Asin to be brand ambassador of Lux

In Bollywood, if an actress gets to star in a Yash Raj or a Rajshri film, that puts her straight into the top league. Well, in the ad world, some brands do the same trick. For Bollywood actresses through the ages, Lux has been a brand which they take pride in endorsing.

After the top league actresses like Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif, the latest one to join the Lux family is the Ghajini girl Asin. Bollywood Hungama's sources have confirmed that Asin is now all set to become the brand ambassador of Lux, which is popularly called as 'filmi sitaaron ka saundarya saabun'.

Our source also added that the southern sensation has already shot the TVC for the brand, which has been directed by Vinod P Vijay. Looks like Asin, the new 'Lux' babe, has all the 'lucks' in the world!

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Asin wants to help

Asin has taken the onus of educating an orphan, an eight-year-old girl child named Radhika, from Kerela right up to her college.

Asin's looking at making as many underprivileged kids as possible become self-sufficient so that they can take care of themselves post their education. When contacted, Asin confirmed,

"I have been working towards children education and child rights for a long time and yes, it is true that I have taken over the entire education cost of this eight-year-old. Not just her, I have been looking at taking care of many other children. I have plans of expanding my boundaries and help as many people as possible."

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Asin gets homesick

Well, Asin might be going (to) places, literally, to shoot for her films, but did you know that the actress feels homesick if she stays away from her home for a long time?

We hear that the actress rushes back home as soon as she completes her outdoor shoots. She even takes great pride in the way her home looks and often decorates and redecorates her room.

Apparently, the Ghajini girl also has this ‘sweet’ habit of inviting all her friends home after returning from an outdoor shooting and treating them to yummy foreign chocolates. And she also munches on them while keeping her good friends company.

Well, shouldn’t we say, Asin’s habits are as sweet and endearing as her?

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Asin's Hot Filmfare Photoshoot - Photos

Asin's Hot Filmfare Photoshoot

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ASIN: I am honoured to be President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Guest

Bollywood actress Asin says she will not apologize for her visit to Sri Lanka merely because some actors in Tamil Nadu have demanded she do so.

The actress has been threatened with a boycott in Southern India for praising President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is credited with wiping out the separatist LTTE in a long drawn battle that ended with the death of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

"All Tamilians in Sri Lanka are happy with the government as it treats everyone equal and I am honoured to be his (President Mahinda Rajapaksa's) guest," Asin is reported to have said.

Apart from visiting several places with the Rajapaksa family, Asin had dined and danced with Shiranthi, Rajapaksa's wife when she hosted a party in Colombo.

Asin was in Sri Lanka, earlier this month, for the shooting of the Hindi film Ready that stars Salman Khan opposite her. Prominent Tamil actors like Radha Ravi and Sathya Raj were particularly vocal against Asin at a meeting of South Indian Film Artistes Association on Sunday.

The South Indian Film Chambers of Commerce, on the other hand, plans to consider demands to boycott Asin when it meets later this week.

"Though our association issued a diktat to its members not to visit Sri Lanka just before the IIFA awards function, Asin chose to go there for a shooting. She may be from Kerala but she acts in Tamil films and must respect Tamil sentiments," said Radha Ravi, general secretary, SIFAA.

While Ravi wants other actors to act only if she apologizes, SIFAA president Sharat Kumar said it was too early to take a strong stand.

"Asin is an actor. She is from our own fraternity. Our steps must be measured in this issue. We will examine the circumstances in which Asin made these remarks before we take the final decision."

Asin's fans associations in the US and Canada have boycotted her films, while Naam Tamilar, a pro Tamil organization, is planning to launch a mass protest in Chennai against Asin.

Asin told Mid Day that she was not going to heed to demands of individual actors like Radha Ravi and Satya Raj.

"I only visited a Tamil camp were some war injured are being treated. The president's wife Shiranthi wanted to join me and I could not say no to her," Asin said.

"I will abide by the decision taken by the chamber and will not apologize just because an actor has asked for it."

