In her latest article, Kia Abdullah relayed the story of how her honeymoon began disastrously after she and her husband were detained by US customs in New York… because of their surname.  She quotes her husband to be told by an officer, “With a name like Khan, you can forget about it.”

Switch to Bollywood.  Shahrukh Khan has announced that he will star in a new movie in an attempt to rid the world’s view that Islam supports terrorism.   The movie, directed by Bollywood’s paramount film-maker Karan Johar, casts Kajol in the female lead, and is titled ‘My Name Is Khan’.  The film is about a Muslim’s dilemma in telling people his name, but also that he not a terrorist.  Of Islam, Indian-Muslim Khan explains, “Islam does not, in any which way, tell you to be violent.  I think the whole concept of jihad, the whole concept of warring needs to be explained as Allah meant it to be in the Quran.  The film is an attempt to try and do that in an entertaining way.”  It seems like one to look out for, especially with the recent emergence of horrendous events in Mumbai .

Speaking of Shahrukh, he was recently knighted in Malaysia’s southern Malacca state.  Wearing a traditional black and gold Malay outfit, including the songkok (headgear), the superstar was presented the honorary ‘datuk’ title, which is equivalent to a British knighthood.  The award has stirred controversy in Malaysia, where locals have slated the decision of the government to honour a foreigner, when so many local artists are more-than deserving.  However, Malaccan authorities have stated that six of Khan’s movies were shot on location in Malacca, and thus helped boost tourism.  Bollywood movies are hugely popular in Malaysia, and SRK has an avid fan-following amongst both locals and Indians.

Katrina Kaif has once again been voted the sexiest Asian woman in the world by a UK-based weekly, slamming 2007’s winner Bipasha Basu to second spot.  Leading Brit-Asian newspaper, Eastern Eye, conducted their annual round, where Kaif emerged victorious.  Judges included Brianna Ragel, editor of Asian Woman Magazine, and Farhad Dadyburjor, former editor of FHM India.  Size-zero Bebo bagged the Number 3 slot, whilst Desi Girl Piggy Chops took 4^th place. Going back to Amrita Tanna’s debate last month on whether Aishwariya Rai or Katrina Kaif came out on top, it may be interesting to note that according to the survey, Aish came 7^th place- the same place Kat was at last year.

Aish was also KJo’s first choice for his blockbuster production, ‘Dostana’.  The actress had politely declined the offer to play the role of bubbly Neha Melwani, giving 3 reasons explaining her refusal; firstly, because the film was set to be shot immediately after her wedding to Jnr Bachchan, secondly, because she would have to sport sexy swimwear on Miami beach, and third and most bizarrely, because as Bachchan-bahu, she did not feel comfortable romancing two leading men on screen, whilst walking away with the wild-card-entry man No.3, Bobby Deol!

On a final note, Amrita Arora plans to wed boyfriend of 6-months, Shakeel Ladak, in Goa by March 2009.  The handsome Hyderabadi has apparently won the heart of the beautiful Arora, who has been linked with a string of men, including British model-turned-actor, Upen Patel.  But it is rumoured that best friend Kareena Kapoor, who is all set to be bridesmaid, is not so keen on the upcoming wedding.  Bebo believes Amrita should spend more time with Shakeel rather than rushing, and that being best friends, she and Amrita should tie the knot at the same time.  The girls, who recently starred in ‘Golmaal Returns’ together, will next be appearing in Sajid Nadiadwala’s ‘Kambakht Ishq’, for release in 2009.

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