Belly up for Priyanka Chopra!

She was the unsung perfectionist of the film industry till it started taking a toll on her health. But playing 12 different roles in her next film was probably the last straw.

After several bouts of exhaustion that have led her in and out of hospital, Priyanka Chopra finally admits she needs to take care of herself now or risk a burnout.

"This film (What's Your Raashee?) has been very difficult for me personally. Doing so many things has been thoroughly wonderful but equally exhausting. I haven't been able to take care of myself and that's why I have been falling ill regularly. But now I'm doing quite fine," Priyanka told

But the pay-off has been learning many new skills, and topping the list is her new found love for bellydancing.

"I think belly dancing is one of the most sensual dance forms. I'm not a trained dancer, but it was good fun to learn," says Priyanka. But the masterstroke, feels the actor, was her decision to learn Gujarati -- all the 12 roles she plays are Gujarati girls.

"I had a Gujarati teacher on hand all through the shoot so I could deliver the dialogues with just the right accent as Gujaratis do!" Saru karyu.

Aishwarya, Shah Rukh ‘Actors of the Decade’

Superstars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan were declared ‘Actors of the Decade’ at the IIFA awards here on Saturday night.

Aishwarya won two honorary awards for her work in Indian and international cinema, while Shah Rukh was honoured for his work in Bollywood.

The 35-year-old actress, who also performed on stage at the function, received both trophies while Shah Rukh missed the ceremony because he is shooting for his upcoming film ‘My Name is Khan.’

The 43-year-old actor, who began his career on the small screen, beat Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan to the title.

Aishwarya won the ‘Golden Decade’ award for her memorable performances in the past 10 years, beating off competition from Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

While Aishwarya shot to global recognition with international projects like ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘Provoked,’ Khan too has a global following as the ‘Badshah of Bollywood.’

The former Miss World won the ‘Outstanding Achievement by Indian in International Cinema’ award which was bagged last year by musician A.R. Rahman who won the ‘Golden Decade of Music’ award for his contribution to Indian films.

Shah Rukh Khan's party

After Priyanka Chopra it was Shah Rukh Khan’s turn to host a party for their common Hollywood pal Gerard Butler. Despite smoking a peace pipe recently with Aamir Khan, it was too much to expect him to attend a party at Mannat but filling in was Imran Khan with girlfriend Avantika. Also seen was Farhan Akhtar, who is said to be negotiating with King Khan for the lead role in their film by Reema Kagti after Aamir turned it down. Anyways, as per tradition, the party went on till the wee hours...

Bollywood's leggy beauties

Thankfully Deepika Padukone is dating tall dude Ranbir, or her long legs may have caused her beau some embarassment



Rising star Katrina Kaif is yet another Bollywood diva with amazing legs.



Priyanka Chopra's gorgeous legs have taken her far this year. With the coming of Fashion and Dostana she has now been established as an A-league actress



Model turned actress Mugdha Godse showed off her model's legs in Fashion



Check out the Bollywood beauties with the sexiest legs. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may look a tad short next to hubby Abhishek but she has still got the legs of a world-class model.



In the past year Shilpa Shetty's life has been just perfect and that includes her legs.



Budding actress Jiah Khan too can boast of really gorgeous legs



Bipasha Basu too was a model in her pre-Bollywood days and she has made it a point to retain her perfect legs.



Actress Neha Dhupia needs to train her legs to direct her towards some success in tinsel town.

Parvathy Omanakuttan finishes second

India's Parvathy Omanakuttan was adjudged the first runner-up at the Miss World pageant here Saturday evening, with the crown going to Miss Russia.

Parvathy impressed the jury with her looks and quick wit and was one the five finalists out of the 109 contestants at the Sandton Convention Center. However, she was finally beaten by Miss Russia.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago was named the second runner-up. The others in contention in the final five were Miss South Africa and Miss Angola.

India had high hopes on 21-year-old Parvathy to win the crown that last came to the country in 2000.

India boasts of Miss Worlds like Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000).

Will Parvathy win the Miss World crown?

The last time India won the Miss World pageant was in 2000. But experts busy grooming Parvathy Omanakuttan say she has the vivacity, warmth and beauty to bag the crown again for the country.

Standing tall at 5 feet 9 inches, 21-year-old Parvathy will compete with 109 contestants at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday. Zee Café will telecast the Miss World 2008 contest live at 8.30 pm.

"She has the 'X' factor that sets apart a supermodel from the models. It's her vivacity and warmth that make her instantly likeable. She is a perfect mix of beauty with brains," diction expert Sabira Merchant said in a statement.

Ace photographer Subi Samuel admires Parvathy a lot and believes she exudes class and confidence and this could do the trick for her.

Talking on the same lines, fitness expert Deanne Pandey said: "She is an ideal blend of panache and poise. Her face just lights up each time she smiles."

Ace choreographer Sandeep Soparrkar said: "You cannot take your eyes off her even in a room full of gorgeous women and that is the hallmark of a beauty queen."

Expectations from millions of Indians are acting as an inspiration for Parvathy as she feels 'this is a big responsibility' and is trying her best to live up to the hopes of everyone.

"This contest is not only about winning but with it comes the responsibility of upholding the name of the country. I am trying to be a stronger person to face the contest and I will try my level best to make every Indian all over the world proud," she explained.

Like many beauty queens, Parvathy too is smitten by the big screen and says she would love to act if the 'right' kind of roles fall into her kitty.

"I would love to do a movie opposite Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan, as I have a big time crush on these guys," she said.

Parvathy has big shoes to fill as India boasts of Miss Worlds like Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000).

Priyanka Chopra Latest Wallpaper Photos

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Katrina Kaif is sexiest Asian woman for 2008

Katrina Kaif is sexiest Asian woman for 2008

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has been adjudged the sexiest Asian woman in the world in 2008 by a UK-based weekly, with last year's winner Bipasha Basu pushed to the second spot.

In the annual round conducted by 'Eastern Eye', a leading British Asian newspaper, Kaif emerged on the top in a shortlist of 10.

The judges included Brianna Ragel, editor of Asian Woman Magazine and the former editor of FHM India, Farhad Dadyburjor.

Hamant Verma, editor of Eastern Eye, said: "Katrina Kaif's natural beauty and easy charm has enabled her stock to rise in Bollywood. This has resulted in a number of lucrative offers, and appearances in films that proved to be box-office hits."

Kaif, who was brought up in London, was ranked one place above last year's winner Bipasha Basu and two ahead of 2006 winner Priyanka Chopra. Kareena Kapoor came third in the list.

New entrants to the 'sexiest list' included Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat (nine), Miss India Universe Simran Kaur Mundi (10), former Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandez (12) and south Indian actress Asin (22).

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai was at the seventh place.