Its been a gratifying week, after receiving the DNA Style Goddess Award I reached a
cold and wet London four days ago. I came for the Silver Star Charity event aimed at
Diabetes awareness hosted by MP Keith Vaz, attended by Prime Minister Gordon Brown,
my Favourite Mr Amitabh Bachchan and my dear friend Sanjay Dutt. I have always
leveraged my name to causes that have been dear to me. This one for personal reasons
and out of personal experiences (my mum was a diabetic and my mother-in-law has been
on Insulin for the past twenty years!!!) Studies show that we asians are most prone
to this disease and I think it is imperative to be aware of anything that can be
life threatening…..The key is to TAKE THAT TEST and it is in your hands to control
it. The sooner you detect it the easier it is to keep it under check. So spread the
word and be aware:)
Spent a whole day yesterday in a board meeting working out strategies on how to take
my Gourmet Range forward, the whole new range is very exciting, creative and above
all healthy. After that I attended the opening of our new restaurant in Chelsea
called the Bombay Bicycle. That takes the numbers upto twenty Bombay Bicycles around
London. So all you curry lovers in London you have to try it and give me your
feedback.
Last but not the least I must apologise to all my fans for not being a regular
blogger and have decided to join the  twitter world along with my continued
blogging. Where I will promise to tweet my thoughts or experiences of the day every
day and blog in detail where possible. So feel free to check me out on
http://twitter.com/THESHILPASHETTY
Love and Positivity Always….Shilpa Shetty Kundra xx

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Been an eventful week(full of events)really! Started with dubbing
for "Desire" readying it for the Cannes film fest. Then attended
"The World CEO Forum" in Delhi where the focus was on one of our
foremost campaigns called Lighting a Billion Lives,it was revelation
to learn how may people still survive without light, in our country,
rather unfortunate! So adopted a village. We must become aware of
what needs and can to be done to make life easier for the
underprivilaged! Definitely want to do more through the Shilpa
Shetty foundation, working towards that...
The IPL fever is catching up,so showcased our new RR video in
Ahmedabad (our new catchment area) and revealed our mascot MOOCHOO
Singh  a 3d character dancing in the video with me,too cute.!
To garner more support  for the Royals, I also played cricket at
Mt. Carmel Girls School, had such a great time with them.
Then we visited Chennai to meet my gurus Amma and Bhagwan
at the Oneness university,recharged my batteries  came back
to Mumbai and reached a shopping mall to promote a shampoo I
endorse for.
Lastly,preparations my medispa, Iosis in Ghatkopar in full swing.
Our 3rd branch opening sooon Yipeeee!:)
Exhausted and all set to leave for Dubai,a surprise Valentine
break,sweet! All set.
Can't wait..

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Just FYI just found this interesting thought I’ll share it with u especially the
Indian media..– finally a sane article in the  Economic Times written by Raghu
Krishnan. 
An IPL auction turned into a diplomatic row, on the night of Tuesday,  January 19,
almost every Indian TV news-channel spun a conspiracy theory about the fact that
there were no takers for Pakistani cricketers among the IPL franchisees in the
auction held earlier in the day. It could not, the TV news-channel anchors solemnly
opined, be a coincidence that none of the IPL franchisees had bid for the Pakistani
cricketers. Pakistan, the anchors noted, was the reigning T20 world champ and the
non-participation in the IPL of that country’s cricketers for the second consecutive
year would have a detrimental effect on Indo-Pak relations. The TV anchors apparently
failed to realise that the answer to the question of why no Pak cricketer had been
bought lay in the comment that the channels had themselves made that the 2010 season
would be the second consecutive year in which cricketers from Pakistan would not be
participating in the IPL.With only 11 players being bought out of 67 and with each
franchisee not having more than one or two slots to fill, it would have not made
much sense to invest in a player about whose participation there was considerable
doubt, going by the previous year’s experience. IPL commissioner Lalit Modi stated in
the post-auction press conference that Pakistani cricketers had not participated in
the 2009 tournament because their cricketing board had advised not them not to play
in India in the wake of 26/11. After such an experience, the IPL franchisees would
themselves have not been too keen on even the most gifted Pakistani
cricketer. Instead of hinting at conspiracies and insinuating that the Government of
India (GoI) had informally told the franchisees through the BCCI not to bid for
cricketers from Pakistan, the anchors could have put themselves in the buyers’
shoes.Where was the need for any GoI advice when the TV news-channels were quoting
not just intelligence agencies but even visiting US defence secretary Robert Gates
as stating that a Pakistan-based nexus of Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the LeT was
planning another 26/11. Unless, of course, it is anybody’s contention that Lalit
Modi got Gates to say all this! Instead, the TV news-channels outdid each other in
spinning out inside stories and conspiracy theories of GoI intervention being behind
the absence of bids for Pakistani cricketers. And in a subcontinent where people are
only too willing to take offence, it did not take too long for those in Pakistan to
react to this `snub’. A Pakistani parliamentary delegation cancelled its visit to
India. Pakistan’s ministers stated that what happened during the auction would
affect bilateral ties.India’s sports minister M S Gill stated that the GoI had
nothing to do with this and that the franchisees were taking their own bidding
decisions, based on their specific cricketing and corporate strategies. However, the
hype goes on and some TV channels have even talked about the adverse impact on
Indo-Pak relations! To equate the IPL with a full-fledged Indo-Pak CBM (confidence
building measure) is patently absurd. A performance in India by Pakistan’s leading
Sufi singers could do more to build good will than an individual investment of even
$750,000 by an Indian franchisee on Shahid Afridi for IPL3, 4 or 5!

