SumanSpeaks: Films:

2009-07-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

Yash Raj Films denies signing Salman Khan

New Delhi: Bollywood's prestigious banner Yash Raj Films has denied reports that it has signed Salman Khan for a movie, saying they are 'completely baseless'.

It was reported that writer-turned-director Vijay Krishna Acharya, whose directorial debut 'Tashan' was produced by the banner, is directing his second film for Yash Raj Films and that Salman would star in it.

'We would like to clarify that this is a completely baseless and incorrect story. Vijay is still in the process of writing his next script for Yash Raj Films. No casting has therefore been done nor has anyone been considered for the same,' stated the banner.

'As and when we do finalise the script and the casting is complete, a suitable announcement will be made,' it added.

Salman, who has worked with almost all the filmmakers in the industry, is yet to be seen in a Yash Raj Films production.

2009-06-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Porn industry hit by HIV outbreak

Melbourne: The multi-billion dollar adult film industry in the US has been left facing a storm after 22 porn actors were reported to have contracted HIV.
State health officials in California fear moviemakers may not be following regulations that require them to provide protection against the transmission of the disease on film sets.
The state Division of Occupational Safety was looking to begin a formal investigation after a woman recently tested positive for HIV just after shooting an adult film.
"Our concern is that we need to quickly get to the employer so that we can work with them to change their practices to ensure the proper safety measures are being taken to prevent the additional spread of HIV," The Daily Telegraph quoted agency spokesman Dean Fryer as saying.
Los Angeles County health officials revealed 22 cases of HIV had been confirmed in industry performers since 2004.
Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health, said there were "persistent reports" about reckless practices.
Fryer added: "There is no reason these infections should be occurring if these employers are following these precautions."
Producers had made condoms mandatory after an HIV outbreak in 2004 but following a rebellion from both actors and audiences, it was made optional.
Steven Hirsch, co-Chief Executive of Vivid Entertainment Group, one of the industry's largest filmmakers, said: "What happened was the talent didn't want to use condoms. As a result, we decided to go condom optional." [From Internet]

2009-05-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

"I adopt anywhere between two to four cancer patients every year" - Dia Mirza

By Devansh Patel

Basically what is seen as a 'Social Service' is something that strays from the ordinary, something that is spontaneous and creative. Yet what one person sees as serving the needy may be seen as ridiculous by another, and don't ask 'Why'. Social Services really are a matter of personal taste, and the more geared to the subject of your affection the gesture is, the more likely you will hit the right side of the line. There are no hard and fast rules for getting it right, however, considering the following by Dia will at least steer you in the right direction: "Your life has deeper purpose than what you understand. There are two ways of living life. Either you just live day to day and let it unfold and discover it as it does or you believe that your existence has a deeper meaning than what appears to be and you make that meaning out of everything you do." Meet the very gifted and compassionate, Dia Mirza, who meets us just outside her Pali Hill apartment after this happened. Her maid opens the door and tells, "Memsaab ghar pe nahin hain, woh bahar gaye hain". With eyes wide open, we reply, "Haan lekin unhone bulaya hain. Kab aayengi woh? " The maid replies, "Pata nahin." The thought bubble then pops up saying 'This has never happened to us before. Pretty amateurish from Dia.' The lift door shuts and the ultra slim body with glowing face, wearing a yellow tee meets our eye with a professional welcome and greets with a handshake that is firm. Phew! Now that's timing girl. For those of us who are interested in the life and art of Miss Mirza, and how they manage to co-exist, there are many moments which you can witness the moment you enter her bright living room. A face with a generous upper lip and the dusky brown eyes. Her screen persona is seventies Bollywood, when young women came across as more mature and experienced than the more girlish females who populate post-nineties studio movies. To become two such different people in the millenium year in such a short space of time is almost sinister. And then Dia in flesh is so different again from her two latest turns. With the fan wafting around a smell of freshly prepared tea, it is surprising to find her sounding so normal and sensible and real on a hot summer afternoon, and with lots to chat about, the proactive, professional and profound actress gets the temperature soaring in this intimidating, self-contained and poised interview she gives in this summer special. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent Devansh Patel gets all spiritual, philosophical, social and artistic with Dia, for after the interview got over, she showed an extremely beautiful painting - A pregnant angel looking up towards the sky seeing numerous shooting stars. It was Dia's unnamed creation. Though she did tell us, "If you find a good name for this painting, please feel free to let me know." We got one already - 'Starlet'
Who made the greatest impression on you growing up, as a mentor?
There are several influences. Of course, the first and the most important influences in any child's upbringing are the parents and what they do. I grew up hearing stories of my mother's childhood. There were these slum children around her where she lived and her sisters would tell me stories about the dirty little babies my mother would be carrying in her arms calling her a mad woman. I'd be like: 'That's so wonderful'. So you grow up hearing stories about what your parents have done and how effortlessly and selflessly they've done it and never made an issue out of it. Sunny Pillai, my dad's very good friend always said, 'Your life has deeper purpose than what you understand. There are two ways of living life. Either you just live day to day and let it unfold and discover it as it does or you believe that your existence has a deeper meaning than what appears to be and you make that meaning out of everything you do.' I think I absorbed that part better. I feel that human beings have a greater purpose on this planet.
You're right. But the same human beings do crib about many things.
I really am amazed with some people of my generation who crib about the bad internet connections. I mean, aren't they just happy with the invention in the first place? You are sitting on an aircraft and complaining about the turbulence. There are so many wonderful things we are surrounded by in our everyday life that we should be filled with wonderment about it, respect and appreciate it.
Dia Mirza You strongly support CPAA. Would you then adopt a cancer patient?
I have. I may not have taken one into my home but I adopt anywhere between two to four patients every year. I get feedback on their recovery and of course, this adoption is primarily monetary where we pay all the medical bills of this child. The kids are still with their parents and happy. I'd love to bring a child home but unless the child is an orphan, it doesn't make sense.
Has your experience with CPAA, CRY, Spastic Society of India, LIONS, Shiksha and many more made you more empathetic towards the society we are living in?
Actually, it makes me very frustrated and very angry because in India and the world over, there is a lot of unhappiness which is related to health issues like the basic sanitary issues. There is always a sense of empathy and it happens when you don't know things too closely. In fact, you feel anger and frustration when you see things on closer quarters because you are helpless. Spending time with these kids or being able to monetarily take care of them doesn't make a real difference. It might make a small difference but it's almost like a drop in the ocean as it brings you closer to the vastness of the problem. I mean, how many more people are suffering out there and it just makes you more and more insecure. That's the real truth.
A celebrity, a socialite, a multi-tasker and with looks people don't want to blink an eye for. Why don't you start your own talk show which is social in nature? More like an Oprah Winfrey one?
Oh, I love Oprah. I have this huge and an incredible amount of respect for her. Simply because she is one of the single most committed people on this planet. The kind of compassion that woman has, the kind of heart she has and the kind of effort she puts into everything she does is incomparable. I don't know whether I would be able to find the kind of backing and support that she has found. But you never know, twenty years from now, you might just see me host one of such shows. It'll take me a good twenty years to garner the strength I need in the first place.
Seeing you talk, it feels as if you're going to weep in a second. You getting emotional?
I am a very emotional person and if I do start my own show, I'd probably start crying from question one.
Were you a prodigy as a speaker?
I don't know. I was very very shy when I was young. As I grew older, I became confident of myself. I think being a prodigy as a speaker, it's got a lot to do with the kind of school you go to and the kind of influence the teachers have on you. I read a lot and I was encouraged to speak because I made a lot of sense back then. Ever since I was twelve years old, I've always been told that I sound years ahead my age. I reckon it's a gift.
Do you look back sometimes and think that you've given a lot back as a citizen of the world more than just being an actress?
I've given nothing. It's nothing in comparison to what I should be doing or what I would like to do. Of course, I can sit here and recount all the times I've helped people and feel really good about it but there is so much more to do. On an individual level, I will do whatever little I can. I am not over the moon for what I've been doing socially. I am happy to be in a position where I can give.
Dia Mirza Anything we're missing?
Yes. I have just recently been made a part of the advisory board of the Coca Cola Foundation of India which is set up to primarily take care of various areas in providing drinking water to rural India, to little railway stations, etc. There are also some very good people who are on board who've done remarkable work to support many of the causes like this one. I am looking forward to work for the foundation because you need somebody or something to guide your motivation and culminate it into something. I know I'm going to help. And I always help whenever people call me. But now I'm at a stage where I know I want to do certain things and I need to find the right avenues to take that forward. I think this board will help me do that.
What makes a busy woman like you juggle the time?
There's always time. For good things there is always time.
Do organisations call you up to support causes or is it your decision to provide them with a helping hand?
Fortunately, because we are actors, there are lot of people who approach us. But that approachability only happens when they know for sure that you will come forward. There are lots of actors in the industry but they don't call everyone. There are some actors whom they call because as an organisation they see them doing a certain amount of work. They see you work in one organisation and call you for another. It's like a chain reaction. A lot of the work I do is because these people have come to me.
Anything in particular you dream of doing to support a cause?
I love children and one of the greatest and the most innocent victims of our society today are children. Whether it is lack of education, malnutrition, diseases, etc. There are several problems children face in India. I want to be in a place one day where I can take care of many of them.
Do you look up to Angelina Jolie then?
Not just Angelina Jolie. There are people like Bono, Brad Pitt. Actually, we Indian actors have really done nothing in comparison to what celebrities the world over do. And I'm talking about them spending millions of dollars a year on charitable causes. I really disagree when people say - Our actors don't make as much. Fine, we may not make as much money as them but there are quite a few who are on par with few of the actors abroad. But it all boils down to one thing - personal choice. You don't have to do social work just because you're a celebrity. But when God has given you so much money, power and leadership, you should be able to use it for the well being of all. If I was making as much money as them, I swear, I'd be doing a lot more than what I'm doing now.
Have you been following the IPL? Anyone worth supporting?
Last year, I was very disappointed with the 'Deccan Chargers'. I thought they were one of the strongest team. Now to see them hit the nail on the head is exciting. They are on top of the league table this year and my full support to them. 'Deccan Chargers' is the team I am looking at very closely.
Dia Mirza Did you ever have to make that mistake in order to find what you do best in acting?
That's the only way you find what you do best in anything in life. The only and the best way to learn is to burn your fingers. When you get a little wiser, a little mature, you learn more. When I started out I was naïve. I was this regular kid from Hyderabad with no exposure to films and suddenly you see your life change overnight. My coming into the industry was made such a big deal and I don't think I was ever given that break or that chance to absorb or understand what actually is happening in the industry. A lot of choices I made in the interim of couple of years were completely haywire considering the kind of films I'm doing now. But I guess I had to make those choices in order to grow up on them and understand cinema the way I do today.
Is it harder to be centered when you're well known?
No. I guess a lot of people say it is. I was eighteen and was trying very hard. There was a sense of disillusionment and I didn't feel centered at all. There was a lot that could affect me and I could've swayed but I think it shook me up a lot. And then when my films bombed, I came back to ground zero. I've tasted the mud and realised that this is the job I respect, I have to give a lot to and nothing comes easy in life.
You aren't controversy's favourite child. Touchwood. But what's the balance between being confidently assertive and overly aggressive?
I think it's very important to be confidently assertive. I have nothing to hide and my life is an open book. I am what I am. I've never been ashamed or embarrassed to admit if I've done something wrong. Not because as a public figure I owe people an explanation or where everybody needs to know everything about me. No. But if you ask me a breaking question, I'll give you a forthright answer. I will assert my right.
Any difficult aspects of your success, now that you've tasted the mud?
I think it can make you a bit precarious. I am a very given person. I do not hesitate to trust people and give in very easily. But sometimes you do that and you get smacked on your face. Honestly, with all the lessons I've learnt and have gone through, I don't think there is anything about myself or my life that has changed drastically, except for maybe, a few friends who I've lost along the way to this mad world and not being able to give enough time for my extended family. These are small prices you pay for your success.
Talk us through Johnny Mastana.
I have great respect for Shoojit Sircar. I was actually jumping in joy when I got a call from UTV saying that Shoojit wanted to meet me regarding the film. It's actually Mr. Bachchan's journey and how every character who comes in his journey becomes an integral part of it. I play a girl called Manya in Johnny Mastana. It's a very beautifully scripted film and Mohanan is the DOP of the film. The film's canvas, the way it looks, is like a poetry in motion. The film is in post production stage and it's a romantic drama.
Dia Mirza Any film you're looking forward to once the strike gets over?
Arshad Warsi Productions Kaun Bola. It's my first romantic comedy drama. Arshad has written the film too. The entire film is shot in Newcastle, UK. It's a very beautifully layered part. For the first time in my career I felt that Kaun Bola gave me the platform to go all out and show people what I'm all about. We had a blast because I had Boman Irani with me whom I call 'Pops' since Lage Raho Munnabhai. He is a sweetheart and my daddy. Sandhya Mridul too is a mad house and you know what Arshad is capable of doing. Kaun Bola is a Studio 18 film.
So is Kaun Bola too special for you?
Yes, and I'll tell you why. I've never seen a shooting star in my life. I always wonder - Why have I never seen one. We were doing this last schedule of the film in Goa. I was sitting on the beach after pack up and was looking up towards the sky. Suddenly I witnessed two shooting stars one after the other and got really kicked about it because the film's production is called 'Shooting Star Production'. It may sound child like but it's the truth.
You're a very good painter too, we heard.

