Talk Asia

Behind the dark glasses: The world of Karl Lagerfeld

He is perhaps the most recognizable man in fashion, almost never seen without his dark glasses, a silver ponytail and fingerless gloves.

updated Sun Dec 20 2009 23:39:41

Behind the dark glasses: The world of Karl Lagerfeld

He is perhaps the most recognizable man in fashion, almost never seen without his dark glasses, a silver ponytail and fingerless gloves.

updated Wed Dec 09 2009 21:48:24

Meeting the Irwins: Life after the 'Crocodile Hunter'

I always wanted to meet Steve Irwin. He was the quintessential Aussie who took manliness to a whole new level, wrestled man-eating crocodiles, wrangled poisonous snakes and would pick up any of God's creatures to show the world how remarkable animals really are.

updated Wed Dec 02 2009 21:45:13

Kevin Rudd: Keeping Australia on the world stage

After nearly two years in office, Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, remains committed to keeping Australia at the forefront of global affairs.

updated Wed Nov 25 2009 21:31:37

Face to face with Zinedine Zidane

There's nothing like lobbing a simple little question into a group of foaming football fanatics.

updated Thu Nov 19 2009 21:38:28

Seiji Ozawa: Japan's classical maestro

Seiji Ozawa is Asia's most successful conductor, a maestro in a quintessentially Western art form, and a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan. But the affable 74-year-old is used to crossing cultural boundaries.

updated Fri Nov 13 2009 11:47:48

The new face of Bollywood: Deepika Padukone

She's only 23, but Deepika Padukone is already living a life millions would envy.

updated Wed Nov 11 2009 22:13:40

Gregory David Roberts: Story-telling adventurer

To say Gregory David Roberts has witnessed much in his life would be an understatement.

updated Mon Nov 09 2009 09:08:16

Kengo Kuma: The "sushi" architect striving for perfection

"For architects, perfection is necessary," said Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

updated Wed Nov 04 2009 23:06:02

Rafael Nadal on Talk Asia

"I'm not a machine, and like everybody I have better moments than others," Rafael Nadal told CNN in Shanghai.

updated Wed Oct 28 2009 23:04:47

Rain stays bright in the spotlight

He's gone from being a backup dancer to the biggest thing in Asian pop culture, an actor and singer who has sold millions of albums.

updated Tue Oct 27 2009 00:13:24

Ask Zinedine Zidane your questions

A footballing icon and one of the most gifted players of his generation, Zinedine Zidane won every major honor in the game.

updated Sat Oct 24 2009 09:31:50

Rain stays bright in the spotlight

He's gone from being a backup dancer to the biggest thing in Asian pop culture, an actor and singer who has sold millions of albums.

updated Sat Oct 24 2009 09:24:32

Chinese taikonauts' great leap into space

China's space program has really taken off in the last six years.

updated Fri Oct 23 2009 00:18:33

Rain stays bright in the spotlight

He's gone from being a backup dancer to the biggest thing in Asian pop culture, an actor and singer who has sold millions of albums.

updated Thu Oct 22 2009 00:00:48

Park Ji-sung: a real Red Devil

updated Wed Oct 14 2009 22:14:18

Lawrence Ho: Gambling and family fortunes

Who would open one of the world's biggest casinos in the depths of a global recession?

updated Wed Oct 07 2009 23:53:38

Talk Asia Live with Aamir Khan

He's a Bollywood A-lister, director and Oscar-nominated producer, but Aamir Khan's latest adventure in film sees him join up with CNN for a special Talk Asia Live event.

updated Tue Oct 06 2009 23:40:32

Thomas Friedman: America's global voice

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Thomas Friedman is never short of a word or two.

updated Wed Sep 30 2009 21:16:41

Chinese taikonauts' great leap into space

China's space program has really taken off in the last six years.

updated Wed Sep 23 2009 22:28:42

Yu Darvish: Pitching for baseball greatness

In baseball-crazy Japan, where players are treated as celebrities, Yu Darvish is a superstar.

updated Wed Sep 16 2009 22:26:24

Going 'Gaga' in Macau with pop's musical misfit

There are no downsides to fame, said Lady Gaga, the singer and currently one of the hottest things in pop.

updated Wed Sep 09 2009 00:12:36

Brilliante Mendoza: Philippines' celebrated and divisive director

Feted by Sean Penn and applauded by Quentin Tarantino at Cannes, Filipino filmmaker Brilliante Mendoza appears to finally live up to his name.

updated Thu Sep 03 2009 02:44:17

Tony Blair: Keeping faith in peace in the Middle East

Two years since he stood down as prime minister of the UK, time away from frontline politics has not softened Tony Blair.

