The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour (BPFT) is here!

After successful shows in Chandigarh, Hyderabad and New Delhi, the 6th edition of the much awaited fashion extravaganza The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour (BPFT) now comes to Mumbai. The stars of this edition are 12 exceptionally gifted designers including Ashish N Soni, Asmita Marwah, Gavin Miguel, Gunjan & Rahul, Mandira Wirk, Nandita Mahtani, Neeta Lulla, Raghavendra Rathore, Shantanu & Nikhil, Surily Goel, Vikram Phadnis and Wendell Rodrick  says the Press Release from Clea PR, the publicity firm for the great event.

Hosted at Taj Lands End, the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour will be held on September 3, 4 and 5, 2010, followed by an after party at the Aurus on September 5, 2010.

Watch this space for the latest updates….

IPLgate: K K Modi, family support Lalit Modi. Lalit Modi legal inheritor, successor of Godfrey Phillips India (GPI)

Lalit Modi must be one happy man. He can definitely say, “mere pass papa hein”. And without any doubt for Lalit Modi’s family including his father K K Modi have openly come out in support of their own blood.

 

Here’s what the Economic Times has to say:

Putting to rest persistent reports about strained — even estranged — relations between himself and his son Lalit Modi, industrialist K K Modi sprang to his son’s defence on Monday and declared that the 46-year-old would succeed him as head of the Rs 3,500-crore group’s flagship company, Godfrey Phillips India (GPI), the makers of Marlboro, Four Square and Red & White cigarettes.

‘‘ Lalit is the seniormost member of the K K Modi family , he is meant to take over the business,’’ the 73-year patriarch told TOI. Lalit is, at present, an executive director in GPI. Modi senior, however, did not have a date in mind for the succession.

It’s clear that K K Modi is putting his weight behind his son, who has dominated headlines for the past few weeks, mostly for the wrong reasons. ‘‘Lalit is the most brilliant and intelligent member of the family and has created something no one has been able to do so far,’’ he said, referring to the IPL. ‘‘I only wish he had done it for the K K Modi group.”

‘IPL good for Brand Modi’

Ousted IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi has some good news coming his way: Papa K K Modi — who heads a Rs 3,500-crore group — backs him. The 73-year-old patriarch declared Lalit as his rightful inheritor on Monday. Doesn’t it bother him that his eldest son spends so little time on the family business, something that earlier used to worry him? ‘‘I actually encourage it now because it benefits the business through better branding. Thanks to his association with IPL, he has created a network of the rich, famous and influential, which can always be utilized whenever business opportunities crop up for the Modi family.’’

Modi senior sounds doting as he proudly recounts how during his recent visit to Australia , he was introduced as Lalit Modi’s father. ‘‘ I’m wellknown in my age group, but for him it’s across all ages.’’

Modi has another interesting take on Lalit’s limited role in the family business: All his three children have been given space to focus on one additional business, which they do separately. So while younger son Samir runs a cosmetic business on his own, daughter Charu (Bhartia ) manages an education business. Similarly, his wife runs a chain of restaurants and a fashion line. ‘‘ So it’s all right if Lalit wants to put time into a business which makes Modi a household name.’’

Interestingly, some other members of the extended Modi family, which once fought acrimoniously, have thrown their weight behind Lalit. TOI spoke to another senior Modi, who said Lalit could do no wrong.

MR MONEYBAGS

As executive director of Godfrey Phillips India, Lalit Modi drew a salary of Rs 50.69 lakh in 2008-09 , according to the company’s annual report As director of Indofil Organic Industries he drew Rs 1.86 lakh He holds 5.89% stake in Savera Industries. The stake is worth Rs 2 crore, based on Savera’s Monday closing price of Rs 61 on the BSE.

Shoaib Malik, Sania Mirza demanded Rs 35 million for wedding footage

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik allegedly demanded Rs 35 million or Rs 3.5 crore for footage of their wedding reception and party at Sialkot in Pakistan. As none of the TV channels were willing to pay them that kind of money, Shoaib Malik ensured that the media was kept at bay. We wonder how the newly married couple reached at these valuations. Did they think that they were Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt? Or is Shoaib Malik so broke after paying off his first wife Ayesha Siddique that he had to demand payment for wedding footage.

