Bengali literature has bright prospects, says Sunil Gangopadhyay

Dhaka: Bengali literature has bright future, with growing readership in both Bangladesh, India and wherever the Bengali-speaking diaspora resides, India's best known Bengali poet and litterateur Sunil Gangopadhyay said.
He visited Madaripur, his birth place in Bangladesh's Faridpur district, to open a three-day "Sunil Mela", a literary fair that ended Sunday, to celebrate his 75th birthday, BSS news agency reported.
Sunil Literature Practice and Research Centre organised the fair in his ancestral home at Purba Maijpara village under Kalkini Upazila (sub-district).
A total of 20 stalls displaying books written by him at the fair, turned into a festival with the presence of poets, litterateurs, artistes and bookworms, among others. Other attractions of the fair included live performances of 'jari' and 'shari' folk songs, The Daily Star newspaper said Tuesday.
A library and healthcare centre, named after him, are being set up at Sunil's ancestral home.
The poet was accompanied on the visit by his wife Swati Gangopadhyay, elder brother Anil Gangopadhyay and daughter Konika Gangopadhyay.
Like Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and Qazi Nazrul Islam of the last century, modern-day writers, poets, artistes and musicians are well known in both the South Asian nations.
Sunil Gangopadhyay was born on Sep 7, 1934. He obtained his Master's degree in Bengali literature from the University of Calcutta in 1954.
He was associated with the Ananda Bazar group, a major newspaper-publishing house in Kolkata, for many years. He is now the president of Sahitya Academy after serving as its vice-president for five years.
An author of more than 200 books, Sunil is widely regarded as one of the most prolific writers having excelled in different genres, but he proudly declares that poetry is his "first love".
He was the founder-editor of "Krittibas", a poetry magazine that became a platform for the new generation poets, experimenting with many new forms in poetic themes, rhythms and words.

Salman Khan's romantic moves with Katrina!

The buzz is that Salman Khan made a romantic scene with real life girlfriend Katrina Kaif more passionate with an impromptu improvisation.
Well, the real life chemistry is bound to show but Salman kind of made things even better.
It happened while shooting romantic scene with Katrina for their latest film together-'Yuvvraaj'.
This particular scene was shot on the last day of the schedule in Austria. As there was not much time left, Ghai quickly explained the scene to Salman.
In this particular scene, Katrina walks down a street with a friend of hers. Salman walks up to her and pulls her towards him with a slight tug.
But when the scene was being canned, spontaneous Sallu decided to improvise. He walked up to Katrina and pulled her towards him real close. Then he took her out of the camera's frame only to re-enter with his hair completely ruffled.
Not surprisingly everyone on the sets enjoyed the scene. Ghai liked this scene better and okayed the shot.
Sallu bhai sure has some one of the kind ideas!

Iran will have strong presence at International film Festival of India

Mumbai: International film Festival of India (IFFI-2008), beginning in Panaji on November 22, will have a a strong focus on Iran.

On the right hand side is the photo of Iranian Actress Hedieh Tehrani, at Home in Tehran.
The culturally rich Iranian films, which have enthralled world audiences will be showcased under the ‘country focus’ section, according to an official release.
The Iranian delegation would be headed by noted cinematographer and filmmaker Alireza Raisian, who would showcase his film, 'Havana File'. Senior actors like Ezatollah Entezami with his award-winning film 'Gaav' (The Cow) would also be a part of the delegation, which would also include renowned director Maziar Miri with his film 'Slowly', while Rakhshan Bani Etemad would present her film 'Blood Game'.
The section would also feature films like 'Cafe Satareh' by noted filmmaker Saman Moghaddam. Award-winning actress Golshifte Farahani would represent her film 'The Fish Fall in Love'.
Well-known actress Niki Karimi would also represent Iranian cinema during the ten-day long festival. Cinema of Iran is a flourishing film industry with a long history. Some critics now rank Iran as the world's most important national cinema, artistically, with a significance that invites comparison to Italian neo-realism and such other movements in past decades.
The continuous presence of Iranian films in prestigious international festivals such as Cannes, Venice and Berlin has attracted world attention to Iranian masterpieces.
Post-revolutionary Iranian cinema has been celebrated in many international forums and festivals for its distinct style, themes, authors, idea of nationhood, and cultural references.

