Aishwarya Bachchan (Aishwarya Rai) was born on 1st November 1973. Aishwarya Rai (Ash) is one of Bollywood's pre-eminent leading ladies. This Indian darling burst upon the world stage when her striking beauty, poise and commanding intelligence won her the Miss World crown in 1994.
Rai was born in Mangalore to Krishnaraj Rai and Vrinda Rai. Her family belongs to the Matrilineal Bunt community of Mangalore. She has one elder brother, Aditya Rai who works in Navy and has also co-produced one of Rai's movies, Dil Ka Rishta. At an early age her parents moved to Mumbai where she attended the Arya Vidya Mandir high school in Santa Cruz. Rai then entered Jai Hind College at Churchgate for one year, and then moved to Ruparel College in Matunga to finish her "HSC" studies. She did well in school and planned to become an architect and went on pursuing studies in architecture. She can communicate in several languages, including her mother tongue Tulu, as well as Hindi, English, Marathi and Tamil. She started studying architecture but gave up her education to pursue a career in modelling.
Ash won the coveted Miss World crown in 1994. Soon after this she pledged to donate her eyes after her death. She went on to become the brand ambassador for brands like L’Oreal, Pepsi and Coco Cola. She struck a pose for many international magazines like TIME and was also voted one of the most attractive and influential women by several polls. She is the first Indian actor to be part of the jury at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. She has appeared in The Oprah Winfrey Show, Late Show with David Letterman and 60 Minutes. She was also the first Indian actress to be replicated in wax at Madame Tussaud’s Museum in London.
She was briefly involved with actors Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi before marrying actor Abhishek Bacchan, son of the iconic Amitabh Bacchan and Jaya Bacchan. They were married in 2007.
Film Career
Aishwarya began her career in the film industry with a Tamil film Iruvar in 1997 which was a hit as opposed to her Hindi film Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya with Bobby Deol. She won the Filmfare Best Actress award for her next Tamil film Jeans, which was also an entry to the Oscars. In 1999, she gained recognition in Bollywood with hits like Taal and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, in which she played opposite Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan, her role as Nandini fetching her the Filmfare Best Actress award.
In 2000, her Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain, saw a good turnout. She took on the role of Shirley, Shah Rukh Khan’s sister in Josh and then played his love interest in Mohabbatein which won her a nomination for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress award. In Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, she played Preeti Virat, a rape victim and was considered for the Filmfare Best Actress award. The year 2001 was a quiet year for Ash.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas (2002), in which she played Paro with Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, was an instant blockbuster. It also received a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival. She won the Filmfare Best Actress award. In 2003, she acted the part of Binodini in a Bengali film Choker Bali which was based on a novel by Rabindranath Tagore. The film was nominated for the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival.
The year 2004 saw Ash in her first English film, Gurinder Chaddha’s Bride & Prejudice, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Her performance as Neerja in Rituparno Ghosh’s Raincoat was praised. This was followed by her second English film in 2005, The Mistress of Spices with Dylan McDermott of The Practice fame. Her dance sequence Kajra Re from Bunty Aur Babli became one of the most popular tunes of the year.
She had two films out in 2006. Umrao Jaan with Abhishek Bacchan failed to do well while Dhoom 2 where she played Sunehri and shared a ‘controversial’ liplock with Hrithik Roshan was a big hit. In 2007, she played Sujata opposite Abhishek Bacchan in Guru, based on the industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani which was very successful. Provoked which was based on a real episode of domestic violence, won critical acclaim. The other English film The Last Legion did not do so well.
Jodhaa Akbar, released in 2008, in which she acted the part of Jodhaa Bai with Hrithik Roshan was average while the sequel to Sarkar, Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj in which she plays a CEO alongside Amitabh Bacchan and Abhishek Bacchan, is said to be one of her best performances till date.
Aishwarya has lined up quite a few films for 2009. Among them is the English film, The Pink Panther 2 with Steve Martin, the Hindi film Ravana and the Tamil film Endhiran.
Other work
In 1999 Rai participated in a world tour called the Magnificent Five along with Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Akshaye Khanna and Twinkle Khanna. In 2003 she became the first Indian actress to be a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2004 she travelled all the way to Siachen Glacier, which at a height of 13000 ft is the highest battlefield in the world, to boost the morale of the jawans for a special New Year episode on the NDTV show, Jai Jawan.In 2005, she became a brand ambassador for Pulse Polio, a campaign established by the Government of India in 1994 to eradicate Polio in India.
In February 2005, Rai performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert to help raise money for the victims of 2004 tsunami earthquake in company with other Bollywood stars.
In 2006 she appeared at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, as part of a performance showcasing Indian art, on behalf of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in New Delhi.In 2008 she along with her family laid the foundation of a special school for underprivilged girls in the Daulatpur village in Uttar Pradesh.The school will be made by her family and is going to be named after her.
In Summer 2008, Rai joined her husband and father-in-law along with Preity Zinta and Ritesh Deshmukh, Shilpa Shetty on the Unforgettable World Tour. The first leg of the tour covered the USA, Canada, London, and Trinidad. The second leg of the tour will most likely happen by the end of this year 2008. Amitabh's company AB Corp Ltd. along with Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd are behind the concert.
Other Achievement
Rai has been the most popular face of Indian cinema globally. In 2004 she was chosen by Time magazine as one of the World's "100 Most Influential People", and appeared on the cover of Time magazine, Asia Edition in 2003. She was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile on 2 January 2005, which said that "at least according to thousands of Web sites, Internet polls and even Julia Roberts", she was "The World's Most Beautiful Woman". In October 2004 a wax figure of Rai was put on display in London's Madame Tussaud's wax museum. She was the 6th Indian and the second Bollywood personality after her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan to get this honour.
