Shilpa's no show makes Katz's party!

The upset at the IPL finale on Sunday at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg was not just restricted to the playing area where Adam Gilchrist’s team beat Anil Kumble’s.

It also spilled over onto the “spectacular” closing ceremony (as was broadcast from South Africa) which viewers in India felt was terribly mismanaged and lacked punch.

The story goes that Shilpa Shetty, who sportingly stayed on for the final even after her own team was knocked out, was slated to dance with American R&B artiste and hearthrob Akon. The Bollywood beauty even said as much on her blog. But, after the winning run had been scored and the celebrations began, what did we see but Katrina Kaif in an awkward shuffle with the singer.
According to Shilpa, she didn’t get time to rehearse for the performance. But then, neither did Katrina. The feisty and in-demand Katz was supposed to make a quick exit after going on stage with Akon and blowing kisses to the crowds. Instead, she stayed on for a forgettable ten minutes struggling to hip-hop with the singer.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen!” said the actress the morning after the event. “I was to dance to Jai Ho with Shiamak Davar. That’s it.” But minutes before she could go on stage, Katz was informed she had to dance with Akon. “I was like... zapped! Not only because I was not prepared for it, but also because I’m Akon’s biggest fan. Just sharing the stage with him would have been a dream come true. And there I was dancing with him. It was an exhilarating experience.”

‘Dancing’ is a word people who watched the two on stage, would not care to use to describe their crazy gesticulations. But, really, Katz and Akon met seconds before the curtain went up on them. “As we ran out he asked me what we’ll do for the audience. I was numb and clueless. So we just improvised and did what we wanted to,” Katz admitted.

Katrina Kaif Dance on IPL 2009 Closing Ceremony - HQ Video

AKON at DLF IPL 2009 - Video

In Pics: Akon - Katrina Kaif Performs at IPL 2009 Closing Ceremony

In Pics: Katrina Kaif Performs at IPL 2009 Closing Ceremony

Shilpa Shetty turns down Akon

Shilpa Shetty was supposed to perform with the American R&B star Akon at the IPL finals on Sunday night. But she decided to opt out at the last minute.

When contacted Shilpa explained, "I was just not prepared. It was an international platform, not some village nautanki. I had to be fully ready. And I just didn't get time to rehearse. So I regretfully had to say no. But I'd rather not give anything less than my best when I'm representing my country."

Shilpa says she was happy to be just a spectator at the finals. "So what if my team wasn't playing. I think I'm sporting enough to enjoy the game as just a part of the audience."

Deccan steal IPL show amid the glitz

The transplanted Indian Premier League finished in front of a capacity crowd with a blaze of fireworks and an array of international entertainers headed by Guyanan rock star Eddy Grant.

The Deccan Chargers took the title with a six-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final, but throughout the 37 days of the tournament in which 59 matches were played, the cricket shared top billing with the lights, music and cheerleaders that were part of the IPL package.

Arranged at short notice in South Africa following security concerns because of elections in India, the IPL captured the imagination of South African sports followers.

The opening weekend in Cape Town, with two double-headers on successive days, was sold out. So were the semi-finals, in Centurion and Johannesburg, and the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

In between, near-capacity crowds attended many of the games, attracted by low prices, the glitz and glamour of the tournament, and the chance to see most of the world's best players in action.

The unpredictable nature of Twenty20 cricket was shown when Bangalore and Deccan, who filled the last two places on the log in the first IPL in 2008, reached the final.

Even on 2009 form that was a surprise, because they beat the two teams that dominated the round robin stage, the Chennai Super Kings and log-topping Delhi Daredevils respectively.

Conditions were different in South Africa from those in India last year, with bowlers having a bigger say on late-season pitches that offered assistance to both seam and spin bowlers.

Even so, it remained a batsman's game.

Matthew Hayden, the powerful Australian left-hander who retired from international cricket in January, was Chennai's mainstay as he topped the tournament run-scorers list with 572 at an average of 52.00 and an impressive strike rate of 144.81 runs per 100 balls.

Another former Australian player, Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist, played the stand-out innings of the tournament when he slammed 85 off 35 balls in the semi-finals to get his team past Delhi.

