MUMBAI: Inter Milan v Barcelona - Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan (ITA)

Volcanic ash notwithstanding, San Siro will be the stage where the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg drama will unfold. European Football giants and holders Barcelona will take on Inter Milan in what promises to be a charged up encounter. Inter Coach Jose Mourinho has his plans for football sensation Lionel Messi and it will interesting to say the least as to see how the ?most meticulous of tacticians? will strive to stop the `most spontaneous of players?. Inter Milan have a super track record at home, and will want to keep that fact intact. To watch all the action live from this game, tune into Ten Sports. ( please check schedule)

Looked at objectively, Barcelona should be far too fluid and elusive to be constrained by Inter. Since knocking out Chelsea in March, Inter have fallen away in Serie A. In Italy, Inter?s slump is being blamed on Mourinho and the uncertainty about his future. He has been in open war with the Italian press and the football federation for most of the season and, while he says he continues to enjoy working with Inter, does not like Italian football. In the other camp, Barcelona coach Josep ?Pep? Guardiola is pleased with the form of the young forward Pedro. According to him the young man has exceeded all expectations and has been a revelation since coming into the first-team.

Bayern Munich v Lyon - Fu?ball Arena M?nchen, Munich (GER)

In the other semi final match Bayern Munich will hope that 13 is indeed a lucky number for them as they will play their 13th European Champion Clubs‘ Cup semi-final. They host Olympique Lyonnais who are contesting their first UEFA Champions League semi final. Despite this fact, recent history finds the pair evenly matched. Bayern will not take Lyon lightly as the French side have already knocked Liverpool and Real Madrid out of the Champions League this summer and they will be hoping to add a third big scalp in Bayern. To watch all the action live from this game tune into Ten Sports. (please check schedule)

It may have taken Bayern time to get used to their Dutch Coach Van Gaal, yet the players could end up as grateful to the shrewd trainer as some of his erstwhile pupils. FC Internazionale Milano coach Jos? Mourinho was Van Gaal‘s assistant at Barcelona, and he and the Dutchman are the only trainers to lead three sides into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Josep ?Pep? Guardiola was another protege, captaining Van Gaal‘s Barcelona team that reached the last four in 1999/2000.

MUMBAI: Here‘s a chance to lay your hands on the coolest 9XM merchandise autographed by the cast of the forthcoming mega Bollywood film - HOUSEFULL. Starting April 16, 2010, 9XM will run the ‘Housefull‘ contest on the Channel wherein the winners have a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to take home 9XM goodies autographed by Bollywood superstars - Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal.

9XM viewers have to watch the Housefull promos on the Channel and answers simple questions related to the movie, by logging on to www.9xm.in; to win some super cool goodies. Housefull, a romantic comedy entertainer directed by Sajid Khan, boasts of an enviable star cast compromising of Bollywood heartthrob Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal, among others.

Commenting on the initiative, Amar Tidke, Head of Programming, 9XM, says, "Whether it‘s content, contests or animated characters; 9XM has always been offering the best to its viewers. I am confident that 9XM ‘Housefull‘ contest will also receive a ‘Housefull‘ response from viewers across the length and breadth of this country."

So tune into 9XM to participate in the 9XM "Housefull" contest and get a chance to win the coolest merchandise autographed by Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal. "Housefull" contest will run on 9XM from April 16, 2010 till May 7, 2010.

Hope you have a "Housefull" of 9XM merchandise. Haq Se!!!
 

MUMBAI: Ever imagined that a television show with a cult following across India will step out of the tube and onto the streets of Mumbai?

In a unique on-ground marketing innovation hitherto unattempted by any player in the Hindi GEC genre, Zee TV is all set to re-create the magic of its dance reality show Lux Dance India Dance through a world-class dance carnival at Worli Sea Face, Mumbai on Sunday, 18th April. Presenting India with its first experience of an authentic dance carnival, Zee TV?s marathon will be a riot of colors, an opulent extravaganza of dance ? a celebration of the joyous spirit of Mumbai. With an interesting m?lange of stilt-walkers, lezim troupes & tattoo artists, the crowd will be encouraged to groove to some Hip Hop, try their hand at Ballet, do the Dandiya and sashay to the beats of Salsa.

