SRK to stay away from IPL Matches

In an emotional outburst, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan today said that he would stay away from the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League till he understood the code of conduct expected of him at the matches, a statement which has the potential to throw the Indian Premier league into a fresh controversy.


Making an oblique reference to his being debarred from the players' dugout at the Eden Gardens by the ICC Anti Corruption officials, Shah Rukh said in a sms to his Kolkata Knight Rider players that he was still trying to understand the code of conduct expected of him at the matches.

"I am still trying to understand the code of conduct expected of me at the matches of the IPL.... ICC... Etc.... After I understand it, I will decide whether to accept it or not. Till such time, I will be with you guys at the hotel, in the meeting etc., but wont come for the matches," he said.

Denying suggestions in a section of the media that his absence from the field had something to do with the team's poor performance, he said "please dont ever feel it is anything to do with us as a team.... I am as dedicated to my Knights as I am to my kids.... Only, I wont be coming to the class room till the headmasters rules are understood by me.... I am a bit anti-Establishment kind of a guy, so I apologise for this quirk to u all." Shah Rukh, who owns the Kolkata Knight Riders team, also denied any rift involving him, captain Sourav Ganguly and coach John Buchanan saying such things are normal when the scale is not tilted in one's favour. ...PTI

Priyanka Chopra is the New Face of Pond's

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, May 06, 2008 -- (Business Wire India) -- Amidst much excitement and anticipation, Pond's, one of the worlds leading and most respected skincare brands today announced its new brand ambassador, the beautiful Bollywood actress Ms. Priyanka Chopra as the new face of Pond's across all the brand's ranges in India.

From her stunning dimpled smile to her immaculate skin, the former Miss World personifies everything that Pond's stands for - sophisticated beauty and charming ...something that everyone loves to love.. This stunner, who represents the hope of love and romance in our lives, will now embrace the hopes and aspirations of thousands of Indian women across the country through her association with Pond's.

As brand ambassador, Priyanka Chopra will play a key role in brand and product communication across various platforms on television, in print and outdoor media. Commenting on Priyanka Chopra as brand ambassador for Pond's, Mr. Venkat Sridhar General Manager, Skin Care, Hindustan Unilever Limited expressed, "There is a perfect fit between Priyanka Chopra and Ponds - their timelessness and their ability to touch the lives of millions of women which makes this an ideal association. Moreover, Priyanka has an international appeal that extends to women across all age groups, just as our skincare solutions do. The gorgeous Priyanka seems like the perfect ambadassor for Pond's, the brand that stands for beauty and romance. We are privileged to have Priyanka Chopra, one of India's most beautiful woman endorse our brand.

Commenting on her association with Ponds, Brand Ambassador Priyanka Chopra said "Being the face of Pond's is a big honour for me. It makes me nostalgic, as I have used Pond's as a child. The brand has become extremely international; these are international range of products being offered to you. They not only look different they feel different on your skin. They are top of the line quality products catering to every age group, weather it is an anti ageing cream, skin lightening cream or a face wash. They all say love is what makes the world go around and Pond's is Love's helping hand. It is all about romance and making you feel lovely." The association with Priyanka Chopra is just the beginning of bigger and better things to come for the brand as it globally relaunches itself in a brand new avatar with superior and holistic face care solutions. Over the years ,Pond's has gained the reputation of a brand synonymous with skincare the world over owing to its pioneering leadership in skincare technology and commitment to providing women the world over with innovative breakthrough in skincare solutions and delivering superior products.

ABOUT POND'S: Pond's is a global face care expert that has a presence in 58 countries and strong presence in the three top face care countries - Japan, Korea and the US - making it a skin care brand to reckon with. The Pond's International skincare range is already a confidante and advisor of women who are in control of their lives, looks and environment. The brand boasts of state-of-the-art R&D facilities led from New York, Tokyo, Madrid and Mumbai helping it create international beauty solutions for the discerning woman. The Pond's philosophy is based on the application of leading-edge technology to face care. By combining this with an intimate understanding of the woman's skin care needs and requirements, Pond's delivers results women can see and feel.