BILLED as the UK's biggest Asian and lifestyle extravaganza, MELA 2002 takes place between October 18th and 20th at the NEC in Birmingham.

The three-day lifestyle show will play host to Anil Kapoor himself, as he visits the UK for the first time in years.

Over the three days of the event, the Bombay-based superstar will not only be performing to a medley of his greatest hits, including tracks from Taal, 1942 - A Love Story, Mr India and Ram Lakhan, but he will also be opening his heart to the thousands of visitors in a series of personal interviews.

MELA 2002, is the UK's first major collaboration between Zee TV and mainstream channel Carlton - who together will be ensuring that Anil Kapoor is seen by the thousands of visitors to the show.

Title sponsors of MELA 2002, Ford, will also be showcasing some of their newest models all around the show. So if visitors have ever wondered what it's like to be a rally driver then they should visit the Ford stand where they can experience the thrills and spills of Rally Car nnDriving in their simulator

Alongside the likes of Anil Kapoor will be a host of top celebrities and artists showing off their talent...you'll be able to meet stars from the worlds of television and film, including Meera Syal and the budding new stars of Meera's new film 'Anita & Me', Ameet Channa, star of the movie 'Bend It Like Beckham', top comedian Nina Wadia, the godfather of Bollywood, Hollywood and not to mention British film and TV, Saeed Jaffrey, the star of a certain Channel 4 series and now a top presenter on teen-channel Trouble TV, Narinder and femme fatale of Brookside Close, Sunetra Sarkar, amongst a host of others.

Hundreds of exhibitors who also be offering special show discounts and shopping opportunities. The BT Fashion Catwalk with the very best of Asian fashion being shown four times a day, the Cookery Demonstration theatre in association with Veetee Rice and Maaza Fruit Juices and a range of chefs who will be creating delicious delicacies that will have your mouth-watering and not forgetting the Health & Beauty Stage where you can be pampered and preened by the experts.

And if music is your thing...then worry not! The line-up of artists performing at MELA 2002 is second to one, with something for everyone...from the likes of Pakistani pop sensation, Haroon of Awaaz, the super international singing sensation Sukhbir, to the original Ragamuffin himself, Apache Indian.

Plus, for all you Bhangra boys and girls, MELA 2002 offers the hottest line-up of Bhangra bands in living history, with Anakhi, XLNC, Legacy, Jassi formerly of B21, Harbhajan Talwar and of course the kings of Bhangra themselves, DCS

For tickets call: 0870 733 3397