part of an advertising campaign against the use of wild animals in circuses.[37] According to a PETA India press release, Shetty is a long-time PETA supporter and has assisted the campaign by posing for photographs in a figure-hugging tiger costume. She explained that her crouching in a cage was uncomfortable during the photoshoot, but that her discomfort was insignificant compared to the pain suffered by the creatures. "These once dignified animals only leave their cages, which are barely larger than the size of their bodies, for a few minutes each day to be forced into the ring to perform tricks which make no sense and are upsetting to them. The best way to help animals suffering in circuses is to boycott the circus".[38]

Shetty revealed in a later interview that she felt strongly about this cause and that she was appalled to hear of the cruel treatment suffered by such animals. "I thought I should stop that. If I can make a little difference to their lives, why not go for it?"[14]
[edit] Personal life

Shetty is a frequent subject of speculation regarding romance.[39] She previously dated Akshay Kumar, but the couple broke up in 2000 after he started dating Shetty's friend and fellow actress Twinkle Khanna after a previous indiscretion,[40] which led to Shetty's successful suing of Stardust Magazine for publishing a "damaging" report about the affair.[15]

In an interview for The Times of India, Shetty quashed rumours of a romance with film director Anubhav Sinha and claimed to have changed her mobile phone number in order to concentrate on her busy schedule.[41] But in a later interview for The Sunday Mirror, a friend of Shetty said that she was "in love" with Sinha and that he was her "soulmate", but that she could not be with him for fear of parental disapproval, social stigma (Sinha is married with two children, although currently separated) and adverse public perception.[40] She married Raj Kundra on 22 November 2009 and announced on her web site that "I am officially Shilpa Shetty Kundra now!!"[42][43]
[edit] Controversies
[edit] Alleged mafia links

In May 2003 a controversy erupted over alleged links between Shetty's parents and the Indian underworld. The Surat police issued arrest warrants against her parents on charges of extortion.[44] The Police Commissioner of Surat, D.K. Gupta, told the media that the owners of Praful Sarees had lodged complaints with them after claiming to receive threatening telephone calls from Mumbai-based underworld figures asking for money on behalf of the Shettys. The dispute between the two parties related to a 1998 modelling assignment where Shilpa endorsed Praful Sarees and had only been paid Indian Rupee ₹50 lakh (US$111,000) out of a contractually agreed Indian Rupee ₹3 crore (US$666,000).[44] Agarwal claimed that the full sum had been paid in advance, but he had no knowledge of how much had been paid to Shilpa.[45] Surendra Shetty was refused bail by a Mumbai court although bail was granted to Sunanda,[46] as she had been travelling abroad at the time the warrant was issued. The police further claimed to possess a record of a telephone call between Shilpa's parents and Pankaj Agarwal, the owner of Praful Sarees. The parents denied this and claimed the tape had been "manipulated".[47][48] Sunanda Shetty held a press conference on 5 June in which she denied that the family had underworld connections and said that the whole fracas was a "plot to tarnish the image of my daughter."[49] She further said that she was "definitely innocent" of the charges and was falsely implicated by Agarwal after he had failed to fully reimburse Shilpa for her work.[50] On June 13 it was reported that after interrogation by the police, Surendra had confessed to establishing contact with associates of Fazl-ur-Rehman, leader of the Mumbai gang.[51] A contradictory story surfaced that although the Shettys' driver, Dilip Pashekar, admitted to introducing Surendra to Rehman's associates, Surendra continued to deny that any links were forged.[52] A senior police official confirmed that Surendra had "vehemently denied" his links even though he and Pashekar were interrogated side by side. Shetty's lawyer later clarified that the reports of confessing to Mafia links were false.[53]

Court hearings revealed that, despite Shetty's denials, print-outs of cellular phone records proved that contact between Shetty and the gang had taken place.[54] On 20 June Surendra Shetty was formally arrested after surrendering to the police, later telling news reporters that the entire issue was designed to malign him and his family. When asked about the underworld's involvement, Shetty said "I do not know, I talked to them only after they called up and said they were agents of Agarwal."[55] Further court hearings cast doubt on the veracity of the evidence tapes; Shetty's defence claimed that it was Agarwal who recorded the telephone calls rather than the police, and that the possibility of dubbing or manipulation could not be ruled out.[56] Shilpa was quizzed by police upon her return to India from overseas filming assignments and denied all knowledge of any involvement between her parents and underworld figures, claiming that she had no knowledge of the case until it became public through the media.[57] She further stated that her mother had power of attorney over her financial affairs and disclaimed any knowledge of payment for the Praful Sarees affair. Sunanda's bail hearing was adjourned three times on health grounds.[58]

Another twist occurred when the Shettys' driver, Dilip Pashekhar, was arrested.[59] On 5 November it was reported that Surendra and Sunanda Shetty, among three others, were chargesheeted, paving the way for a trial commencement in a local court.[60] The trial is still pending. In August 2006 Sunanda said that Shilpa had no involvement with the case and that the arrest of Fazl-ur-Rehman earlier that month would not have a negative effect on her career. Shilpa has threatened to claim damages after an unnamed local tabloid allegedly printed incorrect information about the case.[61] In an interview for Filmfare, she said that she was very "cut up" and "devastated" with the way the case had turned into a trial by media and that they had behaved "unethically".[62] She also said that this was the worst controversy she had ever been through, and expressed her thanks to several film figures for standing by her, including Rajkumar Santoshi and Anil Kapoor.
[edit] Obscenity charges

In April 2006, a Madurai court issued non-bailable warrants against Shetty and Reema Sen for "posing in an obscene manner" in photographs published by a Tamil newspaper.[63] The report stated that the two actresses had failed to comply with earlier summons for the same reason, hence the issuance of the warrants.[63] The petitioner submitted that the paper had published "very sexy blow-ups and medium blow-ups" in its December 2005 and January 2006 issues, and alleged that these violated the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986, Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act 1956, and the Indian Penal Code Section 292 (Sale of Obscene Books). The petitioner further demanded that the images be confiscated under the terms of the Press and Registration of Book Act 1867.

Shetty responded that she had not received any court summons and also discounted the charges. She further claimed that the pictures were freeze-frame shots from a recent movie that only exposed her navel. "As far as my photographs go, what is obscene about it? If navel-showing is obscenity, then our traditional Indian outfit - the traditional sari - should be banned in the first place."[64]

In January 2007 outgoing Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal confirmed that Shetty had written to him requesting that he enunciate guidelines against frivolous lawsuits against artists, but that he had refused her plea on the grounds that she should have filed a formal petition instead of writing a letter.[65]
[edit] Celebrity Big Brother racism controversy
Main article: Celebrity Big Brother racism controversy
Shetty in 2007

During her time on Celebrity Big Brother, Shetty was allegedly a target of racism and bullying by other housemates, chiefly by Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.[66] After mocking the east London dialect of Jade Goody's mother, who mispronounced her name as 'Shiwpa', Shetty was mocked for her Indian accent and was branded "The Indian" and a "dog". Disparaging conversations took place among the other housemates about Indian eating habits, and Shetty's cooking was criticised for giving O'Meara diarrhea.[67] After Shetty attempted to dispose of left-over chicken soup down the toilet and caused a blockage, Jack Tweed suggested that she should pick the bones out with her teeth[67] and allegedly referred to her as a "fucking Paki",[68] although show producers denied this and stated that the word used was "cunt".[69][70] During a fierce argument, Goody told Shetty that she needed to "spend a day in the slums", although the media falsely reported this as "go back to the slums".[71] Claiming that she did not know Shilpa's surname, Jade referred to her as "Shilpa Fuckawallah", "Shilpa Durupa", and "Shilpa Poppadom", later claiming that they were non-racist references to Indian food.[72][73] Lloyd had opined that Shetty's English-speaking skills were lacking and verbally indicated her desire that Shetty would "fuck off home".[74] Shetty had been reduced to tears on several occasions, confiding to fellow housemate Ian Watkins: "I feel like I'm losing my dignity."[67]

