By Jilawatan

Dr Batra’s Positive Health Awards 2010 presented by Bajaj Discover, were held at Chowdiah Hall in Bengaluru, with Bollywood star Vidya Balan felicitating the awardees at a glittering ceremony attended by over 1,000 invitees.

These Awards, now in their fifth year, are India’s first health honours instituted by Dr Batra’s, to recognise those who have displayed outstanding courage in the fight against disease and diasability. Pioneers in the Indian automobile industry, Bajaj Discover has partnered this year’s project which for the first time , is being held in Bengaluru.

An eminent panel of jurists comprising of Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Ms. Anu Aga, Vivek Oberoi, R. Balki, Rajiv Bajaj and Dr. Mukesh Batra selected six winners from hundreds of nominations.

These six –Mr. Deva Reddy, Dr. S Rajalakshmi, Mr. Shreedhar Rajaram, Ms. Sona Jose, Mr. Prashant Karmakar and Dr Anand Vinekar, exemplify what it takes to transform humans into heroes.

In addition to a short biographic film on each awardee, the guests were entertained by a scintilling performance by dance guru Shiamak Davar’s troupe of specially-challenged children. There was also a musical rendition by the students of The Happy Home and School for the Blind.

By Jilawatan

Actually, the twist is the charming ‘Paa’ actress is not all part of this Ram Gopal Varma’s trilingual flick. In fact her cousin is….

Priyamani, a south Indian actress and cousin of Vidya Balan, is reported to feature in RGV’s ‘Rakta Charitra’. The film, a biopic of political leader Paritala Ravi, features Vivek Oberoi and south Indian star Surya. Priyamani said to act opposite Suriya here.

According to sources, Varma was mighty impressed with the actress after seeing some of the South films which she has done.

Incidentally, sources revealed that RGV had seen Priyamani’s Tamil film ‘Paruthaveeran’, for which she had won a National Award. And with this he made up his mind to cast her in the film.

Produced and directed by Ram Gopal Varma, ‘Rakta Charitra’ is being made in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.

As a matter of fact, Priyamani also features in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’.

By Jilawatan

Ram Gopal Varma has signed Vidya Balan’s cousin Priyamani to play one of the female leads in his forthcoming film Rakta Charitra, starring Vivek Oberoi and Surya (the actor who did the original Ghajini).

Priyamani will play Surya’s love interest. A source says, “Priyamani is a talented actress and Varma was mighty impressed after seeing some of the South films which she has done.”

Ramu took the final decision of casting her when he saw Paruthaveeran, for which Priyamani won a National Award. Confirming the news, Varma said, “Yes, Priyamani is doing Rakta Charitra.”

By Jilawatan

Starlet Vidya Balan has rubbished rumours on her supposed romance with actor Vivek Oberoi. The actress seems to be in no mood for fun and has come down heavily on assumptions regarding her personal life.

Vidya, who’s been linked to almost every actor that she has worked in the past, is surprised by the link-up, as she is not even working with Vivek at present. In a clarification to the media, the actress exclaimed “I have met Vivek some one-and-a-half times only.”

While Vidya can’t stop denying the gossip, Vivek seems to be loving all the undue attention, for the actor has been out of scene for quite sometime now since the debacle of his last release ‘Mission Istanbul’. According to reports, Vivek has got a lot of publicity because of the same.

But with Vidya’s clarification loud and clear, guess it is the end of all the attention for poor chap Vivek!

By Jilawatan

Poor Vivek Oberoi, he’s being dumped this time in print… and by Vidya Balan of all co-stars.

The actor, who’s not had a film since the disastrous Mission Istanbul last year, has been getting a lot of press lately because of an alleged link-up with the Kismet Konnection actress.

But Vidya, who’s been linked to almost every actor that she has worked with from Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham to Shahid Kapoor, is not having any of this. She’s not even working with Vivek, so Vidya’s anxious to nip the romance rumour in the bud. Rather tersely, the actress whose own fortunes are seeming to be on the uprise told BT that there was no question about her falling for Vivek and finally finding true love. “I have met Vivek some one-and-a-half times only,” said Vidya. Which, in Bollywood, is half times too many for people to fall in love or get hooked onto each other. But Vidya is not buying…

By Jilawatan

According to the latest B-town buzz, Vivek Oberoi and Vidya Balan are reportedly dating each other. Vidya recently met Vivek at a common friend’s house and the two seemed to be getting along so well that the news of their romantic link up started making rounds.

Grapevine has it that Balan has now become a frequent visitor to the Oberoi family.

A source said, “It was at designer Shabina Khan’s house that the couple met. Shabina is a close friend of Vidya and is her chosen designer. And so is Vivek a buddy of Shabina. And when the two met, sparks started flying. Then the two began meeting at Film City as they were shooting on floors close to each other. But it is too early to comment on their relationship.”

Here’s hoping that heartbroken Vivek finally falls in love again!

By Jilawatan

Vidya balan is the brand ambassador of NGO Nanhi Kali, which propagates education for the girl child. She will soon be funding the education of some children from the NGO. Says a source close to Vidya, “Vidya had been associated with an NGO ever since she started working but a few months ago she decided to withdraw her support against that and join Nanhi Kali. She had sponsored a girl child from the earlier NGO.

Now she’s planning to support the education of other girl children in Nanhi Kali. The education of the girl child is something she feels deeply for. Today, Vidya is attending an event where there’s been a tie-up with an animation channel and Nanhi Kali and the proceeds of the event will go to the NGO.”

Vidya Balan says, “I am completely for the education of the underprivileged girl child. I strongly believe in education. It’s a basic necessity and only when you are educated that you can make an informed choice about everything. I became associated with Nanhi Kali through a company that supports the NGO. I Wanted to be sure that the work done is genuine and Nanhi Kali is one such organisation. I have been to their office and joined it recently. They financially support girl children all over India.”

Apparently, she’s sponsoring the education of some girl children? “Though I am not comfortable talking about it but yes I do plan to finance the education of a few girls. It’s amazing how many girl children can get educated for a measly sum of money. It’s a small thing to do especially when I have been given so much.”

Reacting to rumours about her affair with Vivek Oberoi, vidya balan says, “I have met Vivek precisely one and a half times in my life. The story linking me with him is ridiculous and unbelievable. I would like to know who is the source whose has been quoted in the story. With such a fertile imagination she has a glorious imagination as a storyteller or screenwriter. I think I have become the easiest target for link-ups now.”