Kind of yes. I use a medium called 'Gouch', a french name. Unfortunately in Mumbai, oil paintings don't dry properly because of the humidity level in the air. A lot of artists in Mumbai either use acrylic or water. I use Gouch because it gives you the result of oil and water. It's a magic paint.

2009-05-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

I would want to go the world's coldest place with the hottest chick – Rajeev Khandelwal
An extract of an interview with Rajeev Khandelwal by Jiya Pandit

1.What ideal qualities would you want in your woman?
My woman should be very feminine, unlike some females today who try to be a man.
2. Would you prefer a homemaker or a working woman?
Working woman anyday. In this age, no self-respecting woman would want to depend on her man for anything.
3. Hottest getaway with her?
I would want to go the world's coldest place with the hottest chick. However, I would avoid mentioning names because all the women who are on my mind right now are either married or seeing someone.
4. Would you go for a live-in relationship if necessary?
No, I would not be comfortable with a live-in. I would rather get married to the lady, rather than just move in with her. I believe in commitment, while live–ins give the liberty to call it quits very easily.
5. How would you woo your woman?
I would bring my love home and cook a beautiful candle-light dinner for her. A cosy twosome is much better than a restaurant full of strangers.
6. If you found your partner having a fling with your best friend, what would you do?
I would quietly walk away. And hope that I never ever cross their path again in life.
7. Would you allow your future wife to wear short outfits?
If she looks beautiful, sure, but no way, if she looks inviting.
8. Are men from Mars and women from Venus?
No, both are from bloody Earth.
9. If most women don't like the supposed dominating nature of men, what is the one trait in women that turns you off?
When women say 'you are not my type'. At such times, I really wonder what type they are.
10. Your take on spineless and polygamous saas bahu men?

Ouch Thank God, I am not one of them.

2009-04-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

'Am I making a statement? Ask my colleagues' - Celina on her sensual photo shoot
By Joginder Tuteja

Name Celina Jaitley has always been synonymous with 'sensuality' and when she poses for the camera, she ensures that all eyes are indeed on her.
For someone who has always been known for being comfortable with her body and doesn't carry any inhibitions whatsoever, Celina has done it again by arriving in a photo shoot that for a popular film glossy that has made heads turn yet again. Wearing a two piece bikini with a shirt thrown in a tantalizing manner, she has yet again made a statement. Joginder Tuteja catches up with Celina as she reveals what made her go for the shoot.
The shoot does show you in a hot and bold avtar. Or would you rather say that it is more on a sensual side?I would say that this shoot shows the feminine side of me. I think there is a lot of femininity in the pictures and yes, I feel it's sensuous too. Actually if I have to really look at it very objectively, these pictures tell a lot about me as a girl who has a healthy respect for herself and her body. A girl who is on the verge of being a woman and is someone who is comfortable in her own skin.
Since this is not the first time that you have gone for a dare bare shoot like this, it must not have taken too much convincing for you to shoot for the magazine, isn't it?This magazine has always been gracious in promoting new talent and they have always promoted me even in the beginning of my career. I knew they would do justice to my pictures and they did more than that.
It has been quite a while since one saw you in a dare-bare photo shoot like the one you have done this time around. Had you been waiting for the right moment to strike?Maybe. I don't really know but this shoot worked out fabulously well at the right time perhaps. See, 'Golmaal Returns' has been a hit, my work is being appreciated and I have 7 films on floor. Soon, 'Paying Guest' would be released too. (Smiles) I guess God has finally sent his angels to watch over me!
So can one safely presume that after the shoot, Celina would eventually be making a statement to her colleagues in the industry?(Laughs) May be this question should be put up to my colleagues.
Overall happy with the way life is treating you?Life is fabulous. It has given me so very much at such a young age. I am very happy and grateful to God and all the many people who love me. I am truly blessed. Inshahallah!

2009-03-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

Jade Goody dies of Cancer

London, Mar 22: British reality star Jade goody has lost her battle to cervical cancer, media has reported.

The mum of two, 27, who recently married boyfriend Jack Tweed, died in her sleep at her home in Essex, southeast England, her publicist Max Clifford said.

Goody was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 but the disease spread to her liver, groin and bowel and she was told it was terminal in February.

She was being treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London but wanted to die at home with her family, new husband and sons, Bobby, five, and Freddy, four.

