Shakira to jig in B-town film

Pop diva Shakira is all set to enter the Indian music scene. She has reportedly been roped in by producer Surya Pratap to croon in his film tentatively titled The Final Call.

If all goes well, the Hips don’t lie singer will soon be shaking a leg in an Indian film.

“Things have been almost finalised but we are still waiting for the confirmation on paper. The process is taking time since a lot of legalities are involved,” says Pratap, who has been involved with several south Indian films.

Punjabi singer-composer Daler Mehndi will compose the energetic number in English and Punjabi.

“I am naturally very excited about it. It has to be a number which does justice to Shakira as well as to my USP as a singer. It’s a huge responsibility but I hope to match up to the expectations,” says Mehndi.

Rumours say Shakira’s number will be recorded in the US, followed by a music video shoot in Los Angeles. Actor Sanjay Dutt has, according to reports, been approached to play the protagonist in the film.

“Sanjay has liked the script but let’s see if he gives his nod. The film basically deals with the emotional bonding between a father and son,” says Pratap, who has also written the script of the film.

It is believed actor Wilson Tong, who has worked in films such as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Treasure Hunters and Snake Deadly Act, will oversee the cinematography and action in the film.

“It’s a dream film for me and I am working hard to complete it with my choice of actors and stars. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get the actors of my choice,” says Pratap.

Bollywood has recently attracted several big names from around the world.

Not long ago, Miss UK Universe 2008 Lisa Lazarus came to Mumbai to shoot for the Salman Khan-starrer Veer, followed by Mexican beauty Barbara Mori who stars in Anurag Basu’s Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kites. Baywatch babe Carmen Electra will also reportedly groove with Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar in Sajid Nadiadwala-produced Kambakht Ishq. The film also stars Denise Richards, Brandon Routh and Sylvester Stallone.

“It’s great to know our film industry is drawing such big names. It means our work is being noticed,” says Kareena, who has reportedly taught a few dance steps to Electra

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php

Jay-Z concert planned in Washington, D.C. to celebrate presidential inauguration

Live Nation is partaking in the inaugural festivities surrounding the January 20 inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States, with a concert by rapper Jay-Z at the 1,847-capacity Warner Theatre in Washington, DC on January 19. Jay-Z, who signed a contract with Live Nation in May, will perform with a full band.

Jay-Z has been a strong supporter of Obama's participating in benefit concerts and registration drives. Following the historic election, he penned a new song, "History," to commemorate Obama's win. Tickets for the concert will carry a face value of $375 and $500; a $5 service charged is added to all tickets purchased at the theater's box office.

The contract Jay-Z signed with the promoter is a 10-year commitment that is estimated to be worth $150 million. He is joined in Live Nation's Artist division with the likes of recording superstars Madonna, U2, Shakira and Nickelback. The deal includes touring, three albums and a new division at the company called Roc Nation.

Source:http://www.ticketnews.com/

Shakira may perform at Obama's party

Superstar singer Shakira is reportedly in talks to perform at U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration party on January

She may perform at a celebration to be held Obama is formally sworn into office, reports Peruvian newspaper El Comercio.

The paper further states that the Hips Don't Lie hitmaker may join stars including Susan Sarandon, Spike Lee, and Anne Hathaway celebrate Obama’s historic White House Victory in Washington, D.C.

She was a vocal supporter of Obama during his election campaign.

"Obama can restore peace and the world''s confidence in the United States," Contactmusic quoted her as telling reporters at the time.

Her faith in Obama was later reciprocated with the Democrat voicing his admiration for the Colombian singer's charity work in aid of Latin American children.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment

The hips don't lie... Shakira IS a Latino dream

WITH a cry of "Arriba London!", a flurry of hair and the first of many thrusts of the hardest working hips in showbusiness, Shakira set about bringing some real Latin fire to town.

Most of Spanish-speaking London was there to greet her, to judge by the number of Mexican, Venezuelan and most of all, Colombian flags being flown throughout the audience.

Shakira Ripoll, from Barranquilla, Colombia, may have charmed Britain and America, but her core fans knew about her talents long before we caught up.

Refusing to compromise her setlist for the benefit of those of us not draped in yellow, red and blue, the majority of the songs she performed were in her native ..

Source:http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4623603.html

Stars align for Obama

Colombian superstar Shakira says Democrat Barack Obama is the best candidate for president, citing his leadership skills.

In a statement Saturday, the Grammy-winning pop artist said Obama can restore peace and the world's confidence in the United States. Obama faces Republican presidential nominee John McCain in the Nov. 4 election.

Obama said he was honored to receive the singer's endorsement. The Illinois senator praised Shakira as a role model for young Latinas in the U.S. and beyond.

Shakira encouraged U.S. Latinos to vote in November.

The United States "has a profound importance to me, and I think to the whole world as well," she said.

Source:http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news

Shakira to lobby on child welfare

SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - Latin pop star Shakira, showing she can move more than her hips, will lobby Latin American presidents this week to start a regional project to pump money into children's health and education.
The singer will address a summit in El Salvador of Ibero-American leaders, including the presidents of Brazil and her native Colombia, over the need to feed and educate poor children, especially amid a global economic slowdown.

"There are difficult times coming in Latin America. Thousands and thousands of children will die if governments do not organize ways to distribute food during this crisis," Shakira told Reuters.

"I grew up in the developing world and I have witnessed the lack of opportunities that children have to live with," she added, speaking by telephone from Miami.
"In a country like mine, when a child is born poor, people die poor. But I'm fascinated by the fact that through education you can transform lives, you can end this cycle of poverty."

Some 35 million children live in poverty in Latin America with little or no access to proper food and education, Shakira said. Investing in a year of primary education can increase a person's adult income by up to 20 percent, she added.

Shakira's hip-swivelling dances and catchy ballads have earned her a huge global following and a string of Grammy awards. She began getting into social issues just a few years into her pop career, starting a Colombian children's charity called the Pies Descalzos (Bare Feet) Foundation in 1997, named after her breakthrough hit album released a year before.

While celebrities like Bono and Angelina Jolie have focused on Africa, Shakira uses her fame to make headlines on Latin America, where stubbornly high poverty levels can get overlooked because of healthier overall economic indicators.

Shakira helped launch the Fundacion ALAS (Latin America in Solidarity Action), which is behind the new initiative, and has lobbied British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the U.S. Congress on the need to educate children in poor countries.

"My heart is committed to this cause and it has been there for a long time, since I was 18," said Shakira, now 31, who has sold some 50 million albums around the world.
"I like to think that I can use my public profile to bring attention to more important issues than my own."

Her new project will seek funding from organizations like the World Bank and would monitor governments' efforts closely, although the golden-tressed singer regretted she would not have time to get involved in inspection efforts on the ground.

Source:http://www.reuters.com/article/people

Columbian beauty to play Emirates Palace

SHAKIRA will headline the Rio Carnival themed New Years Eve extravaganza at Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace.

The Hips Don't Lie singer brought Dubai to a standstill when she played here last year but this will be her first gig in the capital emirate.

The one-off party will include fireworks and DJ sets from international big hitters but as yet there are no more details on the event available.

Ticket details to be announced shortly

Source: http://www.ahlanlive.com/8366-shakira-shakira