In 2005 she became a global brand ambassador of L'Oreal alongside Andie Macdowell, Eva Longoria and Penelope Cruz. The same year, a special Tulip in Netherland was named "Aishwarya Rai" after her. Rai became the first Indian to appear on such shows as Late Show with David Letterman, and was the first Bollywood personality to appear on Oprah's "Women Across the Globe" segment. In 2005, Harpers and Queen's list of 10 Most beautiful women in the world ranked her at the 9th spot.
Personal life
Aishwarya has previously dated Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi. She is married to Indian actor Abhishek Bachchan who is three years her junior. After much speculation concerning their relationship, her engagement to Abhishek Bachchan was announced on January 14, 2007. The announcement was later confirmed by Amitabh Bachchan. Rai married Bachchan on April 20, 2007 according to traditional Hindu rites of the South Indian Bunt community, to which she belongs. Token North Indian and Bengali ceremonies were also performed. The wedding took place in a private ceremony at the Bachchan residence Prateeksha in Juhu, Mumbai. Though the wedding was a private affair intended for the Bachchan and Rai family and friends, the involvement of the media turned it into a national extravaganza.
Filmography
Happy Birthday (2009)
Saamna (2009)
Sarkar Raj (2008) - Anita Rajan
Jodhaa Akbar (2008) - Jodha
Provoked (2007) - Kiranjit Ahluwalia
Guru (2007) - Sujata
Dhoom 2 (2006) - Sunehri
Umrao Jaan (2006) - Umraao Jaan
Bunty Aur Babli (2005) - Special Appearance (Song)
Shabd (2005) - Antara Vashisht
The Heart of India (2005) - Mumtaz Mahal
Bride & Prejudice (2004) - Lalita Bakshi
Khakee (2004) - Mahalaxshmi
Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na (2004) - Diya Malhotra
Raincoat (2004) - Neerja/Neeru
Chokher Bali (2003) - Binodini
Dil Ka Rishta (2003) - Tia Sharma
Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) - Namrata Shrivastav
Devdas (2002) - Parvati ('Paro')
23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002) - Special Appearance (song)
Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002) - Komal Rastogi
Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002) - Special Appearence
Shakti: The Power (2002) - Dream Girl
Albela (2001) - Sonia
Mohabbatein (2000) - Megha
Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) - Meenakshi
Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke (2000) - Sahiba Gareval
Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000) - Preeti Virat
Josh (2000) - Shirley
Mela (2000) - Guest Appearance
Sanam Tere Hain Hum (2000) - Special Appearance
Ravoyi Chandamama (1999) - Special Appearance (Song)
Taal (1999) - Mansi
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) - Nandini
Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) - Pooja Walia
Jeans (1998) - Madhumitha/Vaishnavi
Iruvar (1997) - Pushpa/Kalpana
...Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997) - Ashi Kapoor
Angels & Demons is an American movie in 2009 which was adapted from Dan Brown's novel of the same name. It is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code, another Brown film adaptation, even though the novel Angels & Demons was published first and takes place before the novel The Da Vinci Code. Filming took place in Rome and the Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. Tom Hanks reprises the lead role of Robert Langdon, while director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman also returned.
Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, who once again finds that forces with ancient roots are willing to stop at nothing, even murder, to advance their goals. What terrifying discovery would make the Vatican turn to Robert Langdon, the man who cracked history's most controversial code? When Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati "the most powerful underground organization in history" he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization's most despised enemy: the Catholic Church. Upon learning that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, Langdon travels to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow the 400-year-old Path of Illumination that marks the Vatican's only hope for survival.
Amazingly, this Angels and Demons, the Da Vinci Code sequel starring Tom Hanks, has received a surprisingly good review from the Vatican. The Church officials condemned The Da Vinci Code on its release in 2006, calling it "an offence against God" because it was based on the premise that Jesus married and fathered children. They banned the film-makers from shooting the sequel inside the Vatican, forcing director Ron Howard to reconstruct the settings in Los Angeles.
However, in its first pronouncement on the film, Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano described Angels and Demons as "harmless entertainment which hardly affects the genius and mystery of Christianity". While the "gigantic and smart commercial operation" is filled with inaccuracies and stereotyped characters, the camera work is "splendid", Howard's direction "dynamic and alluring" and the reconstruction of St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel is "magnificent".
The film's success should prompt the Church to rethink the way it communicates its message, an editorial in the paper added, pointing out the"simplistic and partial" representation of the Church had captured the public imagination.
"It would probably be an exaggeration to consider the books of Dan Brown an alarm bell but maybe they should be a stimulus to rethink and refresh the way the Church uses the media to explain its positions on today's burning issues."
Cast :
* Tom Hanks reprises his role as Professor Robert Langdon, a Harvard University professor of symbology.
* Ayelet Zurer plays Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist whose antimatter experiment has been stolen by the Illuminati to be used as a bomb.
* Ewan McGregor plays the Camerlengo Patrick McKenna.
* Stellan Skarsgård plays Commander Richter, head of the Swiss Guard.
* Pierfrancesco Favino plays Inspector Ernesto Olivetti of the Gendarme Corps of Vatican City State.
* Nikolaj Lie Kaas plays Mr. Gray, an assassin who believes he is working for the Illuminati.
* Armin Mueller-Stahl plays Cardinal Strauss, elector of the conclave.
* Thure Lindhardt plays Lieutenant Chartrand, officer of the Swiss Guard.
Despite of the controversy, I personally think Angels & Demons is surprisingly a good movie. The movie hangs loosely on the actual novel itself. Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Hanks) jets off to Rome after the Pope's sudden death and the re-election through Papal Conclave. Arranging all of this is the carmelengo, Patrick McKenna (McGregor). However, he soon learns of a new threat, one that involves a secret brotherhood making its presence known, an anti-matter time bomb that Vatican City is now targeted with and the kidnapping of four cardinals. Langdon, using his intellects (and trust me, you'll be hearing a LOT from it) is given the task of finding and rescuing them using the mysterious Path of Illumination. Aiding him on the quest is CERN scientist Vittoria Vetra (Zurer), who is also the co-creator of the anti-matter.