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After being thru a hundred questions at the airport security reached Israel(before
taking the flight and after landing)with the only consolation that NO israel flight
has ever been or can ever be hijacked its so safe!!I had heard that Israel is
extreme when it comes to security measures now Ive seen it! Drove down from Tel Aviv
to the Dead Sea,always been intrigued by it…Doing a little research makes me
realise why so many people throng to get here.Being the lowest elevation on the
earths dry land (422mts below sea level),the saltiest lake in the world 8.5 times
saltier than the ocean,the water here has medicinal properties and natural minerals
to heal and cure many ailments the air is high in oxygen levels and free of pollen
and allergies..so not wasting any time I took a plunge and the effects were
amazing,you have to see it to believe it!!Been to many places all around the world
but this was an experience of a lifetime,one of the most rejuvenating…so glad i
came and had the opportunity to do this.So if u want to detox i would highly
recommend this place:)well worth it after all the rigorous security checks…ive jus
come Alive in the Dead Sea.

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Well the IPL has officially kickstarted with the Auction ,how exciting!As you are aware,the Team is focusing their efforts on 2 senior batsmen, as we believe we have one of the strongest bowling attacks with strength in depth(the technicalities I’ve been told!;).

Last year was disappointing for us but a learning curve, but we didn’t see any need to fundamentally change our strategy, of blending experience with youth. We have some exciting new talent for 2010 as well, and we used the auction to supplement our squad - although there were no definite ‘must buys’ this year. Most importantly, our focus this year has been to work with many of our existing squad. Indeed, Darren Berry is currently in India.

The Batting needs some additional experience to support Graeme Smith and as a result we have two international class batsmen who can provide the platform for other players to perform around, but also have the potential of winning games themselves. I am sure Rajasthan Royals might have surprised some with our selection of Damien Martyn (he retired 18 months ago), but he was a truly world class top order batsman that others will learn a lot from. Our inspirational captain has a hunch about Damien and when it comes to cricket we are very happy to trust Shane Warnes “hunches”!(D)amien!!:)Adam Voges again is someone we are kicked about ,great statistics in the past and a great price! Can’t wait for this squad to come together.

More importantly,As for all the noise about our Pakistani players, it is a shame that we will(once again)miss some of the best players in the world. We are in constant contact with them,and we understand and empathise with their hurt in the current scenario.. But I can say THIS with complete confidence from. Our end that it wasn’t a contrived attempt to insult or ignore..It is a huge loss for US to lose such quality players some of the Best in 20-20 cricket. However, for such a long tournament we have to be completely convinced on player availability ie: NOT just their dates but their presence in India, as providing security is a huge concern, with threats from some Lunatic fringes..we could not afford that risk as we value our players!!it was a catch 22 situation for us. Wish we(indians and pakistanis )could handle the situation a little sensitively and with a bit of maturity and request Journos to not politicise it any further. Don’t we have enough on our hands to handle already!??!let’s not make the situation any more volatile.People in both countries  love good Cricket and there’s nothin bigger than the sport. let’s grow up and move forward. Phew!I’ve said my piece.Stay positive.. it works..everytime!:)

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Hello all u lovely people ,hope you’ve had a wonderful New year. 