With the Grand Final? of Lux Dance India Dance just around the corner, Zee TV is looking to delight its audience by giving them a rare chance to match steps with their favorite dance masters Remo D?souza, Geeta Kapoor & Terence Lewis at the carnival. The immensely popular top 4 finalists of the season will wave out to cheering fans from atop floats as the resplendent parade proceeds to Worli Sports Ground. The culmination will see a medley of performances by the contestants of the show.

Akash Chawla, Marketing Head, Zee TV said, ?Giving India a taste of what a real dance carnival is, is an immensely exciting proposition. We have worked towards making this a memorable experience for our audience. They will not only experience their favorite show LIVE on the streets but take home a novel interactive exposure.?
 

MUMBAI: This week on ‘In Conversation With Saeed Naqvi‘, the veteran journalist speaks to Former National Security Advisor, Brajesh Mishra on Dr. Manmohan Singh‘s visit to Washington to attend the Nuclear Security Summit.

In response to Hillary Clinton‘s statement that nuclear weapons pursued by India and Pakistan has upset the balance of the nuclear deterrent, Mr Mishra told NewsX, "Her understanding of South Asia and the military political balance here is somewhat deficient. US is one of those countries, actually the only country that has used nuclear weapons...so in a way one can say that the US is the most irresponsible nuclear weapon country. It‘s hard to say that but the fact is that they are only ones who have used it."

In his discussion, Mr Brajesh Mishra exchanged is view points on Indo- US relationship. Talking on the arrival of President Obama, he said, "The situation is quite different after the arrival of Mr. Obama. The Indo US nuclear deal was not merely about power that is energy, it was also a strategic partnership...and of course US wanted India to be strong in order to balance China in Asia. Mr. Obama‘s thinking seems to be quite different. His strategic concern in India is not there as it was during the Bush years."

Commenting on Maoists and giving advice Chidambaram, Mr Mishra reverted, "I don‘t think UPA government is prepared to accept my advice. I don‘t think you can solve this issue unless you pursue it on two fronts. In order to defeat them so far there arms struggle is concerned, one needs to have a lots of coordination between the State and Centre, apart from training CRPF, Intelligence etc...Secondly the petty politics that has come into it must be discarded."

Tune into NewsX this Saturday, 17th April 2010 at 10.30 pm and catch the full version of the interview only on ‘In Conversation with Saeed Naqvi‘.

MUMBAI: Summers are around the corner and it?s time to holiday!! This week, on Good Times in Switzerland, experience the country better known for its chocolates, cheese and banks.

Join anchor Ambika Anand as she visits Interlaken and Grindelwald where the best of both worlds.... glistening peaks to glittering waters welcome her; Montreux: a place known for its famous jazz festival and Zurich: the cosmopolitan city where she indulges in shopping and the night-life. Enjoy paragliding, mountain biking, skiing and other mountain and water sports to whet your appetite in this alpine country, also the ?IT? place for the adventure enthusiasts.

Follow Ambika in her journey to the summer and winter paradise, Switzerland in ?Good Times in Switzerland? this Saturday, 17th April, 2010 at 8:30 pm with a repeat telecast on following Sunday at 1 pm only on NDTV Good Times.

MUMBAI: Dance India Dance Season 2 has been graced by some of the biggest names and best dancers in the industry. ?Jumping Jack? Jeetendra to our favorite Govinda have both added zing to the stage, but coming on soon will be one who sent pulses rising and hearts beating faster. Helen in her heydays was proclaimed the ?Cabaret Queen? of Bollywood and her grace is still intact decades later.

Helen, the ?cabaret queen? of Bollywood will grace the last celebrity episode of Lux Dance India Dance. This is the episode wherein all the final 5 contestants will be given a challenge by Geeta Ma to dance to her Bollywood style.

This episode will also declare the 4 finalists for the mega finale that will take place live on 23rd April at Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai.

It will be interesting to watch who will finally win the coveted title of ?dance ka sabse bada superstar? but until then, we?ll just sit back and watch awe stuck when Helen throws her moves as Grandmaster Mithun Da along with Remo and Terence try to woo her..!!