The movie itself runs at an uneven pace. One minute Langdon and the Swiss Guard are speeding to save a branded cardinal, the next minute he bores you with pointless information about every random object he passes, evidently slowing the book's much anticipated action/thriller sequences down. It makes for an interesting read on paper, but on screen it can go either way.
The character's are decently written onto the big screen. Ewan McGregor does a convincing performance as the quiet but knowledgeable Patrick McKenna, famous accent included. Tom Hanks is slightly more agile, intellectually and physically, since his last performance in the mediocre Da Vinci Code. Stellen Skarsgard plays Commander Richter, the straight-faced leader of the Swiss Guard. Unfortunately, neither his nor Ayelet Zurer's performance are worthwhile ones, and instead of playing a part in the story, they are just kicked aside as assets.
However, Angels & Demons accomplishes what DVC could never; a thrilling fast-paced movie filled with satisfying explosions, beautiful recreations of St. Peter's Square and Basilica (including many of the churches) and a pulsing bomb counting down the midnight hour. Ron Howard does a decent job at directing this second Langdon adventure, this time taking in much criticism and almost completely exchanging the boring dialogue for tense chases.
So overall, a good movie to be seen this year.
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in London, England in 1998. Coldplay never intended to become England's favorite rock & roll sons when their signature rock melodies ruled the charts throughout 2000. The Brit rock quartet -- composed of Chris Martin (vocals/piano), Jon Buckland (guitar), Will Champion (drums), and Guy Berryman (bass) -- yearned to mess around a bit, plucking their own acoustics for fun while attending the University College of London. All had been playing instruments since their early teens and had been influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, the Stone Roses, Neil Young, and My Bloody Valentine.
Coldplay secured a permanent position in Britain's music elite by writing beautiful, simple songs that gently pulled at the heartstrings of a nation. Somewhere in between the confident, vulnerable guitar playing of Jonny Buckland, the melodic bassline of Guy Berryman, thoughtful drumming of Will Champion, and lead Chris Martin's stark, tenor vocals are answers for the soul. Although melancholy stands behind every Coldplay song, each one is also steeped in an unusual and sincere optimism rarely found in English bands. Songs face an inevitable sadness and yearning - a little thing called being real - to get to a better place where the truth held firm in pure emotion is pivotal. Songs like the remorseful "Trouble," with its memorable piano-line, the lonely "Spies" and mega-hit single "Yellow" reveal a hybrid of lyrics that can only be described as joy and remorse, all wrapped into one. "We just want the songs to reflect reality," says Chris.
In doing so, Coldplay may well be the most profound British act to emerge out of the millennium thus far. No one is more surprised by their popularity than the band. Who knew such an austere and tactile musical existence would lead to such greatness? Yet it has.
It all began when the members of Coldplay met in 1996 - their first week of college (University College London). Two and a half years later, they had their first official band session - a rehearsal in Jonny's bedroom in January of 1998. Jonny and Chris had been working on songs since they met, but the other two members hadn't really been around much until Guy joined the band to play bass just before dropping out of engineering school. The other two stuck with their studies, while also pursuing music.
Will, also still in school, loved playing guitar but was persuaded to become Coldplay's drummer so the band could play their first gig (at a Cuban Caf?at a festival for unsigned bands called "In The City" in Manchester) in late 1998. They had just six songs written including "Don't Panic" and "High Speed" - now found on Parachutes. They soon released 500 copies of an EP called Safety (financed by their now manager, Phil) and released the single "Brothers And Sisters" on a small English label called Fierce Panda, after which the UK label Parlophone signed them in 1999 just before final exam time. As they say, the rest is history, or in the stars, or whatever. In any case, another EP on Parlophone, The Blue Room, followed, as did the single "Shiver."
Before the band, lead singer/guitarist/pianist Chris Martin grew up in a close family from Devon, England. In fact, he still lives at home as the eldest of five kids raised by a teacher mum and accountant dad, where he started bashing out tunes on the family piano at an early age. Typical of the first-born, he is an over-achiever and self-proclaimed worrier. Although anything to do with "injustice" will rile him up, no one can accuse him of being the typical tortured and drunken English musician since he rarely drinks, never smokes and admits life can be pretty damn good. He's a shy product of boarding school where he soon graduated to the guitar and has been in bands since the age of 15. He considers the big three in music to be: Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Tom Waits. Oh, and the Flaming Lips aren't bad either.
Lead guitarist Jonny Buckland doesn't think he's a very good guitar player, but the rest of the world begs to differ. He was born 22 odd years ago in London, then his family relocated to Mold, North Wales when he was just four. Jonny first picked up a guitar at the tender age of 11, encouraged by his older brother who was a huge My Bloody Valentine fan. Both boys grew up in a house filled with Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix from their dad's record collection. Yet it wasn't until Jonny discovered The Stone Roses that he started taking the guitar seriously. People describe him as shy and nonchalant, but he argues he's just happy to be quiet.
Bassist Guy Berryman was born in Scotland, although his family later moved to Kent, England where he started to collect rare groove and funk records when all the other kids were into indie rock. He started playing bass at age 13 and is still inspired by a love of those early records.
Words like "calm," "reliable" and "enthusiastic" are used to describe drummer Will Champion. He was born in Southampton, England to teacher parents who encouraged him to spend his formative years learning to play a variety of instruments including guitar, bass, piano and the tin whistle. He had never played drums before joining Coldplay but was so musically inclined that he quickly caught on. "He's very quiet and very wise," says Chris about Will. "As a musician, he's got the most amazing sense of melody. He can play just about anything ... and he can do little impressions. He's good at entertaining people."
When the band went into the studio early last year with co-producer and engineer Ken Nelson to record Parachutes, they agreed that nothing would go on the album that they all four didn't agreed on. This led to a fierce and gut wrenching recording session that the guys thought might be their last. Songs ended up veering from fragile to forceful, from understated to epic, all-the-while carried by Chris' gorgeous vocal range and endearingly bashful lyrics. On a bittersweet morning in May, the album was finished.
