The End for MTVDesi

1. So, the end of April, marks the demise of MTVDesi. The experiment failed. MTV is hot commodity in India but the US avatar failed to ignite. MTV is pulling the plug on four Asian channels and MTVDesi is part of that failed package. Turns out, desis abroad would rather flock to YouTube, than catch glimpses of desiisms on MTVDesi, a hybrid of firangis and desis mangled in a lungi. The videos were cool, but the MTV Bakra never quite caught on.

A student lights a lamp at a condolence meeting for Minal Panchal at the Rizvi Educational Complex in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 19, 2007. Panchal, 26, a first-year masters' student in the Faculty of Architecture was among the 33 killed in this week's shooting rampage at Virginia Tech. According to news reports, she was a very lovable person who often visited her relatives in Mimbai and Gujarat, including her grand parents who are extremely distraught over this loss. We offer our heartfelt condolences. Why is it that everytime there is a global tragedy, the almighty always chooses an Indian or Indians to be a part of it? If you recall, over 250 innocents of Indian origin perished in the September 11 attacks.

Aishwarya's Abode

Bollywood star and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai's apartments 'La Mer' is seen lit with decorative lights ahead of her wedding to Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

DoorDasha (the sad state of things)

Doordarshan, a television network in India, has launched two channels: DD India and DD news in the UK . So, finally, they are living up to what we called them growing up: Door Ka Darshan!

Sunil Shetty, no relation to Shilpa Shetty!

Three signs, a Bollywood star's career is sagging:

1. He is dropped as a co-star by Akshay Kumar

2. He starts pawning clothing lines

3. The only images you see of him are attending weddings (like this one of the sangeet reception for Ash-Abhi)

Sanjaya, we hardly knew ya!

Are we desis happy to see Sanjaya booted off the Idol Island? At least I am. For starters, Sanjaya brought the wrong kind of attention for Desis in the US. The last thing we want to be known for is singing! Our prowesses lie in other talents and pursuits and one less MJ-lookalike won't dim our prospects at the gold in any singing marathon. Also, what's up with adding an "A" to his name? Not sure if any media outlet explored this, but I would say there's something wrong with a Desi Man if his name ends with an "A" wouldn't you say? At least I can't recall growing up with any guys named Ajaya or Vinaya or Rajiva, have you? Yeah, the current trend is to add an alphabet so it rrings true (no pun(dit) intended), but this alphabet soup I can't comprehend. Any thoughts anyone?

Hottest Desi Wedding on the Planet!

Aishwarya Rai will wear a traditional hand-embroidered sari with intricate goldwork on her wedding day, the actress' favorite designer said Tuesday.
Rai, a former Miss World, will marry actor Abhishek Bachchan on Friday. Bachchan, 31, comes from a famous Bollywood family _ his father, Amitabh, and mother, Jaya, are among India's best known actors.

A red-and-blue air-conditioned tent with huge mirrors was being readied in a garden adjoining the Bachchan's suburban family home for what is billed as India's "wedding of the year."
Bachchan and Rai, 33, became engaged in a private ceremony in January. Family friends have asked the media to respect the families' wish for privacy.
Designer Neeta Lulla said she created the sari and a red-and-gold embroidered flowing skirt and cropped blouse for Rai to wear at a mehendi ceremony Wednesday. In Indian weddings, mehendi, or henna, is applied in elaborate tattoos on the bride's hands and legs.
Lulla told Mumbai-based DNA newspaper that while she has designed some of Rai's outfits, the actress would also wear a sari created by famous Indian designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.
Both Rai and Bachchan have been practicing a dance routine they plan to perform before a group of relatives and friends during a musical ceremony Thursday, the daily newspaper said. Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan is expected to entertain guests.
In India, it is common for the couple and their families to perform choreographed dance routines during pre-wedding ceremonies.
Bachchan and Rai have appeared together in several films.
In their latest hit movie, "Guru," Rai plays the supporting wife to Bachchan, who portrays a man from a small Indian village who strives to become a top industrialist. The film is based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani, founder of Reliance Industries, one of India's top conglomerates.