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After six months of living in denial, Shilpa Shetty and UK-based NRI entrepreneur Raj Kundra have come out in the open with their relationship. “I’m not denying it’s him (Raj) but I hope when this comes out, it doesn’t frighten him off,” Shilpa said on the New Year’s eve. And, no, this isn’t her resolution to come clean on all controversies this year, but as Shilpa’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar said, “Things have changed. The relationship has blossomed and matured with time. They were friends before. Now they’re a couple.”

Raj is responsible for the launch of Shilpa’s perfume. He is also the force behind her musical stage shows. Raj, who finances and produces movies, had presented the Jimmy Sheirgill-Kay Kay Menon starrer Strangers which released a few weeks ago. But like Shilpa, when the news of their relationship broke six months ago, Raj had denied it, stating they were “just friends”.

Raj’s former wife Kavita had accused Shilpa of breaking her marriage by having an affair with Raj. But the other version is that Shilpa came to know Raj four months after his wife had parted with him. Now the couple is seriously dating and getting to know each other better. Shilpa brought in the New Year with her family and Raj in Las Vegas.

Very predictable. Plain old sunrise would have been more interesting to watch than the ramp on Day II of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week on Thursday in Delhi. Maybe that’s why the lounge conversations were all about Gwen Stefani’s streetsmart New York Fashion Week collection. The predictability of the day was matched by the dull colours on the ramp. Someone must tell our designers that they’re missing the point here - that summer collections do not necessarily mean short dresses in white and paler than pale pastels. Any rule that says bright colours do not make a summer cooler? Could be the reason why Ranna Gill’s leaf prints and paisleys brought some relief to white-blinded eyes. And yes, someone finally showed swimwear in a summer collection! But a clear-cut trend still eludes WIFW.

Internationally, dresses have been persistent since the past three fashion cycles. Boxy shifts have given way to shirtdresses, and easy sheaths are an early emerging trend. And we did see a bit of it on our ramps. But then, if Paris, Milan and New York announce loose sheaths as next season’s shape, will our designers be far behind? And then, the organisers keep wondering about the pursuit of celebrities to push up the weeks’ glam factor. Talking of which, Delhi’s fashionables were sparser than hair on a bald pate on Day II. But the Mumbai girls - Ramona, Natasha, Rakhi and Kehkshan - had a blast. Laughing and chatting away, they were more into catching up on Dilli gossip than figuring out fashion nuances. Offthe-ramp glam was all Mumbai on Day II. The later part of the day saw Shilpa Shetty walk in. Surrounded by an army of bodyguards, she rushed backstage where she giggled away as she sat for the make-up session. She walked the ramp for Tarun Tahiliani, and with the haughty expression and the languid walk - she quite excelled at it. And then there was Pooja Bedi. She’s all set to walk the ramp later during the week. The last show of the day saw Mandira Bedi in the front row.

TT & ME:
Shilpa will be present at the WIFW for Tarun. “TT had asked me to be a part of his show two months back, but I had declined as I had my Bollywood musical lined up. However, now the musical has been postponed, I am here for TT. I have always worn his clothes and love his very Indian drapes,” says Shilpa.

GOING MUSICAL:
Shilpa’s Broadway musical Miss Bollywood will be showcased in Berlin on September 29. “Also, I will be attending the Toronto Film Festival where I have to give away an award to Richard Gere,” she reveals. Richard Gere, huh? “Yes,” she laughs, adding, “I will meet Richard again. It is really sad how the incident was blown out of proportion. In fact, after that incident, my friends living abroad asked me whether effigies are available in the Indian markets just like that! I was very embarrassed,” she says.

CONTROVERSIES INC:
“I am tired of all this character assassination,” Shilpa says about the Gere and Raj Kundar controversies. “I understand that the media has to show every side of you - positive and negative, but it should be constructive criticism. However, this has taught me that there is a lot of dignity in silence. I don’t go out of my way explaining everything that is said about me anymore,” she says.

LIFE’S GOOD:
Controversies apart, Shilpa is on seventh heaven. “Meeting Queen Elizabeth was such a great experience. In fact, I had to pinch myself to believe that it was actually happening. There were so many learned people under one roof that I was awed. When it was my turn to speak, I talked about racial discrimination and the feeling was great. I felt a proud Indian,” she says.

B-GRADE ACTRESS… WHO ME?
Shilpa accepts that she has not worked with Yash Chopra and Karan Johar. “But that does not make me a B-grade actress, as some people have said! I have done all sorts of movies - from horror to comedy. I still don’t understand why people don’t give me any credit. They all criticised me before Apne and Metro released. But I know I am in an industry where everything has to be taken with a pinch of salt. I am still the same, people have changed around me.”

MARRIAGE CAN WAIT:
At present, Shilpa has her plate full. “Maybe that is why I have not been able to answer the question about when I will get married. Not that I don’t want to settle down… I am a romantic at heart and I would want to have a family of my own. But I don’t want to give up all this just now,” she explains.

