Catch the former beauty queen in an exclusive tête-à-tête with Simi Garewal this Sunday, September 10th at 9.30 p.m. only on Star World

Mumbai, September 07, 2006… Glamorous… warm… witty… and remarkably intelligent… Meet one of Bollywood's most stunning actresses, Lara Dutta on the popular chat show- 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'.

Make sure you don't miss this sizzling rendezvous as Lara speaks her mind about the deterrents in Bollywood, what's stopping her from being No. 1, her long-standing relationship with Kelly Dorjee, on her relationship with co-stars Abhishek Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi, Sanjay Dutt and lots more this Sunday, September 10th at 9. 30 p.m. on STAR WORLD

Excerpts from the interview:

I was wondering about you... what's been easier, winning the Miss Universe title or navigating Bollywood?
Lara: Ah... Winning the Miss Universe title was easier. I came from the glamour industry… I was already a model and it wasn't very difficult to go out there… be articulate, present yourself well, look good… it's a lot more my cup of tea... (laughs). I think with Bollywood, I am really happy that I am here .. I guess like you said you navigate yourself a little bit of ups and downs.

But I have wondered… you know you have come in with all the right potential… Miss Universe title, you are a trained Bharatnatiyam dancer, you speak great Hindi, then, what's stopping you from being No. 1?
Lara: I think with the Indian film industry, they want to compartmentalize you. They love doing that.. you have to find that perfect image… and you have to fit. Unfortunately for me, I haven't quite found that perfect image... this is Lara... this is where she is good at… this is how we want to see her for the rest of her career.

Lara the first time we met… Kelly was with you.. it was before the Miss Universe … I remember you were telling me how much he was helping … he was taking you for training at 5. 3 0 in the morning.. lots of things … I was sure that you were going to win Miss Universe .. absolutely sure … but I also thought that if you win .. Kelly will lose you? How come?
Lara: Ahh…. Honestly I wish I had the perfect answer to this... you know something to say to the viewers.. this is how it works.. and this is the magic and the miracle .. but all I can say is that honestly there is a force, there is a power greater that the two of us… that keeps us together. No matter what .. It's greater than the love we have for each other, it's greater than the relationship we will ever have, it is this power that keeps us and our relationship together. There are a lot of things that change… I won Universe, I went away, I went to New York for 2 years… and there were these unbelievable experiences that I went through during that year... and this person stuck through and through... and understood that.. and its very difficult.. Especially for a man …

Lara, you were one of the few girls who has come into this industry … 'boyfriend attached' .. I want to know does it work against you or for you in Bollywood…
Lara: Well, Kelly and I have had this conversation many times… he is always said that we were to break-up tomorrow you would get much more work… and there would be more people running after you… his term to put it.. but I think you know... Simi, you know the day and age has really gone when you hide that you have a boyfriend… I have never felt the lack of work because I am in a relationship... I have never felt that …

And I am curious.. if you meet someone that you are attracted to .. What would you do about it?
Lara: Ah .. I honestly believe that what is meant to come to you in life.. will come to you… and you have two choices.. invariably the choices that we pick are the ones that bring us momentary happiness and pleasure… invariably.. and if you are willing to pick the one that is may be a little difficult but in the longer haul, is the one that gives maximum happiness in your life.. it really does not give you any grief and guilt… then that's one you should go for … you make your life based on the choices you pick…

So this Sunday don't miss Lara Dutta as she as reveals the truth on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal on Star World, September 10th at 9.30 p.m.


About Star
STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts 60 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews Channel). STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world's largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com

For further information please contact:
In Mumbai
Zeenat Khan Shiraz Bhavnani / Aditi Chada
Asst Vice President, Publicity Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
STAR (India) Ltd. Tel: 91-22-5656 8787
Tel No. 91-22-56305555 Fax: 91-22-5656 8788
Email:sbhavnani@vccpl.com / achada@vccpl.com

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