Controversial film 'Deshdrohi' banned in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The release of controversial film 'Deshdrohi' has been banned in Maharashtra as the subject of the film is similar to the current stir between Maharashtra Navnirman Seva (MNS) and north Indians living here.
After watching the film at a special screening, the Mumbai police had suggested that the Maharashtra government impose a ban on the film fearing it may affect law and order in the state.
The film has now been banned for two months after which it will be reviewed again, a source said.
"We are going to appeal in the court to remove the ban," said Bhojpuri producer-actor Kamaal R. Khan.
Khan also plays the lead in the film. Apart from him, “Deshdrohi” stars Gracy Singh, Hrishita Bhatt, Rosa Catalano, Aryan Vaid, Ranjit, and Nirmal Pandey, among others. [From Internet]

'Lamhaa' unit to leave Kashmir as mob stalls Bipasha's shoot

By Subhash K. Jha

Yeh India hai Meri Jaan.............

Mumbai: Bollywood producer Bunty Walia, who had hoped to shoot his film Lamhaa in the Kashmir valley, has decided to pull out his crew from the region after a mob disrupted the shooting of a scene involving Bipasha Basu.
On Wednesday, a mob surrounded the unit filming a scene with Bipasha, who plays the role of a Kashmiri girl. They wanted the film's shooting to be stopped.
"It wasn't a pleasant experience for Bipasha to suddenly see a mob of locals descending on the unit," Walia told IANS on phone from Srinagar.
"We were shooting on the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) compound, which was supposed to pass off as a street in Kashmir because there are a lot of Kashmiri Pundit houses in the compound.
"One sequence had a band of Kashmiri women led by Bipasha moving towards one of the houses in a van.

When the local Kashmiri men saw so many women in burqas, they wanted to know what was happening. They got increasingly agitated," he said.
"We realised that when it comes to mobs nothing works...not the police, not the CRPF. We decided we had no choice but to quickly pack up for the day for the sake of the unit's security," Walia added.
Last week, Kashmiri fruit traders had intervened to stop the shooting of the film at the fruit market as they feared the movie might portray them in a bad light.
On Monday, students of a college in south Kashmir's Anantnag district took exception to some of the portions being shot inside the campus premises and the principal then asked the film crew to withdraw.
"I realised quite early in our schedule that shooting the entire film in Kashmir would be impossible. The minute the locals saw a 150-strong unit in Srinagar they got suspicious and excited. There have been recent film units in Kashmir but none in Srinagar before 'Lamhaa'.
"They are apprehensive about the guns. But the gun culture has been a part of Kashmir for years. I was not showing anything unreal. This is the real Kashmir. But unfortunately their reality in a film is not acceptable to the locals," Walia said.
After Wednesday's disruption, director Rahul Dholakia called a press conference in Srinagar to explain that "Lamhaa" wasn't projecting the Kashmir valley incorrectly.
"Rahul was very upset about the disruption. He asked the locals not to become a mob," Walia said.
"Why did the Jammu and Kashmir government promise us all cooperation and protection? I'm anxious and irritated. I'm losing a lot of money because of the disruptions. I can't shoot beyond Nov 21. I don't have my stars' dates beyond that. The light starts fading at 4.30 p.m. I'm working against all odds. We feel pushed against the wall," he added.
Now almost 80 percent of "Lamhaa" will be shot in Film City in Mumbai.
"We've rescheduled. We'll shoot vital scenes with our stars as fast as possible and quickly move out of Kashmir. My entire film was to be shot in Kashmir for 60 days. Now we can only shoot in Kashmir for 20 days. The rest of the film will be shot on a set erected at Film City (Mumbai)," Walia said.
The set for "Lamhaa" will be constructed by Wasiq Khan.
"He's done other Kashmiri films like 'Tahaan' and 'Yahaan'. We're shopping for Kashmiri artefacts and furniture right now. We hope to create an authentic Kashmir in Mumbai," Walia said.
"The administration in Kashmir was cooperative. The local people were hostile. They misinterpret anything we shoot. I'm not going to explain every shot and action to the mobs. Sadly I've to announce that the dream of Kashmir being a paradise for film units remains just a dream." [With Inputs from Internet]

Raima turns Sizzling Sen!