Goody became famous after appearing on the Channel 4 show Big Brother.

2009-03-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

Tania Zaetta bares all for men's magazine

Melbourne: Tania Zaetta dropped her layers to strike a raunchy pose for the cover of Ralph magazine's latest issue.
The former Bollywood star, who played a minor role as an American billionaire's wife in 'Bunty Aur Babli' and was featured in 'Salaam Namaste', in one picture appeared topless while her long hair covered her breasts.
The 38-year-old revealed she was least bothered about the criticism regarding her tropical-themed snaps taken near the Gold Coast.
``If Jennifer Aniston and other amazing women like that can get out there and lead a healthy lifestyle and not be afraid to wear a bikini on the beach, then I'm not either,'' the Herald Sun quoted her as saying.
``I have had a very long and fulfilling career in different countries around the world. I'm very proud of the shots, I'm proud of being my age, and having a healthy lifestyle,' she added.
The Aussie actress, who was falsely accused of bedding soldiers while performing in Afghanistan last year, said she would have passed the opportunity to pose for the magazine had it been offered to her last year.
She said: 'There's certain times when I don't think it's appropriate The timing for me last year wasn't right. I wasn't comfortable doing it last year.' [From Internet]

2009-03-05T01:31:00.000-08:00

I have a karmic connection with Shakeel: Amrita Arora

By Subhash K. Jha

Bollywood actress Amrita Arora, who tied the knot with businessman Shakeel Ladak Wednesday, says she knew he was the one for her as soon as they met since they have 'a karmic connection'.
"The minute I set my eyes on Shakeel I knew he was the man I wanted to marry. It's like a karmic connection. I just felt it. I had never felt this before. Shakeel is everything that I want my husband to be. And I'm determined to make our marriage work. I'll do whatever it takes," Amrita told IANS just before her Christian wedding ceremony.
The couple is very clear about their wedding plans - a sangeet Thursday will be followed by the nikaah Friday. However, they haven't decided where to go for their honeymoon.
"The problem is both Shakeel and I are so widely travelled that we have no place that we can claim as our private honeymoon spot. There doesn't seem to be any place that neither of us hasn't visited," said Amrita.
"I guess we'll just hold each other's hand, close our eyes and point to any part of the globe and pick our honeymoon spot. It doesn't matter where we go as long as we're together," she added.
Talking about the exchange of wedding vows, the actress said: "We were supposed to have a church wedding but there were some security hassles so we quickly moved the venue to Olive. But there were no hassles because we had a standby ready."
Amrita gives her sister Malaika all credit for the arrangements.
"I know nothing about the wedding arrangement. It was all done by my sister who put her own life on hold to look into my wedding details. I'm blessed to have such a supportive family," she said.

2009-03-01T02:56:00.000-08:00

Ajay and Katrina to help Prakash Jha

It is heard that Ajay Devgan and Katrina Kaif are going to be part of the election campaigns in Bihar.
According to a buzz, both the B-Town stars will be doing their bit to pull in the crowds for Prakahs Jha who is going to contest the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar from a place called Bettiah.
They will be doing this not out of any political aspirations or affiliations but only because of their liking for the acclaimed film maker.
Both Ajay and Katrina are part of the big star cast of the awaited movie titled ‘Rajneethi’ being currently made by Prakash Jha.
Reports have come up regarding the huge number of people who had come to see just Katrina as she was shooting for ‘Rajneethi’ in some parts of North India.
So if Katrina really comes in during the election rallies, Prakash Jha will be indeed fortunate as even for established big political parties, getting top film stars to be part of their campaigns is not easy.
Ajay’s respect for Prakash Jha due to the several humanitarian activities that the film maker has initiated in the past couple of years is said to be the reason for him to say "yes" to Prakash.

2009-02-20T21:11:00.000-08:00

When Gulzar refused to bow to Shah Rukh's lyrical pressure

By Subhash K. Jha: Shah Rukh Khan is known to take interest in the music of his films and that's how he came up with the words 'Love mera hit hit' for a song in his just released 'Billu'. But when the superstar approached noted lyricist Gulzar with his words to write the full number, the poet declined to use them.
Before Shah Rukh, composer Pritam Chakraborty had approached him with the same words.
"Pritam protested that the words were given to him by Shah Rukh and had to be used. When I refused, Shah Rukh came home a number of times to convince me. I reluctantly turned him down," Gulzar, who has written three songs for the film including the controversial "Marjani", told a news agency.

"He (Shah Rukh) even suggested that I write whatever I wanted and his words 'Love mera hit hit' would be fitted into my lyrics. But that's not the way I work. I never will. So I wrote just three of the songs in 'Billu' and left the project," he said.
Shah Rukh and Gulzar go back a long way.
Recalling his earlier Shah Rukh song, Gulzar said: "In 'Chaiyyan chaiyyan' for 'Dil Se' some people objected to the use of the word 'tabeez'. Now in 'Marjani' they objected to the word 'hazur' I believe.
"All I can say in my defence is that the word hazur in 'Marjani' isn't referring to the Prophet. It means 'presence'. I'm sorry if I've hurt anyone's sentiments. I'm sorry if some people have misunderstood what I've written. I'm very very careful about the words that I use. In fact, I left 'Billu' midway for this reason," Gulzar said.
The poet doesn't allow even a word of his lyrics to be tampered with.
"There have been a number of occasions when I've opted out because I wasn't comfortable with the words that I was supposed to write," he said.
Gulzar opted out of Sanjay Chel's "Khubsoorat" when the director wanted a word to be substituted by another.
"But the funniest incident occurred when I wrote the children's song 'Chaddhi pehan ke phool khila hai' for 'Jungle Book'. Someone said the word chaddhi (underwear) was vulgar. Could I change it to lungi? I stuck to my chaddhi," he said

2009-02-13T14:34:00.001-08:00

I am glad I cast Vidya balan and not Aishwarya rai in Bhool bhulaiya-Priyadarshan

PRIYADARSHAN tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that he prefers to cast the same set of actors in every film of his because he is of the opinion that when butter is at home, he need not go out to search for ghee.
What is Billu about?
Basically Billu is a tribute to friendship. It is the story of a simple ordinary hair stylist who leads an extra ordinary life. It is about Bilas Rao Pardesi (Irrfan Khan) who is living in his village with his wife Bindiya (Lara Dutta) and two kids. Life was bitter sweet. We can say more sweet than bitter.

Till one day a super star (Shah Rukh Khan) comes into their lives and everything changes. Life changes, people change, friends change, the village changes but one man does not-Billu. It is the story of true friendship between Lord Krishna, the King of Dwarka and Sudama, a poor hermit. The moral of the story is so strong that it inculcates humbleness and greatness and conveys the true meaning of friendship.
Isn't Billu a remake of the Malayalam hit Katha Parayumbol?
It is not a 100 % remake of Katha Parayumbol but a take off in my own way. The character of the hair stylist played by Sreenivasan in Malayalam, Jagapathi Babu in Telugu and Pasupathi in Tamil, is being essayed by Irrfan Khan in Hindi.
Has Katha Parayumbol also been remade in other languages?
Director P Vasu remade the Malayalam film Katha Parayumbol into Tamil and Telugu, titled Kuselan and Kathanayakudu, respectively. Rajinikanth played the role of super star in the remakes.
Where did the Tamil remake fail?
The strength of the original story was diluted when it was remade in Tamil and Telugu Besides the films also suffered because of the problem of adding additional characters. The remakes also lost their theme because of the up-scaling of Rajinikanth's role, when compared to the role of Mammootty in the original Malayalam version.
What did you do to do justice to Shah Rukh's character as the super star?
A lot of changes in the screenplay were made to suit the larger than life image of Shah Rukh Khan, though he does not play himself ,without in any way diluting the strength of the original script and as a result we have him doing as many as three item numbers with actresses like Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.
Is it different from the usual Priyadarshan films?

The film is full of my comic touches, complete with the much loved village bumpkin characters, played by Asrani, Om Puri and Rajpal Yadav. But above all, it rekindles the Krishna - Sudama timeless friendship.
Does criticism about you being the Master of Remakes bother you?

I am not bothered when the critics dub me as the Remake Man, because the Oscar last year went to the remake version of a Hong Kong film called The Departed. My Kabhi Na Kabhi was not a remake of any Malayalam hit but an original subject written by Javed Akhtar.

Do you know that all David Dhawan films have been rehashed from Bhagyaraj's hit films?

I think most remakes of South Indian hits fail only because they try to make it as it is. I make it a point not to let any of my film in Hindi look like a Tamil or Malayalam film from any angle.
What is of primary importance when you make a film?

As far as a director is concerned, the approach to a film is more important and also doing justice to the film. All other things are secondary.
Which are your forthcoming projects?

