The world is a global marketplace and where once India was faced with watching Hollywood reruns, Bollywood is now one of the largest most powerful motion picture production facilities in the world.
Statistics: 1000 Hindi-language films are produced every year. Ticket sales exceed 3.6 billion.
Hollywood has its stars, so too does Bollywood and while the world's tabloids may focus on Britney Spears, Yana Gupta and Abhay Deol are not far behind with a relationship that was secret, but now has been made public.
Randeep Hooda and Sushmita Sen are rumored to be having secret meetings on horseback, but the rumors were denied... "Where do you hear all this? Its complete rubbish," laughs Sushmita. Aishwarya Rai has no intentions of quitting movies simply because she is married; and is paired with Gerard Depardieu in the film Asterix at the Olympic Games.
Another of Bollywood's babes Monalisa (real name Antara Biswas) continues to draw attention and gasps from men (and some women) across India as she posses in revealing photographs and videos. Talking of photoshoots Gauri Khan graces the cover of US magazine "Vogue" and tells all in an expo'se.
Deepika Padukone a beautiful Bollywood heartbreaker, makes movies (latest Om Shanti Om) and works toward a Bachelors degree at Indira Gandhi National Open University. Heartbreakers John Abraham and Bipasha Basu have exchanged rings and will be married soon. Bollywood may never be the same with these eligible Bollywood stars getting hitched.
Bollywood stars don't let the fame get in the way of their faith though. Amitabh Bachchan has not forgotten his faith recently travelling to the Golden Temple and the Durgiana temple to offer prayers for the actor's mother actor's mother Teji Bachchan.
Sonali Kulkarni, breaks her silence and tells the world about her transparent dress, claiming she wears it all the time and it was merely a trick of the light. As for this reporter, I plan to travel with a flash light from now on.
Bollywood news, much like Hollywood loves to have a glimpse into the minds, hearts and lives of their stars. It is sometimes amazing that a movie star is simply a person; living life just like the rest of us.
Chhote Nawab has committed his heart to Kareena Kapoor. While there is rumor of trouble, Chhote says, "A lot of people say a lot of things. She's the most wonderful person I know".
Bollywood is not above capitalizing on the fact their actors and actresses often undertake new, challenging and often controversial roles. Mallika Sherawat is being considered by director Kundan Shah's for the role of a prostitute-turned-politician in his new film. Rakesh Roshan has deprived Deepika Padukone of fame and fortune and the Bollywood "A list", turning her down for consideration in the new film staring Hrithik Roshan.
Bollywood may play second to Hollywood, but those times may soon change if writer's strikes and inflated production continue to drive producers away from the golden shores of LA. Bollywood is here to stay and Britney Spears may soon be calling. Bollywood has its own internationally known stars such as the actress Shilpa Shetty who has recently appeared in the controversial United Kingdom's Big Brother television program.
Fact or Fiction: Bollywood is a real city in India? Bollywood is not an actual place; it was created in the minds of the press. (Bombay and Hollywood) And while there are many critics, stating this makes us appear as second cousins to Hollywood; it is a name that seems destined to remain.
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