Shetty speculated that she might be a victim of racism,[75] but later retracted it by claiming: "People say things in anger."[72] A record 40,000 complaints were received jointly by OFCOM and Channel 4 about the treatment of Shetty, 30 of which were formally investigated by Hertfordshire police.[69][76]
Wikinews has related news:

* Big Brother star meets Tony Blair
* UK Celebrity Big Brother loses sponsorship over racism allegations

Carphone Warehouse suspended its sponsorship of the show[77] and Louise Burfitt-Dons, the founder of the Act Against Bullying charity, branded Jade Goody's behaviour as "unforgivable".[78][79] The controversy reached the British Parliament as an early day motion in the House of Commons was tabled.[80][81] The row then escalated into an international diplomatic incident after a formal complaint from Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma lodged with then British PM Tony Blair that threatened to sour relations and damage trade between the two countries. In the city of Patna in Bihar, India, angry protestors marched in the streets and burned effigies in protest of the show, terming it 'Bigot Brother'.[82][83]

During a parliamentary Prime Minister's Question Time session Blair responded that "We should oppose racism in all its forms."[82] Gordon Brown, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was in India on a goodwill visit, condemned the controversy as "offensive" and the opposite of what Britain stood for: "I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything that detracts from that I condemn."[69][84] In an official statement, Channel 4 denied that overt racial abuse or behaviour had been directed at Shetty, but acknowledged that a "cultural and class clash" was responsible for the disputes.[75] After a thorough investigation, OFCOM made an unprecedented move and issued a ruling that Channel 4 were guilty of broadcasting potentially racist material, and required them to make multiple apologies on air during the next Big Brother season.[85][86]
[edit] Richard Gere kissing incident

On 15 April 2007, Richard Gere kissed Shetty on the cheek several times in jest during an AIDS-awareness event.[87] The pair were appearing at a press conference in New Delhi as part of a campaign to preach safe sex to truck drivers in India and promote AIDS awareness.[88] The kiss, considered an attack on India's cultural and moral values[who?], prompted protesters - alleged members of the extremist Hindu group Shiv Sena - to beat burning effigies of Gere with sticks.[89] Others set fire to glamour shots of Shetty. People demanded an apology from her and threatened to ban her movies in the state.[90] Shiv Sena leaders denied involvement in the protests, but Shiv Sena member of parliament Sanjay Raut observed that the protests are "just a manifestation of the anger of the general public" and that there was "nothing wrong with expressing contempt at such an act".[91]

Similar protests broke out in other cities, including Varanasi, Hinduism's holiest city, and the northern town of Meerut, where crowds of hundreds of thousands chanted "Down with Shilpa Shetty!" The STAR News office was also attacked. The protests did not take any violent turn and the situation was quickly brought under control, with some activists being detained.[92]

Shetty responded to these protests by saying, "I understand this (kissing) is his (Gere's) culture, not ours. But this was not such a big thing or so obscene for people to overreact in such a manner. I understand people's sentiments, but I do not want a foreigner to take bad memories from here."[92]

On 26 April 2007, an Indian court in Rajasthan issued a warrant for Shetty and Gere's arrest.[93]

The legal action against both Shetty and Gere has been suspended by the Indian Supreme Court until the court decides on the case's proper jurisdiction. Gere has since expressed regret for causing any offense and Shetty has said, "so much has been blown out of proportion".[94]
[edit] Awards and honours

Winner

* 1998: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Supporting Actress for Pardesi Babu
* 2004: Giant International Award for Phir Milenge.[7]
* 2005: AAHOA Award for Phir Milenge.[7]
* 2005: Indian "Diva of the Year" by SaharaOne Television viewers.[95]
* 2007: IIFA Special Award for Global Impact.
* 2007: Silver Star Award for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian causes.[96]
* 2007: Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award.[97]
* 2008: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female for Life in a... Metro.[98]
* 2009: Shetty was among the 10 recipients of the IIFA-FICCI Frames Awards for the "Most Powerful Entertainers of the Decade".[99]

Nominated

* 1994: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Baazigar
* 2001: IIFA Best Actress Award for Dhadkan
* 2003: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Rishtey
* 2003: Star Screen Award Best Comedian for Rishtey
* 2005: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Phir Milenge
* 2005: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Phir Milenge
* 2005: Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female for Phir Milenge
* 2005: IIFA Best Actress Award for Phir Milenge
* 2005: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Actress for Phir Milenge

[edit] Filmography
Year Film Role Language Notes
1993 Baazigar Seema Chopra Hindi Nominated, Filmfare Best Debut Award
1994 Aao Pyaar Karen Chhaya Hindi
Main Khiladi Tu Anari Mona/Basanti Hindi
Aag Bijli Hindi
1995 Gambler Ritu Hindi
Hathkadi Neha Hindi
1996 Mr. Romeo Shilpa Tamil Dubbed into Hindi and Telugu as Mr. Romeo
Chhote Sarkar Seema Hindi
Himmat Nisha Hindi
Sahasa Veerudu Sagara Kanya Sona Telugu Dubbed into Hindi as Saagar Kanya
1997 Dus Journalist Hindi Incomplete role
Prithvi Neha Hindi
Insaaf Divya Hindi
Zameer: The Awakening of a Soul Roma Khurana Hindi
Auzaar Prathna Thakur Hindi
Veedeva Dandi Babu Nandhana Telugu
1998 Pardesi Babu Chinni Malhotra Hindi
Aakrosh Komal Hindi
1999 Jaanwar Mamta Hindi
Shool Special appearance Hindi Item number
Lal Baadshah Lawyer's daughter Hindi
2000 Azad Kanaka Mahalakshmi Telugu
Dhadkan Anjali Hindi
Tarkieb Preeti Sharma Hindi
Kushi Macarena Tamil Item number
Jung Tara Hindi
2001 Indian Anjali Rajshekar Azad Hindi
Bhalevadivi Basu Shilpa Telugu Dubbed into Hindi as Sherni Ka Shikaar
Maduve Agona Baa Preeti Kannada
Preethsod Thappa Chandana(Chandu) Kannada
2002 Karz Sapna Hindi
Rishtey Vaijanti Hindi Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Hathyar Gauri Shivalkar Hindi
Chor Machaaye Shor Kaajal Hindi
Badhaai Ho Badhaai Radha/Banto Betty Hindi
Junoon Hindi
2003 Ondagona Baa Belli Kannada
Darna Mana Hai Gayathri Hindi
2004 Phir Milenge Tamanna Sahani Hindi Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Garv: Pride and Honour Jannat Hindi
2005 Dus Aditi Hindi
Fareb Neha Hindi
Khamosh: Khauff Ki Raat Sonia Hindi
Auto Shankar Money Lender Kannada
2006 Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar Ahana Hindi
2007 Life In A... Metro Shikha Hindi
Apne Simran Hindi
Om Shanti Om Herself Hindi Special Appearance In Song 'Deewangi Deewangi'
2008 Dostana Hindi Special Appearance In Song 'Shut Up & Bounce'
2010 The Desire Gautami Hindi,English,Chinese Filming'

Priyanka Chopra (Hindi: प्रियंका चोपड़ा

Priyanka Chopra (Hindi: प्रियंका चोपड़ा, pronounced [prɪˈjəŋkaː ˈtʃoːpɽaː]; born 18 July 1982)[1] is an Indian actress and former Miss World. Before starting her acting career, she worked as a model and gained fame after winning the Miss World title in 2000.[2] She is often referred to by the nickname "Piggy Chops", which was given to her by co-stars on the set of the film Bluffmaster![3]Chopra made her acting debut with the 2002 Tamil film Thamizhan. The following year, she made her Bollywood film debut with The Hero: Love Story of a Spy and followed it with the hit Andaaz, for which she won a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. In 2004, she became the second woman to win the Filmfare Best Villain Award, which she received for her critically acclaimed performance in Aitraaz. Chopra would later have commercial success with films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Krrish (2006) and Don – The Chase Begins Again.[4] In 2008, Chopra received a National Film Award for Best Actress, as well as a Filmfare Award for Best Actress[5][6] for her portrayal of a model in Fashion and has thus established herself as one of the leading contemporary actresses in Bollywood.[7][8]