I have five mega projects lined up. I am finalising a script for a film which may star Amitabh Bachchan and Akshaye Khanna. The story is about bank robbery. I'm directing it for Percept Pictures. I am also making a horror film called Grrr! for them. I am also making the Hindi remake of Majeed Majidi's classic The Children of Heaven with Darsheel Safary, and Rituparna Dasgupta.
Have you stopped making Malayalam films?

I will return next year to Malayalam films to direct veteran scriptwriter M.T. Vasudevan Nair's next script, which would also star my favorite actor Mohanlal in the lead.
Tell me about your ambitious project Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram is a tragic tale of pre-Independence Indian silk weavers in Kanchipuram. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the first rumblings of labor unionism in South India. The film has Prakashraj, Shreya Reddy, the daughter of the former wicket keeper Bharat Reddy, Shammu and Jayakumar in the lead. The film, using Tamil language and grammar of that period, has been produced by Percept Picture Company and Gulshan Kumar.
Wasn't your Bhool Bhulaiya a rehash of the Tamil hit Chandramukhi starring Rajnikant ?
Chandramukhi was a commercial massacre of the original Malayalam film Mani Chitra Thazhu starring Mohanlal and Shobhana which was made way back in 1981. I was pissed off when the media wrote that I was remaking a trash like Chandramukhi when the original version is even today considered classic. I had not directed the film but assisted Fazil who had directed it. The concept also was his but they killed his concept and made it into a Rajnikant style film because they wanted to cater to the masses. I made Bhool Bhulaiya by sticking to the original concept of Fazil.
In what way was Bhool Bhulaiya different from the original Malayalam hit?
Though I followed the original, I made sure that the subject suited the North audience and did not reek of nativity in any way. I had Banaras as the backdrop instead of Kerala. Chandramukhi was more of an action film. In the original version, they showed the protagonist as a split personality. However, since I am a psychology student, I took the liberty to base the story on identity syndrome.
Didn't you plan to cast Aishwarya Rai in place of Vidya Balan when you set out to remake Manichitra Thazhu as Bhool Bhulaiya?
To make Vidya Balan do Shobana's role was a big challenge for me as a director. To Vidya's credit, I should say that she worked very hard on her role, though there is a lot of difference between a genuine dancer and a filmy dancer. The role which Vidya did in Bhool Bhulaiya was tailor made for her. I realized that it would have been a grave mistake on my part if I had taken on Aishwarya Rai, as I had planned earlier instead of Vidya.
Why do you cast the same set of actors in your films again and again?
When the butter is at home, why should I search for ghee? I like to use complete actors like Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav and Manoj Joshi who can do all kinds of roles. I am of the opinion that known devils are better than unknown angels.
You have no qualms to admit that you like to play to the gallery as a film maker?
My Dhol was a time pass film, which was rehashed from three Malayalam films-- Manamathai, Mazhai Peyyunnu Madhalam Kottunnu and Chandralekha. So what if it did not click like some of my earlier films? I could not sit through the Hindi remake of my hit Malayalam film Chandralekha because Raj Kanwar who directed it mauled my original version very badly.

Can you tell me one single serious film which has worked in Hindi in the last two years at the box office?

I have no qualms to admit that I play to the gallery because today the majority of the audiences are youngsters who have problems at their homes and want to pass time when they come to the cinema houses.

2009-02-08T11:04:00.000-08:00

Want to break into Bollywood? Win a pageant

New Delhi: Dream of a big Bollywood break but daddy's not a film star? Well, your best chance of a breakthrough may be via a beauty pageant.
Many stars in Bollywood, including Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and John Abraham, have gone down this road and carved out successful careers for themselves.
Former Miss India-turned-actress Tanushree Dutta admits that winning a pageant was a stepping stone for her career. 'I became a national face after winning the pageant and was recognised by everyone. It was not only a launch pad but also a great training ground,' Dutta told IANS over phone from Mumbai. 'This does help in entering the (film) industry but after that you have to prove your acting mettle because there is no shortcut to success,' she added.
Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut 'Luck By Chance', which took an insider's look at the film industry, pointed out that to get a lead role in a movie one either has to be a star kid or else a model who has won a beauty pageant.
Actor-turned-director Deepak Tijori agrees and says winning a pageant gives recognition but one has to utilise the opportunity in a 'wise' manner. 'Winning a title brings unknown faces into the limelight, which in turn helps them in building their career. Media is such a strong medium today that you are bound to get attention and such attention really helps only if used wisely,' Tijori said.
Actors like Sushmita Sen, Dino Morea and Rajniesh Duggall have respectively titles like Miss Universe, Gladrags Manhunt and Mr India which helped them realise their Bollywood dreams.
These days many modelling agencies like Elite Modelling Agency and Shoot Talent Management are helping Bollywood aspirants fulfil their dreams.
Shoot Talent Management's business head (north) Sonia Karan Dikar told IANS that it was a natural progression for most models to aspire for Bollywood. 'Modelling gives you fame but not as much as Bollywood and today's generation wants to become famous and earn money very quickly. This can happen only when you are a well-known face or a celebrity,' Dikar said. 'Winning a title helps in giving you global exposure that in turn gives you good opportunities and assignments.'
Mehar Bhasin, who also runs a grooming and modelling academy, Mehar Bhasin Academy, agrees with Dikar and says that a grooming or modelling school does wonders to improve the overall personality of anybody. 'Winning a title definitely helps in boosting the confidence of the aspirant and the fact that you are already groomed also saves a lot of energy and efforts for directors as they know that you can confidently face the camera,' Bhasin said.
Talking about the advantage winning a title has had on his career, Mr India Rajniesh Duggall told IANS over phone from Mumbai: 'It takes a person three steps ahead of where he is. It helps him in crossing basic hurdles like directly meeting a producer or director rather than waiting in long queues. But at the end of the day what matters are the choices that you make in your film career.'
Duggall added: 'The Grasim Mr India title helped me to the extent that any producer I wanted to meet used to call me directly to his office whereas at the same time if my friend approached the same producer, they used to make him wait for at least a month.'
But model-turned-actor Rahul Dev dismisses the idea that a majority of the actors who are doing well in the tinsel town are winners of some title or the other. 'All actors in Bollywood are not necessarily winners of any pageant or title. There are some (pageant winners) but they too have worked hard to reach where they are,' Dev said. 'Winning a title gives you media attention. And the way you are projected on screen, the perception of the whole world about you changes,' he added.

2009-02-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

I would like to work with Kareena again: Shahid Kapur

Mumbai: Shahid Kapur says he doesn't mind working with ex-girlfriend Kareena Kapoor if a filmmaker wanted him to.
“I would like to work with her again. I feel that as an actor if my producer wants me to romance with a cow or a buffalo also, I'll do it because that's my job,” Shahid said on Zee News' celebrity chat show “Kahiye Janab”.
Shahid and Kareena teamed up for three films.

While "Fida" and "Chup Chup Ke" bombed at the box office, "Jab We Met" was a blockbuster. Sadly, their relationship soured while shooting for this romantic comedy.
Now Shahid is linked with India's tennis star Sania Mirza.
Asked about Sania, he said: “She is a very good friend of mine, but I don't want to discuss my personal life.”
The show will be aired Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

2009-01-31T03:22:00.000-08:00

I was a short, dark and round girl: Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu came into the limelight with her coffee bean complexion in Ajnabee.
But she has now moved on from being just a sex icon and is signing on mature roles. But being confident young girl right from the start the actress says being dusky has never a bane in fact the actress says it made her stronger. Reminiscing her childhood Bipasha says "I was never meant to be beautiful.
I was a short, dark and round girl. I was incorrigible. I was the brat of the neighborhood. However, I had my defenses in order. Before anybody could scold me, I would start bawling loudly. Nevertheless, I was good kid in school.

I was the prefect in my school at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Kolkata, later I became the Head Girl. If I had not started modeling at an early age, I would have liked to study. Not having done so will always be regret," says the actress.
But the actress says that she didn't have many friends then. "I was always the butt of their jokes since my elder sister was the pretty one in the family. She was taller, fair; always the centre of attention. But somewhere along the way, I shot up in height and started to look better. I won a few beauty contests. Things changed when I won the Ford Supermodel of the World in December 1996" she reveals.
The actress says there were times when she enjoyed the limelight and at times she didn't. "There were times when I enjoyed the attention and the lifestyle. At other times I wanted to lock myself in my room and hope the world outside the door would just go away"
Bipasha in fact started life a little earlier than most people. "I started modelling at the age of 16, doing fashion shows all over the world. I used to live between Delhi and Mumbai for most of the year. That is, when I was not abroad. It has taken me a while to accept Mumbai as my home after living in Delhi and Kolkata.

I have lived in a series of rented rooms and apartments. Many of them shared with other models for roommates. It was difficult to call any of these places home, until now. I have my own apartment in a secluded lane in the city. It's a great place to come home to" she concludes.

