Julia Roberts is seen at the sets of her film 'Eat, Pray, Love'

Julia Roberts

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts is seen at the sets of her film 'Eat, Pray, Love' at a market in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.AP

Julia Roberts walking towards the sets

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts gestures as she walks towards the sets of her film 'Eat, Pray, Love' in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.AP

Julia Roberts chats with her guard

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts(R) accompanied by her guard during the filming of the movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' at Ubud art market on the resort island of Bali October 20, 2009. The movie also stars actor Javier Bardem. REUTERS

Julia Roberts walks to a waiting car

Actress Julia Roberts (2nd L) walks to a waiting car after filming the 'Eat, Pray, Love' at a traditional market in Ubud on Bali island, on October 20, 2009. The film is based on Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir of the same name. AFP

Julia Roberts during the filming

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts (L) and Javier Bardem are seen during the filming of the movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' at Ubud art market on the resort island of Bali October 20, 2009. REUTERS

Julia Roberts taking holy water

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts , center, takes holly water from a hindu priest at the sets of her film 'Eat, Pray, Love' in a market in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.AP

Julia Roberts with Javier Bardem

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts (L)and Javier Bardem during the filming of 'Eat, Pray, Love' at Ubud art market on the Indonesia's resort island of Bali October 20, 2009. REUTERS

Julia Roberts on the sets

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts gestures at the sets of her film 'Eat, Pray, Love' at a market in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.AP

Goa Express hits Mewar Express near Mathura

People near the site of accident after the Goa Express (L) rammed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

Goa Express collides with Mewar Express

Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel look at a damaged carriage after two trains collided on the same track near Mathura on October 21, 2009. At least thirteen people were killed and 22 injured as Goa Express moving towards Delhi rammed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura. The engine of the Goa Express climbed on the last bogey of the Mewar Express, which was stationary on the same track. AFP

An army person inspects the damaged coach of the Mewar Express after the Goa Express rammed into it near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

An injured being taken to hospital after Goa Express moving towards Delhi rammed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

Rescue team member takes pictures

A rescue team member takes pictures of a damaged bogey of Mewar Express after Goa Express moving towards Delhi rammed into it near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

Damaged coach of Mewar Express

The damaged coach of the Mewar Express after the Goa Express rammed into it near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

Crowd near Mewar Express

Crowd near the Mewar Express after the Goa Express rammed into it near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

Exit being created in Mewar Express' coach

An exit is being created in a coach of the Mewar Express to rescue passengers after the Goa Express rammed into it near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

People near the site of accident

People near the site of accident after the Goa Express (L) rammed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

Goa Express hits Mewar Express near Mathura

Passengers come out of the Goa Express after it rammed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura on Wednesday. PTI

Train collision near Mathura

Rescue workers and bystanders gather at the site of a train collision on outskirts of Mathura. At least 13 people were killed and many injured in the accident. AFP

Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel look at a damaged carriage after two trains collided on the same track near Mathura, some 150 kms south-east of New Delhi on October 21, 2009. At least thirteen people were killed and 22 injured as Goa Express moving towards Delhi rammed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura. The engine of the Goa Express climbed on the last bogey of the Mewar Express, which was stationary on the same track. AFP

At 67, Big B remains the most bankable star in Bollywood

With his ability to redefine himself time and again, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who turned 67 on October 11, has successfully established himself as Indian cinema's brand ambassador besides being the most sought after star in Bollywood.
"When I was a four-year-old I used to ask for gifts on my birthdays but that phase is over now. I think the biggest gift for me at this point of my life would be that I continue getting work and the support of my family," the superstar said on the eve of his birthday.

And while most of the stars and superstars have went into oblivion, the "angry young man" of Indian cinema, who started his career in the Hindi film industry with 'Saat Hindustani' in 1969, is enjoying the busiest time of his career with back to back releases and a prime time reality show on television.

Bachchan, who made a comeback to television as "pop philosopher" on 'Bigg Boss 3', will next be seen in fantasy movie 'Aladin', where he is playing a genie.
Apart from 'Aladin' the actor has six other big budget films lined up for release, including 'Paa', 'Teen Patti', Ram Gopal Verma's 'Rann', Shoe Bite' and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Chenab Gandhi'.

Despite his busy schedule, Bachchan has also found a blog to stay connected with his fans across the globe and hardly a day goes when the star does not update it.
Bachchan, who will soon complete his 40th year in the film industry may feel that the "excitement of birthdays and gifts has long since gone by" but that has not stopped his fans across the globe from celebrating his big day, with more than 6,000 logging in on his official website to wish their icon a happy birthday.

In an industry, where it is easy to get stereotyped, Bachchan remains one of the few actors to get the chance to portray a myriad of avatars on screen-- be it a modern genie in 'Aladin' or a media tycoon in 'Rann'.
But the actor has had a bumpy ride to the superstardom. In his initial days in Mumbai, Bachchan struggled hard to establish himself as he survived through 13 consecutive flops.