Left-arm opening bowler RP Singh of Deccan Chargers was the leading wicket-taker with 23 at an average of 18.13, but many of the most effective bowlers were spinners, led by Bangalore captain Anil Kumble, who finished with 22 wickets, including four for 18 in the final.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha was a consistent performer for Deccan and experienced international bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh were consistently economical.

While much of the focus was on established international stars, the tournament provided a platform for young Indian players such as Bangalore's Manish Pandey, 19, who became the first Indian to hit a century in two seasons of the IPL.

While Deccan leapt from last place in 2008 to the title in 2009, defending champions Rajasthan Royals failed to reach the semi-finals, with former Australian star Shane Warne unable to inspire his comparatively modestly-funded teams to another triumph.

Much of the early focus was on Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty and Preity Zinta, all co-owners of franchises, but none of their teams did particularly well.

Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders finished an embarrassing last, winning only three out of 14 matches and Khan returned to India early in the campaign.

Zinta's Kings XI Punjab were squeezed out of the semi-finals on run rate, while Shetty's Rajasthan were sixth.

In the end, the cricketers were able to claim centre stage.

Dune Kossatz named IPL's Miss Bollywood

Model and actress Dune Kossatz, 35, of East London was named Miss Bollywood IPL South Africa at a glittering event at the Montecasino entertainment complex in Johannesberg early Sunday (May 24) morning.

Kossatz, who had garnered the most Internet votes of 48 finalists selected from each of the IPL games held at various South African venues, was ecstatic at the opportunity to do screen tests for a movie with Shah Rukh Khan as part of her prize package.

This on-off component of the prize was finally revealed at the event after it was announced at the start of the series, and then changed midway through the contest to "a guided tour through Bollywood", because organisers said guaranteeing a role with Shah Rukh Khan would be difficult.

Johannesburg Business Marketing graduate Genna Cloud, 24, who got the second greatest number of votes, was also named First Princess by the panel of judges and Dunay Nortje was crowned Second Princess.

Confessing that she had not seen any Bollywood movies yet, Kossatz said she was going to start doing so immediately. She also promised to start learning Hindi.

Commenting on the fact that all three winners were white South Africans who beat several Indian contestants, Kossatz said it showed the true nature of the rainbow nation that the country was: "I think it's great! I think we should all stick together and love another and be respectful and tolerant of each other and their cultures."

Kossatz received a specially made crown from Gitanjali Jewellers containing gold, silver, diamonds and other precious stones from former Miss Universe Michelle McLean of South Africa.

Earlier, Mclean got out of her seat in the small overhead booth to dance to the music of Caribbean music legend Eddy Grant. She even got IPL supremo Lalit Modi to join in. They were two of the judges on the one side of the theatre, while opposite them; Shilpa Shetty joined a more staid group.

For Modi, there was extra cause for celebration to add to the huge success of the IPL that culminates with the final later on Sunday at the Wanderers in Johannesberg. The compere announced that Modi had just become a grandfather for the first time just an hour before the show started late on Saturday night.

The scene outside Montecasino as leading lights from the sports, business and arts field from India and South Africa walked the red carpet was reminiscent of when a horde of stars descended on the venue a few years ago for the IIFA Awards there. But the excited crowd was left disappointed as the only star they got a glimpse of was Shilpa Shetty, who passed them fleetingly without even stopping for photographs scheduled by organisers for the media at a spot along the route.

SRK won't shake a leg at IPL 2 finale

While Shah Rukh Khan insists it's because of his shoulder injury, the pathetic performance of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is possibly the main reason

There's bad news for Shah Rukh Khan fans across the globe.

They'll miss King Khan in action, as he won't be performing at the grand finale of the IPL season 2, which will be held at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg tomorrow.

The finale will have a grand show put up by Cineyug's Morani Brothers and Development Network Africa.

Says a source from South Africa, "The Morani Brothers are very close to Shah Rukh and are scripting and directing the event.

It's strange that Shah Rukh, who performs in almost every show of the Morani's, won't be performing this time. In fact he's not even going t o south Africa for the finals."

Commenting on SRK not performing at the finals, Mohammed Morani, says, "Shah Rukh has been a part of most of our shows and it's sad not to have him this time. Actually, he's busy shooting and didn't have dates for the event."

Besides, a source adds that people had expected SRK to come for the IPL finals and cheer his team but apparently he's keeping a low profile, as KKR failed miserably in the tournament.