No one predicted that just a short time later, Parachutes would debut at #1 and continue to hover in the Top Ten Charts for the remainder of the year. The band was also nominated for an esteemed Mercury Music Prize, received the Q Award for Best Album, signed to an American label (Nettwerk America/Capitol) and were exhausted by year's end from endless promotional duties and touring. Having been tirelessly in the spotlight for months now, the members of Coldplay are reticent to talk about themselves - subscribing to the school of thought that "those who say less tend to be wiser." Yet what they have to say can be heard in the music, which speaks louder than any words spoken ever will.
Chris admits that the last track on the album, "Everything's Not Lost," is the message of Coldplay's entire work up until now. The song says that when things happen to you in life, your first inclination is to think everything's terrible, what's the point? Then you realize the point is simply that - that it's not that bad and you have to keep going. Finally, you come to realize that life is good. Look for Coldplay to embark on their first-ever American tour in the beginning of 2001.
Discography
Coldplay, a British alternative rock band which formed in 1998, released four studio albums, five extended plays, twenty-two singles, one live album, and one compilation album. Coldplay's first release, the limited demo Safety, was released in 1998, and their debut studio album, Parachutes, was released two years later, in July 2000.
Coldplay have sold over 50 million albums, and are also known for singles such as "Yellow", "The Scientist", "Speed of Sound", "Talk", "Violet Hill", the Grammy Award-winning "Clocks" and "In My Place", and the two-time Grammy Award-winning "Viva la Vida".
Main Releases
* Viva La Vida - Prospekt's March Edition 2008
* Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends 2008
* X&Y 2005
* Live 2003
* A Rush Of Blood To The Head 2002
* Parachutes 2000
Singles
* Prospekt's March 2008
* Lost! 2008
* Violet Hill 2008
* Talk 2006
* Fix You 2005
* Speed Of Sound 2005
* Brothers & Sisters 2004
* Trouble (B-Sides) 2004
* Trouble 2003
* The Scientist (B-Sides) 2003
* In My Place (B-Sides) 2003
* Yellow (B-Sides) 2003
* Clocks (B-Sides) 2003
* Moses 2003
* I Ran Away (1) 2003
* I Bloom Blaum 2003
* Animals 2003
* One I Love 2003
* 1.36 2003
* Crests of Waves 2003
* Shiver 2000
* The Blue Room 1999
Compilations
* Total Dance 2009 2009
* 2009 GRAMMY Nominees 2009
* NOW 10th Anniversary 2008
* 2008 Olympics 2008
* The Most Relaxing Piano Classics Ever Made 2008
* Ultimate Grammy Collection: Contemporary Rock 2008
* The Bakers Arms Dozen 2007
* Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 61 (Disc 2) 2007
* Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 20 2005
* The Best Acoustic Album in the World...Ever 2005
* Help: A Day In The Life 2005
* Now 19Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 19 2005
* Six Feet Under - Vol. 2 2005
* Garden State 2004
* 2004 Grammy Nominees 2004
* Pure Moods: Celestial Celebration 2004
* Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 13 2003
* Got Hits! Perfect Pop Album 2003
* The Chillout Lounge [Buddha] 2003
* Igby Goes Down 2003
* Now, Vol. 11 2002
* Maybe This Christmas 2002
* Ultra Chilled 03 2002
* MTV2 Handpicked, Vol. 2 2002
* Capitol Records 1942-2002 [Deluxe Box Set] 2002
* Video Music Awards Latinoamerica 2002
* Chillout 2002: The Ultimate Chillout 2002
* Ultra Chilled, Vol. 2 2002
* Roswell 2002
* MTV2 - Handpicked 2002
* Spin This 2001
* Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 6 2001
Boys Over Flower 꽃보다 남자 (or Boys Before Flower) is a korean version tv series of Hanayori Dango in Japan and Meteor Garden in Taiwan. After the mega popularity of Meteor Garden first in Taiwan back in 2001 and then subsequently Hanayori Dango in Japan in recent years, Korea is also set to have its very own version of Meteor Garden in 2008. Popular Japanese anime, Hanayori Dango was adapted into a Korean drama. The Taiwanese Meteor Garden and Japanese Hanayori Dango version of the television drama has achieved phenomenal ratings during its run and the Japanese version which was shown on cable television achieved pretty good ratings and earning lots of fans in the process.
The plot is about a middle-class girl, Geum Jan-di, becomes admitted to a rich, prestigious school known as Shinhwa. The school is filled with rich people who can afford to go there. She becomes admitted after saving a student from committing suicide. At the school, she meets people with various personalities. There are the mean girls, fake friends, and last but not least: The F4. The F4 consists of 4 people: Goo Jun Pyo, Yoon Ji Hoo, So Yi Jung, and Song Woo Bin. Goo Jun Pyo is the leader of the F4 and is also the heir of the Shinhwa group. At first, he insults and makes Geum Jan-di's life miserable after she humiliates him. The only person who seemed to have sympathy for her was Ji Hoo, who saved her numerous times. However, as the drama progressed, Goo Jun Pyo developed feelings for Geum Jan-di. It turned out to be a twisted love triangle between Geum Jan Di, Goo Jun Pyo and Yoon Ji Hoo.r of the F4 and is also the heir of the Shinhwa group.
At first, he insults and makes Geum Jan-di's life miserable after she humiliates him. The only person who seemed to have sympathy for her was Ji Hoo, who saved her numerous times. However, as the drama progressed, Goo Jun Pyo developed feelings for Geum Jan-di. It turned out to be a twisted love triangle between Geum Jan Di, Goo Jun Pyo and Yoon Ji Hoo.
Cast :
* Koo Hye Sun:
Jan Di is from a poor family with a fierce and weed-like determination. She first liked Ji Hoo, who was the only one who showed any compassion while she was bullied. Eventually Jun Pyo begins to fall in love with her, and as he expresses his feelings towards her, she gradually begins to reciprocate those feelings. Jan Di later is determined to pursue the medical industry after realizing she can't swim because of her shoulder.