Chopra was born in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand to Ashok Chopra and Madhu Akhauri, both physicians by profession. Chopra spent her childhood in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh; Newton, Massachusetts; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.[9] Her father was in the army and thus her family moved quite frequently. Her father hailed from a family of Punjabi origin, settled in Bareilly and her mother comes from a family settled in Jamshedpur. She also has a brother, Siddharth, who is seven years younger than she is.[10]

Chopra studied at La Martiniere Girls' School in Lucknow as a young girl. She subsequently re-located to the U.S. where she studied in Newton South High School in Newton, Massachusetts and then in John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She returned to India and finished her high school at Army School in Bareilly. She began college at Jai Hind College in Mumbai, but left after winning the Miss World pageant.
Miss World

Chopra's mother sent in pictures of her for the Miss India contest. When she got called to participate, she was surprised and did it mainly to take a break from studying.[11] She came in second place at the Femina Miss India 2000 competition, winning the Femina Miss India World title. She was subsequently sent to the Miss World pageant, where she was crowned Miss World 2000.[12] In the same year, Lara Dutta and Dia Mirza, both also from India, won the Miss Universe and Miss Asia Pacific crowns respectively, in a rare triple victory for one country. When Chopra won the Miss World crown, she became the fifth Indian woman to win the title, and the fourth Indian woman to win in a span of seven years.
Acting career
Debut and breakthrough (2002–03)

Chopra made her debut in the 2002 Tamil film Thamizhan playing the role of Priya, the love interest of the protaginist in the film played by Vijay. The film was praised for its wit, although the depth of Chopra's character was seen as lacking.[13] Chopra also sang playback in the film, singing "Ullathai Killadhe" along with Vijay. In 2003, she appeared in her first Bollywood film, opposite Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta in the Anil Sharma film The Hero: Love Story of a Spy. She played a supporting role as a doctor named Shaheen in the film that The New York Times described as "ripping its text from the seething border tensions between India and Pakistan, spicing its conflict with hot-tempered religious zealots bent on nuclear havoc".[14] Despite being one of the highest grossing films of that year, the overall film was not well received by critics.[15] Chopra was awarded mostly good reviews for her debut Hindi performance.[16] Later that year she appeared in Raj Kanwar's Andaaz, playing the character of Jiya who falls in love with Raj Malhotra, played by Akshay Kumar. The film was a success at the box office,[15] earning her a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award and a nomination for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. Rediff.com said of her role, "Priyanka Chopra alone clicks with the audience, thanks to her skimpy outfits."[17]
Initial success and struggle phase (2004–08)
Chopra as the seductive vamp Mrs Sonia Roy in Aitraaz (2004), which earned her the Filmfare Best Villain Award.

Her next few films released in 2004 Plan, Kismat and Asambhav performed poorly at the box office.[18] Later that year she appeared in David Dhawan's romantic comedy Mujhse Shaadi Karogi playing the role of a young fashion designer Rani along with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. The film turned out to be the third-highest grossing film of that year.[19] She next starred in Abbas-Mustan's thriller Aitraaz. It was her first negative role and her performance was critically acclaimed.[20] She earned a Filmfare Best Villain Award, becoming the second and last female actor to win the award after Kajol (the category has been retired since 2008). She also received a second nomination for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for the role. Film critic Subhash K. Jha noted, "A star is born! As the predatory social-climbing seductress who can go to any length to satiate her lust for life, Priyanka Chopra rocks the scene like never before. The film is undoubtedly a triumph for Priyanka Chopra. With half a smile, a twitch of her lip and a movement of her eyebrow she seems to slip into her man-eater's role with captivating ease".[21] In 2005, she starred in six films. Four of them, Blackmail, Karam, Yakeen and Barsaat failed to do well.[18] However, her performance in Yakeen garnered good reviews from critics.[22]

Her other two 2005 releases, Waqt: The Race Against Time and Bluffmaster! performed moderately at the box office.[23][18] In 2006, Chopra starred in two of the most successful films of the year: Krrish, in which she shared the screen with Hrithik Roshan and Rekha, and Don – The Chase Begins Again, alongside Shahrukh Khan which was a remake of the 1978 film Don. She played the character of Roma, a role which was played by Zeenat Aman in the original movie.[24]

In 2007, she appeared in Nikhil Advani's ensemble piece Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love. Despite a promising opening, the movie was a financial failure.[25] Chopra's next release, the much-delayed[26] Big Brother, also underperformed at the box-office. In 2008, Chopra acted in six films. Her first four films, Love Story 2050, God Tussi Great Ho, Chamku and Drona, were critically and commercially unsuccessful.[27] Critics started panning her for choosing the wrong movies and critcising her performances.[28] Still, she was noted for her physical performance in Drona with Rediff writing, "Chopra truly impresses with her convincing action heroine skills."[29]
Fashion and recent work (2008–present)
Chopra as the supermodel Meghna Mathur in Fashion (2008), which earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress, as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

After a series of flops, Chopra was cast in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion (2008) for the lead role of Meghna Mathur. Revolving around the fashion world through Chopra's role of an ambitious model, the film was a critical success. Her performance in the film was appreciated and earned her several awards for Best Actress including the National Film Award for Best Actress, as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[30][31] Subhash K Jha said of her performance, "Her transformation from the bubbly Chandigarh girl to the super-ambitious supermodel, who dumps her boyfriend and conscience to pursue her dreams, is achieved with a gentle subtlety and bridled passion. This is Priyanka’s coming-of-age film. She looks like a zillion bucks. And acts like a woman who connects with the darkest, most desperate human emotions without wallowing in them."[32] Chopra's final release of the year was Tarun Mansukhani's romantic comedy Dostana. The film was a moderate financial success.[27] Rajeev Masand wrote about her performance, "Priyanka Chopra, is at complete ease, slipping effortlessly into the role of the hottie-with-a-heart-of-gold; she looks smashing in this film, better than she's ever looked before."[33]

In 2009, she appeared in Vishal Bhardwaj's caper thriller Kaminey alongside Shahid Kapoor, playing the role of a feisty Marathi girl named Sweety. Her performance in the film was described by critic Taran Adarsh as "first-rate", who further stated, "She's so much in sync with her character... [and] gets the Maharashtrian accent perfect".[34] She subsequently appeared in Ashutosh Gowariker's romantic comedy What's Your Raashee?, a film which made Chopra the first actress in cinema history to portray 12 distinct characters in one film.[35] She was reportedly being considered for inclusion in the upcoming edition of Guinness World Records for this feat.[36] The film itself was a financial and critical failure,[37][38] but Chopra's performance in the film was appreciated by critics.[39]

In 2010, Chopra appeared in Jugal Hansraj's Pyaar Impossible where she portrayed the role of a college beauty who eventually falls in love with a geek. The film was a commercial and critical failure.[40] Her next release, Siddharth Anand's Anjaana Anjaani alongside Ranbir Kapoor, got a good initial response at the box office,[40] but was not well-received by the critics.[41]

In early 2011, Chopra appeared in Vishal Bhardwaj's black comedy 7 Khoon Maaf, in which she portrayed the role of an Anglo-Indian woman who murders her seven husbands. Her performance in the film garnered mixed reviews by the critics.[42][43] She has completed the filming of Farhan Akhtar's Don 2 – The Chase Continues alongside Shahrukh Khan. She has commenced the filming of Anurag Basu's Barfee,[44] and Karan Johar's Agneepath remake,[45] the filming of both being held in back-to-back schedules.[46] Recently, she has also confirmed to be reprising her role in Krrish 2 alongside Hrithik Roshan.[47]
Other work

