It looks like she had a good time posing for the photographs!

Also in this press interview, Jia wanted all the men out there to know, “I am quite the geek and I’ve always been a geek. You won’t believe it but right now my hobby and passion is astronomy. And I spend most night indoors in my own house curled up with a book. I used to watch a lot of Tom and Jerry as a kid too!”

Continue reading to see more of Jia’s pictures from her shoot with Maxim Magazine in India!
 

When I sat to write this piece, honestly, it was agonizing; I was given a task – pick eight stand-out artists from the South Asian music scene and at the same time, not seem bias – trust me, it was a very difficult task! From the USA, into Canada, to the UK, and dipping into India, I narrowed my list down to eight contenders, who have proved they are “the best of the best.” We have singers, rappers, and producers – all who allow their forte to shine the brightest in today’s South Asian music scene.

We start our journey in Orlando, Florida, where rapper Ajaxxx is on a mission to release four CDs in one year – a feat which many artists have tried, but failed at. He’s is one of the most intense MCs we have in today’s Desi music scene and definitely has ‘something to prove’ to all his listeners! Ajaxxx has three internationally-released CDs: “It’s About Time,” “Something to Prove Promo,” and “The Set-Up.” With three more CDs in the works, Ajaxxx is determined to make his music known to the rest of the world. However, CDs and TV commercials aren’t the only thing which is bringing Ajaxxx to the top. He’s also been featured in internationally published magazines, and I don’t mean Canada – international meaning Hong Kong and India! It’s also important to note that Ajaxxx was one of ten finalists, in a recent “Rap Against Violence” contest – and the only South Asian winner. His song, “Walk With You” was featured on a non-profit CD and played on the top hip-hop radio stations across the state of Florida. Keeping that in mind, how many artists can you name who’ve had a TV commercial air…

Mere words cannot be used to describe this amazing dancer. As a trained dancer in

Tirusha: Nakul, I had to admit, I’m a huge fan, and you’ve come quite far in your career as a chorographer! I respect your style and commitment to the art of dancing. If you could describe yourself in five words, what would they be?
Nakul: Thank you Tirusha. I am honored that you have an interest in my work. Although hard to describe myself in ‘single’ words, my personal descriptors…

After dishing out four consecutive bombers at the box office in 2006 and 2007 including Darna Zaroori Hai, Nishabd, Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, and Darling, it seemed as if Ram Gopal Varma, better known as RGV, had finally hit a dead end. Not only did movie critics in India begin writing him down, but his own fans lost respect for him as a director. But how can one possibly ignore the oh-so-powerful RGV? That’s right, you can’t! And RGV surely made this clear with his latest blockbuster, Sarkar Raj.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Amitabh Bachchan first created magic together with their chartbusting song, Kajra Re from Bunty Aur Babli, in 2005 and they recreated that magic once again with their performances in Sarkar Raj! Amitabh Bachchan is, well, Amitabh Bachchan. There is no comparing this legendary actor to others in the industry. His presence onscreen playing various different characters always leaves viewers in awe, but his image as the “godfather” in Sarkar Raj best relates to his real-life status in Bollywood. Amitabh truly is the “godfather” of the Indian film industry! Bachchan’s performance in the film, to say the least, is amazing! His role as Subhash Nagre has much more meat to it in Sarkar Raj than it did in the prequel, Sarkar, and it leaves a lasting impact on the audience.

When Amitabh Bachchan is present in a film, it is completely normal to see the other actors as “side characters.” However, that is not the case in Sarkar Raj. Both Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stand on the same step of the ladder as Amitabh himself. Without expressing much emotion throughout the film, Abhishek Bachchan delivers yet another electrifying performance as the convincing son and powerful leader, Shankar Nagre.…

So, what are our beloved Bollywood sitaaren up to these days in India? Well, the new trend that seems to have taken over the industry in the recent past is playing hosts and judges on reality television shows. Stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Ajay and Kajol Devgan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan have already hopped onto the bandwagon.

More popularly known as KBC, Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan himself, was one of the very first and, by far, the most well-known reality TV show. It was first aired in 2000 with Bachchan as host. In 2005, the show was restarted after a four-year hiatus, and renamed KBC2. When Amitabh suddenly fell ill, he later declared that he would not be returning. So, Shah Rukh Khan agreed to take Bachchan’s place, and played host on KBC2 starting in January of 2007. While Amitabh and Shah Rukh got up-close and personal with the aam janta, or the average person living in India, Bollywood’s most fun-loving director, Karan Johar, decided to take a different route and interviewed popular film personalities on his entertaining, controversial, and insightful show, Koffee with Karan. This show quickly became a biggie for Bollywood fans all around the world as we got a chance to witness our favorite actors and actresses opening up to their good friend, Karan Johar. Due to the enormous popularity of the show and appearances by numerous stars, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear if Koffee with Karan inspired other actors and actresses in the industry to have their own reality TV shows.

It came as a huge surprise to the nation when Ajay Devgan, his wife, Kajol, and Kajol’s mother, Tanuja, announced that they would be judging Zee…

Director’s Note: At the outset I want to make it clear that Sarkar Raj has nothing to do with Godfather-2. It also does not take off from where Sarkar ended. In the life of a man like Sarkar there are bound to be many incidents which will give rise to new complex situations. So for want of a better word I would like to describe Sarkar Raj as the new adventures of the Nagre family.

For me, the Sarkar films are about framing and showcasing the aura of power.

I have employed each and every aspect of film making, be it music or screenplay or cinematography, for one and only one purpose- that is to capture the intensity in the actors’ eyes, through which we see a world of high drama be it politics, treachery, revenge, passion, courage, love or relationships.

Sarkar Raj is much bigger than Sarkar in scale mainly because the issues and character conflicts it deals with are much more complex and intriguing than Sarkar.

I, along with my crew, pushed the upper limits of technique to make each frame and sound vibrate with power. But no technique is of any value unless it is backed by performances.

I have always believed that there is no greater cinematic visual than an actor performing in tight close-up. The faces of the Bachchans in Sarkar Raj are the ultimate testimony of that.

The film belongs to me but the power belongs to the Bachchans.

Ram…