Bust boom: all for that sexy look

Pamela Anderson did it, so did Madonna. Now, thanks to the recent re-approval of silicone breast implants by the FDA after a gap of 13 years, bust lines are set to get a lift. The FDA's new position on the use of silicone is important because this is the age of sexual imagery. As Mallika Sherawat says: "Men like talking to my breasts"

Fact is, the obsession with an ample bustline dates back to 1858, when Anne McLean of Williamsburg, NY, invented what may be the first patented American falsie - a cone-shaped wire device that intimidated her husband. Such preoccupation with female curves might have a purpose. "Women should look sexy and feminine. I like models with shapely bosoms walking the ramp," says Rohit Bal. "I know many models who have stuffed silicone in their breasts."

According to the Society of Plastic Surgeons, post-Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, the number of women undergoing breast augmentation surgery is growing at an incredible pace.

In 1992, 32,607 women underwent the surgery, but by 2002, this number had jumped to 2.5 million. A 593 per cent jump in 10 years with 19-34 year-olds being responsible for 25 per cent of the procedures despite the whopping cost: USD 3,375. The US cashed in on USD 857 million for breast implants in 2003.

Is breast enhancement popular in India too? "Unlike in the UK and US, we don't maintain breast-implant registers. Breast augmentation is a taboo in India. Another deterrent is the cost. A breast implant can cost anything between Rs 35,000 and Rs 50,000," says Sunil Choudhary, a consultant with Max Health Care.

However, there are cosmetic surgeons like SB Gogia who have done more than 65 such jobs, because as he says, when it comes to the feminine mystique, nothing spells success like DD-cups.

"Most patients ask for a very large breast size," he clarifies. So, what exactly can silicone do for you? "The look and feel of silicone-studded breasts are so natural that you have to touch them to tell," says Bal. A cosmetic surgeon reveals: "We do import silicone implants. Even though they were banned in the US, they were used in the UK, Israel, New Zealand and Australia."

Neither the implants imported nor medical procedure involved are monitored in India. "We don't require any monitoring body as they are already certified by the authorities concerned in the countries of their origin," says Gogia.

Is it okay to have silicone assets? Psychiatrist Sanjay Chugh offers an explanation for this phenomenon: "Women who go for breast augmentation usually have low self esteem and confidence. They believe that their only appeal lies in their physical appearance. Relationship problems with the spouse are also a factor when it comes to feeling inadequate."

Paris Hilton gets waxed at Madame Tussauds!

WASHINGTON, May1: House of Wax star Paris Hilton is the latest celebrity to become a full sized waxwork at the Madame Tussauds museum chain. Her figure will be unveiled at The New York branch of the museum at a ceremony to be attended by the cast of the House of Wax before the release of the movie on May 6.

And though Paris is elated at the prospect of having the waxwork displayed at the world famous venue, she regrets the fact that due to her forgetfulness, her pet pooch Tinkerbell will not be cast aside her. "I didn't bring Tinkerbell to the thing. They wanted to make her too, but I forgot to take her to the thing where they take pictures of you," zap 2 it quoted her as saying.

Though Hilton has not yet seen her wax figure, she nevertheless seems to be extremely happy with the honour. "I think it's pretty cool," she added.

Priyanka -- Bold and Beautiful

NEW DELHI: She turned from model to actress and now Priyanka Chopra wants to become model actress. While Andaaz remains close to her heart, she admits she would think twice before exposing again. After the success of films like Andaaz, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Aitraaz, the former Miss World is now looking to tone down her act.

"I am at a stage of my career where roles of substance matter more to me than when I started out. Andaaz was a relatively bold film in terms of my costumes but it's something I was very sure I wouldn't be doing again after I watched it on screen. Andaaz was and will always be very special to me, but I am no longer comfortable wearing those kind of clothes. On hindsight I realise Andaaz was a bold film, but I still don't know why I did it when I did. Perhaps I didn't fully realise the implications of what I was doing. After all I was just 18 when I shot for the film. Maybe I didn't know any better. But definitely it's not something I want to do again," she says.

The bare-dare days are over, insists Priyanka. According to her the audiences will get to see 'less' of her on screen: "I don't think I am going to expose anymore. What is the need? It is possible to wear trendy clothes and look sexy. As newcomers, most of us don't realise that people are forming an impression about you through the clothes you wear. For example in Andaaz, although Lara ends up getting the guy, I had a more varied role - it was a nice combination of comedy, sadness, sacrifice and lots of pranks. But it is a hot and sexy image that everyone recalls. Such a realisation can only come through experience. That is why actresses sometimes do things in the beginning of their career that they might repent later."