updated Wed Aug 26 2009 22:56:15

Y.E. Yang: The Tiger slayer

Yang Yong-eun is the Tiger-slayer. The Korean golfer stunned the world by beating Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship earlier this month, on the way becoming the first Asian-born winner of a major golfing event.

updated Tue Aug 11 2009 00:11:37

Greg Norman: The Great White Shark still has his bite

He may not be hitting the fairways with the same bite as he did in his 1980s heyday, but the man sports commentators nicknamed "The Great White Shark" still has plenty of appetite for the game.

updated Mon Aug 10 2009 01:18:29

Buyi and the Beijing rock scene

CNN explores Beijing's underground music scene and the bands making the rest of the world sit up and listen.

updated Wed Jul 22 2009 22:27:41

Amitabh Bachchan: Bollywood's elder statesman

After 40 years of appearing on the silver screen, actor Amitabh Bachchan is the elder statesman of Indian cinema and is possibly the most recognized man in India.

updated Wed Jul 15 2009 22:27:46

Buzz Aldrin and the Apollo 11 mission

It was 40 years ago that Buzz Aldrin became the second man to walk on the moon. The footage of Aldrin and fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong from the moon captured the imagination of millions inspired a generation.

updated Wed Jul 08 2009 22:40:57

Bobby Chinn: Cooking's a gas

Celebrity chef Bobby Chinn has tried his hand at a number of things.

updated Wed Jul 01 2009 22:11:23

Annie Lennox: Singing with all her heart

She hit the big time in the 1980's with Eurythmics and found huge success as a solo artist with her 1992 album "Diva", but for singer Annie Lennox, being able to express her passion has always been the motivating factor in whatever she's done.

updated Wed Jun 24 2009 22:08:39

Rem Koolhaas: The architect planning for the future

Rem Koolhaas revolutionizes city landscapes with distinctive and cutting-edge buildings.

updated Fri Jun 19 2009 03:16:21

Roberts: Success follows taking control of one's life

To say Gregory David Roberts has witnessed much in his life would be an understatement.

updated Fri Jun 05 2009 01:26:51

Exclusive: Edison Chen breaks silence on celebrity sex scandal

He has been at the center of Asia's biggest sex scandal, but now actor Edison Chen has broken his silence on the public episode that has ended careers and caused him to face at least one reported death threat.

updated Fri Jun 05 2009 01:26:07

Edison Chen: Online exclusive

Watch more from Talk Asia's interview with Edison Chen in these online exclusive clips. From how his family reacted to the scandal, to what he feels he learnt from the whole experience, Chen gives his thoughts and opinions to CNN's Anjali Rao in Hong Kong.

updated Thu May 28 2009 01:24:38

Miuccia Prada: The reluctant fashionista

She's the antithesis of the typical fashion designer, preferring to step away from the adulation of shows and flashy parties, yet from behind the scenes, Miuccia Prada has a huge impact on the world of fashion.

updated Wed May 20 2009 09:09:28

AR Rahman: Scoring 'Slumdog'

He's the man who helped make "Slumdog Millionaire" an international hit, scoring the soundtrack of the Oscar winning film. Despite his performance at the Oscars ceremony and being caught up in all the glitz and adulation, Rahman is a reluctant star.

updated Tue May 12 2009 21:30:03

Anna Tsuchiya: Kamikaze girl

Anna Tsuchiya is one of Japan's most recognized young stars.

updated Tue May 12 2009 03:21:37

Behind the scenes: Lifting the visor on Formula 1

It is 9:30 am at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and already it's intensely hot. We're here to interview Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima for Talk Asia, but we also get an insight into the intriguing world of Formula 1.

updated Thu May 07 2009 05:00:52

Kazuki Nakajima: Japan's real speed racer

Racing dynasties aren't new to motor sports. Former Formula One world champions Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve both had fathers with equally illustrious racing pedigrees.

updated Wed Apr 29 2009 22:23:08

Manny Pacquiao: Fighting talk from Philippines' boxing hero

Manny Pacquiao has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport of boxing today.

updated Wed Apr 22 2009 22:12:40

Wang Chuanfu: Building electric dreams in China

From the world's biggest manufacturer of mobile phone batteries to a car company with global pretensions, BYD is a Chinese company that has roared onto the international stage energized by its workaholic founder Wang Chuanfu.