2009-01-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

Ranbir- Deepika's wavering relationship

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone came together quietly under dramatic circumstances more than a year back.
There were talks that Ranbir was seeing his first co-star Sonam and Deepika was oscillating between Yuvraaj Singh and M.S Dhoni after her break up with Nihar Pandya.
They have been officially seeing each other for a while but there have been some uncertainties.
Of late there have been talks about Ranbir getting close to his new co-star Katrina Kaif and Deepika being spotted with some mystery man.
In the beginning, Neetu Singh seemed to be confident about her dear Ranbir's relationship with Deepika. Both Rishi and she seemed to have accepted her as their bahu.
In fact, she was even spotted with Deepika at the Lakme Fashion week and caught the attention of all and sundry.
But now things have changed. Because of the differences they too are uncertain about what the future holds for the young couple.
Neetu has recently said, "Deepika is just another girlfriend in Ranbir's life. Both of them are very young. It's a long way to go before marriage. No one knows what the future holds for them."
The bad thing is that both of them are busy and don't have enough time to sort out things. We too wonder what the future holds for the young love birds.

2009-01-25T14:28:00.000-08:00

Maharashtra Government Yielding to Fascist Elements: Mahesh Bhatt

Mumbai: Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has criticised the Maharashtra government for ignoring an apex court order to release producer Kamaal Khan's Deshdrohi in the state and yielding to the pressures of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
He said by ignoring the Supreme Court's order for the safe theatrical release of "Deshdrohi" in Mumbai on Jan 23, it was playing into the hands of the fascists elements of the state.
"The government has brazenly succumbed to the fascist elements operating in the state with impunity. It is very sad. 'Deshdrohi' has the legal sanction to be screened in Mumbai and yet the government has failed to ensure its safe release in the city, doling out excuse that its theatrical release would create a law and order problem. In other words, it has allowed itself to be dictated to by the MNS, which is unfortunate," Bhatt said Saturday at a press conference.
Bhatt was speaking in support of the film's embattled producer, who had to knock the doors of the courts to secure the release of "Deshdrohi" in Mumbai in the face of stiff resistance from the MNS because the film depicts the party's anti-North Indian campaign in the city.
He also said by toeing the lines of the previous state government headed by Vilasrao Deshmukh and failing to honour the constitutional rights of the civil society, the Ashok Chavan government forfeited the right to govern the state.
When asked whether a film's content should be called into question, or can a state government put its screenings on hold after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clears its release, Bhatt said CBFC has no teeth to impose its order as it is merely a gradation authority.
"Law and order," he said, "is a state subject and so a state government can play any game to suit its purpose in the name of law and order. This is most unfortunate," Bhatt said.
He observed that the civil society of India could not afford to be a mere spectator to the manner in which the state government has trampled upon its constitutional rights.
"Time has now come to create a strong public opinion against it. It is not the battle of Kamaal Khan alone," Bhatt said.
But the sad part is that, of all the Bollywood filmmakers, barring Maheash Bhatt, only Ketan Mehta came forward to extend support to Kamaal Khan's fight against the state government, even though the entire industry was called upon to raise its voice against the fascist MNS elements seeking to take the industry for ransom

2009-01-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

The Salman-Katrina marriage sham

'Saamna', the famous Marathi daily which also happens to be the Shiv Sena mouth piece had claimed that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif were married which of course came as a piece of shocking news, no less.
Now the news has been refuted by Salman's father Salim Khan who was reported to have said it.
The interview was for the special supplement to commemorate Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's birthday on Friday. During his conversation, Salim Khan had talked about the secular values of his family and their cool attitude towards religion.
He'd said, "I mentioned how Arbaaz was married to Malaika, a Christian, Sohail to Seema, a Hindu, and Salman's girlfriend Katrina is a Muslim."
Salim said he was misquoted by the newspaper and clarified, "The reporter has translated my comment into Marathi saying that Salman was married to Katrina.The Marathi word "jar" (if) was missing in the operative sentence, which wrongly gave the impression that the two are married"
A senior journalist with the newspaper called it a printing mistake on the condition of anonymity.
Katrina's spokesperson termed the report as "baseless" and he said they will be sending a notice to the newspaper demanding a formal apology.
She's said in an interview, "I definitely think that Saamna should issue a clarification if not an apology because it's not a small thing. It's not the news of a movie or some endorsement that one has signed. It's a big think to make a mistake about somebody's life like this. And I think a clarification is a must because I know for a fact that Salim sahab has definitely not said anything and one should be careful while reporting for such a major newspaper and while writing articles. My managers have spoken to the editors at 'Saamna' and they were assured of a corrigendum. People who read 'Saamna' are regulars so when they open the paper tomorrow, there should be a clarification in the paper. They should say that they were misinformed or the misprinted and that's it. I think the matter should be ended then and there."
Katrina sure knows what she wants! It's definitely not marriage or talks of a marriage at this point!

2009-01-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

Juhi Babbar is formally divorced

By: Sonal Chawla

Bejoy and Juhi are now formally divorced

Raj and Nadira Babbar's daughter Juhi Babbar has divorced her filmmaker husband Bejoy Nambiar. The case was on for the past several months. The final hearing took place last week.
Drifting apart
The couple long-time sweethearts tied the knot on June 27, 2007. A source close to Juhi reveals, "After winning the TV show, Gateway To Hollywood, Bejoy had bagged an internship with Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj.
The internship went on for over a year. Ultimately, it was distance that spelled doom for this relationship. Especially, because it was so soon after they got hitched.
Juhi tried talking to him, but it was an important career move, and he wasn't ready to give up mid-way." Bejoy is currently the line producer for Mani Ratnam's Raavan.
A source reveals, "They had barely returned from the honeymoon, when Bejoy went to Kerala to shoot a film for Ashok Amritraj's Gateway contest. He then left for Hollywood for further work, and that's when the couple actually drifted apart."
Barely three months into her marriage, a lonely Juhi immersed herself in mother Nadira's Ekjute theatre troupe and directed a play for CRY (Child Rights and You).
She also did some acting work. At the time, Juhi had said, "Bejoy is very supportive and he himself is busy with his short films and thus I am also carrying on with something I always believed in."
Pehle kaam
The source continues, "Even after he returned from US, things didn't improve. For Bejoy, work was a priority. He wanted to establish his career.
This didn't go well down with the strong-headed Juhi, who wanted him to work on their marriage. She decided to call it quits. Juhi now stays with her parents."
Bejoy, who was in Orchha for Mani Ratnam's Raavan, took a ten-day break to come down to Mumbai for the court hearings.
Juhi will be debuting on television and will be seen in Red Chillies' TV production Ghar Ki Baat Hai. On being asked to comment on her divorce, Juhi says, "I'd really not want to discuss personal stuff at this point. There's too much happening on the work front. Why don't we talk about that?"

2009-01-20T18:38:00.000-08:00

Hridayesh Sangeet Samaroh

If the city of Pune boasts of a huge festival of music like 'Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav' which draws an audience of over 10,000 Mumbai too can justifiably take pride in the 'Hridayesh Festival' of classical music which is held every year in the open ground of the Parle Tilak Vidyalaya at Vile Parle E.
The festival is being held without a break over the last 18 years.Earlier it was dedicated to the memory of the Kirana gharana singers Sureshbabu Mane and Hirabai Badodekar.Now simply called 'Hridayesh Sangeet Samaroh'.it will be held from 24th Jan to 26th Jan from 5.30pm to 10pm everyday.
This Year It will begin with a vocal recital by the noted Gwalior gharana singer Ms Neela Bhagwat. Ulhas Kashalkar,one of topnotch singers will also sing on the first day.He was recently selected for the 'Sangeet Natak Academy' award. He will be accompanied on the tabla by the veteran Suresh Talwalkar. Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan will conclude the first session with his sarod recital.He will be accompanied on the tabla by Vijay Ghate on 24th Jan 2009
The second session on 25th Jan will open with a vocal jugalbandi recital by the famous Benaras singers Rajan and Sajan Mishra.Bansuri wizard Hariprasad Chaurasia will also play.The last artiste on the second day will be Mewati gharana legend Jasraj. The third and the last day will begin with a vocal recital by Aarati Ankalikar Tikekar. Rashid Khan, the most sought after musician of the present era will also perform in the same session. Shivkumar Sharma, the santoor maestro will write a finis to the colorful samaroh .He will be accompanied on the tabla by Yogesh Samsi.

2009-01-20T18:32:00.000-08:00

Kareena is a perfect friend!

Bebo has proved yet again that she is one helluva firend! Recently, she threw a big birthday bash for her family doctor, Dr. Agarwal.
Says a source close to Kareena, "Bebo is very fond of Dr.Agarwal. She went out of her way from her busy schedule and threw him a nice party. She herself made each and every phone call and invited people. A lot of family friends attended the party. Tushar kapoor, Shabina Khan, Babita, Karisma and many others were present. They all really enjoyed themselves and had a wonderful time. This shows how close Kareena considers her family friends. She is a considerate person."
"Dr. Agarwal was flattered. He was unaware of the surprise party. He was very happy . He thinks Bebo is a wonderful actress and watches all her films. Dr. Agarwal is a family doctor for other celebrities like Tabu, Karisma, Urmila and many more", adds the source.
Kareena Kapoor proves that she is a good friend time and again. Be it helping best friend Amrita with health tips or doing a song for her favourite, SRK in Billo Barber free of charge, she is the true Czarina of Bollywood!