"Hence, Shah Rukh just wants to keep away from all the controversies and concentrate on his work," he says.

Speaking to MiD DAY, Shah Rukh said, "I won't be able to perform at the IPL finals this time as my shoulder is till healing."

A source close to Shah Rukh, dismissing the gossip, says, "Shah Rukh is busy completing his shooting commitments and hence, he's unable to attend the event.

Also, he's not keeping a low profile – it's just that there are no parties or social events for him to attend right now."

But a source from South Africa perseveres, "Shah Rukh performed at builder Kanti Govani's nephew's wedding, which was held on April 30. If he could perform then, why not now?" he questions.

Apart from Katrina Kaif and Shilpa Shetty, the IPL finals won't have any big tinsel town stars performing this year.

However, Morani says, "As IPL is a global event, it will witness performances by Eddy Grant, percussionist Sivamani with 100 drummers, Akon, Miss Bollywood (South Africa) and quite a few internationals acts."

SRK gets IPL gyan

Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders may have failed to create magic, yet again, but King Khan takes it all in his stride.

In fact, he cites his team’s ouster from IPL 2 as a life lesson. He has no plans of giving gyaan like a guru; nevertheless, he did a good job when he pep-talked the audience at the Delhi chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organisation here on Thursday.

Talking about the event, a source present at the function says, “YPO has members in almost 85 countries. Every year, they invite people from different walks of life to interact with the members. This year, it was Shah Rukh, since he’s been very successful in his life and the members were all ears when he spoke on what success meant to him.”

Talking on his favourite subject – success – SRK says, “Success is never final, just like failure is never fatal. Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared. Fear failure so much that you get the courage to succeed. Talking about how I became successful is a waste. Success comes by chance. My first few films failed. My IPL team failed in the first and second seasons. But I’m not giving up – I want to win next year.”

When we spoke to SRK after the event, he sounded happy about the improvement in his health. “I’m much better,” he said, adding, “I’ll soon leave for the USA to shoot for My Name Is Khan. It’s a month-and-a-half long schedule.”

A source close to SRK reveals, “He felt dejected when his team wasn’t playing well initially. However, he’s reconciled to it now but is not going to South Africa for the finals. In fact, he returned after leaving Gauri’s brother there to take care of the team.” Well, the Badshah knows best!

I'm not as rich as SRK: Amitabh

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he couldn't bid for an Indian Premier League (IPL) team because he doesn't have "as much money as (Kolkata Knight Riders owner) Shah Rukh Khan".

"I don't have as much money as Shah Rukh. He has money and so he owns a team," Amitabh said on Zee News' celebrity chat show "Kahiye Janab" to be aired on Saturday.

Amitabh sent a congratulatory SMS to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his Padma Shri and didn't get a response. But he says he holds no grudge against the cricket star.

"He must have been busy, there's no need to make an issue out of this."

The sexagenarian otherwise makes for an avid viewer of the IPL and says he watches "almost all the matches".

Katrina to rock IPL finals

Are you ready to rock this Sunday at the IPL final in South Africa’s Wanderers Stadium at Johannesburg?

You better be, for the organisers have got a party lined up for you... and taking the stage to get it kickstarted and rollicking is Bollywood hottie Katrina Kaif! Yes, it’s Katz who will perform at the finale of this great cricket circus, not the Kambhakht Ishq lead pair of Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor (their participation in the closing ceremony was nixed for some reason), as was widely believed in Bollywood and cricket circles.

The sexy Katz is slated to perform (what else!) A R Rahman’s Oscar-winning song Jai Ho! among a medley of others on Sunday. She’s not the only one. Joining her in this never-seen-before package of entertainment is multi-million-selling British reggae singer Eddy Grant and American R&B artiste and hearthrob of millions, Akon, who will sing his famous hits Smack Dad, Right Now and I Wanna F@#%k You.

Eddy Grant, you will remember, was noted for using his music to politically protest against the apartheid regime in South Africa. His Gimme Hope Jo’anna went on to become a world hit in the 80s. In which Jo’anna, of course, meant Johannesburg, which is strangely where the IPL final is being played. The song’s lyrics went:

“Well Joanna she runs a country, she runs in Durban and the Transvaal
She makes a few of her people happy, she don't care about the rest at all
She got a system they call apartheid, it keeps a brother in subjection.
But maybe pressure will make Joanna see, how everybody could live as one
Gimme hope, Jo’anna...”

