Pix: SRK throws a party for Akon

Shah Rukh Khan and American singer-songwriter Akon are snapped at Mumbai's JW Marriot hotel on Monday. Shah Rukh hosted a party for the singer at the hotel.

The singer arrived in Mumbai to record a song for Shah Rukh's next film Ra 1. Akon will be in Mumbai for two days.

Akon, 36, and Shah Rukh recently met in Los Angeles. Akon, besides one song, will reportedly also form part of the cast. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the science-fiction superhero hi-tech film is written by David Benullo (Shadow Man), cinematography by Ueli Steiger (The Maiden Heist), and music by Vishal-Shekhar.

Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi are also said to be a part of the film.

Shah Rukh reportedly plays a Miami software engineer Shekhar in the film, who as a video-game hero takes on his self-created techno-monster Ra 1. Shooting locations include Miami.

Grammy nominated Akon of Senegal background, born as Aliaune Badara Akon Thiam, has 40 Billboard Hot 100 songs.

The bash was attended by several Bollywood personalities like Koena Mitra and Sherlyn Chopra.

Riya Sen, Poonam Dhillon, Claudia Ciesla, Aarti Chhabria, Gauhar Khan, Anushka Manchanda, Sonal Chauhan, Rannvijay Singh, Madhu, Gaurav Chopra and Vidhu Dara Singh were also spotted at the party.

Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra smile for shutterbugs as they arrived for the Sports Illustrated awards in Mumbai.

Several Indian sportspersons were felicitated here at the awards function organised by Sports Illustrated magazine. The event saw many sportspersons including Sachin Tendulkar and Sania Mirza, being felicitated for bringing laurels to the country.

Preity Zinta holds a miniature ball while Mugdha Godse looks resplendent in a gold metallic dress.

Deepika Padukone is snapped at a special screening of her movie Karthik Calling Karthik.