Chopra became a television host with the Colors' reality show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi Level 3. She replaced actor Akshay Kumar who hosted the previous two seasons. The show, which premiered on 6 September 2010, beat the opening ratings of the previous two seasons.[48]

Chopra participated in a concert tour titled Temptations 2004 with other Bollywood actors, including Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Arjun Rampal. She sang, danced, and performed in skits.[49] She is known to be a fairly good singer. For example, she was offered to do the playback singing of "Tinka Tinka" in Karam (2005). She declined, wanting to concentrate on acting, but later sang the song live on the TV program Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.[50]

On 12 December 2009, she was present as a judge for the Miss World 2009 competition held in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was also appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010.[51]

Chopra continues to do some modelling work, such as appearing for fashion designer Ritu Kumar's collection at HDIL India Couture Week.[52] She has a number of endorsements and is one of the top paid Bollywood actresses in this respect.[53] She has represented brands including Lux, Ponds, Sunsilk, Hero Honda, Nokia, Tag Heuer, J. Hampsted and Virgin Comic.[54]
Filmography
See also: List of awards and nominations received by Priyanka Chopra
Year Film Role Notes
2002 Thamizhan Priya Tamil film
Sung playback for the song "Ullathai Killadhe"
2003 The Hero: Love Story of a Spy Shaheen Zakaria
Andaaz Jiya Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award
Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2004 Plan Rani
Kismat Sapna
Asambhav Alisha
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi Rani Singh
Aitraaz Mrs. Sonia Roy Winner, Filmfare Best Villain Award
Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2005 Blackmail Mrs. Rathod
Karam Shalini
Waqt: The Race Against Time Pooja (Mitali)
Yakeen Simar
Barsaat Kajal
Bluffmaster! Simmi Ahuja
2006 Taxi Number 9211 Special appearance
36 China Town Seema Special appearance
Alag Special appearance in song "Sabse Alag"
Krrish Priya
Aap Ki Khatir Anu
Don – The Chase Begins Again Roma
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love Kamini
Big Brother Aarthi Sharma
Om Shanti Om Herself Special appearance in song "Deewangi Deewangi"
2008 My Name is Anthony Gonsalves Herself Special appearance
Love Story 2050 Sana/Zeisha Double role
God Tussi Great Ho Alia Kapoor
Chamku Shubhi
Drona Sonia
Fashion Meghna Mathur Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress
Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Dostana Neha Melwani
2009 Billu Herself Special appearance in song "You Get Me Rockin & Reeling"
Kaminey Sweety Shekhar
Bhope Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
What's Your Raashee? 12 Roles Anjali/Vishakha/Kajal/Hansa/Mallika/Pooja/Rajni/
Nandini/Bhavna/Jhankhana/Sanjna/Chandrika
2010 Pyaar Impossible Alisha Merchant
Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai Herself Special appearance
Anjaana Anjaani Kiara
2011 7 Khoon Maaf Susanna Anna-Marie
Johannes (Saheb)
Don 2 – The Chase Continues Roma Post-production
Agneepath Filming
2012 Barfee Filming
Krrish 2 Priya Announced

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Kashmiri

Kashmiri (कॉशुर, کأشُر Koshur) is a language from the Dardic sub-group[3] of the Indo-Aryan group of languages and it is spoken primarily in the Kashmir Valley, in Jammu and Kashmir.[4][5][6] There are approximately 5,554,496 speakers in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Census of 2001.[7] Most of the 105,000 speakers or so in Pakistan are émigrés from the Kashmir Valley after the partition of India.[8] They include a few speakers residing in border villages in Neelum District.


The Kashmiri language is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India,[9] and is a part of the Sixth Schedule in the constitution of the Jammu and Kashmir. Along with other regional languages mentioned in the Sixth Schedule, as well as Hindi and Urdu, the Kashmiri language is to be developed in the state.[10] Some Kashmiri speakers frequently use Hindi or English as a second language, though the most frequently used second language is Urdu.[1] Since November 2008, the Kashmiri language has been made a compulsory subject in all schools in the Valley up to the secondary level.[11]


There are three orthographical systems used to write the Kashmiri language—these are the Sharada script, the Devanagari script and the Perso-Arabic script; additionally, due to internet technology, the Roman script is sometimes used to write Kashmiri, especially online.[2] The Kashmiri language was traditionally written in the Sharada script after the 8th Century A.D.[13] This script however, is not in common use today, except for religious ceremonies of the Kashmiri Pandits.[14] However, today, it is written in Devanagari script and Perso-Arabic script (with some modifications).[15] Among languages written in the Perso-Arabic script, Kashmiri is one of the very few which regularly indicates all vowel sounds.[16] This script has been in vogue since the Muslim conquest in India and has been used by the people for centuries, in the Kashmir Valley.[17] However, today, the Kashmiri Perso-Arabic script has come to be associated with Kashmiri Muslims, while the Kashmiri Devanagari script, has come to be associated with the Kashmiri Hindu community, who employ the latter script.[17][18] Recently, a new font NarQalam was developed and copyrighted by Muzaffar Aazim, a well known Kashmiri writer and poet.
[edit] Grammar

Kashmiri, like German and Old English and unlike other Indo-Aryan languages, has V2 word order.[19]

There are four cases in Kashmiri: nominative, genitive, and two oblique cases: the ergative and the dative case.[20]
[edit] Vocabulary

Kashmiri draws on a large mixed vocabulary of Dardic, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Hindi-Urdu, Persian and Arabic origin.[21] Kashmiri is extensively borrows Dari Persian words, much as is the case with Hindi-Urdu and other languages of the region.[22] In reference,[6] Shashishekhar Toshkhani, a scholar on Kashmir's heritage,[23] provides a detailed analysis where he shows extensive linguistic relationship between the Sanskrit language and the Kashmiri language, and presents detailed arguments contesting George Grierson's classification of the Kashmiri language as a member of the Dardic sub-group (of the Indo-Aryan group of languages).
[edit] Preservation of old Indo-Aryan vocabulary

Kashmiri retains several features of Old Indo-Aryan that have been lost in other Modern Indo-Aryan languages such as Hindi-Urdu, Punjabi and Sindhi.[24] For instance, it preserves the dvi- form for prefixes in numbers which is found in Sanskrit, but has been replaced entirely by ba-/bi- in other Indo-Aryan languages. Seventy-two is dusatath in Kashmiri and dvisaptati in Sanskrit, but bahattar in Hindi-Urdu and Punjabi.[24] Some vocabulary features that Kashmiri preserves clearly date from the Vedic Sanskrit era and had already been lost even in Classical Sanskrit. This includes the word-form yodvai (meaning if), which is mainly found only in Vedic Sanskrit texts. Classical Sanskrit and modern Indo-Aryan render the word as yadi.[24] Certain words in Kashmiri even appear to stem from Indo-Aryan even predating the Vedic period. For instance, there was a 's' to 'h' consonant shift in some words that had already occurred with Vedic Sanskrit (this tendency is even stronger in the Iranian branch of Indo-Iranian), yet is lacking in Kashmiri equivalents. The word rahit in Vedic Sanskrit and modern Hindi-Urdu (meaning excluding or without) corresponds to rost in Kashmiri. Similarly, sahit (meaning including or with) corresponds to sost in Kashmiri.[24]
[edit] First personal pronoun

Both the Indo-Aryan and Iranian branches of the Indo-Iranian family have demonstrated a strong tendency to eliminate the distinctive first person pronoun ("I") used in the nominative (subject) case. The Indo-European root term for this is believed to be "eghom", which is preserved in Sanskrit as "aham" and in Avestan Persian as "azam." This contrasts with the "m-" form ("me", "my") that is used for the accusative, genitive, dative, ablative cases. Sanskrit and Avestan both used forms such as "ma(-m)." However, in languages such as Modern Persian, Baluchi, Hindi-Urdu and Punjabi, the distinct nominative form has been entirely lost and replaced with "m-" in words such as "ma-n" and "mai." However, Kashmiri belongs to a relatively small set that preserves the distinction. "I" is "bi/ba/boh" in various Kashmiri dialects, distinct from the other "me" terms. Other Indo-Aryan languages that preserve this feature are Dogri ("aun" vs "me-") and Gujarati ("hu-n" vs "ma-ri"). Pashto preserves it too ("za" vs "maa").[25]
[edit] See also
Quill and ink.svg Poetry portal

* Dardic languages
* Kashmiri literature
* List of topics on the land and the people of “Jammu and Kashmir”
* List of Kashmiri poets
* Neab International Kashmiri Magazine
* States of India by Kashmiri speakers

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Saina Nehwal


Saina Nehwal (born March 17, 1990) is an Indian Khel Ratna winning badminton player currently ranked number 4 in the world by Badminton World Federation.[4] Saina is the first Indian woman to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships. Saina Nehwal made history on June 21, 2009, becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament, by clinching the Indonesia Open with a stunning victory over higher-ranked Chinese Wang Lin in Jakarta. (The Super Series tournament is roughly equivalent to a Grand Slam in tennis).