Katrina, who is hugely excited at going to Johannesburg, told BT yesterday before leaving, “To be able to perform in front of millions of people is going to be a different high. It’ll be like walking the dream. It’s the biggest televised show and who won’t be excited!” The actress, who just got back to Mumbai after a long outdoor schedule with Akshay for De Dana Dan, didn’t have time to rest because she had to rehearse her steps with Shiamak Davar who’s also performing there. “I am so excited that I forgot about being jet-legged,” Katz added.

Here are Miss Bollywood IPL finalists

Stunning South African model Gabriella Demetriades wants to learn from Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders boss Shah Rukh Khan how to cook a korma, though she will represent opposition team Deccan Chargers in the next round of the Miss Bollywood IPL at the Wanderers in Johannesberg on Saturday (May 23).

And Chennai Super Kings finalist Dune Kossatz fancies Kings XI Punjab as the favourites, while her top cricketer is Graeme Smith of the Rajasthan Royals.

The two women are among the top three of 16 finalists from 48 contestants decided by Internet voters for a package of prizes that includes a Bollywood tour, including a possible movie role.

The winner will be decided at the Indian Premiere League II finals this weekend.

As a model, Demetriades, 22, who garnered nearly 14,000 votes to clinch the third position, has travelled to several international destinations, including India.

"I'm fascinated with the country, there are extremes in terms of wealth and poverty, but the country is diverse, and has great shopping," she said.

When not working, Demetriades loves to cook and shop and would love to meet Shah Rukh Khan: "I want him to teach me how to make a really great lamb korma."

Model and actress Kossatz of East London has been to Hollywood and now she hopes her good looks, talent and personality will take her to Bollywood. The 35-year-old won the top spot with 15,888 votes.

"I've travelled to many countries because of my modelling work but not to India. It would be great to visit such a magnificent country," Kossatz said.

She added that she has done some acting while in the US and would relish the chance to feature in a Bollywood production, should she win the crown.

Johannesburg business marketing graduate Genna Cloud, 24, came second with 14,352 votes, beating many other models and actresses.

Although she admits she's no cricket fanatic, Cloud has found the IPL Twenty20 format very appealing.

"I'm very excited about my entry into the search for Miss Bollywood IPL South Africa," she gushed.

Cloud believes her vibrant personality and attitude are characteristics that make her stand out from the crowd. She represents the Kolkata Knight Riders in the competition.

South African Indian beauties seemed to be lagging behind in the Bollywood stakes when compared to their white fellow fans. Only six of the 16 finalists are of Indian origin, and only one, Somayya Khan, representing Mumbai Indians, made it to the top five.

The 16 finalists, two representatives for each of the eight teams in the IPL, will square up to find a single winner at the grand finale on Sunday.

The other finalists are:

Elbe van der Merwe - Rajasthan Royals

Carla Dennis - Kolkata Knight Riders

Uraysha Ramracheya - Deccan Chargers

Ina Ivanova Gueorguieva - Delhi Daredevils

Dunay Nortje - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Sarah-Kate Seaward - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Himarsha Venkatsamy - Mumbai Indians

Tammy Soloman - Chennai Super Kings

Shazia Ebrahim - Kings XI Punjab

Candice du Plesssis - Deccan Chargers

Avashnee Vandiar - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Natasha Strydom - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Bollywood extravaganza at IPL finals

Akshay, Kareena, Rani, Bipasha to perform at closing ceremony

Indian politics took a backseat to Bollywood in the biggest South African weekly, the Sunday Times, with photographs of film stars participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) gala finale hogging page three, while the Congress party win at the general elections got only two short columns on page 15.

Despite having a weekly supplement called 'Extra' for South African Indian readers, which features Bollywood news as well, the Sunday Times prominently used pictures of Bipasha Basu, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukherji and Akshay Kumar in an article highlighting the Bollywood extravaganza that will follow the final of the IPL at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesberg next Sunday (May 24).

Celebrated choreographer Shiamak Davar will coordinate the Bollywood extravaganza, in which 750 people will be involved.