2009-01-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

My new book is about adult love: Shashi Deshpande

By Madhusree Chatterjee

New Delhi: Love and relationships stir the storyteller in her, says award winning 70-year-old author Shashi Deshpande while revealing that she still writes with a thick-nibbed fountain pen on smooth paper.
"All my books are about relationships - particularly this one which is about love between an adult man and an adult woman," Deshpande, whose new book, "In the Country of Deceit", has just hit the stands, told IANS in an interview here.
The Bangalore-based author, who is the daughter of celebrated Kannada dramatist Shriranga, has six novels and four children's books to her credit. The Sahitya Akademi Award was conferred on her for her book, "The Long Silence", in 1988.
Excerpts from the interview to IANS:
Q: Your new book is about adult love. Are all your books themed on relationships and love?
A: All my books are about relationships - particularly the new one, which is about love between an adult man and an adult woman. Most of my novels emphasise love because I am fascinated by the idea of love. Devyani, the protagonist of my new book "In the Country of Deceit", falls deeply and passionately in love.
Relationships are not something one decides on. They happen naturally, especially adult relationships, and one must know what the consequences are and take responsibility for it. It is very difficult to judge if adult love is good or bad. Human beings always crave for love, even in death a dying man wants to hold someone's hands.
Q: How did the novel (a Penguin India title) come about?
A: Devyani, the protagonist, came to me from an earlier novel and I knew that I wanted to write her love story this time. The process of writing the book and publishing it took me three-and-a-half years.
I always write in long hand with a thick-nibbed fountain pen on smooth paper. After two drafts, I fed the book to the computer.
Q: Is the quality of love different in adolescent, youth and maturity?
A: It is very difficult to distinguish love according to the level of mental maturity. A 60-year-old man or a woman can fall in love and behave like a child. People realise the true meaning of love only when they fall in love.
My novel is about adult love. Devyani, the protagonist, who chooses to live alone in the town of Rajnaur after her parents' death, falls in love with the town's new district superintendent of police, Ashok Chinappa, who is much, married and- as both painfully acknowledge from the very beginning older - it is a relationship without a future.
In my book, the first thing the man tries to tell the woman is that I promise you nothing. But I stand outside your gate and cannot get you out of my mind. I think that's the real sign of love.
Q: What are the kind of books do you like to read?
A: I read very adult books as a child like Jane Austen and plays by Leo Tolstoy. In school, I read authors like T.S. Elliot, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray and Walter Scott - all of whose works I loved. I read everything that I got hold of. My father, who was a famous playwright, gave me the freedom to read and think for myself.
I also love crime fiction by women authors like Dorothy Sayers and P.D. James. And of course Sherlock Holmes, which is a classic. But I think the new crime thrillers - the ones written by Patricia Cornwell - are too gory because the murders are mindless. I think the new crime fictions are a reflection of urban angst and loneliness.
Q: Do you think contemporary Indian writing in English is productive, prolific and qualitative?
A: I think it very productive. The country has a huge number of writers, but young writers have two problems. One - they are impatient. The minute they write a book they are in a hurry to take it to the publisher and make fame and fortune. They have no ideas about the realities of publishing. Publishers on their part have too many manuscripts and too many new writers. It is very difficult to judge young writers - you have to nurture a writer.
Q: What books are you working on at the moment?
A: I am taking a break, though mentally, I am working on another book. I plan to write a non-fiction for a change and one more children's book, a genre, which I had given up since my children grew up.

2009-01-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

I'm not a celebrity: Deepika Padukone

New Delhi: She made her first big screen appearance with superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in her second film she worked under the prestigious Yash Raj banner and her third release saw her teaming up with Akshay Kumar, and yet Deepika Padukone doesn't consider herself a celebrity.
"I don't consider myself a celebrity. I believe that I've had a fantastic upbringing and I believe my parents have kept me really grounded and rooted.

I hope that success never gets to me," said Deepika whose "Chandni Chowk To China" has just hit the screens.
"I've seen my father (badminton champion Prakash Padukone) handle success really well and I hope I continue in the same way because I believe that fame and money are secondary things. The main thing is to enjoy your work," she added.
The 23-year-old was applauded for her performances in her maiden venture "Om Shanti Om" followed by "Bachna Ae Haseeno".
She is currently working in Imtiaz Ali's "Production No. 1".

2009-01-14T15:09:00.000-08:00

Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan runs for Rahul Bose's foundation

Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan will run the marathon for Rahul Bose's foundation that is into charity.
Bose feels that the Mumbai Marathon is the best community event. "Especially in the wake of the recent terror attacks 26/11 attacks," Rahul says. The actor says that this is the only occassion where differences visible in the everday life melt away and the entire city comes together in the spirit of oneness.

He says that the marathon is one event which actually does not require any personal investment from anyone but we should invest in it as its a great platform to see the different lifestyles thriving in the city come together for the support of different causes.

We should invest in it as its an enriching experience for all and sundry. Adds Sharmila,""Children are the future of India and as UNICEF'S Goodwill Ambassodor, I have pledged to speak up for the cause of children whenever and whereever it is necessary. I am perticipating inthis marathon to support HEAL, a project run by Rahul Bose's NGO - the foundation, to raise awareness for sexually abused children.
If this small effort in anyway alleviates the misery and stigma that these little children have to face, it will be worth my while."

2009-01-10T22:41:00.000-08:00

My film is certainly not called 'Jehad': Rensil d'Silva
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai: Saif Ali Khan's films have a tendency to go nameless until the last minute. The latest is a Rensil d'Silva-directed terrorist thriller, which is produced by Karan Johar and has Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Viveik Oberoi and Om Puri in leading roles.
Nearing completion, the film has no title yet.
This week sections of the media were abuzz with reports that Rensil's film has finally found a title "Jehad".
Rensil is appalled by these reports. "Am I mad to call my anti-terrorism drama 'Jehad'? What signal will it send out to the audience? Please don't believe such rumours. 'Jehad' was a name suggested by Kareena and Saif.

I am certainly not going by that title. Suddenly everyone thinks it's called 'Jehad'. Considering the current climate, that's a really inappropriate title."
So what is Rensil going to call his film?
"I've no clue. And I can't put it to public vote because that would give away the title. But it's certainly not 'Jehad'."

2009-01-10T22:37:00.000-08:00

If Sanjay Dutt can't contest, Manyata will be our candidate: Amar Singh

New Delhi: If Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt is not qualified to contest the Lok Sabha elections, his wife Manyata will be the Samajwadi Party candidate in his place, party general secretary Amar Singh said here Saturday.
"If Sanjay Dutt is unable to contest the polls, we will request the Dutt family to allow (his wife) Manyata to fight from Lucknow," Amar Singh told reporters here.
He had announced Thursday that Sanjay Dutt would be the party candidate from Lucknow for the poll expected by May. However, the actor has a number of criminal cases pending against him and may not be qualified to contest.
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee represents the Uttar Pradesh capital in the Lok Sabha

2009-01-08T16:10:00.000-08:00

Paki actor's B-town dreams crash.

Mikaal Zulfikaar, the Pakistani-British actor was hoping hard to make it big in Bollywood. But his dreams now have gone for a toss.
And the reason is the unofficial ban on Pakistani entertainers in Maharashtra.
Mikaal has made his debut as Naseeruddin Shah's nephew in Jagmohan Mundra's 'Shoot On Sight'. He was supposed to arrive in Mumbai this month to begin shooting for Mundra's 'Roommates' in February.
After this ban against Pakistani performers, the producers have quietly decided to replace Mikaal.
Says director Jagmohan Mundra, "You can't blame them. My producers Evolution Films from Chennai, are new to Hindi cinema. They can't afford to antagonise a section of Mumbai for the sake of the cast. Better that we replace Mikaal, although his mother is a British and he holds a British passport. But it's not ours to question why."
He adds, "This is a kind of terrorism beyond the recognised forms of terrorism. How can artistes be segregated according to their religion and nationality? Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Farida Khannum and Ghulam Ali don't belong only to Pakistan. They belong to all of us. I was deeply disturbed to know that books by Pakistani authors have been taken off the shelves of Mumbai's bookstores. Creative arts should be kept above politics."
Some things in life are unexpected. Better luck next time, Mikaal.

2009-01-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

I will reserve my lip kiss for the bedroom - Sneha Ullal

SNEHA ULLAL , whose next release Kaash Mere Hote is round the corner, tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in a khullam khulla baatcheet
Sneha Ullal, better known as the look-alike of the pretty Aishwarya Rai is back with a bang after a long period of hibernation after Aryan with the film Kaash Mere Hote.