It’s all about media relations dear Shoaib Malik. Please don’t forget that both you and Sania Mirza could do well with some good press.

IPL Scam or IPL Gate: Lalit Modi says BCCI is afraid of the truth!!!!

 

Responding to the email from the BCCI suspending him for six months from the affairs of the BCCI board, the IPL and other activities, Lalit Modi said that the BCCI is afraid of the truth.

“How can I now attend the BCCI governing council meeting on Monday morning when I am suspended? What are they afraid of, asked Modi.

Who is Roshan Abbas? asks Lalit Modi as actor threatens to sue Modi for plagiarism

 

Lalit Modi has denied all the allegations made by actor, director, producer and event manager Roshan Abbas. Who is Roshan Abbas?, asked Lalit Modi when queried about the allegations. According to news reports, Abbas is furious with Modi for stealing their concepts. 

There is more trouble brewing for beleagured and now suspended IPL commissioner and IPL Chairman Lalit Modi. Director, Producer, actor and event manager Roshan Abbas has threatened to take Lalit Modi to court alleging plagiarism. 

Says Roshan Abbas in a statement, “We had presented a concept to the IPL Committee last year. The closing ceremony of the IPL finals is uncannily similar to our concept and we will take it up with our group company JWT Group and our legal counsel and then decide on our future steps. 

On TV channel Headlines Today, Roshan Abbas in a live interview said that he will sue Lalit Modi and the organizing committee of the IPL finals for ‘stealing his concept’. According to him, the white mannequin with A R Rahman performing at the closing ceremony was his concept which he has shared with Lalit Modi last year. 

Roshan Abbas is working with Shah Rukh Khan on the film Always Kabhi Kabhi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IPL gate: Lalit Modi’s arbitrary suspension bad in law, say legal experts

More than one legal expert in Mumbai and Delhi reacted with shock at the arbitrary and haphazard way in which the BCCI issued the suspension or sacking notice via email to Lalit Modi, within minutes of the last IPL match or the finals.  

According to the legal eagles, the BCCI should have waited till early morning to issue the notice. “It was almost past midnight. A show cause notice issued at mid night reeks of high handedness and arrogance. They could have sent the notice at 8 am, but at 1 am seems a bit too much. If it was so urgent or so serious then the BCCI should have issued the notice on Sunday evening itself. 

A senior counsel from Mumbai on condition of anonymity said, “If they (the BCCI) could wait till the finals were over, they could have waited for one more night. It’s sad for cricket in India, when the administrators of the sport play such dirty games. It is not possible that the alleged wrongdoing or misdeeds could have been done or undertaken by Lalit Modi without the knowledge or even subtle approval of some other senior members or governing council members.

Meanwhile news reports suggested that Modi has been given 15 days time to reply to the BCCI suspension notice. As a result of his suspension, Lalit Modi cannot attend the BCCI governing council meeting on Monday morning. According to a report by IANS:

After suspending Lalit Modi as vice president of Board of Control for Cricket in India and Indian Premier League’s chairman and commissioner, board president Shashank Manohar Monday said alleged acts of “individual misdemeanours” of Modi have brought a bad name to the administration of cricket.

Manohar also issued a show cause notice to Modi asking him to explain within 15 days why he should not be suspended.

“The events of the last few days have thrown up lot of sad and unfortunate developments,” Manohar said in a press statement in the early hours Monday.

“While we rejoice and celebrate the great success of IPL season 3, the alleged acts of individual misdemeanours of Mr.Lalit Modi, Chairman IPL and vice president, BCCI, have brought a bad name to the administration of cricket and the game itself.”

Manohar said that he waited for the IPL to conclude before taking any action against Modi because he did not wanted to “disrupt” the tournament.

“Immediately after the conclusion of the IPL final, the BCCI secretary, Mr. N. Srinivasan has in consultation with me issued a show cause notice to Lalit Modi under Rule 32 (iv) calling upon him to show cause within 15 days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.”

“Simultaneously in exercise of the powers vested in me under Rule 32 (vii), I have suspended Mr. Lalit Modi from participating in the affairs of the Board, the IPL, the Working Committee and any other Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India,” Manohar said.