"A closing ceremony should always leave a lump in one's throat," the weekly quoted Etienne de Villiers, the South African born advisor to IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.

"It's going to be an acknowledgement of the role that South Africa has played in the success of the IPL."

The IPL games, featuring eight teams, were played at several South African cities to packed stadiums. It was moved here because of security concerns during parliamentary elections in India.

The closing ceremony will also feature 2,000 floating lanterns released into the sky as fans rock to the music of reggae star Eddie Grant; Indian and South African drummers; and the latest South African Idols winners, Jason Hartman and Sasha-Lee Davids.

Following an SMS voting bungle, the two Idols winners are the first ever joint winners of an Idols contest that takes place in many countries across the globe to find a local singing star.

Davids was first announced the winner. But after it was discovered that almost 200,000 viewers' votes had not come through in time, Hartman was declared a joint winner.

Meanwhile, 48 young South African women are holding thumbs to see which 16 of them will go through to the finals of the Miss Bollywood IPL South Africa to be held at the Wanderers in Johannesberg next Sunday (May 24).

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been selecting one finalist at every game to eventually have six women representing each of the eight teams in the series that is being played out in South Africa.

Voting for the 48 finalists started at midnight on Saturday, with votes closing at 18:00 SA time on Monday evening. Fans can cast their votes on the website www.iplt20.com.

The 16 finalists will all feature in a contest before the final game at the Wanderers next Sunday (May 24) to vie for a prize of 50,000 rands in cash, a flight to India, and a guided tour through Bollywood that initially was also expected to include an audition for a Bollywood role, but that still appears to be uncertain.

The finalists include budding lawyers, accountants and auditors; businesswomen, students, models, actresses, teachers and a radiographer.

The final two contestants were announced on Saturday (May 16) during games in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.

One of them was 24-year-old Phylicia Ramdin of Glenanda, south of Johannesburg. She was picked from the crowd attending the clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Deccan Chargers held at the Wanderers.

Ramdin is currently an insurance analyst but is determined to become a successful businesswoman: "I'm enthusiastic, positive and goal driven. I believe we need to always have a positive outlook on life and go after what you want with determination."

"The IPL has been great, watching the cricketing talent, team strategies and the unity of the crowds that come to watch", added Ramdin.

Earlier on Saturday Rohini Jaga of Port Elizabeth was selected as a contestant in the Miss Bollywood IPL South Africa competition during the DLF IPL game held at St. George's Park.

Jaga, 20, who has a passion for figures and is currently a B.Com Accounting student at the University of Port Elizabeth, recently went on holiday to India: "My dad studied in India and took us on a journey through the subcontinent. It was vastly different to places I have visited before. I was very taken with the culture; it's truly a land of contrasts and beauty."

In Pics: Katrina Kaif meets Royal challengers Contest Winners

Kim and Yuvraj: Patching up again at IPL

IPL brought Bollywood and cricket closer like never before, and it seems like the beautiful locales of South Africa - in the series's second season, is giving once lovers Yuvi and Kim, a good chance to patch up their differences.

There are some relationships that never die, and Kim Sharma’s love affair with cricketer Yuvraj Singh is one among them. Yuvi is said to be pursuing her again. The two started dating four years ago, and their blow-hot-blow-cold relationship continued for two years before Kim decided to call it quits. The two have since then tried to make up several times, but have ended up staying apart.

Yuvraj was briefly linked with Deepika Padukone while Kim was dating an Israeli diplomat. Both those relationships have gone kaput, and Yuvi, according to his friends, has realised that Kim is the one for him.

He’s tried to woo her back several times in the last few months, but she’s kept away from him. And now while he is in South Africa with his IPL team and there are rumours of his budding friendship with team owner Preity Zinta, we hear he’s invited Kim to join him in South Africa to try and work things out between them. And from what we hear, Kim has accepted the invitation.

Although she’s been telling friends that she’s going to South Africa for a vacation with her female friends, sources reveal that she will be with Yuvraj during her stay there. It’s heard the two want to spend some time away from the media glare whenever he gets a break from the cricket pitch.
Whatever said and done between Kim and Yuvi, we tell you that the greatest bond in India is that of cricket and Bollywood... And thanks to IPL! Long live the union!