Poonam Pandey says; We are all born naked!

It seems that at times, she regrets not having the life of a normal 20-year-old, but the overnight transition from model to mini celebrity almost makes up for it. Seven months ago, Poonam Pandey entered the world of modelling as a teenager, but an 'innocuous' statement turned her into a national sensation – she promised to strip if India won the World Cup. Several interviews, threat calls, arrest warrants and Bollywood offers later, Poonam is ready to face the naysayers with a resolve to strip if the BCCI permits her to . 

She tells us that the BCCI rejected her offer to strip for the team, and she doesn't want to commit any crime by doing something she hasn't got permission for. She says, "I stand by my commitment. I am now requesting the media to ask the BCCI to give me permission." 

She explains, "I'm just clearing everyone's doubts that they shouldn't take my statement in a wrong way. I don't mind the attention, and I don't regret my statement. I was happy about the team's performance." "Support me please?" she requests. 

But while she tries to fulfil her promise, she is also preparing to compete in the reality show "Khatron Ke Khiladi". Even though she got various offers, including Bollywood item numbers, she isn't interested. Says Poonam, "So many offers have come, but at present, I'm only focusing on KKK. People approached me with offers for movies, item numbers, and magazine interviews, but I am not keen. Of course, my plan eventually is to work in Bollywood. Let's see how it all works out."

Of course, post the offer from the channel for the show, her statement is being termed a publicity stunt, but Poonam vehemently denies the allegation. She says, "I don't know why people are thinking this is a publicity stunt. That was a statement for team India, and it's been made into such a big issue. People do treat me differently at times but I'm okay with everything," she states confidently. 

Things may be settling down now, but her parents were not happy with her statement initially. Her businessman father and mother (who is a housewife), and her brother, who is two years older than her, were quite upset. She reveals, "In the beginning they were upset. Now they're okay. They first asked me how I could say something like that. But then I explained it to them. I told them how this was not incorrect; don't interpret it as being naked and vulgar. You were born naked. So, don't take this in a cheap way. Now everything is fine between us," she insists. 

However, she did face tough times right after India won the match. Says Poonam, "So many arrest warrants were announced, and being 20 and facing so many of these problems alone was very tough. I kept thinking – this is so crazy. These people are creating such a big issue. When India won, I was the happiest female on earth. I was dancing in front of the TV. But, I was not with my parents, and was alone, and I was upset. I was locked – trapped my house, I had to be underground. Soon after, I had an unexpected kidney stone problem." 

But she changes the topic and we switched back to the topic of the reality show. Ask her what she'd do if she wins, and Poonam quips, "Come on, if I say something, people file court cases. So, it's better to keep my mouth shut. There's a surprise I have planned, if I win. Right now, it's only about work and no holidays. I enjoy my work like I would enjoy a holiday."

Harbajan to get Marry Geeta Basra

Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh and actress Geeta Basra have been going strong for the last couple of years, despite intermittent stories of them splitting.

According to the industry buzz, the two have been on the verge of getting married as well. However, when Mumbai Mirror spotted the couple visiting an astrologer on Monday, we wondered whether the rumours about a wedding were true, after all.

The cricketer and his girl visited an astrologer in MHADA, Andheri on Monday. An eyewitness revealed, "Geeta and Harbhajan both were spotted visiting a well known pandit in the locality on Monday afternoon.

Both came separately in their respective cars but went in to see the pandit together. After more than an hour they got down and left together in Harbhajan's car."

"Harbhajan and Geeta are in a relationship for a few years now. Marriage is on the back of their minds but they seem to be waiting for the right mahurat. Both of them met the pandit to figure out the perfect date and year for them to settle down with each other.

Harbhajan, in fact, took out time from his IPL matches and practice sessions to meet the pandit. They wanted to finalise a good date and also match their horoscopes," said a source.

Last year, Geeta attended Harbhajan's sister's wedding. And of course, she got to meet the parents there. Though friends of the actress predicted marriage by the end of this year, the couple chose to deny.

"Please don't ask me about my marriage. I am not getting married," said Geeta, when contacted. So, we decided to ask her about the visit the pandit visit. "I had gone there for my personal work," came the answer. With Bhajji? "There is nothing that you are thinking of! If I am getting married I would be booking venues and doing all kind of preparations," explained the dusky actress.

India to play cricket against Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that details of reviving a bilateral cricket series with India would be worked out sometime in June after directives from Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani. 

PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt told a newspaper in an interview that he was hopeful that details of the series would be worked out in June. 

"We have got positive signals from across the border, which is a good sign for Indo-Pak cricket," he said. 

Butt, however, said that since the Prime Minister has instructed the PCB not to plan the series at any neutral venue, the Indian team would be invited to play in Pakistan. 

"The revival series will not be held at a neutral venue because the Prime Minister wants us to play host to the Indians and we are confident that we can organise the series safely and successfully," Butt said. 

"What we need to know work out is find a suitable time slot from the busy schedules of both teams to organise this series." 

Butt also hinted that due to the packed calendar of the Indian team, the series could be split into two parts, saying that the T20 and One-day matches could be played at one time, followed by the Test series later. 

He said that since the Prime Minister was taking personal interest in the matter, foolproof security would be provided for the proposed series. 

"We are also hopeful that if we can host India in Pakistan. It will also pave the way for other teams to tour Pakistan." 

India cancelled a tour to Pakistan in early 2009 in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks and suspended all bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan. 

But the ice broke recently when Pakistan's premier visited Mohali on the invitation of the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and they watched the World Cup semifinal together. 

Butt said the World Cup match and the presence of the two Prime Ministers had broken the ice and they were clear indications that both governments wanted revival of cricketing ties.