* Lee Min-ho:
Jun Pyo is the hot-headed leader of F4. Exasperated by Jan Di's act of defiance, he makes her a target of bullying. But as time passes, he begins to admire Jan di's determination and will and falls in love with her. He is the heir of Shinhwa Group, and after his father passes away, he inherits and begins to run the Shinhwa Group along with his mother.
* Kim Hyun-joong:
Ji Hoo is a calm and soft-spoken boy who likes to play the violin, piano and guitar and conduct an orchestra. Seo Hyeon was Ji Hoo's first love, after she helped him overcome trauma after the death of his parents when he was little. He attempts to fight for Seo Hyeon's love by following her to France. When he comes back, he has already realized that he had fallen for Jan Di. However, Jun Pyo has already announced his love of Jan Di. Ji Hoo decides not to betray his friend by trying to fight for Jan Di. He is a grandson of Korea's former president.
* Kim Bum: (소이정)
A playboy who often flirts with girls, Yi Jeong is himself a reputed potter. He is from a family of well-known artists, who own an art gallery exhibiting national treasures.
* Kim Joon: (송우빈)
From their origin in the underworld, Woo Bin's family now runs a prominent construction business. The family owns real estate throughout the country.
Geum (금) Family:
* Ahn Suk Hwan: Geum Il Bong (금일봉)
* Lim Ye Jin: Na Gong Ju (나공주)
* Park Ji Bin: Geum Kang San (금강산)
Gu (구) Family:
* Lee Hye Yeong: Gang Hui Su (강희수)
* Kim Hyun Joo: Gu Jun Hui (구준희)
* Jung Ho Bin: Jeong Seongrok (정성록)
Friends:
* Han Chae Yeong: Min Seo Hyeon (민서현)
* Kim So Eun: Chu Ga Eul (추가을)
* Lee Shi Yeong: Oh Min Ji (오민지)
* Lee Min Jeong: Ha Jae Kyeong (하재경)
Mean Trio (Jin Sun Mi):
* Gook Ji Yeon: 최진희 (known as Ginger)
* Jang Ja Yeon: 박선자 (known as Sunny)
* Min Yeong Won: 이미숙 (known as Miranda)
Other characters:
* Jung Ui Chul: Lee Min Ha / Min Jae Ha
* Kim Min Ji: Jang Yoo Mi
Differences between the other versions
* In the Taiwan Meteor Garden version, Jan Di's character was an only child. In the Japanese and Korean version, she has a younger brother.
* In the Taiwan Meteor Garden version, the heroine attends college. In the Japanese version, the characters are in high school in season 1, but F4 (minus Domyoji) attend Eitoku University in season 2. In the Korean Boys Over Flower version, the characters are also in high school, but the F4 move on to Shinhwa University from episode 13 onwards. Shinhwa High School and Shinhwa University are located within the same campus.
* In Taiwan Meteor Garden and Japanese Hanayori Dango version, Jan Di’s character was already studying at the school for rich people. In Korean Boys Over Flower (or Boys Before Flower) version, Jan Di was admitted after saving a boy for jumping off the roof of Shinhwa High School on a swimming scholarship.
* In both Taiwan Meteor Garden and Japanese Hanayori Dango version, the relationship between the two characters: Sojiroh and Yuki ( also known as Yi Jung and Ga Eul in the Korean version) is only hinted. But in the Korean Boys Over Flower (or Boys Before Flower) version, the relationship between these two is gradually developed throughout the series, being a significant plotline instead of a subplot.
* Akira, the fourth member of the group, seems to be the youngest in Japanese version, and is unknown in Taiwanese version. In Korean Boys Over Flower (or Boys Before Flower) version, Song Woo Bin seems to be the oldest of the four.
* The Korean Boys Over Flower (or Boys Before Flower) version also explores into Ji Hoo and Jan Di's relationship more, much more strongly than the Taiwanese and Japanese version.
The Fast & Furious (which also known as Fast & Furious 4) is the fourth film in The Fast and the Furious film series. The set was taken between 2 Fast 2 Furious and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift sequel. Fast & Furious 4 was released in the United States on April 3, 2009. The plot connects with the original film of the series from which Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster reprise their roles. The film was directed by Justin Lin, who also directed the third installment of the series, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
The opening sequence of his "Fast & Furious" is an amazing adrenaline rush. Dom (Vin Diesel) and his girlfriend Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) highjack a cargo truck careening down a ravine in the Dominican Republic. Dom, unflinchingly guts out a crazy maneuver that saves himself and Letty from fiery death.
What works is the dynamic chemistry of Diesel and Walker. Diesel is not breaking new territory. He plays to his strength as the powerful dark hero, who follows a code of honor. Paul Walker is a pleasant surprise. He infuses a force and charisma in Brian O'Connor. Walker has become a stronger actor since "The Fast and the Furious". This time around he and Diesel are true screen partners. Theirs is a partnership of friction, brotherhood, and ultimately of respect which grounds "Fast and Furious". In one scene former girlfriend and Dom's younger sister Mia (beautiful and strong Jordana Brewster) asks why Brian (Walker) let Dom (Diesel) go 8 years ago. Brian tells Mia it's because Dom taught him: "Nothing matters unless you have a code." Brian also confesses that he is still trying to find his own code.
After Dom's stunt in the Dominican Republic, the authorities are closing in on him. To protect the love of his life, Letty (Rodriguez), he leaves her the money and disappears. However, while in exile Mia breaks the news to Dom that Letty has been murdered back home in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, FBI Agent O'Connor is hunting down the mysterious drug cartel kingpin Baraga, who is able to move large shipments of narcotics across the border with his elite drivers. Brian is also tracking down Dom, who he knows will come back to Los Angeles because of the personal tragedy.