Saina won her second career Super Series title by winning the Singapore Open title on June 20, 2010. She completed a hat-trick in the same year by winning the Indonesian Open on June 27, 2010. This win resulted in her rise to 3rd ranking and subsequently to No. 2. Later in the same year she also won Hong Kong Super Series on December 12, 2010.

Previously coached by S. M. Arif, a Dronacharya Award winner, Saina is the reigning Indian national junior champion and is currently coached by Indonesian badminton legend Atik Jauhari since August 2008,[5] with the former All England champion and national coach Pullela Gopichand being her mentor.

Saina was born in Hisar, Haryana and has spent her entire life in Hyderabad, India. Her foray into the world of badminton was influenced by her father Dr. Harvir Singh, a scientist at the Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad and her mother Usha Nehwal,[1] both of whom were former badminton champions in Haryana. She is the top ranked player (women) in Indian Badminton history.[6]
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Childhood and early training
* 2 Career summary
* 3 Career Record - Best Results
* 4 2008 Summer Olympics
* 5 2010 Updates (Her Path Breaking Year)
* 6 2011 updates
* 7 Record Against Top ranked Chinese Opponents
* 8 Record Against other top rated Opponents
* 9 Miscellaneous
* 10 References

[edit] Childhood and early training

Saina was born in 1990 in a Jat family from Haryana.

She has got brown belt in Karate. She quit Karate at age of 8, when she was asked to have a motorcycle run over her stomach.[7]

In December 1998, Saina's father took her to meet Coach Nani Prasad at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad. Seeing potential in the girl, Prasad asked Singh to enroll Saina as a summer trainee.

Harvir Singh and Saina, who was 8 years old at the time, would wake at 4am every morning and head to the stadium which was 25 km away. After two hours of practice, Singh would drop Saina at school on his way to work. Sitting behind her father on his scooter, Saina would often fall asleep on these journeys which prompted her mother to accompany them for the next three months.

In order to keep up with the rising cost of her training, Saina’s father withdrew money from his savings and provident fund. The tight-rope walk continued until 2002, when sports brand Yonex offered to sponsor Saina’s kit. As her status and rankings improved, the sponsorships increased. In 2004, BPCL (Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited).[8] signed the rising star onto their payroll, and she is also supported by Olympic Gold Quest.[9]
[edit] Career summary

Saina was the under-19 national champion. Saina created history by the winning the prestigious Asian Satellite Badminton tournament (India Chapter) twice, becoming the first player to do so.

In 2006, Saina appeared on the global scene when she became the first Indian woman to win a 4-star tournament, the Philippines Open.[10] Entering the tournament as the 86th seed, Saina went on to stun several top seeded players including number seed Xu Huaiwen before defeating Julia Wong Pei Xian of Malaysia for the title. The same year also saw Saina as runner up at the 2006 BWF World Junior Championships, where she lost a hard fought match against top seed Chinese Wang Yihan. She did one better in the 2008 by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships by defeating ninth seeded Japanese Sayaka Sato 21-9, 21-18.

She became the first Indian woman to reach the quarter finals at the Olympic Games when she upset world number five and fourth seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong in a three-game thriller. In the quarter-finals Saina lost a nail biting 3-gamer to world number 16 Maria Kristin Yulianti. In September 2008, she won the Yonex Chinese Taipei Open 2008 beating Lydia Cheah Li Ya of Malaysia 21-8 21-19.[11] Maria Yulianti had earlier lost her quarter-final match to Pia Bernadet, Saina's semi-final opponent, thus denying Saina a rematch.

Saina has been named The Most Promising Player in 2008.[12] She reached the world super series semifinals in the month of December 2008.[13]

On 21 June 2009, she became the first Indian[14] to win a BWF Super Series title, the most prominent badminton series of the world by winning the Indonesia Open. She beat Chinese Wang Lin in the final 12-21, 21-18, 21-9. Saina on winning the tournament said "I had been longing to win a super series tournament since my quarter final appearance at the Olympics". Saina is on the par with the likes of Prakash Padukone and her mentor Pullela Gopichand who both won the all England championships which are of similar status to the super series. In August 2009 she reached the quarterfinals of world championship losing to the second seed Lin Wang. Saina Nehwal was rewarded with Arjuna award in August, 2009 and her coach Gopichand was also rewarded with Dronacharya award at the same time.

Saina has been signed up by Olympic Gold Quest to support her in fulfilling her dream of winning the Olympic gold medal.[15] Saina has been awarded with Padma Shri award in January 2010. Saina is brand ambassador of Deccan Chargers, an Indian Premier League team owned by Deccan chronicle. She has also became one of the 8 brand ambassadors of 2010 Commonwealth Games held on New Delhi India

Her strategy, at the beginning of 2010, was to ignore ranking points and focus her energies on premier tournaments. That seems to be working as she has won three titles (including two in India), and has reached the semis of two majors. With the World Championships, Commonwealth and Asian Games coming up, her preparation couldn’t have been better. Saina has been awarded with the highest national sporting award given to players, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award on 29 August 2010.

On October 14, 2010 won gold medal against Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia 19-21, 23-21, 21-13 in CWG Delhi and made an unforgettable moment in India's badminton history.

On December 12, 2010 she won Hong Kong super series defeating Wang Shixian of China 15-21, 21-16, 21-17. Saina Nehwal won 2010 Commonwealth games gold in the women's singles badminton event held in the Siri Fort Auditorium, Delhi, on 14 October 2010.

She was recently voted as the third best Badminton Player of the Year 2010 by readers of an international badminton magazine, Badzine. Lin Dan expectedly won the top spot with 30% votes followed by Lee Chong Wei with 26%, Saina winning 9% in the third place.[16]
[edit] Career Record - Best Results
Event↓ Year↓ Result↓
Czechoslovakia Junior Open 2003 11 Gold
2004 Commonwealth Youth Games 2004 22 Silver
Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament 2005 11 Gold
2006 Commonwealth Games 2006 33 Bronze
Philippines Philippines Open (badminton) 2006 11 Gold
Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament 2006 11 Gold
India Indian National Badminton Championships 2007 11 Gold
India National Games of India 2007 11 Gold
Chinese Taipei 2008 Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold 2008 11 Gold
India Indian National Badminton Championships 2008 11 Gold
2008 Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 11 Gold
2008 BWF World Junior Championships 2008 11 Gold
2008 BWF Super Series Masters finals 2008 Semifinalist
Indonesia 2009 Indonesia Super Series 2009 11 Gold
2009 BWF World Championships 2009 Quarterfinalist
India 2009 Indian Open Grand Prix 2009 11 Gold
England 2010 All England Super Series 2010 Semifinalist
2010 Badminton Asia Championships 2010 33 Bronze
India 2010 India Open Grand Prix Gold 2010 11 Gold
Singapore 2010 Singapore Open Super Series 2010 11 Gold
Indonesia 2010 Indonesia Open Super Series 2010 11 Gold
France 2010 BWF World Championships 2010 Quarter-finalist
India 2010 Commonwealth Games 2010 11 Gold
Hong Kong 2010 Hong Kong Super Series 2010 11 Gold
Switzerland 2011 Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold 2011 11 Gold
[edit] 2008 Summer Olympics
Stage Opponent Result Games Points
First Round Ella Diehl Won 2-0 21-9, 21-8
Second Round Larisa Griga Won 2-0 21-18, 21-10
Third Round Wang Chen Won 2-1 21-19, 11-21, 21-11
Quarter-finals Maria Kristin Yulianti Lost 1-2 28-26, 14-21, 15-21
[edit] 2010 Updates (Her Path Breaking Year)

* Saina successfully lead the Indian Women Team to the Quarter-finals stage of the 2010 Uber Cup finals.