updated Thu Apr 16 2009 01:36:59

Oliver Stone on Talk Asia

Oliver Stone is America's firebrand director whose controversial films and box-office hits have seen his Hollywood career span four decades. The Vietnam veteran has taken Wall Street and former U.S. presidents to task in his work ands remains unabashed about his political views or tackling taboos in his films.

updated Thu Apr 09 2009 00:24:55

Lang Lang: The Chinese pianist living life allegro

A Grammy-nominated classical pianist who wears personalized trainers, Lang Lang is one-of-a-kind in the world of classical music.

updated Thu Apr 02 2009 00:20:22

Donatella Versace: Fashion's Prima Donna

As recognizable as the brand itself, Donatella Versace is adamant about one thing in fashion: "Fashion is not frivolous," she told CNN.

updated Tue Mar 24 2009 23:49:37

Online exclusive: Talk Asia Live with Aamir Khan

updated Tue Mar 17 2009 05:23:27

Zhang Xin: Building Beijing

Zhang Xin is a billionaire property magnate, has been named one of the world's most powerful women and has played a large role in transforming Beijing's architectural landscape.

updated Wed Mar 11 2009 22:59:23

Chen Kaige: Capturing the best and worst of times

Director Chen Kaige's films often examine the close ties of love, passion and friendship, but his own relationship with his artist and filmmaker father is one that has informed much of his life and colored his work.

updated Mon Mar 09 2009 04:22:51

Online exclusive: John Woo's Hollywood flops

updated Wed Feb 25 2009 21:33:32

Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong's media mogul

Entrepreneur and media mogul Jimmy Lai is not afraid of a challenge. He took on Hong Kong media barons to set up his publishing company in 1981 and provoked the wrath of the Chinese government when he spoke out against the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown against pro-democracy protesters.

updated Mon Feb 23 2009 09:16:47

The world according to Vivienne Westwood

Even surrounded by hundreds of her flamboyant outfits, Dame Vivienne Westwood cuts an attention-grabbing figure.

updated Thu Feb 19 2009 23:18:36

Zheng Jie: China's tennis ace

In July 2008, a month before China grabbed the sporting headlines for the Beijing Olympics, Zheng Jie made her own bit of sporting history for China.

updated Sun Feb 15 2009 22:13:42

John Woo: Master of the explosive epic

With the late evening sun casting a dramatic light across the 65th floor of an empty Hong Kong office block, everything was primed for a spectacular entrance from Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo.

updated Wed Feb 04 2009 20:52:18

Asashoryu: Sumo's big bad boy

Asashoryu stands at the pinnacle of sumo wrestling like a colossus.

updated Wed Jan 28 2009 19:26:10

Jelena Jankovic: On top of the tennis world

Jelena Jankovic is making a reputation for herself as one of the hardest working women in tennis.

updated Wed Jan 14 2009 21:48:56

Talk Asia meets Wang Leehom

He performed to a watching audience of millions at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, but conducting the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has been the most nerve-wracking thing the American-Chinese pop star Wang Leehom has undertaken for some time.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:46:03

Lee Myung-bak: The 'Bulldozer' with a common touch

For a man whose previous nickname was "the Bulldozer," balance might not be thought of as one of South Korean president Lee Myung-bak's strong points.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:43:31

Adventures in capitalism with Jim Rogers

The self-styled "adventure capitalist" and self-made millionaire, Jim Rogers, imparts his investing wisdom on Talk Asia this week.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:36:21

Sachin Tendulkar: Cricket's 'Little Master' bigger than the game

In India he's an icon and to the rest of the cricketing world he's simply known as one of the greatest ever batsmen.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:34:25

Benevolent bureaucrat: Ban Ki-moon

Back in his native South Korea, the Korean Foreign Ministry nicknamed him "Ban-chusa," meaning "the Bureaucrat" or "the administrative clerk."

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:27:29

Interview with Samak Sundaravej

Thailand's new Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is the first to be democratically elected since the nation's bloodless coup in 2006. A veteran politician and former governor of Bangkok, Samak is accused of being a nominee of friend and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. As he prepares to take office, he joins Talk Asia's Dan Rivers to discuss his allegiance to his ousted predecessor, corruption, and his alleged role in the Thammasat massacre of 1976.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:26:10

Ching Cheong opens up to Talk Asia

Ching Cheong is the first Hong Kong journalist to be convicted and imprisoned for spying since Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:22:14

Shekhar Kapur: The king of queens

Coming up on Talk Asia this week Shekhar Kapur, director of "Elizabeth" and "Bandit Queen," chats to Anjali Rao in front of a live audience. Filmed in Mumbai earlier this month, Kapur talks about his films, passions and inspiration, plus he answers your questions about his life and work.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:15:44