The Beauty from Bareilly is not afraid to buck the trend by covering up. "The so-called phase of bold cinema only lasted for a little while and it's now gone. People want to see films that are character and story oriented. The industry always has its ups and downs. There have been times when period films, war films and action films were popular by turns. Likewise sex too has come and gone. Today it is romantic films that rule the roost," she claims.

Priyanka's new coy andaaz seems to be as much in demand as her predisposition to sizzle earlier. There's certainly no dearth of offers. "After Waqt I'm looking forward to Barsaat and Yakeen. While in Waqt I play the spoilt kid of a rich father who wakes up to reality when she has to support her husband (Akshay Kumar) following a rift with his family, in Barsaat I am a small-town girl with a strong character. Yakeen again is a very different and performance-oriented role. Both films should release sometime in June," she says.

Priyanka is also ecstatic about her pairing with Hrithik in Rakesh Roshan's Krish. According to her: "Krish is turning out fabulously and I'm very happy with my character. People haven't seen me do anything like what I'm doing in Krish and that's really exciting for me. The film will release next year."

Despite the avalanche of high-profile appearances, the actress denies she's overly ambitious. "I don't think I have ever been ambitious. I would otherwise have planned my career far better. I have made my share of mistakes. Even though I have done some good films and some bad films, I do enjoy the art of filmmaking. Some films I do because they are good films; others to satisfy the actor inside me. But by and large I do films instinctively. There's no plan or method behind the choices that I make," she says.

Priyanka, who would have been an engineer if showbiz hadn't happened to her, describes herself as 'complicated but not complex.' She also rules out any complications beyond her on-screen chemistry with Akshay Kumar. "I need to stay away from all rumours at this stage of my career. Silence is the best option for any situation. I don't want any controversies in my life and I don't think I should be giving importance to non-issues by talking about them. One thing I am very clear about - I can handle almost anything except anyone messing with my family. I don't allow that," she says.

Porn Birthday

Threesome is awesome! Porn star Jenna Jameson (L) poses with two new models for her "Club Jenna" website Sophia Rossi (C) and Jessie Capelli during a birthday party for Jameson in Los Angeles on April 14, 2005

J Lo's book to focus on paparazzi

LONDON, April 24: With the paparazzi increasingly becoming a big problem for celebrities these days, pop singer Jennifer Lopez has decided to take the bull by the horns by writing a self-help book for celebs to deal with them. Lopez, who thinks that she is the perfect person to pen the book, said that it was strange that even though celebrities were fed up of the paparazzi, no one had thought of writing on the subject.

"Nobody likes to hear somebody in the public eye who they feel makes a lot of money, complain, so we don't, but it is a very strange thing nobody writes books about how to deal with that, so maybe I'll do that next, femalefirst quoted her as saying Moviehole.net.

Indian beauty crowned

For Niki D'Souza and Pawan Setpal it was a night of complete elation as they left 32 other contestants behind to grab the Gladrags Megamodel and Manhunt 2005 titles respectively. In fact 21-year-old Niki from Mumbai can't believe that she now wears the crown that glam gals like Lara Dutta, Aditi Govitrikar and Koena Mitra have worn in the past. "It was a wonderful experience. I got the best grooming that anyone can ask for, and now that I have actually won, it really feels like a dream fulfilled. I think I need to constantly pinch myself to realise that I have done it!" she quips.

Niki, who pipped First Runners up Kimasha Nanoo from South Africa and Second Runners up Neha Oberoi from Delhi to the title, feels she made her mark in beachwear. "Although the Introduction Round and Judges Round were the most crucial, I think I performed best in the Swimsuit Round," she says.

The new Gladrags Megamodel admits she was confident of a good showing in the contest. According to her: "Everybody's expectations were sky high. But honestly I don't suppose anybody was thinking about who would make it and who wouldn't. I am sure all the girls would have been confident of winning. That is why they were here in the first place. If you are nervous, you can't be faring too well. So yes, I was confident of making it to the final stage, but not about winning the title. I gave it my best shot in every round and just hoped that things would go well."

Although she has only just started to savour success as a model, Niki hints she may not be averse to giving up ramp for reel in the coming days. "I have already completed my graduation. I came to participate in the Gladrags contest only because I wanted to get into modelling full-time. So there's nothing else that I have in mind right now. I guess the logical thing for me to do after winning the title is to continue modelling and then take up films as and when the offers come my way," she says.

Niki is even willing to strip for success: "If a subject demands some exposure, then I would do it. But I certainly won't overexpose or strip if I don't see a reason for it."