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Asin bumped into Mrs Dhoni

While MS Dhoni seems to have moved on with his newfound nuptial-life with Sakshi Singh Rawat, Asin is apparently still recuperating from her loss. Recently, when the actress ran into Dhoni and his wife Sakshi in Sri Lanka, she was caught in an awkward moment, where she had no option but to wish the newly married couple a happy life and walk off.

An insider reveals, “Asin has been in Sri Lanka for almost three weeks shooting with Salman Khan for Anees Bazmee’s Ready. The Indian cricket team is also in Colombo for the Test series. Coincidentally, Asin and Dhoni are put up in the same five-star hotel.

Asin was aware that Dhoni and his wife are staying in the same hotel. Asin made sure (to the best of her ability) not to cross their way.” But destiny had different plans.

Apparently, Asin was shooting for almost 12 hours a day and was returning to the hotel only late at night. (Yes, the film does need that much work; Asin wasn’t avoiding returning to the hotel). So, all this while, she had not bumped into Dhoni or his wife.

But one morning, when Asin was to leave for her shoot, she bumped into Sakshi, followed by Dhoni.

She promptly congratulated the couple, casually spoke for a few seconds and quickly left, saying she was getting late. The awkwardness was clearly visible on Asin’s face,” adds the insider

As for Dhoni, the cricketer seems to have mastered the art of making polite expressions. The insider says, “Dhoni was normal and casual while greeting Asin. Sakshi (oh, we forgot about her!), who was also present, just exchanged a few pleasantries with Asin and then everyone went their way. Asin to her shooting location, Dhoni to his game. Asin remained unavailable for comment.

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South Actress Asin visits Jaffna and Vavuniya - Photos

Asin wins hearts in Sri Lanka

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Asin wins hearts in Sri Lanka

“Asin, don’t leave us, stay with us,” screamed the young girls at the Siriliya Sevana orphanage in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, on Sunday. In a quiet gesture of solidarity with displaced people — something that no one from Tamil Nadu had attempted in the island nation — Asin stayed back in Colombo even after the crew of Ready wound up and left the island nation. Asin, who is facing the threat of a red card from the Nadigar Sangam for daring to shoot in Sri Lanka for the Bollywood film Ready co-starring Salman Khan, had earlier evinced interest in visiting war torn areas to Namal Rajapaksa, MP and son of the Lankan president. She had also set in motion an eye camp in Vavuniya along with Salman Khan’s Being Human Foundation.

On Sunday, Asin’s wish came true and she became the first international star to visit former LTTE strongholds of northern and eastern Lanka, when she took a chopper in the company of Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa, wife of the Lankan president. The first halt was at the eye camp in Vavuniya, to oversee the surgery conducted by a team of five surgeons from India, and to interact with the patients.

“I want to do whatever it takes to help these people regain their eyesight,” said Asin, “We will continue to periodically host these eye camps across the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka until all the 10,000 registered patients have been attended to,” she added. Asin hopes to bring in more doctors and medication in the second phase in November. Asin’s agenda is to reach out to people, simply and effectively. “To me, the best moment was when one recovering patient awoke after his operation and removed his eye patch only to be surprised to see his favourite actress standing beside his bed. The elderly patient kept asking the nurses if it was a dream! That one moment made my entire journey to Sri Lanka worthwhile.I knew I was able to not only provide sight to an elderly father in need but I was also able to reach out to the people in need and bring them genuine happiness in the little way I could,” said Asin.

Peals of laughter were heard during Asin’s entire stay at the Children’s home and when the time came for her to leave, a lot of chidlren were in tears, begging her not to leave. “Five more minutes akka.. five more minutes.. please...,” cried the young ones. “Please bring Vijay, Suriya, Ajith and all the other actors next time you come,” added the girls in between their sobs. Asin departed with a heavy heart, promising to convey the message.