Dom returns home just flying under the FBI radar. He has Mia show him where Letty was killed in a car crash. Dom discerns that Letty was brutally murdered, and that the murderer left a distinguishing signature. Mia pleads with Dom to let this go: this will not bring Letty back. Dom sullenly declared, "It's already too late." He intends to kill Letty's murderer and find the man ultimately responsible. All paths lead to the mysterious Baraga. So Dom and Brian's destinies collide as they compete as drivers for Baraga's right hand Campos (slick John Ortiz). That race too, is another spectacular mind blowing ride through the trafficked streets of Los Angeles.
Cast
* Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto: An auto - machinery mechanic and elite street racer from the United States. Dom is wanted for committing numerous semi-truck hijackings. At the start of the film, he is living in the Dominican Republic and hijacks fuel trucks to earn money. Dom drives a Chevrolet Chevelle SS and later in the movie, his resurrected Dodge Charger which appeared in the first movie.
* Paul Walker as Brian O'Conner: A former police officer, auto mechanic and talented street racer. Brian is now an FBI agent hot on the trail of the Mexican drug lord Arturo Braga. Brian drives a Nissan Skyline GTR R34 and later drives a Subaru Impreza WRX STI throughout the movie.
* Michelle Rodriguez as Leticia "Letty" Ortiz: Dominic's girlfriend who lives with him in the Dominican Republic at the start of the film. Her murder at the hands of Braga's organization is what spurs Dominic on to seek revenge. She drives a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner
* Jordana Brewster as Mia Toretto: Dominic's younger sister and love interest of Brian. She reunites with both men when their paths cross over the Braga case. Mia drives a JDM converted Acura NSX.
* John Ortiz as Ramon Campos/Arturo Braga: Initially portrayed as a liaison for Braga's organization, he eventually reveals himself to be Braga himself. A powerful drug cartel leader who recruits street racers to move heroin across the US-Mexican border.
* Laz Alonso as Fenix Rise: An enforcer for Braga who is responsible for Letty's death. Fenix drives a Ford Gran Torino.
* Gal Gadot as Gisele Harabo: A liaison for Braga who eventually sides with Dominic after he saves her life and helps him and Brian locate the drug lord. Gisele drives a TechArt GTsport.
* Jack Conley as Penning
* Sung Kang as Han Lue: One of Dominic's crew in the Dominican Republic who appeared in this film's timeline sequel, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Han talks about moving to Tokyo when the heat comes down. He says to Dom, "Heard they're doing some crazy shit in Tokyo".
* Don Omar as Rico appears in the beginning and the end
* Tego Calderón as Tego also appears in the beginning and the end with Rico
* Brandon T. Jackson as Alex
L'Arc-en-Ciel (ラルク アン シエル ,Laruku an Shieru, "The Rainbow" in French) is a Japanese rock band. Formed in 1991, L’Arc-en-Ciel is one of the most popular rock bands from Japan. The band consists of vocalist hyde, leader and bassist tetsu, guitarist ken, and drummer yukihiro, who replaced drummer sakura in 1997. At their start in Osaka, Japan, they previously had guitarist hiro and drummer pero. All four members are established composers which adds to the variety in their songs. Their music ranges from ballads to hard rock to light pop-rock tunes
1991–1996: Early CareerIn 19th February 1991, bassist Tetsuya Ogawa, later band leader, recruited vocalist Hyde along with guitarist Hiro and drummer Pero, and formed a band under the name of L'Arc-en-Ciel. After a year of gaining notoriety in their hometown of Osaka, Hiro left the band on June 12, 1992. Tetsu convinced his friend Ken Kitamura to quit his university studies (he was an architecture major at The Nagoya Institute of Technology) and join the band as the guitarist. Pero soon left the band on December 30, 1992. In 1993, a new drummer, Yasunori Sakurazawa, joined the band.
On April 1, 1993, the band released their debut album Dune under the indie label Danger Crue. The album was a success and rose to number one on the Oricon indies charts, catching the attention of some major labels. In 1994, L'Arc-en-Ciel signed on with Sony's Ki/oon division, releasing their second album, Tierra that same year. Heavenly followed in 1995. True, released in 1996, became their first number-one, million selling album.
1997: Sakura's departure
In February 1997, drummer Sakura was arrested for illegal drug possession (heroin). He officially quit the band on October 4, 1997. This proved to be the lowest point in the band's history. When news of Sakura's arrest became public, there was an immediate official response and CDs were removed from the shelves. "The Fourth Avenue Cafe" for Rurouni Kenshin was immediately replaced with former theme "Heart of the Sword" after only six episodes of running time. Their next single "The Fourth Avenue Cafe" was postponed. It was eventually released in 2006.
Over the next few months the group continued to be featured in magazines, but only as a trio. "The Zombies", which was notionally recorded as the "copy band", sang their songs. They also covered Marilyn Manson's "Irresponsible Hate Anthem". The return from the break was marked by the appropriately named Reincarnation 97 Live in Tokyo Dome, with their new drummer, Yukihiro Awaji (former drummer with Zi:Kill and Die in Cries). The first concert in Tokyo Dome had an attendance of 56,000, which sold out in four minutes, a record at that time.
In 1997, "Niji", the first single after Sakura's departure, was released with Yukihiro listed as a supporting member. Not long after the release of the single, Yukihiro was signed on as the official drummer for L'Arc-en-Ciel.
1998–2000: Blockbuster success
Their 1998 single "Winter Fall", became their first number-one single on the oricon charts. They released the album Heart in February 1998. Ark and Ray were released simultaneously on July 1, 1999, and became the first Japanese albums to be released simultaneously in many other Asian countries. Both topped the Oricon music charts, with Ark occupying number one and Ray at number two. The release of ark and ray marked the high point of the band's career, with each selling over two million copies.
Real followed in 2000, which was the last CD of new material for some time, although many more compilation and remix albums would follow. "Stay Away" from the album Real was featured in Drummania 4th Mix, making the song playable on the machine.