Cai Guo-Qiang: Exploding expectations

Gunpowder, fireworks and attention-grabbing installations mark Cai Guo-Qiang as one of the world's biggest and brightest artists.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:12:52

Shooting high, bouncing back: Yao Ming

You don't have to be a basketball fan to look up to Yao Ming, who at 7-feet-6-inches (2.29 meters) is now the tallest active player in NBA basketball.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:10:57

Yelena Isinbayeva: The Russian queen of pole-vaulting

There are few sports that are so dominated by a single person like the way the women's pole vault is ruled by 26-year Russian Yelena Isinbayeva.

updated Sun Jan 04 2009 22:02:17

Fatima Bhutto: Breaking free of the dynasty

At 25-years-old, Fatima Bhutto is eligible to become prime minister of Pakistan.

updated Wed Dec 31 2008 01:57:28

Michelle Yeoh: Balance, beauty and butt-kicking

She added smart to sexy as a Bond girl opposite Pierce Brosnan's 007, and proved her dramatic and action credentials in "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon," but for actress Michelle Yeoh, life and acting are both all about balance.

updated Tue Dec 30 2008 05:55:07

Abhisit Vejjajiva: Talking politics with Thailand's PM

At 44-years-old Abhisit Vejjajiva is Thailand's youngest prime minister in more than 60 years. But perhaps more immediately significantly, he is the country's third prime minister in four months after a period of immense upheaval in Thailand.

updated Fri Dec 19 2008 03:35:53

Kobe Bryant: Suiting up for the 'Redeem Team'

"Where's the beef, Kobe?" That's what many U.S. basketball fans will be asking as their team of NBA superstars takes to the hardwood in pursuit of the gold medal in Beijing.

updated Fri Dec 19 2008 03:15:44

Seb Coe: Guiding London into the Olympic limelight

For Sebastian Coe, one of Britain's greatest athletes, the glory of winning Olympic gold medals comes in second to clinching the Olympics Games for London in 2012.

updated Wed Dec 17 2008 21:27:46

Sanath Jayasuriya: Sri Lanka's humble cricketing hero

Growing up in a small Sri Lankan fishing town, cricket changed Sanath Jayasuriya's life. But his association with the game and humanitarian work has also helped transform the lives of many others.

updated Wed Dec 10 2008 21:38:42

Bill Clinton on Talk Asia

Eight years after Bill Clinton left the White House, the 42nd President of the United States of America still looms large on the world stage, often attracting the kind of attention usually only reserved for incumbent presidents.

updated Wed Dec 03 2008 21:40:34

Versace's Beijing fashion show

Talk Asia went backstage at Versace's first ever fashion show in China in November. Get a glimpse into the world of the models, movers and shakers, and "Versace hair" at the Beijing show.

updated Wed Nov 26 2008 21:42:18

Nandan Nilekani: India's IT guy

He's been called the Bill Gates of India, the man who has made India synonymous with IT and outsourcing, and is consistently cited as one of the world's best technology and business brains.

updated Sun Nov 23 2008 22:31:57

Be part of Aamir Khan's next adventure with CNN

He's a Bollywood A-lister, director and Oscar-nominated producer, but Aamir Khan's latest adventure in film will see him join up with CNN for a special Talk Asia Live event.

updated Thu Nov 20 2008 04:33:48

What's next for Chris Patten?

The last governor of Hong Kong and former British politician has an incomparable CV, and during a life in politics has gained more than his fair share of titles and nicknames; from the affectionate "Fai Pang" ("fat Patten") in Hong Kong to the less flattering "Whore of the East" among pro-Chinese press.

updated Wed Nov 12 2008 20:49:35

Dan Carter: New Zealand's unstoppable rugby machine

When opposition rugby teams line up against the New Zealand All Blacks, there's a common game plan: Get Carter.

updated Thu Nov 06 2008 22:48:16

Midori Goto: From prodigy to peace ambassador

She is only 37 years old, but violinist Midori Goto has already spent 25 years taking center-stage with the world's best orchestras.

updated Thu Oct 30 2008 03:33:20

Lalit Modi: Cricket's billion-dollar brain

Former England cricket captain Michael Atherton has called him "ruthless," but for Lalit Modi, the man behind cricket's revolutionary Indian Premier League and vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), this is less of a criticism and more a statement of fact.

updated Thu Oct 23 2008 01:49:25

Takeshi Kitano: Silent superstar

Growing up in a tough area of post-war Tokyo, heroes were hard to find.