 

IPL scam: Director, producer and actor Roshan Abbas threatens to sue Lalit Modi, IPL finals committee, alleging plagiarism

 

There is more trouble brewing for beleagured and now suspended IPL commissioner and IPL Chairman Lalit Modi. Director, Producer, actor and event manager Roshan Abbas has threatened to take Lalit Modi to court alleging plagiarism.

Says Roshan Abbas in a statement, “We had presented a concept to the IPL Committee last year. The closing ceremony of the IPL finals is uncannily similar to our concept and we will take it up with our group company JWT Group and our legal counsel and then decide on our future steps.

On TV channel Headlines Today, Roshan Abbas in a live interview said that he will sue Lalit Modi and the organizing committee of the IPL finals for ‘stealing his concept’. According to him, the white mannequin with A R Rahman performing at the closing ceremony was his concept which he has shared with Lalit Modi last year.

Roshan Abbas is working with Shah Rukh Khan on the film Always Kabhi Kabhi.

 

Bollywood’s badshah, super star Big B or Amitabh Bachchan has liver cirrhosis

Writing on his blog, Bollywood badshah, or Big B as he is known as Amitabh Bachchan reveled to the utter shock and surprise of his fans that he suffers from a serious condition of liver cirrhosis that requires regular medical check ups and treatment. About 25 per cent of Big B’s liver is already destroyed, he wrote. It wasn’t a drinking or alcoholic problem though liver cirrhosis is normally caused by constant or chronic alcoholism or excessive alcohol consumption. Bachchan, 67 is a teetotaler. 

In 1982 during a freak accident while shooting for the movie Coolie, Bachchan had to undergo major surgery. He nearly died in the accident and it was probably the ardent prayers of millions of fans that kept him alive.  There was a lot of blood required urgently and Bachchan underwent several blood transfusions. At that time it was an unknown Hepatitis streak. There were no tests available for this, Bachchan revealed.

Amitabh Bachchan requested his fans all over the country and the world for their support and prayers. Sources said that Bachchan may undergo a major corrective surgery soon. Liver cirrhosis impairs the liver’s ability to control infections and process nutrients, hormones and drugs.

Though the damage was discovered about 8 years ago, Bachchan chose to reveal this fact to his fans or make it public only on Sunday, thus arousing fears that Bachchan may take a sabbatical from active work and get into medical treatment.

Dr R S Mishra from Mumbai who spoke to a TV channel said that Bachchan’s condition is a curable with the right and timely medical treatment.

 

IPL gate: Lalit Modi sacked as IPL Commissioner: To appeal in the Bombay High Court or Supreme Court

It is learnt that immediately after the BCCI announced – upon completion of the finals match between Mumbai and Chennai – that Lalit Modi has been suspended and sacked (for a period of six months) by the BCCI, the Lalit Modi camp said that they would knock on the doors of the Bombay High Court and maybe even the Supreme Court of India the first thing on Monday morning. There is much drama expected on Monday morning as the Lalit Modi camp takes recourse to the courts of the land.

Sources said that even IPL CEO Sundar Raman may have his wings clipped. A three-member panel will now run the IPL as no new interim IPL Commissioner or IPL Chairman has been announced.

IPLgate: BCCI arbitrarily sacks Lalit Modi as IPL Commissioner and IPL chairman for six months for IPL scam

A four member BCCI panel that included Arun Jaitley, Shashank Manohar, Rajive Shukla and Ratnakar Shetty drafted and finalized the charge-sheet and show cause notice to Lalit Modi suspending him as IPL Commissioner and IPL Chairman for six months. He has been charged with finanical misdeeds, breach of trust and confidentiality. He has also been prevented from attending BCCI governing council meetings.

Says Flynn Remedios author of the under-publication IPL Gate and an unofficial biography on “Lalit Modi – the man we all love and hate”, “My reliable sources within the BCCI tell me that all the paper work required to suspend Lalit Modi as IPL Commissioner and issue him a show cause notice for flouting norms and impropriation is ready. The paper work was ready as of 8 pm on Sunday evening. It has merely to be delivered to Lalit Modi. The BCCI top brass is waiting for the right moment or should we say opportune moment to forward the official notice to Lalit Modi and also announce the same to the media immediately after the match is over.

This move has raised eyebrows all over proving that the BCCI is a body of emotional immature persons…