Coal India gives investors exit option until Oct 25

NEW DELHI Oct 22 (Reuters) - Coal India, whose $3.5 billion IPO was more than 15 times subscribed, has been asked by the capital markets regulator to offer investors an exit option until Oct. 25 after errors were pointed out in its prospectus, the state-run company's chairman said.

Partha Bhattacharyya said figures were "interchanged" in two places and termed them as "typographical errors".

Finance Director A.K. Sinha said accretion in stock and other income got interchanged in the company's standalone financial statement printed in the prospectus and it had no impact on the company's total income and profit figures.

Asked if the exit option would have any impact on the subscriptions, Bhattacharyya said: "This is a trivial kind of a thing. We wanted to abide by the regulation. "I don't see any impact."

For an earlier Reuters story on the largest Indian IPO, see [ID:nSGE69K0JD] (Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Ranjit Gangadharan)

The bikini you love best on Mallika

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When Mallika Sherawat burst into the scene with Murder, every red-blooded male took notice.

Since then the buxom beauty has won many fans -- not just for her body, but also for her witty repartees.

It's been a while since we've seen the actress back in action. So we're quite psyched about her new film Hissss releasing this Friday. Though she's mostly seen in rather elaborate makeup in the movie (after all, she does play a snake woman), we know the hottie rocks under all that goo.

Here are some instances where she does just that. Click through the pictures and vote for your favourite at the end.

White vixen

A simple white two-piece never looked so tempting as Mallika luxuriously stretches her curvy body on matching white fur.

Russell Band Plans Family With Katy

Russell Barnd thinks he will be a very good father as he loves children. He confesses that even amidst his acting and work, whenever he had his friends children around, he would start playing with them and the kids too are very fond of him.

The otherwise famous womeniser, Russell Brand, now confesses that he is head over heels on Katy Perry and can't wait to get married and have a family with her.

“It’s nice and when you find someone you get on with things like fame and celebrity cease to matter and it’s like having a mate and someone you get on with and can be normal with,” says Russell.

He also further revealed that Katy Perry gets on very well with his mother Barbara. “Katy was lovely when she met my mum. She came round my mum’s house. Katy’s dead nice and normal, a down to earth easy going sort of person. She’s really, really sweet and easy to be around and she was lovely with my mum, they get on right well. But you don’t want them getting too much of an alliance going though do you? You want to keep people baffled and confused, you don’t want them coming down on you.”

Katy Perry and Russell Brand, are looking forward their wedding in one of the most beautiful places of India, Jaipur.

Two is company

When observed closely, one can say that Ram Gopal Varma and Vivek Oberoi have led parallel lives. Both know what it’s to be on the top of the game, and both know what it’s to be down and out. With Rakht Charitra, releasing today, the duo hopes the world will once again sit up and take notice of the hard work they have put into a project together. Their wish list also includes setting the cash registers ringing — that’s something neither of them has done in a long time.

“In so many years, it was for the first time that I felt a certain passion while doing a film. I used to reach the venue earlier than the scheduled time. It felt exactly the same when I did Company. The only difference was, this film marks my debut in the South with the Tamil and Telugu versions,” says Oberoi, who portrays the character of the Andhra Pradesh politician Paritala Ravi, a rebel-turned-politician. Varma terms this as “Vivek’s best performance”. Oberoi was the director’s natural choice for the role. “There are less than 10 actors in the country,” says the filmmaker, who feels Oberoi has a vulnerable, cocky and arrogant attitude about him which makes him a good actor.

The partnership of Varma and Oberoi goes back to 2000 when the latter’s father, veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, had come to Varma with a few pictures of his son. “At that point, I was looking for somebody to play Chandu in Company. Suresh (Oberoi) happened to come to me at the right time. I looked at his photographs and immediately decided to cast him,” reminisces Varma. Oberoi was happy to be debuting with the talented filmmaker, who was known for successful films like Satya, Rangeela, and Shiva. “There was no way I would have said no,” says the actor, who became a popular face in Bollywood soon after the release.

John's the best, forget the rest!

Sukanya Verma reviews Jhootha Hi Sahi.

Betraying the heroine by acquiring someone else's identity or concealing one's own in order to win her heart is old hat as far as Bollywood formulas go. Professor, Saajan, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, Chachi 420, Ghajini [ Images ], anyone? Except by setting this romantic script around a telephone helpline number, filmmaker Abbas Tyrewala and story-writer Pakhi make the proceedings a tad more interesting.
The latter, also Tyrewala's significant other, is the leading lady of this jointly collaborated rom-com, Jhootha Hi Sahi. Not exactly a bright casting judgment from the otherwise incisive, versatile creative who appointed the missus to assemble actors for his critically and commercially-acclaimed directorial debut, Jaane Tu [ Images ]...Yaa Jaane Na.