When I met her for this interview in the suburbs, Sneha categorically stated that it was a conscious decision on her part to let acting take a back seat after Aryan because she felt that she was too young and wanted to be mature enough to take her plunge in films. "I did not even know how to talk to the media."
Sneha hastens to add that the reason that she decided to take up the offer to act in Kaash Mere Hote is that she desperately needed to act in a Hindi film to show that she is interested in working and is back in films. In fact Sneha has absolutely no qualms to confess that the film is a vehicle to launch Kumar Saahil and Sana and music director Shrawan who has produced the film wanted her to be a part of the project because he felt that she would be able to lend the film a better face value.
"I am confident that my role in Kaash Mere Hote will take me to greater heights as an actress. I play the role of Radhika in Kaas Mere Hote. I play the role of Saahil's girl friend who is bothered by Sana who keeps on trying to seduce Kumar Saahil. The character that I play in the film is like me-easy going and simple and straight forward and hence I did not need to prepare at all for the role of Radhika," Sneha quips.
Sneha confesses that though personally she does not feel bad when she is compared to Aishwarya professionally she does not like the comparison. "Though I like it personally because she is beautiful, it is unfair to me professionally. I feel that had I made my bow without Salman Khan in a film, other than Lucky, I would not have been compared to her. The comparison did not help me as an actor though I should admit that it gave me a lot of recognition".
Sneha asserts that she worships work and does not regret at all having appeared in Aryan opposite Sohail Khan after having made her debut with Lucky opposite Salman Khan, though she concedes that she does not think that she should have got launched with Lucky because she was very young at that time. To add to my woes, a lot of directors have an issue with my voice not at all reeling that my voice in Lucky was projected that way to make me sound like a kid to suit my role in Lucky."
Besides Kaash Aap, Sneha has also films like Click, Dard E Disco and Green Park up her sleeves besides her films in the South. "Sangeet Sivan called me up and offered to cast me in Click opposite Shreyas Talpade. It is a very interesting role that I play in Click. I play Shreyas's friend who is raped by his friends. I kill myself and come back as a ghost to take revenge on the rapists"
In Ashok Tyagi's Dard E Disco, Sneha has been cast opposite Akshay Kapoor. "I play the character of a bubbly young ad glamorous girl. The film has offered me an opportunity to tell every one in Bollywood that I am no longer a kid that I was in films like Lucy and Aryan"
Sneha is quite excited about her role in Green Park too. "I love my role in Green Park because I love talking in English and it is a film in English with Anupam Kher playing the role of my father. I play a very modern young girl belonging to a very Westernized family settled in USA, who falls in love with an American. The film was meant to start in 2009. We have shot just the climax of the film in Goa and I am looking forward to shoot the rest of the film in the USA next year".
Sneha is practical when it comes to exposing herself. I am ready to expose as long as I look sexy and not vulgar. In my second film, I showed nothing but my mid-riff but yet I was shown at my glamorous best in the film. I am game as far as wearing swimming costume is concerned but n bikini for me, please."
Sneha has drawn a line as far as kissing is concerned. "Though I am now single and ready to mingle, I am not a prude but I am not game at all for kissing lip to lip in films, because I feel that you should save some thing for the bedroom. I am an animal lover and hence promote vegetarianism and hence want my man also to be a vegetarian. I do not care about his physique but he should be presentable and quite understanding and not be a male chauvinist."

2009-01-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

Kat's not going the rave party way..

The buzz is that Bollywood's hot property Katrina Kaif has reportedly refused to play murdered teenager Scarlett Keeling in Prabhakar Shukla's film 'Rave Party'.
So reports that Katrina was shifting dates to play Scarlett as her dates are booked till 2009-end are false.

Apparently Kat was keen in the beginning, but keeping the controversial subject in mind, decided to opt out as she found the subject too controversial.

Reportedly Kat has stated that she doesn't want to do films around a subject that has 'no clarity' and many unanswered questions.

The Internet Movie Database website also shows Katrina's name in the starcast of the film with its status 'in production'.Shukla is looking for someone else from UK to play Scarlett, who was murdered on Goa's beach early last year.

The director is also awaiting the green signal from Scarlett's mother Fiona Mckeown as he has sent her the film's script for approval.

The buzz is that South Indian director Venkat Prabhu is making 'Goa' which is also based on Scarlett's murder and is produced by Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya's Ocher Studios. [From Internet]

2008-12-28T01:20:00.000-08:00

Neetu Chandra alleges she was manhandled by southern star

Mumbai/Hyderabad: Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra, who was shooting for a Telugu film in Hyderabad, has alleged that she was manhandled by her co-star southern hero Rajasekhar. The actor's wife has, however, rubbished the allegations and accused the starlet of unprofessionalism.
Neetu said she was in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, on a five-day shoot Dec 19-23 for Telugu film “Sathyameva Jayathe”, which is being directed by Rajasekhar's wife Jeevitha, when the incident took place.
“They were shooting for almost 18 hours a day...I couldn't take so much exertion as I was already down with fever for four days on Tuesday (Dec 23). So at 11 p.m., I went to my room to rest for a while as there was time for my next shoot and Ramoji (Film City) is just five minutes from my hotel,” Neetu told IANS over telephone Friday.
“I had just sat on my bed when Rajasekhar, Jeevitha and a couple of their staff barged into my room. Rajasekhar screamed at me and said, 'How could you leave the sets? Get up right now before I change into something else from a man!'”
The actress, who was last seen in “Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!”, said the southern star even threatened to kill her.
“He pushed me into the lift and shouted 'I'll kill you. What will you do, you don't know me'. He kept pushing me till the car saying 'You better walk fast'.
“I couldn't say anything as everyone there knows he has a licensed revolver and he was also drunk at that time. I was scared to death,” Neetu recalled.
The actress then shot for one-and-a-half hours before fleeing from the hotel.
“After the shoot was over, my hairdresser and I both went back to the hotel, packed our stuff in 15 minutes and left for the airport at 2.30 a.m, even though the flight to Mumbai was at 9 a.m.,” she said.
Asked if she would take legal action against Rajasekhar, Neetu said: “I can't talk about it right now.”
Rajasekhar's wife Jeevitha has, however, brushed aside these allegations and accused Neetu of being "unprofessional".
"She just walked away from the shoot without informing anyone. It was the last day of her shoot and nearly 80 people were involved. Neetu had complained of fever and my husband, who is also a professional doctor, gave her some tablets. We had decided to shoot two more sequences, but then thought we would just finish one scene. But she had disappeared and had even switched off her phone," Jeevitha told IANS Saturday.
She added: "Then I went with my husband to her room and pleaded with her to complete the day's work, which would have finished in just half an hour. Since we had planned the film's release on Jan 15, we wanted to finish her work that day.
"I admit that I spoke a little harshly and my husband, who pleaded with her, got irritated with her behaviour and warned her that she would have to pay for her unprofessionalism. She came and finished her work, but later we heard that she had made baseless charges against us in the media."
Jeevitha also said that Rajasekhar was not drunk at the time of the incident.
"Neetu Chandra has claimed that my husband was drunk when he came to her room. How can a person be drunk while shooting for a film? My husband enjoys a great reputation for the past 20 years. How can we assault her in a hotel? She wasn't staying on an island disconnected from people," the director remarked.

2008-12-20T05:56:00.000-08:00

White Feather Films tie up with Balaji Motion Pictures

Sanjay Gupta's White Feather Films has just pulled off a 3 film deal with Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Motion Pictures.
Balaji which is in midst of revamping their production business has announced a multiple-film deal with White Feather Films. They have had hugely successful association with White Feather Films earlier with Shootout at Lokhandwala.
These films will range in different genres and will differ from Mid Budget to Big Budget Films. They will hit the floor in 2009.
Says Gautam Kohli spokesperson for White Feather, ''Balaji is a valuable part of our creative plan and we hope to have a long and successful association with them. We are stragically aligning some of our projects with Mumbai Mantra, who are already distributing our film, Acid Factory. Apart from that, we have three films in partnership with Eros. We are also in talks with UTV for co-productions. With the stupendous success of Shootout at Lokhandwala, we've established a synergy with Balaji Telefilms and are confidant that together we will make films which will be trail-blazers.

We are happy that White Feather Films is foraying into several ventures with the captains of the industry like Balaji, Eros, Mumbai Mumbai & UTV. ''

2008-12-14T10:47:00.000-08:00

No competition within the family: Zayed Khan

New Delhi: Hrithik Roshan is his brother-in-law, Fardeen Khan is his cousin and he has veteran actor Feroz Khan as his dad, but actor Zayed Khan says that there is absolutely no competition within the family.
"If you are a truly well-meaning brother and family member, words like competition have no consequence. I am a well-meaning person," Zayed told IANS.Zayed, who recently starred in "Yuvvraaj", added: "I always want the best for my family and well-wishers. That's the honest truth and I don't let negative things cloud my mind."