It seems Raima Sen is bored of that demure good girl image of hers. Much like Soha Ali Khan, Gul Panag and Minissha Lamba in the past!
Raima has shed her inhibitions and clothes for the latest issue of the famous Men's magazine Maxim.The Bong babe is being pictured in black and white lacy lingerie set, no less! Umm…so another actress is desperately seeking attention.

Wonder if this sexy makeover will alter things for her!Looks like the babe's fed up of being confined to art house films like Chokher Bali, 'Antar Mahal' or bit parts in big films like 'Eklavya', 'Parineeta', 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd' or worse stills super flops like 'C Kkompany', 'Mukhbir' and 'Manorama Six Feet Under'.Some others like 'Meridian Lines' and 'Migration' have remained stuck for long.

Obviously poor Raima is mighty bored!Now she's 'Teen Patti', 'Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye', 'Sunglass' and 'Mumbai Cutting'. Well, it doesn't seem that these movies will do something great for her. After all she's been around for long, but looks like stardom isn't meant for her!

Since she doesn't have much to say about her career, she prefers to talk in detail about her November birthday and how she plans to celebrate it. She's said to the magazine, "My birthday is on November 7th. I'm a typical Scorpio.

Last year the party was at China House, but this year, I'm planning to have it at home. Nothing's been decided yet. My parents are really cool.

The best part is that I won't have to worry about organising anything as they'll take care of everything."We wonder where she's headed after this sizzling act! Lingerie ads? Well, anything's possible in B-Town! [From Internet]

Third doctorate for Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi became a doctor for the third time. Confused? Well, the talented actress has been conferred a doctorate for the third time just a few days back.
The Jamia Milia University of Delhi, at its convocation ceremony, presented a trophy to bestow the honour on Shabana at a function in Delhi. Apart from Shabana, Naseeruddin Shah, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan (leading scholar of Indian art, architecture and dance) and Asghar Ali Engineer (social reformer and theologian) were also conferred doctorates.

On earlier occasions, Shabana Azmi has been decorated with a similar honour by the Jadhavpur University of Calcutta and then by the Leeds University of the United Kingdom. It may be mentioned here that Azmi is also the winner of the Martin Luther King award of the Ann Arbour University of Michi­gan in the USA. This entitles her to be a visiting professor at the University. [From Internet]

The return of the loud mouths!

Payal Rohatgi and Sambhavna Seth are returning to the 'Bigg Boss' house to spice up the proceedings.
Payal made no bones about her love for exposure on the show. She's still busy talking about her so called 'fans' even outside the show! God only knows after all those B and C grade films, where did all these fans come from?
She's been going around saying, "I'm looking forward to the release of my forthcoming film 'Dil Kabbadi' opposite Irrfan Khan. I can say the visibility in 'Bigg Boss' has finally given me people who love me, my fans?"
Bet many know that it will just be another one of those blink- and -you'll –miss- it appearances.
Now after her ouster Sambhavna washed a lot of dirty linen in public and said that Payal and Rahul were too close for comfort and spent loads of time together in the bathroom and inside the blanket as well!
Some of their closeness was for the world to see but Payal maintains that Rahul is just an old friend who is naughty and there's no matchmaking making between friends.
She's added, "I will tell Mr Mahajan that I am focused about my career. Monica can give him marriage and babies and I will always be his best friend for life."
Wonder if her opinion will change once she sees Rahul frantically pursuing Monica in the house!
Payal has also not spared Pooja Bedi, the host of the special 'Bigg Boss' episodes, 'Aakhri Salaam'.
She's said, "It took a lot of self-restraint to observe Pooja Bedi's biased behaviour towards me by calling me a BACK STABBER, FAKE. She had already formed an opinion about me which was very hurtful coming from a lady of her stature. I guess she was just doing her job. Regarding the accusation, I would have been a back stabber had I nominated Rahul as he was my only friend. Regarding being camera conscious and fake, well I did not go on national television to look like a maid. I looked after my skin as it is very sensitive. And I did not sleep with make-up on."
Sambhavna obviously is still in her hit list!
She's revealed, "Apparently she and Eshaanji wrote my name on the floor and kicked it along with choicest of abuses. So one fine day I decided to call somebody of that stature down market"
As for Sambhavna who kept the viewers hooked with her circus antics, she maintains that Zulfi and Payal are the two worst people in the house. While Payal is a fake, Zulfi according to her does black magic and is dangerously shrewd. She would still want to hit Payal. Raja's evil too and 'would be the last person in the world whom she would like to be with'. And just after one of her big fights she was seen doing some real close dirty dancing with him by all and sundry!
There's bound to be loads of fireworks on display with the entrance of these two dames!
On another note, wannabe ladies man Rahul Mahajan has sprung as the hot favourite of punters who have placed bets running into millions of rupees on his winning the TV reality show! [From Internet]