Pakhi previously played a college teacher in Hansal Mehta's Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai but failed to grab eyeballs. While Jhootha Hi Sahi is a decidedly extensive platform to display her acting chops, the lady's complete lack of screen presence makes it an unlikely feat. Nonetheless, most of the supporting cast is adept at communicating Tyrewala's blend of crisp, zany humour and the ensuing implausibility with heartening simplicity.

Even so it's John Abraham [ Images ] who steals the show with little help from his Clark Kent glasses, barely-there stubble and snug khaki pants. But mostly it's the untapped guy-next-door appeal and soothing texture of his gentle voice (stutter included) that does the trick. It's commendable for an enduring sex symbol to make the viewer forget he's one and see him in an entirely new, earnest light. He's genuinely notable and not just sincere, which, frankly is a polite way of saying 'lousy actor, tremendous effort.'

JA plays Siddharth, a National Geographic-obsessed nerdy owner of an Indian book store in London [ Images ], which he runs in partnership with his Notting Hill/Friends-inspired circle of friends -- caustic Omar (Raghu Ram makes an effortless transition from ruthless to real and fun) and fumbling Amit (Omar Khan is hilarious with the creepy Did you knows?). His hoity-toity girlfriend, Krutika/Kuttika (Manasi Scott is convincingly bullheaded), Omar's short-tempered pregnant sister Aliya (Alishka Varde, sweet face, terrible dialogue delivery), her besotted boyfriend Nick (a harmless George Young), Amit's secret crush Uday (Prashant Chawla underplays the homosexual clich) extend the narrative with their definitive quirks and preferences.

A mix-up of telephone numbers results in Sid volunteering to calm down suicidal folk calling for help followed by SOS voice cameos of Imran Khan [ Images ], Ritesh Deshmukh [ Images ] and Abhishek Bachchan [ Images ]. It's a droll gimmick and works well.

One such phone call introduces him and us to Miskha 'from the video store' (Pakhi) who can be best summed up with a slightly altered Pedro Almodovar movie title -- Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Her reasons too, like that of Priyanka Chopra [ Images ] in the recently released Anjaana Anjaani, involve boyfriend trouble. Read that as R Madhavan [ Images ] (in a rare overdone performance) reduced to a Raj Kiran brand of conceited and condescending character.

For a script so hopelessly dependent on conversation, Jhootha Hi Sahi is one spark-free one on one. Sad, considering Tyrewala's mastery of words, genre no bar, makes him one of the best screenwriters in the business. Instead the screenplay resorts to the oldest and convenient-most trick in the trade of substituting verbal interaction for tame song sequences. At the same time, dialogues go out of their way to emphasise on its heroine's implied good looks. Only Pakhi, with her hard expressions, and a warmth-exuding John share zero chemistry. That, plus her needy, indecisive and clingy Mishka dissuade you from making any connect; forget rooting for a happily ever-after.

Disapproval aside, Pakhi ensures she gifts herself a rather elaborate, filmi climax around the majestic Tower Bridge, which is almost in the same over-the-top vein if not as endearing as the one in Jaane Tu...Yaa Jaane Na.

The first-film hangover is evident every now and then. Similar to Jaane Tu's opening titles featuring A R Rahman's [ Images ] jazz-coated Tu bole played out against a blurred out montage of Mumbai [ Images ], Jhootha Hi Sahi too sets off scanning a sky high view of Central London in tandem with Vijay Yesudas's soulful serenade, I'll be waiting.

And while Manoj Lobo's vibrant cinematography delivers a handsome visual package of the grand city, Jhootha Hi Sahi, save for the odd 'B' word or Indo-Pak camaraderie, doesn't really have an English bone in its body. Nor a romantic one.

Judge rejects BJP MLAs' plea for records

The Hindu BJP workers staged a dharna in front of Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah in Bangalore on Wednesday. It was in protest against a demonstration by Congress leaders in front of Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa's residence on Tuesday night.

 

The rebel BJP legislators in Karnataka, who have challenged their disqualification from the Assembly, suffered a setback on Wednesday, with the Karnataka High Court rejecting their request to summon the records of their disqualification proceedings from the office of Speaker K.G. Bopaiah.

Meanwhile, political defections are expected to receive a new thrust with all the main parties — the Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party — working on ways to add to their strength in the Assembly.

Reports say that at least two Congress legislators belonging to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's community could extend support to the BJP. One Congress MLA resigned from the Assembly on Tuesday.

Justice V.G. Sabhahit, the third judge hearing the petitions filed by the 11 BJP rebel legislators after a Division Bench delivered a split verdict on October 18, orally rejected their request to summon the records.