* Saina became the first Indian Woman to reach the semi finals of 2010 All-England Super Series before losing to eventual champion Tine Rasmussen.

* Top seeded Saina reached the semifinals of Yonex Sunrise Badminton Asia Championships 2010 losing out to unseeded eventual champion Li Xuerui of China. Saina's Coach Gopichand advised her not exert too much pressure on herself due to the overwhelming home crowd support.

* Saina wins the 2010 India Open Grand Prix Gold, beating Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia in the final and thus justifying her billing as top seed in the tournament. She won a prize money of $8,280 for winning this BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament.

* Saina Nehwal, again seeded no. 1 in the Singapore Open Super Series 2010, entered the finals defeating World champion Lu Lan of China

* Saina won the second Super Series title of her career by beating qualifier Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in the final of the Singapore Open 21-18, 21-15. But the fact that she won the tournament in the absence of all the top 5 ranked players (who all happen to be Chinese), takes a little sheen away from her path breaking victory. Saina won a prize money of $15,000 for winning this BWF Super Series tournament.

* Saina has reached a career high of world no. 3 in the women's singles badminton world rankings on 24 June 2010.[17]

* Saina defended her Indonesia Open super series title in three tough games against Sayaka Sato of Japan, 21-19 / 13-21 / 21-11.This is her third super series title and her third successive title following wins at Indian open, Singapore Super series.[18] She again won the top prize money of $18,750 for winning this BWF Super Series tournament.

* On 15 July 2010, with 64791.26 points Saina Nehwal reached a career high world ranking of No. 2 only behind Wang Yihan of China.

* 2nd seed Saina, a tournament favourite, crashed out of the 2010 BWF World Championships in Paris after losing to 4th ranked Chinese Wang Shixian in straight sets 8-21, 14-21. She although equalled her tournament best performance, as she was also a losing quarter-finalist in the last edition held in Hyderabad. She subsequently dropped a spot to be No. 3 in the world rankings.

* Top seed Saina, won the gold medal in the Women's Singles badminton event in the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi. She beat Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia 19-21 23-21 21-13. After her win Saina said, “when I was a match-point down, it was like a shock. It was a big match and winning it means a lot to me. Even many years from now, those present here will always remember how Saina won the gold. It is a proud feeling.”[19]

* In the BWF Super Series ranking for the year 2010 (which only considers the performances of players in the elite world super series tournaments), as on 27 September 2010, Saina has dropped to No. 7 from a high of No. 1 after giving a miss to 2010 China Masters Super Series and 2010 Japan Super Series due to her preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.[20] As on Dec 5 2010, for the first time in the year Saina Nehwal dropped out of the top 10 best performers in the 2010 BWF Super Series rankings.

* Saina Nehwal confirmed her participation for the 2010 Hong Kong Super series to held from 7 Dec to 12 Dec, 2010 and is also the penultimate super series tournament of the year. This would be Saina's first super series tournament after a gap of more than 5 months since her win in the 2010 Indonesia Super Series in June 2010.

* On 12 December 2010, Saina Nehwal defeated Wang Shixian 15-21, 21-16, 21-17 in the final of the 2010 Hong Kong Super Series to win her fourth career Super Series title.

[edit] 2011 updates

* After recovering from a ligament injury, India's ace shuttler Saina Nehwal will return to the international scene in her season-opening Korean Open Super Series in Seoul starting on 25th January 2011.
* 4th seed Saina Nehwal crashed out of the 2011 Korea Open Super Series Premier on 27 January, 2011 in the 2nd round. She was defeated by the Japanese Sayaka Sato in a tight 3 set match with score 17-21,21-19 and 21-11.
* 5th seed Saina, was disappointed when she was defeated by Eriko Hirose of Japan at 2011 All England Super Series Premier on 11 March, 2011. She was defeated in straight sets with a score of 21-11 and 22-20. It was her second early exit of the year after being defeated in Korean Premium Super Series earlier in January.
* One week later, on 17 March, 2011, she met Eriko Hirose again (in the second round of the Wilson Badminton Swiss Open), but managed to win this time in three games 21-15, 17-21 and 21-11 - on her birthday.
* 2nd seed Saina Nehwal beat Ji Hyun Sung of South Korea 21-13, 21-14 to win the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold badminton title on 20 March, 2011.

[edit] Record Against Top ranked Chinese Opponents

* People's Republic of China Wang Yihan 0-1
* People's Republic of China Wang Xin 0-2
* People's Republic of China Jiang Yanjiao 0-3
* People's Republic of China Wang Lin 1-3
* People's Republic of China Wang Shixian 1-1
* People's Republic of China Lu Lan 2-1

[edit] Record Against other top rated Opponents

* Denmark Tine Rasmussen 0-2
* France Pi Hongyan 0-5
* Hong Kong Zhou Mi 1-3
* Germany Juliane Schenk 5-2
* Japan Eriko Hirose 3-3
* Netherlands Yao Jie 1-2
* South Korea Bae Seung Hee 2-0
* Hong Kong Yip Pui Yin 2-1
* Russia Ella Diehl 6-0
* Bulgaria Petya Nedelcheva 4-2
* Malaysia Wong Mew Choo 3-2
* Thailand Salakjit Ponsana 3-0
* Indonesia Adrianti Firdasari 2-2
* Japan Ai Goto 3-0
* South Korea Bae Youn-joo 3-0
* South Korea Ji Hyun Sung 2-0

(as on 20 March 2011)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is an American teen drama series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007. Narrated by the omniscient yet unseen blogger "Gossip Girl", voiced by Kristen Bell, the series revolves around the lives of privileged young adults on Manhattan's Upper East Side in New York City.

The series begins with the return of Upper East Side "It" girl, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) from a mysterious stay at a boarding school in Cornwall, Connecticut.[1] Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), whom creators describe as the queen at the center of their chess game,[2] is a longtime friend and occasional rival of Serena's, and the Queen Bee of Constance Billard School's social scene.[3] The story also follows Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), the bad boy of the Upper East Side; "Golden boy" Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford), Chuck's best friend and Blair's ex; and other characters of the turbulent Manhattan scene: Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), Nate's friend and Serena's on-again, off-again ex; Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr), Dan's best friend; and Dan's sister, Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen).[4][5]

Each episode begins with the blog page of the Gossip Girl blog with Serena's picture from the pilot episode. Afterward, a recap of events relevant to the upcoming narrative is shown, which ends again with the blog page, only this time with a picture from other character(s) with a text about a recent event connected with the picture.

The narrator is Gossip Girl, voiced by Kristen Bell. She begins the recap with the sentence "Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite," and ends the recap with whispered voices saying "Where has she been?" "Serena" then the voice of Gossip Girl says: "And who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell. You know you love me, xoxo, Gossip Girl." Some episodes end with Gossip Girl saying "You know you love me. xoxo, Gossip Girl."[citation needed]
[edit] Cast and characters
Main article: Characters of Gossip Girl

The first episodes of the first season included the original concept from the books, mainly following the lives of the five teenage characters in their high school years. Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) is often described as the 'it girl'. It is revealed that she has had a scandalous past that continues to haunt her, she is known for her many off-again relationships with the male characters and is known for rebellious drive outs. Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), an outsider who becomes a part of the turbulent Manhattan scene, an aspiring writer and fairly straight-arrow guy with a good heart and morals. Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) is the beautiful Queen Bee of Constance Billard School's social scene, as well as Serena's best friend and occasional rival. Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) is the perfect "Golden Boy" of the Upper East Side, always being fought over by the prominent female characters. Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) serves as the show's antihero, being a womanizer and party lover with a troubled life and past that provide a hidden vulnerable side.