2001–2003: Go to solo projects
The compilation Clicked Singles Best 13 was released in 2001, with twelve songs chosen by fans online in Asia and an additional thirteenth song, "Anemone". L'Arc-en-Ciel's last new song before their hiatus, "Spirit Dreams Inside -Another Dream-", was released on September 5, 2001. The song was adopted for the closing theme song to the movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
After "Spirit Dreams Inside", the band went on a hiatus as the members began working on various solo projects. Hyde released two solo albums (Roentgen and 666) and starred in the movie Moon Child with the popular Japanese soloist Gackt. Hyde also played the part of Adam in the movie Kagen no Tsuki (Last Quarter), based on the manga by the same title. Ken founded Sons of All Pussys with L'Arc-en-Ciel's former drummer Sakura. Tetsu started Tetsu69 and Yukihiro sang with Acid Android.
2004: Comeback and U.S. concert debut
In June 2003, L'Arc-en-Ciel performed a series of seven concerts in Tokyo called the Shibuya Seven Days, during which they announced a new album for release the following year. The band released "Ready Steady Go" in February 2004, its first single in more than three years. The song was used as an opening for a popular anime series, Fullmetal Alchemist. It topped Oricon weekly single charts. A cover of the song is used in a video game for the Nintendo DS called Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan. The single was followed by "Hitomi no Juunin", in early March. The album, Smile, was released on March 31. Shortly afterwards, on June 2, 2004, the single "Jiyuu e no Shoutai" introduced P'unk-en-Ciel, a partial change, for the first time on CD with "Milky Way".
On July 31, 2004, L'Arc-en-Ciel made their North American concert debut at the anime convention Otakon, held annually in Baltimore, Maryland. Approximately 12,000 people attended the concert, which was held at an outside venue for the first time in Otakon's musical guest history, at 1st Mariner Arena. They were also the first Japanese act (and to date, the only) to perform at the Arena. On May 31, 2005, Tofu Records, Sony Music Japan's U.S. label, released the much-anticipated DVD of the Otakon 2004 concert Live in U.S.A. On June 25, 2007, L'Arc-en-Ciel signed a deal with HMV America.
2005–2006: Asia live tour and solo projects
In 2005, the band released various singles, including "Killing Me", "New World", and "Jojoushi". These were later featured on their album, Awake, which was released on June 22 with twelve tracks, including "Lost Heaven", the closing theme of the Fullmetal Alchemist movie. The band's single, "Link", released on July 20, 2005, was also featured in the movie as the opening theme, which was included by their next album Kiss.
In August 2005, the band went on their Awake tour, which was limited to Japan. The tour featured displays of anti-war sentiment, reflecting similar lyrics of the songs of the album. The Japanese Awake tour was followed by the Asia Live 2005 tour, with performances in Seoul and Shanghai, closing with concerts in Japan. Japan's two concerts took place at the Tokyo Dome.
Following the Awake and Asia Live tours, L'Arc-en-Ciel's members turned their attention back to their solo projects. Tetsu began recording with a new band called Creature Creature. Yukihiro rejoined Acid Android, which released its newest single, "Let's Dance", on April 5, 2006. Acid Android joined Mucc, another Japanese rock band, to perform two concerts in Shanghai, China in April of 2006.
Hyde composed "Glamorous Sky", the theme song to the film adaption of the manga Nana starring pop singer Mika Nakashima. It was the first time Hyde composed music for another vocalist. Hyde's latest solo album, Faith, was released in Japan on April 26, 2006, accompanied by a five month tour throughout Japan between April and August of 2006. After signing on with Tofu Records, four small concerts were scheduled in San Francisco and Anaheim, California in the United States. Hyde made his U.S. debut in July of 2006, the first of L'Arc-en-Ciel's solo projects to extend internationally. On August 23, Ken released a solo single entitled "Speed".
2006–2008: 15th anniversary and Europe concert debut
On November 25th and 26th, 2006, L'Arc-en-Ciel played two shows at the Tokyo Dome to celebrate their 15th anniversary, entitled L'Anniversary. It sold out in two minutes, breaking their former record. A poll was created on the official website during the weeks before the concert which allowed fans to pick which songs they would like to hear at the event. The concert was later shown on the WOWOW channel on December 23, 2006. It was also broadcast on February 8, 2007 on Korea MTV.
L'Arc-en-Ciel later recorded the song "Shine" to be used as the opening song for the NHK anime, Guardian of the Spirit. They kicked-off their Mata Heart Ni Hi Wo Tsukero 2007 tour in Japan. L'Arc-en-Ciel released the single Seventh Heaven on May 30, 2007, which topped the Oricon charts. The song My Heart Draws a Dream, used in a Subaru commercial, was released as a single on August 29, 2007, and made the #1 spot on the Oricon charts. The song Daybreak's Bell was used as the first opening for the anime Mobile Suit Gundam 00. It was released as a single on October 10, 2007, topping the Oricon weekly charts as well. From November 14 to December 25, 2007, there was a limited edition single titled Hurry Xmas, along with two new DVDs coming out in September and December, titled 15th L'Anniversary Live and Chronicle 3 respectively. Their new studio album Kiss, released on November 21, 2007, debuted at the number-one position on the Oricon charts.
L'Arc-en-Ciel performed the Theater of Kiss tour, which was held from December 22, 2007 to February 17, 2008. The song Drink It Down, used as the Japanese opening song for the PS3/Xbox360 game Devil May Cry 4, was released as a single on April 2, 2008, and topped the Oricon weekly charts. The band went on the Tour 2008 L'7 ~Trans Asia via Paris~ which covered several major Asian cities, as well as Paris, France. On this tour a definite live show hiatus until 2011 was announced. L'Arc-en-Ciel media continue to be released, a double A-side single, "Nexus 4 / Shine" and a DVD, Tour 2007-2008 Theater of Kiss were released on August 27, 2008.
P'unk-en-Ciel
P'unk-en-Ciel (パンク アン シエル ,panku an shieru?) is an alter ego of L'Arc-en-Ciel. Introduced in 2004, Hyde takes over guitar, Ken the drums, Yukihiro plays the bass, while Tetsu performs the vocals. P'unk-en-Ciel's songs have a more punk sound and their music is usually heavier and faster with a different tone due to Tetsu's vocals. Hyde wears a pirate patch over his left eye in P'unk-en-Ciel performances. Yukihiro is known to wear a gas mask; however, this has only been seen once at a live concert during their Smile tour in 2004.