The advocate appearing for seven of them orally asked the court to call for the records. “The records are important as they will show clear bias of the Chief Minister against the petitioners.”

Justice Sabhahit said the records could not be summoned as no such plea was made when the case was before the Division Bench. “I have been asked to give a judgment on a point of reference: the action of the Speaker in disqualifying the legislators. I will not consider any other matter.”

The judge told counsel that if he still “insisted on seeking for the records, he has to file an application. Let the other side file its objections. I will pass orders.” When counsel pointed out that he was only making an oral plea, the judge said: “This is orally rejected.”

Speaking to journalists at his residence on Wednesday, Mr. Yeddyurappa accused the Congress and the JD(S) of “relentlessly” trying to destabilise his government. He said he planned to order a judicial inquiry into the land in possession of the leaders of the two parties.

“Half of the total extent of land available around Bangalore is owned by the former Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, and State Congress chief R.V. Deshpande,” he said.

BJP workers stage dharna

BJP members on Wednesday staged a dharna in front of the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah. Their action, they said, was in protest against Congress leaders trying to show the Chief Minister in poor light by staging a protest in front of his residence on Tuesday night after a Congress MLA resigned from the Assembly.

SC sets parameters for live-in maintenance

A long-term live-in relationship between a couple who have lived like spouses in the eyes of society deserves the same legal status as given to a formal marriage, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.

Describing live-in relationship as an emerging social phenomenon in “big” urban cities, the court clarified the law to hold that a woman abandoned by her live-in companion is eligible to claim maintenance from him, provided both were single and had lived like spouses in the eyes of society for a substantial period of time.

These observations were passed in a judgment defining the expression “relationships in the nature of marriage” in the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The statute provides that a woman deserted from such a relationship is equally eligible for maintenance as a woman abandoned by her legally wedded husband.

Showtime for Bollywood

After making their presence felt on reality shows, Bollywood stars are now increasingly appearing in cameos on television serials to promote their upcoming films. Stars such as like Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Salman Khan, Mallika Sherawat and Neetu Kapoor are increasingly making a beeline for serials, an arrangement that benefits both big and small screen stars, according to industry experts. “Television is the best way to connect with the audience,” says Aatish Kapadia, writer-director of Khichdi-The Movie, the cast of which appeared Sab TV’s show, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma, recently. Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, too, starred in the same show to promote their recent release, Do Dooni Chaar. “The small screen has a huge and dedicated audience. Somehow, the characters of our film could be integrated into the show as both are aimed at family audiences,” the film’s director Habib Faisal said.
Sometimes, the script of a show is tweaked to accommodate film stars. “The actors can be weaved into the script in such a way that viewers can connect with them,” says Kapadia.
Abhishek Bachchan made an appearance on Colors’ show Balika Vadhu prior to his flop film, Drona, while actors Sharman Joshi and Vatsal Seth appeared on a Valentine’s Day special of a show when they had the romcom, Toh Baat Pakki, coming up. Actor Ajay Devgn will feature in an upcoming episode of Crime Patrol to promote his film, Aakrosh.
Other A-listers have also been bitten by the television bug include. While Akshay had a cameo appearance on Star Plus’ Sasural Genda Phool for his movie Khatta Meetha, Salman Khan was seen promoting Dabangg on Laagi Tujhse Lagan, aired on Colors. Emraan Hashmi and Prachi Desai made a guest appearance on Sony’s long-running detective show, CID, for Once Upon A Time in Mumbai.
John Abraham is set to feature on two Sab TV shows — FIR and Taarak Mehta — where he will be seen promoting Abbas Tyrewala’s Jhootha Hi Sahi. Mallika Sherawat too will make an appearance on Colors’ show Naa Aana Iss Des Ladoo to promote her much-awaited film, Hisss.

Travesty, if retailers shy away from Coal India IPO: Udayan

The Coal India IPO has seen heavy-duty demand. India's biggest IPO has been subscribed at 11.4 times on day 3. The QIB book which closes today has seen blockbuster demand of over 24 times. The response has been quite unprecedented in Indian capital markets’ history. Retail and non-institutional investors' portion got subscribed 0.79 times and 1.38 times, respectively.

The issue has seen a total demand of USD 35 billion. It has received bids for 656.15 crore equity shares as against the issue size of 63.16 crore shares. The issue will close on October 21 for retail investors, NIIs and employees.