Buzz is UK’s ‘Big Brother’ winner turned down the role of Sophie in the ‘Pink Pather’ sequel, which is now being essayed by Mrs Bachchan Jr

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has already started filming for the new ‘Pink Panther’ sequel and has been photographed doing the same in Paris. If reports are anything to go by, this could be Ash’s big ticket to Hollywood, establishing her as a mainstream Hollywood actress and raising her profile substantially. But the big news is that this could well have been Shilpa Shetty’s big Hollywood project too.

According to confirmed sources, Shilpa was approached for the film some two months for the character of Sophie. However, she turned down the Harald Zwart directed film for reasons best known to herself.

Though it’s still unclear as to whether Shilpa was approached for the same role that is being currently essayed by Ash in ‘Pink Panther 2′, it’s obviously a big loss for the dusky beauty. After all, the ‘Pink Panther’ franchise has a world wide following and this ongoing sequel to the iconic film has a great cast comprising of big names like Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina and John Cleese.

Shilpa was unavailable for comment and hence we got in touch with her spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar. Asked a stunned Bhagwagar, “How did you come to know about this?” But later he admitted, “Yes, Shilpa was approached for the film, but she is not a part of it.” He refused to comment further.

Some time back, it was reported that even superstar Hrithik Roshan was offered the role of ‘Vincente’ in this Columbia Pictures/Sony/MGM film. But after careful consideration he decided to back out as ‘owing to the kind of career high that he is enjoying currently, his first international project needed to be chosen quite carefully’. Though there are not enough reasons given, chances are, Shilpa’s reasons were similar to that of Hrithik Roshan.

Currently there is tremendous buzz building up about Shilpa, whose popularity has increased manifold post ‘Big Brother’. She’s even being considered for the next Bond film opposite Daniel Craig. Interestingly, Aishwarya was approached by casting agents for a Bond film way back in 2004, which unfortunately didn’t materialize. If things work out for Shilpa, this could end up being the biggest Hollywood break for any Indian actress and also a classic ‘role reversal’ kind of a situation. So wait and watch to see whether Ash’s loss ends up as Shilpa’s gain or not.

So would “Dr Shetty” be a befitting title to address the lady who has become the virtual poster girl for all things Indian today in Britain? “Plain old Shilpa will do just fine!” says Shilpa Shetty - her trademark giggle firmly in place - minutes after receiving her honourary doctorate for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema from the Leeds Metropolitan University.

“What makes this honour double special for me is the fact that I share this privileged title with stalwarts from Bollywood like Amitji, Shabanaji and Yashji, who are all previous recipients,” Shilpa adds, her voice brimming with pride - a pride that is palpable despite the fact that the 32-year-old actress is thousands of miles away in Leeds, UK, speaking to BT on a phone line that’s threatening a break down any minute!

It’s been six months since Shilpa won Celebrity Big Brother, catapulting her into the international jet-setting life. How has life changed for her both in the UK and here in India? “I have got a lot of adulation and respect these last six months. And the responsibility to portray India not just as an exotic flavour of the month, but as a country that has some amazingly talented and intelligent people, waiting to show the world what they are made of,” says Shilpa.

“Though, I must add that the brickbats and barbs have not evaded me. I have been at the receiving end of a lot of them. Especially back home. First you had people calling me a ‘has been’ and a B-Grade actress, then the whole Richard Gere incident that was so blown out of proportion,” says Shilpa, her voice laced with disappointment. But mention her future projects and Shilpa’s exuberance is back. “I can’t wait to start rehearsals with Ganesh Hegde for Miss Bollywood - my musical. Not just the UK, but we plan to tour with the musical to other places as well, like Germany, where we are planning 60 performances. It is the story of a girl who gives the world a taste of India through her Bollywood songs and dances,” gushes Shilpa, quick to dispel any rumours that Miss Bollywood is based on her life. Where there’s Shilpa, there’s bound to be speculation on a whole number of things - right from what she’s doing next, to whom she’s seeing. What’s her take on this? “I feel that people should stop thinking for me and let me do that on my own,” she replies. “Shilpa should do this, Shilpa should do that. Shilpa should try for the new Bond movie. Enough! I am quite capable of doing what’s best for me on my own.” Letting us in on the latest development in her life - a British movie that she will soon start - Shilpa makes no bones about the fact that Bollywood is the place where she belongs. “I am and will always be very much a part of the industry. But I will also see to it that I do films that do justice to me and my image,” Shilpa says pointedly. A signature perfume, a musical and an international film… what’s next? “Hopefully a lot more!” laughs our very own ‘Dr Do-alot’.

