‘Top Chef’ host Padma Lakshmi is pregnant

Padma Laksmi

WASHINGTON – Padma Lakshmi, former wife of famed author Salman Rushdie and host of popular TV show “Top Chef”, is pregnant with her first child, media reports said.

Lakshmi, 39, has not identified the father, CNN reported Thursday. Her representative told US Weekly that the television personality conceived after a long battle with endometriosis.

“Model, author, and Emmy-nominated Padma Lakshmi confirms that she is carrying her first child after years of struggling with endometriosis, a cause for which she has co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America,” the representative told the magazine.

Endometriosis is a medical condition where the uterus’ lining grows in other areas of the body. The often painful condition can cause women to have irregular bleeding and possible infertility.

Lakshmi’s publicist also told US Weekly: “As a result of her condition, this pregnancy has been referred to by her physician as nothing short of a medical miracle, and due to its delicate nature, we ask/implore the press to respect Lakshmi’s privacy at this time.”

Lakshmi has hosted Bravo’s hit show “Top Chef” since its second season and is herself a noted cookbook author.

Rambha back in another thriller

sexy rambhaVidiyum Varai Kathiru, Tamil adaptation of the Hollywood thriller When a Stranger Calls, is actress Rambha’s comeback vehicle. This pulsating thriller and murder mystery has Rambha at its fulcrum. While that movie is yet to release, the actress’ next movie, another exciting thriller, is already ready for release. Called Puthu Kathai in Tamil and Ottha Katha in Telugu, the movie is about three youngsters who lose their jobs. Desperate for jobs, they agree to a stranger’s strange request. He appoints the three of them to kill him! But before they complete the job, the stranger is killed by someone else, and these three become the prime suspects. On the run, they have to hide and yet find out what actually happened – who the stranger was and who actually killed him.

Directed by R. Venu and produced by A. Jeyaprakash under the JP Films Banner, the film is slated for release in January 2010.