Manhunt winner Pawan Setpal refuses to be modest about his achievement. "Yes I did expect to win because that is why I came here. All my hard work has paid off. I know that the body plays an important role in any modelling competition and have therefore been very conscientious about my eating habits and workouts in the gym. Although there are many people who helped me reach my goal, I take credit for hanging on and doing my best when things got rough. I am also grateful for the kind of grooming that Gladrags provided us," he adds.

According to Setpal, what separated him from First Runners up Aryan Baruah of Guwahati and Second Runners up Elvis Parkinson of Bangalore, was his mental toughness: "I didn't let the thought of losing enter my head even once. Once you let that happen, you might as well give up and go home. I came prepared to win - probably more than the others - and that is why I gave more than my best. I consider myself quite a disciplined person and remained focused throughout the contest. I gave my 100 per cent and maybe that helped. Although I agree with Mrs Wadia when she says that we are all winners, I can't help but think of myself as a little extra special!"

Satpal is just as candid about his future plans. "Modelling is very different from acting. If you win a pageant like this, then you are definitely recognised. Let's not fool anybody. People want to know who you are and they want to give you breaks. That is one reason I wanted to win this contest. I'm very passionate about acting and have said from day one in all my interviews that I love to act and want to be an actor. I love modelling too but then every model has a certain shelf life after which you start looking for younger and newer faces. On the other hand, there are no such compulsions in acting. If you are good, you can go on forever. I would therefore give myself a couple of years as a model and then prepare myself - like I always prepare myself for everything - to take the plunge as an actor," he claims.

But the 24-year-old perfectionist says he will bide his time. "I not good doing too many things at the same time. So I am just a model for now and would like to focus on my career in the fashion industry. I really wouldn't think any other way at this stage," he says.

Meanwhile Megamodel First Runners Up Kimasha has no regrets about losing the top spot to Niki. "Why should I be disappointed? As the first South African participant, I am proud of what I have achieved. I am a professional model and have done international assignments in the US and South Africa. During the contest we went through a grooming and make-up programme and also did charitable work so it was really interesting and a great experience. I took part in the Megamodel contest because I wanted to launch myself as a model in Mumbai. I already have some offers in hand and would love to do films if the opportunity arises," says the 27-year-old beauty who also has a degree in dentistry.

Neha, Megamodel Second Runners Up, too is satisfied with her performance. "Nikki certainly deserved to win and I am really happy for her."
A Jet Airways employee, Neha says she would be soon returning to Delhi to resume work. But Gladrags is an experience that she will cherish forever. "I've been in Mumbai for one month now where Mrs Wadia has been training us - the way we walk, talk, grooming, etiquette and everything - I'm really proud to be part of this contest because the way Mrs Wadia has trained us is excellent," she says.

Neha gets a pat on the back from her mother Rita Oberoi. According to her: "I don't think I'm sad because Neha failed to win the contest. I feel what she has achieved today is more than sufficient. It's a great feeling to see her here among the final three after days of auditions, selections and so much hard work. As far as I am concerned, all three girls are winners!"
Apart from all the glamour on stage, scintillating performances by MTV VJ S

phie Chowdhary, Crazy Cat Nandini and Niki and Niki made the evening really special. The Megamodel and Manhunt winners were chosen by a starry panel of judges that included Karan Johar, Gauri Khan, Farah Khan, Bipasha Basu, Mrs Nancy Mehta (Zubin Mehta's wife) Ektaa Kapoor, Vinita Bali (CEO Britannia), Maureen Wadia, Rohit Gupta from Sony TV and Bombay Dyeing MD Neenu Khanna.

Need a hooker? Pick one from the sex plaza!

BUDAPEST, April 13: The Hungarian Interior Ministry looks set to allow prostitutes to tout for business in shopping malls, local media reported on Tuesday. The ministry is thinking of allowing dedicated shopping centers where prostitutes could strike deals for sex as long as they move to a place of their own to carry out the transaction, the daily Nepszabadsag said.

"There is nothing intrinsically wrong legally with an entertainment center without gratification," the newspaper quoted from a letter the ministry sent to the businessman who proposed to set up an "all-in-one" sex plaza. Hungary allows local governments to set so-called "zones of patience" for the country's up to 20,000 prostitutes, but no municipality has done so yet

A bra for every occasion?

An underwear maker on Friday celebrated the birth of Japan's first new professional baseball team in 50 years with a commemorative bra shaped like baseballs and features team mascots both inside and out. The bra is made of synthetic leather and has dolls of the expansion team Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' furry mascots "Clutch" and female "Clucchina" clutching the side of each bra cup turned baseball.

Completing the theme, the inside of the bra is trimmed with a real eagle's feather, underwear maker Triumph said. The single commemorative bra will be sold by an internet auction closing Wednesday, a day ahead of the team's home debut in the northern city of Sendai.