Beside the five regulars cast members mentioned above, three more characters appeared in the pilot episode. Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) is Dan's younger sister, who desperately tries to become the next Queen Bee, a goal that makes her realize the true values of life; Lily van der Woodsen (Kelly Rutherford) and Dan's father Rufus Humphrey (Matthew Settle).They share a romantic past that follows them throughout the show, and eventually leads to marriage. The Humphrey family is centered upon as they explore life on the 'Upper East side', Dan trying to look after his little sister as she discovers the party scene.

Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr), enters the show in its first season as Dan's past love, and becomes a series regular after the 14th episode. Other characters include Eric van der Woodsen (Connor Paolo) Serena's kind and compassionate brother, who comes out late in the first season and becomes very close with Jenny. Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg) is an occasional antagonist in the show, with a recurring role. Carter Baizen (Sebastian Stan) appears as Chuck's enemy with a romantic interest in Serena.

Many characters appear as guest stars as parents and other relatives of the main cast. Eleanor Waldorf-Rose (Margaret Colin) and Harold Waldorf (John Shea) appeared as Blair's divorced parents, with Cyrus Rose (Wallace Shawn) as Eleanor's husband and Blair's stepfather. Dorota Kishlovsky (Zuzanna Szadkowski) is Blair's loyal maid. Anne Archibald (Francie Swift) and Howard "The Captain" Archibald (Sam Robards) are Nate's estranged parents, while William van der Bilt I (James Naughton) and William "Tripp" van der Bilt III (Aaron Tveit) are Nate's manipulative grandfather and cousin, respectively. Bartholomew "Bart" Bass (Robert John Burke) is Lily's late ex-husband and Chuck's demanding father, and Jack Bass (Desmond Harrington) is Bart's brother and Chuck's uncle. Celia "CeCe" Rhodes (Caroline Lagerfelt) is Serena's grandmother and Gabriela Abrams (Gina Torres) is Vanessa's mother.
[edit] Seasons
Main article: List of Gossip Girl episodes
[edit] Season One: 2007–08
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 1)

The first season main focus is Serena's sudden return to the Upper East Side following her mysterious disappearance. Initially, Serena's one night-stand with Nate Archibald, lover to Serena's best friend Blair Waldorf, was considered as Serena's reason to leave. However, near the end of the season, the cunning Georgina Sparks, Serena's former friend arrives on the Upper East Side, revealing that the night Serena slept with Nate didn't end there — Serena went to Georgina's apartment and a man died in her hands under the influence of drugs, while being taped. The season also revolves around Serena's relationship with outsider Dan Humphrey; Blair's relationship with Nate and her affair with his best friend Chuck; brief romance between Serena's mother and Dan's father; Blair and Jenny's mentor-protege relationship; and the arrival of Dan's former best friend Vanessa Abrams. The season ends with the revelation of Serena's mystery, and Chuck leaving Blair at the airport, before leaving for Europe.
[edit] Season Two: 2008–09
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 2)

The second season mainly explores the senior year of most of the characters, the continuity of their new found relationships, their final encounter with "Gossip Girl", and their attempts to get into college. The first couple of episodes feature part of the summer vacation, respectively week before the start of the school year. The role of "Gossip Girl" is slightly decreased. She continues to run her blog, but she keeps the ultimate information for herself, sending it in the final episode as the last blast, where Serena decides to find out who "Gossip Girl" really is, but ultimately fails. The season's main mystery is Serena's involvement with Poppy Lifton, a secretive socialite that tries to steal money from Serena and her friends which ultimately leads to the return of Georgina Sparks, who claims to be changed but eventually decides to get revenge on Blair. The season also focuses on Blair and Chuck, who were labeled "the heart of GG" by People magazine.[6] At first, both characters negate their feelings for one another, and go through random schemes and manipulations. After all the games are done, both of them eventually say "I love you" to each other. Other storylines include Blair's attempt to enter Yale University; the death of Bart Bass which proves to be a very bad influence on Chuck and the exploration of his involvements; Dan's transformation from outsider to insider and his relationship with Serena's teacher Rachel Carr; Serena's relationships after breaking up with Dan; Jenny's career as fashion designer and her rebellions which ultimately ends with her becoming the next Queen Bee; the end of Nate and Chuck's friendship and Nate's friendship with Dan; Nate's family problems which continue to grow and affect on his new found relationship with Vanessa; Rufus and Lily's relationship after Bart's death, their engagement, and revelation that they have a son.
[edit] Season Three: 2009–10
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 3)

The third season focuses on Blair, Dan & Vanessa getting into NYU along with movie star Olivia Burke (Hilary Duff),[7] whom Dan starts dating; Nate getting into Columbia University; Serena taking a year off from school; Jenny becoming Queen Bee at Constance; and Chuck running the Bass family company, along with now adoptive mother Lily van der Woodsen. The first couple of episodes feature part of the summer vacation, respectively the week before the start of University and School. The role of "Gossip Girl" is slightly decreased throughout the season.

Throughout the season there were many guest stars including Joanna García as Bree Buckley, a love interest for Nate; America's Next Top Model creator Tyra Banks as Ursula Nyquist, a larger than life actress whom Serena served as a publicist for a short time; William Baldwin as William van der Woodsen, Serena and Eric’s father, Lily’s ex-husband and Rufus’ long-time rival; and cameos by Lady GaGa, Tory Burch, Jimmy Fallon, Plastiscines, Georgina Chapman and Sonic Youth.[8][9][10]

The tenth episode of the season caused a significant amount of controversy. Parent groups urged the CW not to air the episode that contained a threesome. The preview for the episode revolved around an "OM3" theme. CW ignored these requests and announced that it was going to air the episode as planned.[11]

Robert John Burke, who played Chuck's father, Bart Bass, returned for A Christmas Carol themed episode in December, while Desmond Harrington returned as Chuck's uncle Jack Bass with a major storyline involving all Upper East Siders late season, affecting Chuck and Blair's relationship again revolving around Jack and Chuck's estranged mother Evelyn Bass Fisher (Laura Harring) about their plan on getting the Empire Hotel from Chuck. He eventually had to relinquish it because of false rumors made up by his uncle, Jack Bass, about having had affairs with the employees.[12][13]

The season focused hugely on Jenny Humphrey's development and downward spiral. She spends a good part of the season alienating herself from Eric, her former best friend, and chasing after Nate, who has his heart set on Serena. At the end of the season, due to her one night stand with stepbrother Chuck Bass and new drug dealing habit, her father and Lily send her to Hudson, New York, to live with her mother. Other story lines include Blair and Chuck's attempt and ultimate failure at having a successful relationship, Dan and Vanessa moving from friends to something more, and Serena's attempts to find herself through a new job and brief love affairs with Carter, Nate's married cousin Tripp, and eventually Nate himself.
[edit] Season Four: 2010–11
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 4)

On February 16, 2010, The CW announced it will renew the show for a fourth season, beginning in Fall 2010.[14]

Taylor Momsen, who plays Jenny Humphrey, will be absent for an unspecified number of episodes when the show returns, due to her summer concert schedule for Warped Tour with her band, The Pretty Reckless.[15] It was later reported that Momsen will only be absent from the first half of the season, and will be back in time as a main character during November sweeps for a number of episodes.[16] The fourth season will air on Mondays at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.[17] and was scheduled to premiere September 13, 2010.[18] A trailer for season four was released August 16, 2010, titled "Oh Mon Dieu" ("Oh My God" in French), and was entirely in French to coincide with the season premiere, which is set in France.[19]