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Asin in trouble

After Salman Khan, it is the turn of Asin to face the wrath of politicos in Chennai. Asin has been criticised for shooting for Ready in Sri Lanka. Apparently, certain politicians in Chennai are gambling on a recent decision by a filmmakers' association that they will boycott films that are shot in Sri Lanka. And they are making it very clear that Asin has upset them by shooting in Sri Lanka for Ready with Salman Khan.

But Asin is unsure as to why she is being blamed, since she did not decide on the location. As an actress, she has to shoot where the director decides wants her to. But this has caused fresh worry for the actress who will be travelling to Tamil Nadu to complete a Tamil film she is acting in. She hopes this trouble will not cause her problems during its shoot.

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Salman Khan "Ready" to take Sri Lanka forward

There seems to be no sense of time with the Bollywood crew as Salman Khan kept the media waiting for a couple of hours before he arrived for the press conference held at the Taj Samudra Hotel.

The long wait was fortunately worth the while. He came and sat down at the press table with his film crew, including Sri Lankan veteran film director Chandran Ratnam.

‘I am sorry for the long wait’ said the macho actor. Salman is a dashing style icon and he’s got the looks. Wearing a long sleeved shirt and a fashionable pair of trousers sporting his charming smile he apologized to the media for being late.

His ready repartee, his earthy humour and easy do it attitude adds to his captivating qualities. There is an aura of success about him. And he is quite aware of it. He looked cool and at ease, and was calm even after long hours of shooting.

And that set the tone for the media conference.

Talking about his new film and he lights up like a neon bulb and is full of enthusiasm and excitement.

Soon after the IIFA Salman Khan who attended the event made a special request to change the location of his film from Mauritius to Sri Lanka.

"My producer Rajat Rawal agreed. Sri Lanka as a destination offers so many beautiful and exotic locations".

He avers "The locations in Sri Lanka are breathtaking, the people incredibly warm and hospitable", he said.

Salman Khan who has a creative flair for painting was engrossed with pencil and paper while others were talking at the high table.

The director of the movie "Ready" is veteran film maker, Annes Bazmee who has made blockbuster movies like ‘Singh is King’, ‘Bennam’, ‘Welcome No Entry’, ‘Dewangee Pyaar’ ‘Toh Hona He Tha’, ‘Hutchul’ are just a few of the many.

Salman Khan dismissed all the queries from the media as conjecture about the South Indian protests of shooting the film in Sri Lanka. Cinema is an art he stated and queried as to why political differences should hinder cinematic art. Art and culture are one of the best cultural exports of India and it could bring the two nations much closer in the future.

The actor stressed that the Sri Lankans are a lovely people, they love Bollywood movies and the Indians and Sri Lankan have much in common. Salman questioned as to why we should not do many joint ventures the future to expedite in the process of taking Sri Lanka forward.

He claimed categorically that he was an actor not a politician "so these political rumblings will not affect me anyway", he pointed out.

Salman is witty has a sense of humour and in between the media discussions he made remarks that made the audience laugh.

The film ‘Ready’ is directed by Aneez Bazmee and a cinema production team of about 140 artistes who are all here on location.

Asin the beautiful and demure actress who shot into fame with the film ‘Gajini’ who is also here for shooting shared her thoughts.

She said " I am from South India there is a big audience in Sri Lanka who watches Tamil films. I have met some of my fans who talks highly of Tamil movies, their favourite actors and actresses

This welcome they give me here is incredible. I don’t think politics and culture should be combined I have been to Sri Lanka before and I love the people and the country. Why not take this opportunity to promote the cinematic art of both countries. Why should protests and differences affect art and culture said this dusky beauty

Asin a picture of beauty is acting opposite Salman Khan in this movie "Ready".

Salman Khan and the team was all praise for President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa. He said Namal Rajapaksa has been very helpful and has contributed much to the successful shooting of the movie, besides many others who have given of their best to ensure the success of this venture.

The movie at an approximate cost of 50 to 55 crores will be filmed over a 30 day period until 18th July 2010 in major locations in and around Colombo. 50 – 60% of the movie will showcase Sri Lanka.