Each member is called in capital letters Tetsu P'unk, Ken P'unk, Hyde P'unk and Yuki P'unk. Each member produces one song of their choice, and they alternate their productions.
P'unk-en-Ciel is the revision of D'ark-en-Ciel, the former being a special event that took place during the early L'Arc-en-Ciel years when Sakura was the drummer. The only material released from them is the 18-minute B-side "D'ark-en-Ciel" found on the (then) unreleased The Fourth Avenue Cafe single.
Their songs are recorded and used as B-sides on singles from 2004 and their performances can be found as extras on Live DVDs. They also featured television personality Sayaka Aoki with their song "Round and Round 2005".
Performed songs
Their recorded versions are:
* "Milky Way" found on the "Jiyuu e no Shoutai" single (Produced by Hyde P'unk).
* "Round and Round 2005" found on the "Killing Me" single (Produced by Ken P'unk).
* "Kasou Heisei 17 Nen" (Flower Burial 2005) found on the "New World" single (Produced by Hyde P'unk).
* "Heaven's Drive 2005" found on the "Jojoushi" single (Produced by Yuki P'unk).
* "Promised Land 2005" found on the "Link" single (Produced by Tetsu P'unk).
* "Honey 2007" found on the "Seventh Heaven" single (Produced by Ken P'unk).
* "Feeling Fine 2007" found on the "My Heart Draws a Dream" single (Produced by Yuki P'unk).
* "Natsu no Yuutsu (夏の憂鬱) [Sea in Blood 2007]" found on the "Daybreak's Bell" single (Produced by Hyde P'unk).
* "I Wish 2007" found on the "Hurry Xmas" single (Produced by Tetsu P'unk - it also has a PV).
* "Dune 2008" found on the "Drink it Down" single (Produced by Ken P'unk).
P'unk-en-Ciel can be seen on live on:
* Smile Tour 2004 DVD performing "Milky Way".
* Asialive 2005 DVD performing "Round and Round 2005".
* Are You Ready? 2007 Mata Heart ni Hi wo Tsukero! (またハートに火をつけろ！) DVD performing "Honey 2007" and "Feeling Fine 2007".
* Tour 2007-2008 Theater of Kiss DVD performing "Natsu no Yuutsu (夏の憂鬱) [Sea in Blood 2007]" and "I Wish 2007".
Members
* Hyde – vocals, guitar
* Tetsu – bass, backing vocals
* Ken – guitar, backing vocals
* Yukihiro – drums
Discography
Albums
* DUNE (April 27, 1993)
* Tierra (July 14, 1994)
* heavenly (September 1, 1995)
* True (December 12, 1996)
* HEART (February 25, 1998)
* ark (July 1, 1999)
* ray (July 1, 1999)
* REAL (August 30, 2000)
* SMILE (March 31, 2004)
* DUNE 10th Anniversary Edition (April 21, 2004)
* AWAKE (June 22, 2005)
* KISS (November 21, 2007)
Compilations
* Clicked Singles Best 13 (March 14, 2001)
* The Best of L'Arc-en-Ciel 1994-1998 (March 19, 2003)
* The Best of L'Arc-en-Ciel 1998-2000 (March 19, 2003)
* The Best of L'Arc-en-Ciel C/W (March 19, 2003)
Remixes
* Ectomorphed Works (June 28, 2000)
Singles
* "Floods of Tears/Yasouka" (/夜想花, November 25, 1992)
* "Blurry Eyes" (October 21, 1994)
* "Vivid Colors" (July 6, 1995)
* "Natsu no Yuutsu ~Time to Say Goodbye~" (夏の憂鬱 [time to say good-bye], October 21, 1995)
* "Kaze ni Kienaide" (風にきえないで, July 8, 1996)
* "Flower" (October 17, 1996)
* "Lies and Truth" (November 21, 1996)
* "Niji" (虹, October 17, 1997)
* "Winter Fall" (January 28, 1998)
* "Dive to Blue" (March 25, 1998)
* "Shinshoku ~Lose Control~" (浸食 〜lose control〜, July 8, 1998)
* "Honey" (July 8, 1998)
* "Kasou" (花葬, July 8, 1998)
* "Snow Drop" (October 7, 1998)
* "Forbidden Lover" (October 14, 1998)
* "Heaven's Drive" (April 21, 1999)
* "Pieces" (June 2, 1999)
* "Driver's High" (August 11, 1999)
* "Love Flies" (October 27, 1999)
* "Neo Universe"/"Finale" (January 19, 2000)
* "Stay Away" (July 19, 2000)
* "Spirit Dreams Inside -Another Dream-" (September 5, 2001)
* "Ready Steady Go" (February 4, 2004)
* "Hitomi no Juunin" (瞳の住人, March 3, 2004)
* "Jiyuu e no Shoutai" (自由への招待, June 2, 2004)
* "Killing Me" (January 13, 2005)
* "New World" (April 6, 2005)
* "Jojoushi" (叙情詩, May 18, 2005)
* "Link" (July 20, 2005)
* "The Fourth Avenue Cafe" (August 30, 2006)
* "Seventh Heaven" (May 30, 2007)
* "My Heart Draws a Dream" (August 29, 2007)
* "Daybreak's Bell" (October 10, 2007)
* "Hurry Xmas" (November 14, 2007)
* "Drink it Down" (April 2, 2008)
* "Nexus 4"/"Shine" (August 27, 2008)
Aishwarya Bachchan (Aishwarya Rai) was born on 1st November 1973. Aishwarya Rai (Ash) is one of Bollywood's pre-eminent leading ladies. This Indian darling burst upon the world stage when her striking beauty, poise and commanding intelligence won her the Miss World crown in 1994.