After a mini European tour through the Mediterranean cruise we were on, saw the Vatican city in Rome, the pyramids in Egypt, Acropolis in Athens…breathtakingly beautiful! Was amazed by the ethos and the architecture. Back in London greeted by a snow storm, one of the worst since the 70’s I was told…anyway we were back in time to attend our second wedding reception (and finally the LAST!) very kindly thrown by a very dear friend of ours MP Keith Vaz. When he told us he wanted to do it at the House of commons I thought he was joking but he actually did! So despite the snow storm, and we nearly thought we wouldn’t make it since a lot of cars had broken down. Wouldn’t miss it for the world, so in my Manish malhotra sari,nearly frozen (yes, beauty comes with pain) trudging along in the snow, reached the venue:) Worth all the effort as we were just so humbled by the honour, the warmth and graciousness extended to us. Also got the opportunity of getting to know the articulate Honourable Mr. Speaker and his wife sally who very sweetly gave us a tour of their residence in the house of commons,have to applaud him for his memory nd humility nd humour, both such wonderful people. Was really touched by the memorabilia personally signed by the PM Gordon Brown given to us as a wedding present. Was such a special night made memorable for life by Keith. Can’t thank him enough.

Looked out of the window today nd the snow clad lawn looked like a scene out of a film,serene nd perfect (only from inside it was -6 degrees outside!) Writing this blog with gloves and ear muffs, looking like an eskimo:) hahaha, Cant wait to come back to warm Mumbai…back to work soon, got to dub for my indo chinese project “Desire”. Watch this space!

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Hello hello everyone,

I know it’s been a long time but I have surfaced at last! Back to reality, the last couple weeks felt like a dream:) from the sunny Bahamas back in London for the last couple days and was greeted with snow, yippee! Looks like it will be a white Christmas after all:) 

I absolutely love the Christmas spirit around this time, lights on the streets, decorating the Christmas tree and placing gifts under it, my nephews and nieces writing out their never ending gift list to ‘Santa’ (so cute), the joy of all families getting together and doing carvery dinners and Oh how can I forget the Christmas sales ha ha!! Just love it all. There’s no place like London when it comes to celebrating Christmas. Really excited about the Mediterranean cruise we are taking with the family, my first ever making it even more special. Will be out at sea for the next two weeks so wont be able to communicate. Will be bringing in New year on the ship but will give the you guys the lowdown once am back as always .So here’s wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a fantastic love filled, healthy and prosperous New Year ahead. Love and duaas always…

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Yes it’s all done and I am officially Shilpa Shetty Kundra now!! So glad all went well, everyone’s prayers were heard and my dad made it (miraculously) on time for my wedding with god’s grace. Loved every bit of the wedding but the “bidaai” - I am sure it is difficult for every girl, so it was no different for me. (Sigh) Anyways moving on, the wedding and sangeet was a private affair but the reception was thrown for all my friends from the fraternity and friends of both the families… God it was a never ending list of people…ALL  the people I had been associated with in the last 18 years (even then I had missed out on some names, for which I feel terrible about) I had no idea I knew soooooo many people and I’ve never smiled continuously for soooooo many hours!!! Felt like I slept with a hanger in my mouth haha! But on a serious note I’m truly touched by all those special people who took out the time to come and bless us and give us their good wishes. Could barely spend a minute with each one of them, but it still meant so much to see them.

It’s been a long week and it’s taken a day and a half to recover from the reception phew! Now I know why couples go on a honeymoon…cause they really need a break after all this looking forward to mine in the Bahamas. At Tirupati now - come to seek blessings as I have a lot of faith in Lord Balaji, come to thank him for showering me with so much…Heading to the Oneness university tomorrow to meet my gurus Amma and Bhagwan who have been my guiding light. Last but not the least I’d like to thank each and every one for your heart felt wishes and feel so blessed to know that you care.

Please excuse me for the next two weeks cause my henna filled hands and feet need a rest and I’ve promised my husband (I like the sound of that) some “ME” time. Will write soon but you guys please keep writing as I promise to read.

