Look up main in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Main may refer to:

• Main (river), a major river and tributary of the Rhine in Germany
• Main River (Chukotka), a river in Far Eastern Siberia
• Main River, an unincorporated community in Weldford Parish, New Brunswick, Canada
• Main River (Newfoundland), a river in Newfoundland, Canada
• Main (Northern Ireland), a river in Northern Ireland as seen at Map of Northern Ireland near the town of Ballymena
• Saint Laurent Boulevard, a street in Montreal, Quebec, Canada is known as "The Main"
• Spanish Main, a name given to the Caribbean coast
• Main Street, a generic street name
• Main (lunar crater), a crater on the moon
• Main function (programming), a common function in some programming languages
• Main (surname), people with the surname Main
• Main (band), experimental musicians
• Ma'in, alternate spelling for the Minaeans, an ancient people of modern-day Yemen during the 1st millennium BC
• Water main
• Main course
• Gas main
• Chas. T. Main, an engineering company, later bought by Parsons Corporation
• main as a synonym for the ocean, as in the song "Sailing, Sailing"
• Mountain Area Information Network, an Internet service provider and web hosting service and operator of WPVM-LP (MAIN-FM) Asheville, North Carolina, USA

See also[link]

• Maine (disambiguation)
• Mains (disambiguation)
• Mane (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Prachi Desai
Prachi Desai at Launch of Neutrogena's products
Born	Prachi Desai (1988-09-12) September 12, 1988 (age 23) Surat, Gujarat, India
Other names	Prachi
Occupation	Model, Actress
Years active	2006–present

Prachi Desai (Gujarati: પ્રાચી દેસાઈ; born 12 September 1988)^[1] is an Indian film and television actress. She is best known for her role as Bani Walia in the Hindi television drama Kasamh Se which aired on Zee TV.^[2] Prachi is the endorser, spokesperson, brand ambassador and the face of Neutrogena products in India.^[3] She is also the brand ambassador of Goa Tourism, a popular holiday destination in India.

Early life[link]

Prachi was born in Surat,[Gujarat]], India.^[4] She studied in St Joseph Convent, Panchgani and completed her schooling till ninth grade in Surat.^[5] After that, she went to Pune for higher studies. She studied at Sinhagad college, Vadgaon, Pune. During her school time she was an outstanding student and always received prizes for many dancing and acting competitions .^[1]

She was in Pune for higher studies and had almost finished her junior college when her pictures were sent to Balaji Telefilms who called her for audition.^[5] She was 17 when she left her studies and started her career with Kasamh Se.^[5]

Career[link]

Telivision[link]

Prachi starred in the serial Kasamh Se on Zee TV that got her fame.^[6] She left Kasamh Se on 15 April 2008 and was replaced by Gurdeep Kohli, after being burnt and drowned in episode 562.^[7] Kasamh Se ended 12 March 2009. In the last episode, Prachi Desai made a special appearance as the former Bani. She also did a two day cameo in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, which was aired on Star Plus. She played a school student in Prerna's school.^[5] On 7 September 2007, Prachi entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the Indian version of America's dancing show, Dancing With The Stars, with choreographer Deepak Singh.^[5] She was eliminated on 10 November 2007. However, she entered the contest again via the wild-card entry on 23 November 2007.^[8] Prachi then landed a spot in the grand finale of the dance show on 15 December 2007 and won the first place amongst the contestants.^[8] She was awarded the dancing star of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 2. It was alleged that she was made to return as a wild card entry in spite of her elimination due to a direct intervention from her close personal friend, Ekta Kapoor, though the channel denied the allegations.^[8] Prachi also competed in a tribute show to Jhalak competition called Dard-e-Disco, alongside other former contestants, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television Asia on 31 December 2007.^[9]

Endorsements[link]

Prachi Desai is the brand ambassador for Goa Tourism Board, a popular holiday destination in India. She is one of the two spokesperson from India for Neutrogena Products in India, along with Deepika Padukone. She has also promoted Oral-B Smile India Movement with Sonali Bendre. Active Wheel endorsement with Salman Khan was a top rated among viewers for the chemistry between the two. On viewers' request, the other several adds of the brand were cancelled, and the same advertisement airs till date. She also endorses Sofy Sanitary Napkins and Nyle Shampoo. She has also has been signed up to be the brand ambassador of Pure-it water purifier with Farhan Akhtar. Recently Prachi was chosen the brand ambassador for Gili Signature Diamond Jewellery along with several other actresses. She also endorses Taj Mahal Tea along with actor Saif Ali Khan.