As per FICCI’s survey 2.8 billion people watch a Hindi blockbuster in the first week of its release while 4.8 billion people worldwide watch the film in the first 15 days of its release. The movie will release with 2000 prints, which will be distributed in India and worldwide.

It will reach out to more than 50-60 countries simultaneously. To name a few – South East Asia, Switzerland, Germany, German speaking Austria, South Africa, Australia, Singapore, Mauritius, UAE, New Zealand, Korea, Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, North Africa, USA, Canada, UK, Spain, France, Holland … etc.

The movie will be released in July 2011 and will be premiered in Sri Lanka as well as in India.

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Sports and Arts should not politicised, says Asin

Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan, went to Colombo and attended the IIFA 2010 show and after attending the show, the actor even decided to shoot his next movie over there.

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) banned movies of Bollywood celebrities who attended IIFA Awards in Colombo.

Salman Khan’s upcoming movie Ready, is remake of Telugu movie and Asin Thottumkal is playing the female lead. Asin works both in South Indian and Bollywood movies. This means, her South Indian projects will be in jeopardy. In an interview, the actress recently talked about her stand in this matter.

When asked about the controversy of shooting in Sri Lanka, Asin said that she was just an actress and she did not have a say in deciding the shooting location of a movie. The location is mainly decided by the producer and director and she expressed her concerns to them but they make the final decision. She is just doing her job. Since she has given her word, she is honoring the commitment.

Regarding the issue of Sri Lanka, Asin said she feels that art brings people closer and promotes peace and the Tamil community of Sri Lanka support and encourage her movie and her work and she took this opportunity to reach out to them and meet them. The Tamil people in Sri Lanka had been through difficult times and if her movie could bring smile to their faces then that is the least she could do for them.

When asked if the whole issue has been highly politicized, Asin said that she would leave politics to politicians. She is just an artist not a politician and would not like to be dragged into controversy. The Indian cricket team played in Sri Lanka and every day many Indian tourists are going to Sri Lanka. She is here to her job and she feels that sports and arts should not politicised.

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WATCH: "READY" PRESS CONFERENCE IN SRI LANKA

Salman Khan Speaking to Sri Lankan Media about his upcoming Blockbuster film "READY"

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Asin and Salman Khan at a press conference of Ready - More Photos

Bollywood actors Asin Thottumkal (L) stands next to Salman Khan gesturing during a news conference, about their new film "Ready" which is being shot in Sri Lanka, in Colombo June 30, 2010.

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We are 'ready'! - Photos

Bollywood actor Salman Khan is seen here addressing the media in Colombo today. Khan said he was not worried about repercussions back in India regarding the shooting of his new movie in Sri Lanka. (Pics by Manoj Rathnayake)

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Salman Khan not worried

Bollywood Superstar Salman Khan says he is not worried about the repercussions which may arise in South India as a result of his decision to shoot his latest movie‘Ready’ in Sri Lanka.

“It’s not a big deal. I have not faced any barriers so far. And I don’t think I will have any problems in screening the movie in South India,” Khan told reporters in Colombo today adding that the movie was being shot in Sri Lanka as it saves a lot of money and time.

The movie was scheduled to be shot in Mauritius, Singapore and Thailand but instead they found all the locations for the movie in Sri Lanka. Salman Khan is a producer cum lead actor while Kollywood actress Asin is paired alongside with him.

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WATCH: Salman Khan and Asin on the sets of "Ready"

 

Salman Khan and Asin on the sets of there upcoming Blockbuster Ready.Movie Directed by Aneez Bazmee. Produced by T-Series

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Bollywood film ‘Ready’ being shot here

Bollywood actor Salman Khan with South Indian actress Asin Thottumkal began shooting the new movie “Ready” in Colombo yesterday. This is the first mega blockbuster shoot in Sri Lanka after the Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) awards festival held in early this month.

