Padma Lakshmi Movies
Model-turned-TV-host Padma Lakshmi was born in India to a Hindu family. Her first name means "Lotus" in Sanskrit, and her last name is the name of the Hindu goddess of wealth. While spending her final year at school in Spain, Lakshmi was discovered by a photographer, who noticed her inky black hair, long sinewy frame, and high cheekbones. She began modeling, and within a few years, she was working with major designers and was an in-demand figure in the fashion industry. In 2001, the model began trying her hand at acting, appearing in the Mariah Carey film Glitter. She also began appearing on the Food Network and in more successful movies like The Ten Commandments. In 2004, she met highly acclaimed and controversial author Salman Rushdie at a lunch party, and by April that year, the two were married. Two years later, she became the host of the Bravo competitive reality show Top Chef, starting with its second season. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Dougray Scott, Linus Roache, Omar Sharif, and Naveen Andrews headline this epic mini-series from director Robert Dornhelm, and following the Prince of Egypt as he discovers his true identity and sets out on a mission from God. An oracle has prophesized that a child will grow up to become the Prince of Egypt, and in order to prevent this from happening The Egyptian Pharaoh (Paul Rhys) orders the immediate slaughter of all newborn males. No child in the entire kingdom is spared except for one. His name was Moses, the son of a Hebrew slave. Set adrift on the Nile immediately after he was born, Moses escapes certain death and enjoys a lavish upbringing in a royal Egyptian household. Moses has no memory of his past, and soon rises to the rank of prince. After Moses receives a fiery message from God and learns of his true heritage, he vows to reclaim his destiny by delivering his people from persecution and realizing his fate as the liberator of the Hebrews. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dougray Scott, Mía Maestro, (more)
Director Paul Mayeda Berges adapts author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni magic realist tale about an enchanting Indian orphan who has leaned to harness the magical properties of spices. Orphaned by regional strife in her homeland of India, Tilo (Aishwarya Rai) is subsequently kidnapped by a vicious gang of bandits. A daring escape is quick to follow, and soon after washing up on mysterious shores the traumatized girl is sheltered by a benevolent old woman (Zohra Segal) who reveals to her the remarkable powers of common spices. Later, after moving to Oakland, California and opening her own spice shop, Tilo is compelled to follow three strict stipulations is she is to retain her ability to harness these magnificent powers: she must never use the powers for her own gain, she can never venture outside of her store, and she must never make contact with the skin of another person. When a handsome architect (Dylan McDermott) crashes his motorcycle just outside of the shop and the kindly proprietor rushes to his aid, the instant chemistry between the pair soon finds Tilo's resolve put to the ultimate test. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aishwarya Rai, Dylan McDermott, (more)
- 2003
Indian filmmaker Kaizad Gustad directs the big-budget crime heist movie Boom, starring supermodels Katrina Kaif and Padma Lakshmi. The story involves a group of fashion models who decide to take on the criminal underworld in a fight to acquire stolen diamonds. Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, and Gulshan Grover play the gangsters. Bo Derek appears in a scene reminiscent of her work in 10 (1979). Like Gustad's previous film Bombay Boys, the dialogue in Boom is spoken in a combination of Hindi and English. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, (more)
The acting debut of pop music diva Mariah Carey loosely traces the singer's real-life trajectory to fame. Carey is Billie, an impoverished girl growing up in a tough New York neighborhood abandoned by her drug-addicted mother and dreaming of stardom. Billie gets her big break when her group's demo tape is heard by Julian Dice (Max Beesley), an infamous bad boy DJ and record producer in the club scene of the early '80s. A volatile relationship soon develops between Dice and Billie while her professional life takes off, leading to fame, fortune, and heartbreak. Glitter is the sophomore film of actor-turned-director Vondie Curtis-Hall and co-stars Eric Benet, Dorian Harewood, Ann Magnuson, Terrence Dashon Howard. and Da Brat. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mariah Carey, Max Beesley, (more)