Never say enough - that seems to be actress Shilpa Shetty’s mantra of late. And with the amount of attention and projects coming her way, we still don’t hear her say, “Stop!” After Metro, her film Apne released recently. She launched her perfume in London, will shoot a DVD video on Yoga in the Himalayas, is planning to open a chain of restaurants, is coming out with her own cookery book and her signature designer wear collection, is going to be a part of a Broadway musical and has been roped in to play the role Sita in Uru Patel’s international venture, Hanuman. And we here there’s more coming her way. Phew!

Celebrity harassment in India has touched an all time high, says Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who was stopped at the airport in Mumbai by immigration officers twice recently.

“It was so bizarre,” she said, referring to her brief detention while going to and returning from the International Indian Film Academy awards function this month in Britain.

“It would’ve been perfectly understandable to see the immigration officers doing their jobs well. I’d be the last person to come in the way of the authorities doing their duties. We patiently showed the clearance papers while leaving. And, still, we were questioned when I returned!

“How does it feel to be treated so suspiciously in your home after being treated like a queen at an event in a foreign country? I guess I am no stranger to being given a raw deal at home. Still it hurts.”

Shilpa feels that she is being constantly targeted in India. “What can I do? Whether it’s an innocuous costume or an innocent kiss, I’m being hauled up all the time.

“Please arrest me and jail me if you genuinely believe I’m guilty of any offence. But I can’t be walking out of the country each time with a piece of paper in my hands to prove I’m as free to travel as thousands of others.”

Shetty also feels that Bollywood has never given her credit for her acting skills. In fact, when she was honored at IIFA with a special award for her achievements, the Celebrity Big Brother winner said it was the first award she had ever received. “It is true! So many of my supposedly good performances like Dhadkan and Phir Milenge got no recognition. But I’m not complaining. Today I’m making up for lost time.”

A recently concluded IIFA (International Indian Film Awards) ceremony at West Yorkshire continues to have its repercussions. ‘It’ girl Shilpa Shetty, the winner of Celebrity Big Brother is at the centre of attention yet again. This time around for her unceremonious entry on the awards night when Abhishek and Aishwarya were strolling down the green carpet (these are environmentally friendly awards).

Obviously, fans from Pontefract, Bradford and Dewsbury screamed at the top of their voices and rushed to greet Shilpa (thanks to her newfound popularity in the UK), and the newly wed Bachchan couple has to walk in almost unnoticed. This didn’t go down well with Aishwarya who normally doesn’t have to try too hard to get attention from fans and the media.

Ever since, former Miss World Aishwarya has taken a dislike to Shilpa. Close friends of Ash inform that the pretty bahu is still reeling under the unpleasant episode. Says our source, “Ash was not expecting to be overlooked by her fans at the event. Contrary to the home turf, where Ash enjoys unprecedented popularity, Shilpa continues to be the biggest Bollywood star in the UK post- Celebrity Big Brother.”

If that was not enough, when Amitabh Bachchan, who is the brand ambassador of the awards ceremony, was presented a Yorkshire suit at the opening day, fans had complained saying that Shilpa, who was standing at one corner holding a bouquet of Yorkshire roses, deserved it more than him. According to industry buzz, Shilpa is aware of the awkward situation and is ready to hand out an olive branch if anybody is ready to listen to her. Says a source close to Shilpa, “Shilpa had no intentions of hogging all the limelight at the event. It’s just that she is extremely popular among the locals there.”

Shilpa Shetty had a harrowing time at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport about 10 days ago, while on her way to the International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) function. The emigration authorities refused to let her head for London saying that a `look-out’ notice had been issued in her name.

A look-out notice is issued in criminal cases and is served at exit points of a country, alerting security agencies to stop the person, in whose name the notice is, from moving out of the country. In Shilpa’s case, a court in Rajasthan had issued a lookout notice on the actor in an obscenity case. Shilpa had appeared along with Hollywood actor Richard Gere at a charity function in Delhi some months ago, and TV channels blew it out of proportion when Gere kissed Shetty in a public.

Although the actress moved the Supreme Court and got a relief against the look-out notice, it had obviously not been communicated to the security agencies at the airport. According to sources, when Shilpa reached the CSI airport, she was stopped at the emigration check desk. “We had a look-out notice in Shilpa’s name, and there was nothing wrong if the men on duty stopped her,” said a senior Mumbai Police official, who did not wish to be named.

A desperate Shilpa tried to convince the emigration authorities that the Supreme Court had already granted her relief in the look-out case, but the authorities simply refused to listen to her. They asked her to produce a copy of the SC directive, but Shilpa was not carrying it with her, sources said.

The harassment continued for over two hours. It took almost two hours for Shilpa to convince the emigration authorities to let her talk to her father and get a copy of the SC directive.

Later, her father reached the CSI airport and furnished a copy of the SC order, following which emigration authorities allowed Shilpa to proceed to UK.

Dale Bhagwagar, spokesperson for Shilpa Shetty confirmed the incident. According to him, Shilpa’s father, who was also travelling with the actor, was carrying the SC order which he showed to the authorities, after which the actress was allowed to proceed to UK.