Films[link]

Rock On!! was Desai's breakthrough in Bollywood, Prachi with the film cast.

Prachi's first film was Rock On!! (2008), where she played the wife of Farhan Akhtar.^[4] Prachi had to leave her role of "Bani" in Kasamh Se to act in Rock On.^[2] Her performance was highly appreciated throughout the film. "Prachi Desai scores in her very first feature. She has a challenging role and footage-wise too, it's substantial. Prachi brings in a lot of freshness and poise. Plus, she's a competent actor," says Taran Adarsh. It was an average box-office commercial but was critically appreciated, even getting the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. She got several nominations as debutant including the Filmfare Award. She even won Anandalok Awards as Best Actress (Hindi).

Her next film was Life Partner (2009).^[10] It didn't do well at box office but her performance was again much appreciated. "Prachi Desai showed abundant promise in ROCK ON!! and excels in LIFE PARTNER too. This pretty girl has the potential to carry off most difficult scenes with aplomb." says Taran Adarsh^{[citation needed]}

In July 2010, she appeared in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai with Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut.^[11] The film proved to be a big box office success and critically praised. "Prachi Desai is a bundle of talent who proves her mettle yet again. She's proficient in emotional scenes and sizzles in the BOBBY song-sequence." says Taran Adarsh. Prachi's performance earned her many awards including IIFA Awards, Stardust Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards and many more and nominations for supporting role at Filmfare Awards and Star Screen Awards.

Prachi was working on her fourth film titled Main... Joker, opposite television actor Rajeev Khandelwal.^[12] The film is in title issues with a similarly named project and thus postponed.

Prachi Desai is also expected to act in a supporting role in Teri Meri Kahaani along with Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor. It is a tri-periodic film and she is casted for 1960 segment. Kunal Kohli, the film's director, says he cast her because he liked her in Rock On!! and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. "She plays an independent, progressive girl from the 1960s, and is a point of conflict between Shahid and Priyanka Chopra. Prachi will definitely make people sit up and notice her, as she has some of the most entertaining and romantic scenes in the film. She effortlessly held her own alongside Priyanka and Shahid and is really coming into her own as an actress. She had a good run with Rock On!! and OUATIM, and now she's doing Teri Meri Kahaani.Slowly and steadily, she's making it into the big league. It's a welcome and much-deserved entrance." he says.

Prachi has already started on her coming project, Bol Bachchan opposite Abhishek Bachchan, along with Ajay Devgn and Asin. The film is scheduled to release on July 6, 2012. She replaced Genelia D'souza who withdrew from the film for unknown reasons. Bol Bachchan director Rohit Shetty says, "What I like about Prachi is that she's extremely talented and very sincere. She is a natural performer. With time and experience, she will grow into a star. In my film, she plays a young Rajput girl who is Ajay Devgn's sister, and the only girl in a group of pehelwans. Prachi is effortless in her scenes."

Prachi will soon be seen working with John Abraham for I, Me aur Main (2012 film) which is going to be produced by Goldie Behl and directed by debutant director Kapil Sharma. Prachi is also supposed to reprise Sridevi in one of the songs in the film.

Television[link]

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

Television[link]

Indian Telly Awards

• 2006: Winner, Couple of the year – Prachi and her co-star Ram Kapoor.^[13]
• 2006: Winner, Fresh New Face of the Year (Female) – Prachi shared the award with Rajshree Vaidya.^[13]
• 2007: Winner, Best Actress – Kasamh Se.^[14]
• 2008: Special Recommendation Honour for Successful Breakthrough from Television to Films

Kalakar Awards

• 2006: Winner, Best Actress (Television) for Kasamh Se^[15]

Sansui Television Awards

• 2007: Winner, Best Actress – Kasamh Se.^[16]
• 2008: Winner, Best Actress (Popular Category) for Kasamh Se.^[17]

Zee Rishton Ka Utsav

• 2007: Winner, Favourite Bhabhi-Nanand Rishta for Kasamh Se

The Global Indian TV Honours

• 2008: Winner, Best Actress for Kasamh Se

Films[link]

Filmfare Awards

• 2008: Nominated, Best Promising Newcomer Female for Rock On!!
• 2011: Nominated, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Award for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai

Star Screen Awards

• 2008: Nominated, Best Female Debut Award for Rock On!!
• 2011: Nominated, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Award for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai

Zee Cine Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in Supporting Role (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai^[18]

Lions Gold Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in Supporting Role (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai^[19]

Stardust Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in an Ensemble Cast (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

IIFA Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

Others

• 2008: Anandalok Purashkar Award for Best Actress (Hindi), Rock On!!
• 2008: Sabse Favorite Kaun, Best Newcomer Female for Rock On!!
• 2010: Top 10 Bollywood Best Supporting Actress of the Year 2010 for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai
• 2012: Times 50 Most Desirable Women Rank #32

References[link]

External links[link]

• Prachi Desai on Twitter
• Prachi Desai Website
• Prachi Desai at the Internet Movie Database
• Prachi signs three films outside Balaji banner
• I want to explore different styles of dancing: Prachi Desai
• Prachi Desai in dilemma as she is caught between two films
• My ticket to my own little world: Prachi Desai
• Socialising is a full-time job, says Prachi Desai

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Prachi Desai

• Prachi Desai Fanclub on Twitter

Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan in 2007
Born	(1976-02-05) 5 February 1976 (age 36) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Actor, producer, television presenter
Years active	2000–present
Spouse	Aishwarya Rai (2007–present)
Children	Aaradhya Bachchan
Parents	Amitabh Bachchan Jaya Bachchan
Signature	150px

Abhishek Bachchan (born 5 February 1976 in Mumbai, Maharashtra) is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.

Bachchan debuted with J.P. Dutta's Refugee (2000), but it was not until 2004 that he achieved success when he appeared in the commercially successful Dhoom and the critically acclaimed Yuva. His work in Yuva received several awards, including his first Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actor category, an award he would win for the two next years as well. In 2010, he won his first National Film Award (as a producer) for Paa which won the award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. He has starred in films such as Bunty aur Babli, Guru, Sarkar and Dostana.

Early life[link]

Abhishek Bachchan is the son of Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan and actress Jaya Bachchan, his elder sister is Shweta Bachchan-Nanda (b. 1974). His grandfather, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was a poet of Hindi literature and professor at the Allahabad University in Uttar Pradesh. The original last name of his family is Shrivastava, Bachchan being the pen name used by his grandfather. However, when his father Amitabh entered films, he did so under his father's pen name. Bachchan is of Kayastha heritage from his father's side,^[1] Bengali Kulin Brahmin from his mother's side^[2] and Punjabi Sikh from his grandmother's side.^[3]

Bachchan was dyslexic as a child.^[4] He attended Jamnabai Narsee School and Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai, Modern School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, and Aiglon College in Switzerland.^{[citation needed]} He then attended Boston University.^{[citation needed]}

Career[link]

In the year 2000, Bachchan began his career with J.P. Dutta's Refugee. The film performed moderately well at the box office and was the fifth highest grossing film of that year.^[5] Bachchan went on to do other films, including Kuch Naa Kaho and Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, without much success.^[6]

Abhishek went on to give a string of 17 poorly received films^[7] but his performances in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003)^[6][8] and Mani Ratnam's Yuva (2004) proved his mettle as an actor.^[9] The same year, he starred in Dhoom his first commercial hit.^[6] Earning over Rs. 55 crore (US $12 million), the film became one of the top-grossing Indian films of 2004.^[10] For his work in "Yuva", Bachchan was awarded his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor

In 2005, Bachchan shot to fame with four movies that did well commercially. He starred in Shaad Ali's Bunty Aur Babli opposite Rani Mukerji. The film was a critical and commercial success becoming one of the biggest hits of 2005.^[11] In July, he appeared in Sarkar was a success at the box office and was greeted very well by critics. His performance earned him another Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. His third film was Dus was a commercial success. He starred in Rohan Sippy's Bluffmaster was a moderate success.^[12] He also received his first Filmfare nomination in the Best Actor category.

Bachchan's first 2006 release Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, became one of the biggest box office hits in India, earning Rs 458 million, and grossed over Rs 480 million abroad, the biggest Bollywood success of all-time in the overseas market up until then.^[13] He played the role of Rishi Talwar, a young man who lives in New York whose wife cheats on him with a family friend. His performance in the film earned him his third consecutive award for Best Supporting Actor at the Filmfare Awards. Bachchan's second release Umrao Jaan failed to do well at the box office, but his third film that year, Dhoom 2, did very well—although, as in the first Dhoom, critics noted that Hrithik Roshan, as the antagonist, stole the show.^[14] The film was generally well-received by both critics and the mass audience. It became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2006,^[15] and remains in the top ten on the list of highest-grossing Bollywood films in India.^[16]

In early 2007, Bachchan starred in Mani Ratnam's Guru. The film was a commercial success and his performance was acclaimed by critics and audiences, earning him his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.^[17] His next release of that year, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, failed to do well in India^[18] but did better overseas, especially in the UK.^[19][20]

In 2008 he co-starred with wife Aishwarya Rai and father Amitabh Bachchan in Ram Gopal Verma's Sarkar Raj, the sequel of Sarkar. His next film Drona was critically and commercially a failure. Later the same year he starred in Karan Johar's romantic comedy Dostana opposite John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra.^[21] Bachchan and Abraham star as two men who pretend to be gay, so that they can rent an apartment from an older lady, and later fall in love with the same girl, who is the woman's niece. The film was a big success at the box office.^[22]

In 2009, Abhishek appeared in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi-6. The film opened to mixed reviews and received a poor financial profit.^[23] In the same year, Bachchan produced the Hindi film Paa for AB Corp. Ltd.^[24] The film is based on a rare genetic condition known as progeria and places emphasis on a father-son relationship. Abhishek played the father of his real-life father Amitabh, with Vidya Balan playing the mother. The film received positive reviews and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

In January 2010, Bachchan hosted a game show for Colors titled National Bingo Night.^[25][26] The debut episode fetched a 3.5 in the TV ratings.^[27] In 2010, he starred as the villain in Mani Ratnam's Raavan, alongside his wife Aishwarya. Rediff said the film had "great performances", but the film was generally a critical and commercial failure.^[28][29][30] In the same year, he appeared in Ashutosh Gowariker's Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.^[31]

In April 2011, Abhishek starred in the action film Game directed by Abhinay Deo.^[32] Later in that month, he played the lead in Dum Maaro Dum, which opened to mostly positive reviews from critics. Bachchan's acting was highly appreciated in the movie and considered as one of the best roles of the year.^[33][34]

Abhishek Bachchan is working on releasing a hip hop album titled "Side B" in late 2011.^[35]

Other work[link]

In 2005, he was a part of Tamil director Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai, an event which sought to raise funds for The Banyan, a voluntary organisation which rehabilitates homeless women with mental illness in Chennai.^[36]

In the summer of 2008, Bachchan, his wife, his father, and actors Preity Zinta, Ritesh Deshmukh, and Madhuri Dixit starred in the "Unforgettable World Tour" stage production. The first leg covered the USA, Canada, Trinidad, and London, England. Bachchan is also involved in the functional and administrative operations of his father's company, originally known as ABCL, and rechristened as AB Corp. Ltd. That company, along with Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., developed the Unforgettable production.^[37]

In 2011, Bachchan has promoted awareness of drug abuse in India as part of a citizen education campaign. The actor launched the Awareness Day race, which celebrated the silver jubilee of the country's Narcotics Control Bureau.^[38][39]

Personal life[link]

In October 2002, at Amitabh Bachchan's 60th birthday celebration, Abhishek and actress Karisma Kapoor announced their engagement.^[7] The engagement was called off in January 2003.

Bachchan and actress Aishwarya Rai announced their engagement on 14 January 2007.^[40] The couple was married on 20 April 2007, according to traditional Hindu rituals of the Bunt community, to which Rai belongs. The wedding took place in a private ceremony at the Bachchan residence, Prateeksha, in Juhu, Mumbai, but was heavily covered by the entertainment media. The couple appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 28 September 2009.^[41] Rai gave birth to a baby girl on 16 November 2011.^[42] Their daughter's name is Aaradhya Bachchan.^[43]

Filmography[link]

Producer[link]

• 2011: Bbuddah... Hoga Tera Baap

See also[link]

• List of Indian Actors

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Abhishek Bachchan

• Abhishek Bachchan at the Internet Movie Database

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Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh, This is the photograph in a photo studio of Delhi before going for Central Assembly Hall action in first week of April 1929
Born	27 September 1907 Chak No. 105, Banga village, Jaranwala Tehsil, Lyallpur (Present Faisalabad,(Pakistan)), Punjab, British India[1]
Died	23 March 1931 (aged 23)[2][3] Lahore, Punjab, British India
Influenced by	Anarchism, Communism, Socialism
Religion	Sikhism (early life), Atheism (later life)[4][5][6][7]

Bhagat Singh (IPA: [pə̀ɡət̪ sɪ́ŋɡ] ( listen); 28 September 1907 – 23 March 1931) was an Indian nationalist considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement. He is often referred to as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the word Shaheed meaning "martyr" in a number of Indian languages.^[8][2][3]

Born into a Sikh Jat family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj, as a teenager Singh studied European revolutionary movements and was attracted to anarchist and marxist ideologies. He became involved in numerous revolutionary organisations, and quickly rose through the ranks of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) to become one of its main leaders, eventually changing its name to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928.^[9][10][11]

Seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai at the hands of the police, Singh was involved in the assassination of British police officer John Saunders. He eluded efforts by the police to capture him. Together with Batukeshwar Dutt, he undertook a successful effort to throw two bombs and leaflets inside the Central Legislative Assembly while shouting slogans of Inquilab Zindabad. Subsequently they volunteered to surrender and be arrested. Held on this charge, he gained widespread national support when he underwent a 116 day fast in jail, demanding equal rights for British and Indian political prisoners.^[12] During this time, sufficient evidence was brought against him for a conviction in the Saunders case, after trial by a Special Tribunal and appeal at the Privy Council in England. He was convicted and subsequently hanged for his participation in the murder, aged 23. His legacy prompted youth in India to begin fighting for Indian independence and he continues to be a youth idol in modern India, as well as the inspiration for several films.^{[13][14][15][16]} He is commemorated with a large bronze statue in the Parliament of India, as well as a range of other memorials.

Early life[link]

Bhagat Singh was born to Kishan Singh Sandhu and Vidyavati Kaur at Chak No. 105, Banga village, Jaranwala Tehsil in the Lyallpur district of the Punjab Province of British India.^[1][17] He belonged to a patriotic Jat Sikh family, some of whose members had participated in Indian Independence movements, and others had served in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army.^[18] His ancestors hailed from the village of Khatkar Kalan near the town of Banga in Nawashahr district Jalandhar (now renamed Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) of Punjab.^[19][20] Singh's given name of "Bhagat" means 'devotee' and he was nicknamed "Bhaganwala" ('the lucky one') by his grandmother, since the news of the release of his uncle Ajit Singh from Mandalay jail and that of his father from Lahore jail both coincided with his birth.^[19][21] His grandfather, Arjun Singh, was a follower of Swami Dayananda Saraswati's Hindu reformist movement, Arya Samaj,^[22] which had a considerable influence on the young Bhagat.^[23] His father, and uncles Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh, were members of the Ghadar Party, led by Kartar Singh Sarabha and Har Dayal.^[24] Ajit Singh was forced to flee to Persia due to pending court cases against him, while Swaran Singh died at home in 1910 following his release from Borstal Jail in Lahore.^[24]