Aamir loves Bebo's hot bod

Kareena Kapoor's size zero frame has found many admirers and the latest to join the bandwagon is Aamir Khan.
The religious workout schedule is paying rich dividends for Bebo.
The very talented Aamir who's her co-star in '3 Idiots' has confessed that Kareena has a ravishing body.
The actor said this in a recent interview, "Kareena has a great body. She is a fitness freak and her devotion towards her workouts has definitely made an impact on me."
Aamir usually keeps to himself during the shoots but he has become close to Kareena. It's all because of the common interest (fitness) that they share!
Aamir is impressed with her dedication and he wants people to take her as an example to religiously stick to a workout regime.
Thanks to tedious workouts and dieting, Kareena created a lot of buzz with her super slim body in 'Tashan' (though it didn't really help the cause of the film). Aamir is doing the same with his great physique in the promos of 'Ghajini'.
And there were many who thought that Aamir can never have that kind of a body!
The perfectionist sure has a thing for all dedicated and sincere folks of the world! [From Internet]

Alpha women take Bollywood Centre-Stage:

Mallika Sherawat doesn't blink about wearing her innerwear as outerwear or arm wrestling in “Ugly Aur Pagli”.

By Priyanka Khanna, New Delhi: Bollywood girls are no more the damsels in distress. Saucy ladies are staring down film posters during the all-important festive season and are attracting audiences in droves even as their male counterparts are barely visible or heard of.
While Kareena Kapoor is the star attraction, splashed across all publicity materials for just released multi-starrer “Golmaal Returns”, the other big film on the marquees is Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut starrer “Fashion” and the male presence is as good as nonexistent in it.
These ladies swear, slap, snore and swig several drinks and are heroes of many Bollywood offerings. And they have achieved this fest not merely by virtue of their willingness to bare all. Clearly with closer-to-life protagonists emerging as leads in Hindi films, the urban woman has arrived on silver screen and how.
If “Fashion” is the story of three women trying to make their individual mark and stay ahead in a competitive and cut-throat work environment, then Mallika Sherawat doesn't blink about wearing her innerwear as outerwear or arm wrestling in “Ugly Aur Pagli”. In “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na”, audiences hoot for 'Meow' who abuses and scratches her opponent's cheek, while her pal lectures sweetly on the virtues of non-violence.
In “Via Darjeeling” Sandhya Mridul is shown openly drinking with her mixed-group cronies while Sonali Kulkarni is portrayed, as a two-timer. Hit film “Cheeni Kum” has Tabu essaying the role of a confident, professional woman who holidays in London and falls in love with a man 30 years older to her and marries him.
Konkona Sen Sharma in “Life In A …Metro” may be on wrong side of 30, but she is not ready to marry by her mother's choice, Raima Sen saves her husband from goons with her martial arts moves in “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.”, and Shilpa Shetty gives no explanation for her unattached status when she dies of AIDS in “Phir Milenge“.
Already on the small screen, the dominance of women is complete. Even in the archaic soap operas, the model Indian daughters-in-law are invariably successful businesswomen. More importantly, dime-a-dozen reality shows are presenting a picture of women that has never been seen before. Girls indulging in flirting and backstabbing sessions have become routine.
In Colors' reality show “Khatron ke Khiladi”, the reigning Bollywood star Akshay Kumar was overshadowed by daring women who say a prayer before going on to break many a “Fear Factor” record.
In MTV's “Splitsvilla”, girls showed exactly what it takes to be the empowered new alpha woman as they compete for the attention of two boys even as their eyes are fixed on the big prize of landing a glam job. In Channel V's modelling show, “Get Gorgeous 5”, and several others it was not uncommon to hear girls say that the sexiest part of their body is their tongue, get into a mud fight or dedicate a poem to themselves.
And finally one look at the advertising world and there is no doubt that the alpha woman is here to stay. From tiny girls trying to save for fulfilling their elder's dreams to young ladies calling the bluff of a smart Alec, it is girls having all the fun all the way. [From Internet]