Signing off

Shilpa Shetty Kundra

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I know this has become a pattern to start my blog with an apology, so keeping up with the tradition I apologise yet another time…I’m so sorry for not blogging as my life has been turned upside down,inside out in the past week as the marriage is nearing,so hope you understand.Can’t tell you how overjoyed I am - glad to see shamita back I spent every minute I could in the midst of my chaotic life to bond with her and make up for all the lost time. All is in order, friends and family have got together to put up a very sweet skit… a lot of surprises, effort, excitment and above all just the sheer pleasure of seeing everyone do it from their heart. A comical musical, choreographed and directed by long time friend Ganesh Hegde. Its hilarious to see family act and dance!hahaha Anyway amongst all the trials (umpteen trousseau outfits and jewellery) there comes tribulations. My father in the midst of all this wedding preparation was not feeling too well and had high temperature. After much coaxing we asked him to get a blood test done and much to our chagrin he tested positive for not one but two types of malaria!! (yeah! you read that right) we had to rush him to the ICU late last night as they kept him under observation. So the whole family was under a lot of stress considering we were all meant to leave for khandala the next day and didnt know how to take things forward. The good news is that he’s recuperating pretty well and is out of the ICU now with mom by his side. As per schedule Shamita and I headed to khandala today so here we are because that’s what Dad wanted, as the mehendi and sangeet happen on 21st and the wedding happens on 22nd. I don’t know how to put my feelings in words…this is a day that my family and I have waited for….its all happening so fast only wish dad and mom could’ve been a part of every moment.Like my mom says what cannot be cured must be endured! So the last 24 hours have been quite trying but on a positive note I’m glad we got to know of dad’s illness 2 days earlier as now he can atleast be there for the wedding and do the kanyadaan hoping and praying that he gets well soon cause there’s nothing that works like prayers. Settin off for my mehendi now. Thanks for all the best wishes from family and friends… will write to you very soon.. .as Shilpa Shetty Kundra THIS IS IT!

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Firstly terribly apologetic for not blogging so often. It’s been a crazy few weeks, I’ll explain why later. Landed in Hyderabad to shoot the last schedule of Desire day before yesterday. It’s a film I’m so looking forward to as a lot of effort has gone into it’s making and a different genre for me to experiment with as well… Anyway coming to why I’m actually writing today, I have some great news to share with you, as promised I would personally give you the good news… So here it is — This is it, YES, THE WEDDING DATES ARE FINAL and celebrations begin from the 21st November with the Wedding on the 22nd and the Reception on the 24th. PHEW! Okay, I said it. So these are the real dates (now the press can stop speculating). The last two weeks have only gone into preparations. It was a huge decision and there were a lot of logistical problems mainly because of lack of time and venues… Now all that’s in order, I can breathe a sigh of relief. The past week has been full of meetings, meetings and more meetings, since I’m shooting in Hyderabad, everything had to be done before I’d left for this schedule. In the midst of Odissi rehearsals (can you believe it! ‘cause I am shooting for a song here, ha ha! ), guests list, hotel arrangements, wedding planners, trousseau outfits, the list is never ending. There’s a lot of work to be done and I will be shooting and dubbing till a week before the wedding. Got to finish all work commitments before I leave for a month after the wedding. C’est la vie! To all those who want to know how I am feeling, I just want to say – I’m going through a lot of mixed feelings – happiness, excitement, nervousness, just like any bride to be and sadness as well, I miss my sister and hoping that she’ll be out soon in my last few days at home. My parents are ecstatic and doing everything to make things perfect on my special day, absolutely adore them! Honestly it still hasn’t sunk in completely, it’s a strange emotion, can’t describe it… The only consolation is that I’m tying the knot with “Raj” – a man who lets me be myself and doesn’t want me or my life to change, that erases premarital jitters. Obviously marriage is a huge step and with it comes responsibilities, and since I believe in the institution, so I hope and pray that I can make “ours” a success. Thank you so much for all your best wishes. I’ve overcome and survived all hurdles with your good wishes and God’s blessings. Will keep you posted. Pray for me because I am on the threshold of a new beginning. So just two weeks to go, the countdown begins!! Love to you all!

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