MUMBAI: CNN‘s Anjali Rao on last weekend‘s Talk Asia on Saturday, 4 Aug at 0500hrs, 2030hrs and Sunday, Aug 5 at 1830hrs (Indian Standard Times) spent time with one of China‘s most influential women. Yang Lan is widely regarded as China‘s answer to Oprah Winfrey and she has played an important role in helping Beijing secure the 2008 Olympic Games. She shares with Rao her thoughts on the capital‘s readiness one year prior to the most important sporting event in China‘s history. Last weekend‘s TALK ASIA program kicked off CNN‘s dedicated week of coverage from the capital, ‘Countdown Beijing‘, which runs until 12 August.
There are many contests and games in the offering for all those eager to be a part of the festival this year. One of those is the ‘Zapak Hot Shots at Malhar‘ contest which requires the user to log on to malhar.zapak.com and answer a simple question. The winners get VIP passes to Malhar, a pick-up from their residence to St Xavier‘s college in a limousine and a complete makeover. 
This is for the first time after the team formation that both AGNI & PRITHVI teams are going to perform under the guidance of their mentors and appeal to public for votes as the game has just begun ?.. Amidst all the tension, excitement, and nerve wrecking moments the Bemisaal Barah are all set to perform Govinda numbers on the show dedicating it to the star himself. 
"I have tried something different from my style of singing for the first time and I was very nervous. But Govinda uncle comforted me with his kid words and I really enjoyed performing on his song Kudi Kanwaari from his movie Hadh Kardi Aapne. Coming from a music background and being a star himself, yet he is such a down-to-earth person. He liked my performance very much and gave valuable suggestions as well.", says Prithvi team‘s Prantika Mukherjee
Talking about her booming career graph, Lara speaks about her first experience of working with Salman Khan in Partner and the fun she had during the shooting of Bhagam Bhag. On the sets of Bhagam Bhag she was the only girl in the male dominated cast and enjoyed her thrilling experience while doing the stunt scene at the climax after which Akshay rechristened her as ‘LARA Paji‘. Lara speaks extensively about how frustrated she was when the media only associated her as a glam diva and did not give her enough credibility for her acting. But now it‘s changing and everyone is noticing her as a beauty with acting skills.
Not many know that Lara had created a record of sorts by scoring 9.99 in the final question round that opened way for her to win the Miss Universe title in 2000. She is the youngest goodwill ambassador of UN in South Asian region and is incessantly working for the youth welfare in India. 
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Anil Kapoor sings a different Tune on Independence special on Indian Idol on 10 August
MUMBAI: It is the 8th Gala Round on Indian Idol. The contestants are now gearing up for the final lap. They are working hard on their songs and the result is showing.To commend their efforts and to encourage them to do their best was present actor?producer Anil Kapoor who made a grand surprise entry. His film as producer Gandhi My Father is perfectly timed to the Independence Day celebrations just around the corner. Anil was in great spirits. After all it is not every day that a film gets such heart-warming response from the media and box-office too!
The surprise guest on the show inspired the contestants too. With Independence Day round the corner the contestants are all set to rock the nation with their patrioticism. Deepali gave a great start to the gala round dedicated to patriotic songs with Dhol bajne laga which had Annu Malek pronouncing her a worthy contender to the title. Anil Kapoor confessed he got gooseflesh with Amit Paul‘s rendition of Yeh jo des hai mera from Swades. Chang, who has been nicknamed Chingu Mingu by Alisha, won her heart with Baar baar haan ? from Lagaan. Incidentally, Chang had an opportunity to visit an NGO and teach the little inmates the importance of dental care how to brush their teeth right! Emon once again rocked the show with his flawless performance. He sang Yehi rasta hai tera from Lakshya making it very clear to his competition that he means business .Annu Malek pronounced it as a hallmark of a great singer. Anil Kapoor gave full marks to Ankita for her rendition of the title track of Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani . Not happy with that she had him on stage shaking a leg too. But the surprise packet of the evening was Prashant whose Zindagi maut na ban jaaye came straight from the heart and had Annu Malek doffing his hat to the best performer of the day.
Carried away by all the singing Anil Kapoor displayed his singing prowess too by singing Dil diya hai jaan bhi denge from his film Karma. Surprises never ceased on this show. Yet another guest descended on stage in the midst of all the singing and dancing. Ajay Jadeja came, saw, danced and left after some sound piece of advice to all the contestants.
There‘s more on Indian Idol this week than you bargained for. Do not miss this fun-filled episode Of Indian Idol on Friday 10 August, 2007 at 9 p m only on Sony Entertainment Television.