John Abraham makes it to 'sexiest in the world' list!
All the workouts and the dieting has paid off for John Abraham.

Apart from guys and girls swooning over his hot bod and strip tease in the promos of 'Dostana', his chiseled body and cool attitude has now managed to grab eyeballs in the West too. John is the only Indian to feature in the '25 Sexiest Men' list compiled by E! News!
In the special episode of the 'Sexiest Men' series, John has even made it to the elite Top 10 club where he features along with soccer star David Beckham, actor Johnny Depp, and Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, the male lead of Gurinder Chadha's 'Bend it Like Beckham'.
John who is currently in the US shooting for Kabir Khan's 'New York' says, "When people tell me I'm good-looking, my immediate reaction is to wonder if they mean it. So I just smile. At times it becomes uncomfortable, but I appreciate the compliment."
He adds that his selection in this list is because of the kind of films and commercial endorsements, his ever-growing international fan base and the love for his craft
John making it to a list like that is no small achievement, we must say! Much like today's birthday girl Ash being the only Indian to grab the 'sexiest eyes' title! [From Internet]

Aishwarya spends birthday with Abhishek in Kerala jungles

By Subhash K. Jha, Mumbai: Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai had a one-of-a-kind birthday - in the thick jungles of Kerala shooting for Mani Ratnam's next film. But she says she couldn't have asked for more as husband Abhishek was with her in the lush green locale.
"Here I am on my birthday with the love of my life," Aishwarya told a new agency.
"In a way I couldn't have asked for more. It's a beautiful green paradise here. We started shooting just a day ago. And we already feel those vibes of an extraordinary happening. And my husband is with me.
"So is my most favourite director who directed us in one of our best films together ('Guru') and who also happens to be my first director. And we're working on the most beautiful film that we could ever hope for. What better birthday could I ask for?"
Any regrets about not being with the rest of the family for the special day?
"It was just not possible. Mani sir has been absolutely patient, waiting for me and Abhishek while we attended to Pa (Amitabh Bachchan). We started shooting only on Thursday. Any further delay would be totally unacceptable to both me and Abhishek. Both of us have been brought up to believe that work is worship...but when it comes to a family crisis, nothing else matters," Aishwarya said.
Diagnosed with incisional hernia, Amitabh had been in the Lilavati hospital for a week last month. He had been rushed to hospital with abdominal pain on his birthday Oct 11.
Aishwarya said she might celebrate her birthday in a bigger way Sunday.
"But you know ...I've heard some whispers around here that we're getting Sunday off...a day after my birthday. But not a problem. We'll all celebrate properly a day later. No issues," the actress said.
The past few months have been exctremely trying for Aishwarya. First her father's illness then her father-in-law's sudden hospitalisation. But she managed to fulfil all her professional obligations.
"You know the best thing is, through all these trying times all my professional associates and colleagues have been a source of strength and courage. There was never this feeling of 'You better do it'. It was always a sense of 'Are you sure you can do it?'.
"I've derived great strength and sustenance from family, friends and colleagues. And I want to take this opportunity to thank them from the bottom of my heart. Their love and prayers have kept me going through the last few months," said the former Miss World.
So what's the one gift that she wants this birthday?
"I don't ask for anything. I already have everything that I could possibly want without asking for it. And like I said I'm with the love of my life in the wilderness," she laughed.
"Sadly no one will be able to get through to me where I'm shooting. Yeah ... I miss my family on my birthday. But then I can't have it all, can I?" [With inputs from the Internet]