updated Thu Oct 16 2008 21:59:11

Jero: Old tricks, new idol

Jero is making old, new again in Japan.

updated Tue Sep 23 2008 22:40:30

Sa Dingding: China's New Age chanteuse

China's Olympic adventure may be over, but new age chanteuse Sa Dingding is one global export that in many ways echoes the Beijing Olympic fantasy of "One World. One Dream."

updated Thu Sep 11 2008 22:38:18

Jay Chou: Asia's reluctant superstar

Chinese language media often refer to Jay Chou as the "small heavenly king," but the Taiwan born pop idol is more down-to-earth than the many accolades he receives suggest.

updated Tue Sep 02 2008 22:16:18

Steve Wynn: Casino mogul moves on Macau

Steve Wynn is a man who not only makes the preposterous possible, but also profitable.

updated Tue Aug 26 2008 05:21:01

Bobby Chinn's recipes

To whet your appetite, here are a couple of Bobby Chin's favorite recipes from his book "Wild Wild East".

updated Sun Jul 20 2008 19:22:09

Ma Ying-jeou: Creating closer ties

Elected with the largest margin of victory in the history of Taiwan's presidential elections, President Ma Ying-jeou is aiming to bring the good times back to Taiwan while looking to a friendlier future with China.

updated Sun Jul 06 2008 23:19:19

Shi Zhengrong: China's sunshine boy

The increasing global focus on renewable energy could not have come at a better time for Dr. Shi Zhengrong, an Australian citizen and Chinese-trained scientist who says he got into solar power by chance.

updated Wed Jul 02 2008 01:48:49

The perfect poise of Tan Yuan Yuan

It was a five cent Chinese yuan coin that gave Tan Yuan Yuan the chance to dance.

updated Mon Jun 16 2008 22:38:52

Anand Mahindra: Driving India forward

For Anand Mahindra business is in his blood. But even as the vice chairman and managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra, one of India's biggest conglomerates, he still feels the company has plenty to do.

updated Sun May 18 2008 23:30:22

Park Chan-wook: Mild-mannered man of vengeance

For Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, revenge is a dish best served live.

updated Sun May 04 2008 22:33:48

Nandita Das: Taking a social conscience to the screen

With a masters degree in social work, Indian actress Nandita Das is more keen to talk about women's empowerment and human rights than participate in the glamour of Bollywood.

updated Fri Apr 18 2008 06:03:12

Lee Myung-bak on Talk Asia

Two months into office as South Korea's President, Lee Myung-bak joins CNN's Anjali Rao on Talk Asia. Below is a transcript of the interview.

updated Sat Apr 12 2008 02:20:44

Behind the scenes: Inside Jackie Chan's den

Jackie Chan: A-list Asian megastar, iconic kung fu hero to millions and basically a really famous guy. We had been pursuing an in-depth interview with him for months through "The JC Group," Jackie's all-conquering management company.

updated Wed Apr 09 2008 22:40:29

Jackie Chan biography: Taking the hits

He's thrown himself off more buildings than he can remember and broken more bones than an actor has any right to and still be alive and working today, but at 54 years old, Jackie Chan's days of taking spectacular tumbles may be coming to an end.

updated Tue Mar 25 2008 23:10:48

Hit Jackie Chan with your questions

Now is your chance to quiz Jackie Chan. The superstar of martial arts blockbusters hits Talk Asia in full force next month, and we'd like to know what question you'd like him to answer.

updated Tue Mar 25 2008 06:24:15

Senichi Hoshino: Gold medal dreams for baseball's big hitter

The most charismatic figure in Japanese baseball, and potentially one its greatest coaches, Senichi Hoshino isn't afraid to hold back, either on the field or off it.

updated Tue Mar 25 2008 06:23:10

Hideo Nakata: Director of dread

Japanese writer and director Hideo Nakata has been hailed as the modern master of macabre.

updated Sun Mar 23 2008 23:34:46

Transcript: Talk Asia Live with Shekhar Kapur

Anjali Rao: Hello and welcome to a very special edition of Talk Asia filmed in front of a Live audience here in Mumbai, India. My guest today started out his professional life as an accountant, these days of course he's better known as India's most successful and internationally renowned director, Shekhar Kapur. This is Talk Asia.

updated Fri Mar 07 2008 05:07:07

The enduring popularity of Ian McEwan

He is a blockbuster novelist and Booker Prize winner, whose adapted work was tipped for Oscar glory.

updated Thu Feb 28 2008 22:55:21

Ching Cheong opens up to Talk Asia

Ching Cheong is the first Hong Kong journalist to be convicted and imprisoned for spying since Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

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