The Canadian- Indian actress, Lisa Ray proclaims that she is a cancer graduate and believes in the power of yoga and she is also writing a book on the deadly disease. She accepts that she has been desperately waiting to make a comeback in Bollywood and declares that the industry’s international appeal has been growing by leaps and bounds.  But she refuses to speak about the details of her upcoming Bollywood project.

Ms. Ray informed IANS, “India has started to make an international impact and we are going from strength to strength. The kind of films that are being made now, the scripts…the way films are being made keeping in mind the global audience and also the technology advancements… It is growing by leaps and bounds.”

She stepped into Bollywood through her 2001 movie ‘Kasoor’ and is well known for her stellar performance in the critically acclaimed Deepa Mehta’s ‘Water’.  The actress was doing brilliantly in Bollywood/Hollywood movies like ‘Kill Kill Faster Faster’, ‘I can’t Think Straight’ and ‘Cooking with Stella’. In 2009, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her bone marrow, multiple myeloma. In spite of the harrowing experiences she must have gone through, she views the phase with a positive attitude.

“I have been through a difficult period and I was very open about it. There are many lessons that I learnt during that phase of my life. I call myself a cancer graduate now. Now I am more prepared and enthusiastic about life. I am excited to re-engage with life,” she revealed.

The 39 year old actress was born to a Bengali father and a Polish mother and made her entry into the film industry in the year 1994 through a Tamil movie, ‘Nethaji’.

She is quite busy these days working on her book.  “After suffering from such a life-threatening phase, I have realized that life is too important to take it for granted. I take complete care of my health, I eat healthy, keep note of my medicines and yoga is a great help. The fact that I have always believed in yoga and have been doing it since last 12 years can be the reason I have so much hope and energy within,” she reflects on how she has realized the importance of her life.

The actress is also looking forward to open a yoga studio in Canada.  ”Life has taken a new turn and I feel blessed and rewarded. I am happy to be alive. I am working on opening a yoga studio in Canada and also writing a book on cancer awareness,” she gladly declares.

Ms. Ray also believes that she now views relationships with greater importance now.  ”I believe that relationships with people who really love and care for you help you survive. I have learnt it the hard way that one should give enough time to relationships that matter”.

When questioned about her relationship with Paolo Zambaldi, a fashion photographer her response was : “I am not looking forward to marrying some time very soon, but I am enjoying this phase with him right now. I wish and hope that life gets better after this.”

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It’s a well known fact that Imran Khan starrer Delhi Belly is making records in the box office. But as we all know, along with fame comes trouble too. Delhi Belly has more than one controversy linked to it and here are a few to name:

Aamir Khan has been summoned by the court due to a minor level filmmaker and an event manager. He has filed a case against Aamir for displaying obscene scenes in the movie Delhi Belly that hit the screens last week.

On July 8^th Farah Ayaz Ghani filed a complaint in the suburban court of Bandra against Ronnie Screwvala, Abhinay Deo (director of the movie), Akshat Verma (writer), Aamir and his better half Kiran Rao. The complaint falls under more than one section of IPC.  The aforementioned members of the film have been charged for obsecinity under section 292 and under the section 295 for deliberately hurting the feelings of a specific religion through insult.  July 27^th has been decided as the day for recording the complaint statement, informed her lawyer Prashant Pansare. Gahni has alleged that foul and vulgar language has been used throughout the movie and the hero of the film is seen in a kissing scene with the heroine while both were attired in ‘Burkha’.  It is believed that this is bound to hurt the religious feelings of a minority community as wearing the holy attire doesn’t permit such acts.

Another major opposition the film is facing is from the Nationalist Congress Party. The activist protested vigorously outside two cinema theatres on Monday because of the objectionable and vulgar content displayed in the movie. The afternoon shows were cancelled by the management due to the protests. With Prakash Gaondi and Anil Pharat in the lead, the protest was led with about 50 angry activists from NCP.  They created havoc in front of Parvati and Padma halls when the afternoon shows had begun.  Apart from tearing the banners, posters and shouting slogans, threats were delivered to barge into the hall unless the show was cancelled.  Police informed that about 20 NCP members at the protests were detained and the theatre had been provided with additional security. A police officer from the police station of Laxmipuri, Kolhapur revealed that the party members had warned the management on Sunday regarding the protest and asked them to cancel the shows.

It’s quite common that movies that are produced by big banners face such opposition from the public and political parties. Another common phenomenon in the glamour world is actors acting pricey after their movie makes it big. Delhi Belly is no exception to this phenomenon too. It looks as though success has fed its poison to actor Vijay Raaz. He opted out of a new movie even before the shooting started. Sources informed that the actor was not content with his role in Anand Kumar’s Zilla Ghaziabad after the success of Delhi Belly. While the director is fuming and accusing Vijay for letting success get to his head, Vijay has clarified that there have been problems with the dates. Now there is no chance to know on whose lies the truth, is there?