Interestingly, his dream break came with Prakash Mehra's "Zanjeer" in 1973, which was turned down by then superstars Dev Anand and Rajkumar.

Bachchan became the voice of the youth as an "angry young man", who was ready to take on a corrupt system alone.

He became the face of youth rebellion with films like "Deewar" and "Sholay" "Amar, Akbar and Anthony", "Don", "Trishul" and "Mukaddar Ka Sikander". They helped him reach the height of superstardom, which remains indisputable till today, though there were plenty of road blocks on the way, including bankruptcy and a near death experience.

While filming "Coolie" in 1982, Bachchan suffered a near fatal intestinal injury during the filming of a fight scene with co-actor Puneet Issar. He remained critically ill in hospital for many months, at times close to death.

The public response included prayers in temples and offers to sacrifice limbs to save him, while later there were long queues of well-wishing fans outside the hospital where he was recuperating.

Ajay Devgn, Bipasha Basu say 'All The Best'

 

Actor- Producer Ajay Devgn and Actress Bipasha Basu at a promotional event for their upcoming movie 'All The Best' in Mumbai on Monday, October 12, 2009. PTI

Actor-Producer Ajay Devgn shares light moments with actor Bipasha Basu at a promotional event for their upcoming movie 'All The Best' in New Delhi. PTI

Bipasha prays at Siddhivinayak Temple

Bollywood film actress Bipasha Basu (R) who appears in the star-studded Hindi film 'All The Best', walks at the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai on September 4, 2009. The film is produced by Ajay Devgn, who also plays a starring role and is directed by Rohit Shetty. AFP

Team 'All the Best' prays at Siddhivinayak Temple

Bollywood film actress Bibasha Basu, (L), film director Rohit Shetty, (2L), film actor Sanjay Dutt (3L), producer and actor Ajay Devgn, (2R) and model and film actress Mugdha Godse (R), who appear in the star-studded Hindi film 'All The Best', walk at the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai on September 4, 2009. The film is produced by Ajay Devgn, who also plays a starring role and is directed by Rohit Shetty. AFP

Bipasha Basu gestures in Mumbai

Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu gestures during a promotional event for her forthcoming movie 'All The Best' at a local radio station in Mumbai on October 2, 2009. The movie is directed by Rohit Shetty and is scheduled to be released on October 16. REUTERS

Bipasha in New Delhi for 'All The Best'

Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu during a promotional event for her upcoming movie 'All The Best' in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI

Box Office earnings for Sept 25-Oct 8

Check how these films fared at the box office during the period between September 25, 2009 and October 8, 2009.
Wake Up Sid
Net Collection: 595.82*
Audience: 548443
Occupancy (%): 46.98
Week: 1
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

Do Knot Disturb

Net Collection: 378.33*
Audience: 371635
Occupancy (%): 25.28
Week: 1
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

Wanted

Net Collection: 77.56*
Audience: 85578
Occupancy (%): 26.60
Week: 3
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

Inglorious Basterds

Net Collection: 61.06*
Audience: 44213
Occupancy (%): 37.37
Week: 1
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

What's Your Raashee

Net Collection: 59.02*
Audience: 55962
Occupancy (%): 21.64
Week: 2
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

Dil Bole Hadippa!

Net Collection: 20.25*
Audience: 18420
Occupancy (%): 18.86
Week: 3
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

Cloudy with a chance of Meat Balls

Net Collection: 12.53*
Audience: 7721
Occupancy(%): 12.78
Week: 1
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

The Ugly Truth

Net Collection: 8.41*
Audience: 6535
Occupancy (%): 23.05
Week: 4
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh

The Orphan

Net Collection: 1.79*
Audience: 1165
Occupancy (%): 20.86
Week: 2
*Earnings are in Rs Lakh
Source: Inox, PVR, Cinemax & Satyam

Opening ceremony of Champions League T20

Fireworks entrall spectators during the opening ceremony of Champions League T20 at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (PTI)

Laser show

Artists performing during the inauguration of Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 held at M Chainnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (BCCL)

Vijay Malaya with Lalit Modi

Bangalore Royal Challengers owner Vijay Malaya with Lalit Modi waving the crowed at the inauguration of Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 held at M Chainnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (BCCL)

Fireworks display

Artists performing during the inauguration of Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 held at M Chainnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (BCCL)

Opening ceremony

Artists performing during the inauguration of Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 held at M Chainnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (BCCL)

Shaolin dance

Artists perform Shaolin dance during the opening ceremony of Champions League T20 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (PTI)

Artists perform Shaolin dance during the opening ceremony of Champions League T20 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (PTI)

Artists performing during the inauguration of Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 held at M Chainnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (BCCL)

Artists performing during the inauguration of Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 held at M Chainnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (BCCL)

Adam Gilchrist, Anil Kumble

Deccan Chargers team Captain Adam Gilchrist with Royal Challengers Bangalore Captain Anil Kumble with Artists during performing at the inauguration of Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 held at M Chainnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on October 8, 2009. (BCCL)