The film stars arrived last morning, and movie was being shot at prominent locations in Colombo and in the South during the team’s 15-day stay in the country.

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) had threatened South Indian actress Asin Thottumkal to stop her movies being distributed if she went ahead with the shooting of her movie in Sri Lanka. Unmindful of the threats by the SIFCC, Mr. Khan and the film’s producers decided to go ahead with the shoot in Sri Lanka. The movie “Ready” was originally to have been shot in Mauritius.

IIFA-projects associate vice president Shefali Munshi said that on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa they applauded Salman Khan and movie team of “Ready” for shooting the movie in Sri Lanka. She also thanked the Sri Lankan government for its support and hospitality.

Indian media reports said Salman Khan had convinced film producer and director Anees Bazmi to shoot the film in Sri Lanka. Mr. Bazmi sent his crew to scout the country for jungle locales, and resorts for the crew to stay in. Buoyed by the feedback, he agreed to Mr. Khan’s suggestion and the Sri Lanka government wasted no time in giving permission.

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Sri Lanka provides Z grade security to Asin and Salman

The Rajapakse government in Sri Lanka has rolled out the red carpet to Salman Khan and Asin who have started the shoot of their Anees Bazmee directed Ready in Colombo.

The President of Sri Lanka Mahendra Rajapakse has provided 'Z' category security to Salman Khan and Asin, when the shooting of Ready started at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo on Wednesday (June 23). The President's office is monitoring the security provided to the Bollywood film unit as they have come as guests of Rajapakse.

Remember, when Salman Khan went to Sri Lanka for IIFA awards function, President Rajapakse told the Bollywood superstar that if he ever comes back and decides to shoot in Sri Lanka, he would be provided the best possible facilities and security.

Salman was so impressed by the Sri Lankan President that he immediately called up the producers of Ready who was planning to shoot the film in Mauritius and asked them to cancel it and go for Sri Lanka.

Salman and Asin will be shooting in the picturesque sea side locations of Kandy and in deep forest areas, never seen before in Bollywood movies. It is going to be a one month shooting schedule for the Ready unit.

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Asin voted Youth Icon of Kerala

The public poll was conducted by the Asianet TV channel

Asin may not have had a hit with her last movie ‘London Dreams’ but she’s definitely a hit with her fans, particularly in her home state Kerala. The actress has been voted Youth Icon of Kerala.

"The poll was conducted for over 15 days and involved a lot of personalities. Asin came out the winner since she is intelligent and representative of the thinking youth. She is talented, beautiful and has done Kerala proud," said a source.

On March 26, the actress was given the honour in the presence of the Who's Who of the south Indian film industry and political leaders.

"A seven-year-old fan of Asin presented her the award since she idolises Asin. It was a touching gesture and overwhelmed Asin," said the source.

The actress was also awarded a cash prize which she donated to a hospital's palliative care department that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms.

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Shah Rukh saves Asin from unruly mob

Actress gets security tips form SRK

Shah Rukh Khan recently saved Asin from a crowd of over 300 people who were trying to get too close to her for comfort.

At the recent event SRK entered in the nick of the time along with his bodyguards and protected Asin from being mobbed by an unmanageable crowd.

The organisers of the show where both the stars were present had made a makeshift cubicle for the VIPs near the backstage, where the stars were taken before they could go on the stage.

However, as Asin and her spokesperson were about to enter the cubicle, the crowd gathered around them and got within touching distance. They tried to take advantage of Asin by trying to touch her on the pretext of shaking hands with her.

The duo started screaming for help. Just at that time SRK came with his bodyguards, as it was his turn next to go on the stage. He saw the scene and quickly ordered his bodyguards to make their way through the crowd.

Within seconds, SRK and his bodyguards reached where Asin was. Shah Rukh grabbed Asin’s hand with his right hand and with his left caught hold of the spokesperson and dragged them to safety.

Asin even got a piece of advice on her security for future public appearances from SRK. On her part, the actress did not have enough words to thank Shah Rukh.

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