CNBC-TV18’s Udayan Mukherjee felt though response was always expected to be good for the issue the numbers are quite staggering. “About 25 times on the QIB book, I was expecting 15 times odd at best but 25 times on that bigger book, so you got USD 38 billion. That is the number of money, amount of money which has been put in I think it is overwhelming and it tell you that you get good quality paper out at a good price most importantly because the same global investors were all around through the year. They had bigger issues not as big as Coal India like NMDC, which was an opportunity which the government let pass. There was NHPC but you did not see this kind of subscription at all. A lot of global investors complaint that the pricing was too steep and they chose to stay away. But finally we have got this right. We hope the government gets enthused by this and subsequent issues they actually offer a global investors stock at attractive prices because there will be many more big issues like NMDC etc, which will all come about. So I think this is a seminal event. The fact that one Indian IPO can attract USD 38 billion of cash,” he said.

He further added, “It has put end to a lot of hope or fears that we always had in the market that every time we get a 2-3 billion dollar kind of issuance it will automatically chock the secondary market. Coal India tells you that should not be the case. For good quality paper, new money will come to India and you will get huge amount of subscriptions. I am very bullish at what is happened with the Coal India. I think more importantly you will see a huge amount of oversubscription for HNIs.”

Explaining the problem faced by retail, Mukherjee said, “Since the amount is fixed you need for oversubscription a huge number of people to come in and bid. The same is not true for HNIs or QIBs there the money is important. So I think HNIs oversubscription will be absolutely staggering and very little allotment will be got by a lot of the HNIs who are leveraging and bidding. On retail, I think that is the test—how many new investors can Coal India convert? I still think today being the last day if it is not too late a lot of people should come in and start looking at this issue and it would be a travesty if some part of retail is under subscribed or retail does not get oversubscribed because I think they would be passing of an opportunity.”

Katy in-tent on wedding day luxury

Russell Brand and Katy Perry arrived in India last night ready for their wedding this weekend.

The couple will tie the knot at the salubrious tented resort of Aman-i-Khas - on the edge of a tiger reserve.

They landed at Jaipur and made the three-hour journey to the camp in a Mercedes with blacked out windows.

Twenty guests, including Katy's parents and comedian David Baddiel, also arrived at the desert city.


The couple have been busy planning their big day ever since Brand, 35, proposed to the 26-year-old singer during a holiday in India last year.

She is reported to have hired renowned wedding planner Mindy Weiss to arrange the ceremony.

Aman-i-Khas is situated next to the Ranthambore national park, the best place in India to spot wild tigers.

Its 10 eco-chic tents cost £600-a-night each. Sources say the pair have booked the entire camp for the week.

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Mallika's brother not happy with her nude scenes

We heard not long ago that Mallika Sherawat's brother Vikram Singh staged ruckus on the sets of Hisss, as he was not comfortable with his sister doing nude scenes, but nobody from the film unit spoke out then. Now that the film is getting ready for release, the actress herself has opened up.

Mallika Sherawat, who is currently busy promoting Hisss, admitted that her brother objected to her nude scenes in the film and even walked out of the sets. However, she didn't listen to him and shot the steamy scenes.


Besides nude scenes, the daring actress has lovemaking scenes with snake. She kissed and licked a snake and even claimed that it was the best kiss she has ever had.

Hisss, directed by Jennifer Lynch and produced by Govind Menon, Vikram Singh, Ratan Jain and William Sees Keenan, is all set for release this Friday, October 22. Mallika Sherawat plays the lead role with Irrfan Khan and Jeff Doucette as her co-stars.

Schedule for Obama's India visit not finalised yet'

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama's visit to India next month would primarily focus on Mumbai and New Delhi, the White House has said, adding that the schedule has not been finalised yet.

Responding to questions about Obama cancelling his trip to Amritsar as reported earlier, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that the President would love to spend more time than the three days he has in India.

"Look, it's a big country. We would love to spend a lot more than the three allotted days that we have in India. This trip will focus our business in the cities of Mumbai and New Delhi. But we pick where we're going to go on trips based on what we hope to accomplish," Gibbs said.

"We pick sites on foreign trips based on what the President wants to accomplish. We've not finalised the schedule for Asia, including India, yet. We hope to do that over the course of the next week," he said in response to a question.

"We send advance people to many places in each country before we make decisions, in consultation with the host country, in this case the Indian government, about where to go," Gibbs said.

After a presidential advance trip visited Amritsar last month, it was being widely speculated that Obama would travel to Amritsar and visit the Golden temple there.

According to some reports, the White House team, which visited India last month, had ruled out Obama wearing the traditional scarf to cover his head as they felt may convey an image of him appearing to be a Muslim -- a misinterpretation which the team would like to avoid.

"India is a vast and extraordinary country, and there are many more events that the President would like to do - and sites that our advance teams visit - than he will have time for during a three day visit," a White House official had said.

The US President is confident of achieving a tangible result during his first-ever trip to India, Gibbs had noted