The first half of the season's main mystery revolves around Juliet Sharp (Katie Cassidy), a secretive girl with an agenda against Serena. The second half of season 4 will build on the complications of Serena's new found relationship with Ben as well as Chuck trying to regain control of Bass Industries from Russell Thorpe (Michael Boatman). Elements will also focus on Chuck's relationship with Raina and also involve Blair and Dan's growing friendship.
[edit] Future

Showrunners have revealed that they have a "definite endgame in mind" and know how the series will end, but not in the near future.[20]
[edit] DVD releases
Complete Season Release dates DVD Extras and Bonus Features Number Of Discs
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4
1st August 19, 2008 August 18, 2008 October 22, 2008 November 13, 2008 (Brazil)/April 15, 2009 (Australia) Unaired Scenes, 3 All-New Featurettes, Music Videos, Gossip Girl Featurette, GG Couture Featurette, A Gossip Girl Wedding Featurette, Gag Reel and Free Download of the Original Bestselling Book, read by Christina Ricci. 5
2nd August 18, 2009 Part 1: April 13, 2009
Part 2: August 10, 2009
Complete: September 28, 2009 October 2, 2009 September 24, 2009 (Brazil), October 28, 2009 (Australia & New Zealand) 5th Ave. Meet Gossip Girl: Click icons on a graphic map and tour the Gossip Girl crowd's favorite haunts. Faces Behind the Design: Creative forces behind the show's art and fashion. Chasing Dorota Webisodes. Gag Reel. Downloaded audiobook of the bestselling novel Gossip Girl, You Know You Love Me by Cecily von Ziegesar, read by Christina Ricci. Unaired Scenes. 7
3rd August 24, 2010 August 23, 2010[21] October 2, 2010 September 1, 2010 (Australia)[22]/ November 4, 2010 (Brazil) Gossip Girl Mode: Interactive Viewing Experience on Episode "The Empire Strikes Jack", A Gossip Girl Fabulous Affair: Throwing a Party Gossip Girl-Style, Plasticines "Bitch" and Lady GaGa "Bad Romance" Music Videos, Gag Reel, Unaired Scenes. 5[21]

Note: In Australia there is alternative cover art for Season 1. There are also three different versions of Season 2. The standard edition, a special 8-disc edition and an alternative cover art. (Which is the same cover art used for Season 2, Part 2 in the UK).

Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Gossip Girl are also available through the iTunes store where each episode can be purchased separately or in complete season sets.
[edit] Broadcast

The series first airs on The CW, Mondays at 9/8 central.[23]
[edit] Ratings

The series premiere was watched by 3.50 million viewers and achieved a 1.6 Adults 18-49, coming in last place in its 9:00 p.m. timeslot on Wednesday nights.[24] However, the show was noted to have held the best audience retention of America's Next Top Model.[25] The season ended with 3.00 million viewers.[26] The second season premiered with 3.43 million viewers.[27] Although, the third season was the least watched to date, it was the most successful with a 1.1 Adults 18-49 average rating.[28]

Season four premiered to 1.83 million viewers and a 1.0 for adults 18-49.[29] Episode 4.04 hit season highs in all categories with a 2.8 rating in The CW's target of Women 18-34, a 1.7 in Adults 18-34 and 1.1 in Adults 18-49.[30]
Season Timeslot Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Rank U.S. Viewers
(in millions) Rating
Adults 18-49
1 Wednesday 9/8c
(September 19, 2007 – January 9, 2008)
Monday 8/7c
(April 21 – May 19, 2008) September 19, 2007 May 19, 2008 2007–2008 #196[31] 2.35[31] 0.8[31]
2 Monday 8/7c September 1, 2008 May 18, 2009 2008–2009 #168[32] 2.48[32] 0.9[32]
3 Monday 9/8c September 14, 2009 May 17, 2010 2009–2010 #135[28] 2.02[28] 1.1[28]
4 September 13, 2010 May 16, 2011 [33] 2010–2011
[edit] Critical response
Gossip Girl poster featuring critical review

Gossip Girl initially received mixed reviews. Due to the show's pedigree as an adaptation of The New York Times bestselling novel series, the show was considered to be one of the more anticipated new shows of the 2007–2008 television season. An August 2007 survey by OTX, a global media research and consulting firm, placed the show on the list of top ten new shows that viewers were aware of.[34] Though the pilot was the recipient of many positive reviews from publications such as Variety, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle and the Boston Globe, other reviewers described it as a guilty pleasure rather than an hour's worth of must-watch television.[35][36][37][38] Metacritic gave it a score of 54, based on the reviews of 26 different publications.[39]

However, author Cecily von Ziegesar has expressed support for the show, noting that all of her major plot points were present in the pilot.[40] The Parents Television Council has shown particular criticism of the series, especially with its "OMFG" ad campaign from April 2008.[41] It also named the episode "Victor/Victrola" the worst television program of the week in which the episode originally was broadcast.[42] Quotes from the Parents Television Council review, as well as negative quotes from the San Diego Union-Tribune, New York Post and the Boston Herald, were used on various advertisements for the second season. The Hartford Courant chronicled a variety of negative responses to the ads. The ads included quotes like "Every Parent's Nightmare", "Mind-Blowingly Inappropriate" and "A Nasty Piece of Work" in what appears to be an effort to continue the 'rebellious teen' style of the show.[43]

As the show continued its first season, the response became considerably more positive, and by the second season critical response was favorable. Metacritic gave the new season an improved score of 71. "Summer's been good to this girl," claimed Entertainment Weekly, who awarded the series its highest grade of "A."[44] The New York Daily News claimed the show had found its footing by stating "It knows exactly what it wants and needs its new hybrid product to be. The hockey fights video of teen romance drama." Gossip Girl was designated the "Best. Show. Ever." in April 2008 by New York magazine.[45]

Toward the conclusion of the first season, Janet Malcolm of The New Yorker criticized the show for its deviations from the novels. She has stated that the series was, "related to the original only in the names and outlines of the characters." She further asserted that, "Without von Ziegesar's fast, mocking commentary to propel them, the TV episodes are sluggish and crass – a move from Barneys to Kmart."[46]
[edit] Accolades
Year↓ Result↓ Award↓ Category↓ Recipients↓
2008 Nominated Artios Award Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Television Pilot - Drama[47]
2008 Nominated ASTRA Award Favourite International Program[48][49]
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Show Drama[50][51]
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Show[50][51]
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[50][51] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Female[50][51] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Male[50][51] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Villain[50][51] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[50][51] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[50][51] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[50][51] Badgley, PennPenn Badgley
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Female[50][51] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Female[50][51] Momsen, TaylorTaylor Momsen
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Male[50][51] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2008 Nominated People's Choice Award Favorite New TV Drama[52]
2009 Nominated ASTRA Award Favourite International Personality or Actor[53] Blake Lively
2009 Nominated Costume Designers Guild Outstanding Costume Design for Television Series - Contemporary Eric Daman
2009 Nominated Prism Award Drama Episode

For episode "Woman on the Verge"[54]

2009 Nominated Prism Award Performance in a Drama Episode[55] Blake Lively
2009 Nominated ASTRA Award Favourite International Program[53]
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Show Drama[56]
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[56] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[56] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Villain[56] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2009 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice Music Soundtrack[56]
2009 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[56] Badgley, PennPenn Badgley
2009 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Parental Unit[56] Settle, MatthewMatthew Settle
2009 Won Young Hollywood Awards Breakthrough Performance Male[57] Ed Westwick
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Show Drama[58]
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[59] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[60] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Scene Stealer[61] Duff, HilaryHilary Duff
2010 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[62] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2010 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[63] Badgley, PennPenn Badgley
2010 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Villain[64] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2011 Nominated People's Choice Award Favorite TV Drama Actress[65] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2011 Nominated People's Choice Award Favorite TV Drama Actor[65] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford