Hugh Grant, slain girl's parents make new hacking claims

LONDON: Actor Hugh Grant launched a stinging attack on Britain's tabloids Monday, alleging at an inquiry that phone hacking was used by a non-Rupert Murdoch paper and that a burglary at his flat led to stories.

On a dramatic first day of evidence in Britain's press ethics probe, the parents of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler also said Murdoch's News of the World gave them false hope that she was alive by deleting some of her messages.

Grant, best known for his comic roles in films like "Notting Hill", accused The Mail on Sunday newspaper of running a story on his relationship with socialite Jemima Khan in 2007 that he believed had been obtained by hacking.

The 51-year-old by turns delivered quips that would not have been out of place in his movies; became testy with the line of questioning by the inquiry lawyer; and delivered impassioned criticism of the tabloid press.

His allegation against The Mail on Sunday, owned by the UK's Associated Newspapers group, was the second time the inquiry has heard claims that Murdoch's News of the World was not the only newspaper involved in phone hacking.

Grant said the story -- for which he later won a libel payout -- claimed his relationship with Khan was on the rocks and he was having late-night telephone chats with a "plummy voiced studio executive", but was false.

"I'd love to hear what their source was if it wasn't phone hacking," he said, while admitting that he had no firm evidence for the allegation.

In a statement, a spokesman for the weekly tabloid said it "utterly refutes" the claims, which were "mendacious smears driven by his hatred of the media".

The story "came from a freelance journalist who had been told by a source who was regularly speaking to Jemima Khan."

The financier's daughter then tweeted: "That's not true as the first time I heard anything about this was when I read about it in the MoS.

"The 'source' close to me must be psychic. The MoS claim that he/she gave them a story I knew nothing about till it was in the paper."

Grant also accused another tabloid, the Daily Mirror, owned by Trinity Mirror, of accessing his medical records. (AFP)

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Salman doesn’t like to be compared to Rajni

MUMBAI: Salman Khan is miffed with Kareena Kapoor. The actor who is otherwise very fond of Bebo got miffed with her when she compared him to superstar Rajnikanth.

At a recent press conference, Kareena had stated that she considered Salman as the Rajni of Bollywood. The actress said, “ To me Salman is the Rajnikanth of Bollywood. His action sequences, his screen presence reminds us of the same Rajnikanth that we saw earlier in Bollywood.”

Instead of taking it as a compliment, Salman was disappointed to be compared to the southern star. Salman stated that it was wrong to call him Rajnikanth as he was not in the same league.

While both Salman and Rajni’s action sequences are larger than life, Salman felt that Rajni is of a different league altogether.

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28th death anniversary of Waheed Murad today

KARACHI: The 28th death anniversary of legendary Pakistani film actor, producer and script writer Waheed Murad was observed on Wednesday.

He is well-known for his charming expressions, attractive personality, tender voice and unusual talent for acting in films. 

His romantic style of acting made him popular amongst the young cinema viewers of south asia.

He was born on October 2, 1938 in Sialkot.

One of his blockbuster films is Armaan, which was produced by him, made a pivotal impact on the sub-continental film industry such that the Pakistani film industry was considered as the rising sun and this film made him a superstar overnight.He was died on November 23, 1983 in Karachi.

He was awarded Nigar award for best actor in Heera aur pathar (1964), Armaan (1966), Andaleeb (1969), Mastana mahi (1971) and Legend Award for life time in 2002.

In November 2010, 27 years after his death, he awarded by the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the “star of excellence,” an honour given for distinguished merit in the fields of literature, arts.

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Fatherhood still to sink in: Abhishek

MUMBAI: Even as everyone vies for glimpse of the Baby B and the nation gets gripped with an excitement like never before, the Bachchan family spoke directly to their fans spread all over the globe.

Addressing the media for the first time post the birth of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai’s daughter, Abhishek and Amitabh said that they are extremely elated over the fact that a girl has been born in their family.

Aishwarya gave birth to her angel on 16th November this year. After spending a week in Seven Hills hospital, in northeast Mumbai, Aishwarya Rai got discharged on 22nd November.

Joining Abhishek Bachchan at the press conference held outside their home in Mumbai, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan thanked the all of media especially electronic media for restraining their coverage over this personal affair in their family.

On being asked what was the first thing they did after reaching home with a new member in their family? Abhishek answered, “There is a small temple built by my grandfather at our home. We prayed there and took God’s blessings.”

Big B looked visible delighted over a baby girl born in the family. He said, “We wanted a baby and by the grace of god a girl has been born and there cannot be a more happy moment for us all.”

When enquired about the baby Abhishek said, “She is doing extremely fine. She sleeps a lot and is very well behaved. She doesn’t cry and lets us sleep.”

Abhishek further said that the feeling of fatherhood is yet to sink in. “Ever since the meaning of Paa has remained all and everything about the gentleman sitting to me next (Amitabh Bachchan),” he said.

When Ash was discharged from the hospital, she was accompanied by her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, her parents, and of course, her baby daughter. A visibly excited Abhishek was also present.

Amitabh held the baby, wrapped in pink, and looked as a proud grandfather.

Abhishek’s sister Shweta Nanda, who had been making quite a few trips to the hospital when Ash was admitted, was probably at home to welcome the baby into the house.

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