2008-12-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

'Delhi Belly' is not a sex comedy: Imran Khan

By Subhash K. Jha: Ranbir Kapoor had opted out of 'Delhi Belly', saying he wouldn't be able to watch the film with his parents. Imran Khan, on the other hand, is cool with the sexual content of his uncle Aamir Khan's English film, but maintains it is not a sex comedy.
"I'd have no problem watching it with my mom or girlfriend. I've a cool rapport with my mom," Imran told IANS.
Imran rejects the notion that "Delhi Belly" is a sex comedy. "It's a caper comedy. But, yes, the language is on the stronger side," he said.
Imran has lost weight and is looking gaunt for his role in "Delhi Belly", which he insists is being made for creative reasons. He admits that since it is in English, it was bound to have a limited appeal.
"This new gaunt look is for 'Delhi Belly'. I needed to lose that muscular look. So I've stopped gyming completely. I'm not exercising at all. No lifting of weights. And I'm eating as much as I want because I'm not prone to fat at all," said Imran, who won many hearts with his chocolate boy looks in his debut "Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na".
"For 'Kidnap' and 'Luck', I needed a bulkier role. I played a daredevil and had to jump off the 20th floor. I insisted on doing it myself although the body-double was present. I got a shouting afterwards from my mom, girlfriend and Sanjay Dutt. In fact, Sanjay Dutt phoned Aamir to complain. After having jumped from that height, I've lost the fear of stunts," he said.
But he did get a dressing down from uncle Aamir.
"It's true Aamir was unhappy when he heard that I insisted on performing my own stunt. He called me over and said, 'You've to be more responsible towards yourself and your family.'
Imran says the stunts always look more real when an actor performs them himself.
"You can always tell the difference between an actor doing it and a double doing it. So I'll think about it. But for now I've had enough of stunts. I want to take a break and do something lighter. 'Delhi Belly' is just the break I needed."
Two back-to-back action films, and Imran is now saying goodbye to the genre for a while.
"I got no chance to do any stunts in 'Jaane Tu...'. I made up for that in 'Kidnap' and 'Luck'. Now in 'Delhi Belly' I've no action scenes.
"My next action film will have to be really big. I grew up being thrilled by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. And I had decided if I do those kinds of stunts, I'd do them on my own," Imran said.

2008-12-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Pakistani actor wants to buy home in Mumbai

By Subhash K. Jha, Mumbai: Mikaal Zulfikar, the young actor from Lahore who plays a terrorist in Jagmohan Mundhra's Shoot On Sight is undettered by the Shiv Sena declaring it will not allow any Pakistani artiste to work in India in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes.
Mikaal is ready to shift his base to India and is buying a property along with two other leading Pakistani entertainers, singer Atif Aslam and Ali Zafar.
"When I come to Mumbai I'll be searching for a place to stay. Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar and I are planning to get one big place to stay in. All three of us are from Lahore and have known each other for years. So it makes sense to stay together. I love Mumbai. That's where the action is."
Mikaal admits the situation for Pakistanis in Mumbai was grim at the moment.
"I've heard Pakistan entertainers are being asked to leave Mumbai after what happened. That's really unfair.
"Bollywood is a global entertainment headquarter. We shouldn't be stopped from coming to Mumbai. India is a global market and terrorist attacks shouldn't deter that target. I've spoken to some Pakistani entertainers in Mumbai. And they aren't sure what would happen now."
Mikaal says he will be shifting to Mumbai in February. He has signed Jagmohan Mundhra's "Room Mates".
About the film he says, "'Room Mates' is a romantic thriller set and shot in Mumbai. I'll come to Mumbai alone. So I hope I'm made to feel welcome

2008-12-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

Raszia: "I don't mind Posing Nude"

The dare-to-bare, steamy actress Raszia who is already doing about five regional films in the South declared at the Film Festival in Goa that 'he doesn't mind posing nude'.
She is already a well-known model and has done numerous campaigns and assignments both for Indian and International brands. She is also a fantastic stage performer and dancer and her stage shows are a big hit in the Gulf and European region. She has performed with some of Bollywood's biggest names in UK, Canada and the US.
"I don't mind doing hot, steamy scenes or kissing scenes. I also don't mind doing nude or semi nude scenes, provided it's a big, recognizable banner I am working for. I am an actor and if the script demands it and the director or the production house is reputed, I will do anything that is required," said Raszia while responding to a query by a journalist about the crossover film she is doing. According to her Business Manager and publicist, Flynn Remedios, Raszia has been signed on for a crossover film by a US-based start-up production house called Purple Fire Films. "In this film Raszia will be seen in an itsy-bitsy bikini. The film also has some red-hot love-making bedroom scenes which will be very artistically and delicately shot. Most of the film will be shot in an exotic beach locale in the USA," explained Flynn Remedios.
Purple Fire Films has about 15 film projects on board, that it intends to complete by end 2009. It has already signed on five new, budding directors and about six artistes for its film projects. [From Inernet]

2008-11-25T00:37:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-11-22T00:10:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-11-13T06:08:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-11-09T02:45:00.000-08:00

'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]

2008-11-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-11-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-11-03T18:12:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-11-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-11-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-11-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-11-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

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]

2008-10-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

I was nervous doing love scene with Priyanka: Arjan Bajwa

By Subhash K. Jha, Mumbai: Newcomer Arjan Bajwa has a bold love scene with Priyanka Chopra in the forthcoming film 'Fashion' and he says he was so nervous that he would have 'died of anxiety ' if the actress had not assuaged his fears.
"Was I nervous? You bet I was. Although I've done six Telugu films before 'Fashion', I hadn't really done a love scene like this before, and that too with someone of Priyanka's stature," Arjan told IANS."To her credit, Priyanka put all my nervousness to rest. If it wasn't for her I'd have died of anxiety.

For a newcomer, the co-star is a decisive point in his confidence levels for all times to come," he added.But Priyanka, who has done some intimate scenes in movies like "Andaaz" and "Aitraaz" earlier, laughs off the suggestion that the love-making scene in Madhur Bhandarkar's film is explicit."Please! You make it sound so hottt! It is not! What's all this about an explicit love scene? Please, I'm too much of a girl next door to do any of that. We don't kiss. But, yes, Arjan and I do share a lovers' relationship.

So, yes, we do have a love scene. But it's nothing to get all hot and bothered about, not in today's day and age," the actress told IANS."Arjan was far more petrified than I imagined.

I had to forget all my own nervousness," she added.Bhandarkar, whose "Fashion" is a glimpse into the world of the style industry, said that most of his films have had intimate scenes and the one between Priyanka and Arjan is not meant to titillate at all."This isn't the first time that I've done intimate scenes with my lead pair.

There was an even more sensitive scene between Tabu and Atul Kulkarni in 'Chandni Bar'. 'Page 3' had some really hard-hitting moments of sexual content. Fortunately for me, the actors trust me and my judgement," the director said.

"Priyanka surrendered completely to my vision. When you see her love scene with Arjan you'll realise that there's absolutely nothing there that's meant to titillate," he added. [From Internet]

2008-10-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Kareena to marry Saif after 5 (five) Years!!

New Delhi: Seeking to put a stop to all speculations over her marriage with actor and boyfriend Saif Ali Khan, the son of Sharmil Tagore, anytime soon, actress Kareena Kapoor has said she will marry Saif after five years.
Talking to a private news channel, Kareena said, however, that her future is with Saif and they plan to marry after five years.

Speaking on the Star News's weekly programme 'Jo kahoonga, Sach Khaoonga', Kareena said in future when a time comes when she has to choose between career and family, she would prefer family over career.

Talking extensively about her relationship with Saif Ali Khan, Kareena said she first met Saif on the set of 'Tashan' and the friendship grew into love for each other in next six to seven months.

''Love does not happen on its own, but one has to work for it,'' she said.Describing Saif as the ''most talented actor in Bollywood,'' Kareena said,''he does not have any demerit.''

On her much touted size zero which has been the talk of the media, Kareena said since starting her career in Bollywood, she had been losing weight and did Yoga for the weight loss.Her dietician is also writing a book on this.

Kareena said while choosing a role in the film, she did not think that whether it would be a blockbuster or not. Rather, her preference is on the importance of her role.On the chances of her sister Karisma's return to Bollywood, Kareena said, ''if there is an offer of an extraordinary role, Karisma may accept.'' [From Internet]

2008-10-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

Harsh Chhaya's happy and gay

Quite literally! Well everyone knows the very versatile actor Harsh Chhaya will be seen playing a gay role in the upcoming Fashion.
Interestingly we learn he went through a lot to get that 'perfect' look in the movie.
Apparently he and Madhur experimented with a lot of looks from flashy costumes, fancy wigs, loud make up, shaped eye brows, sparkly big watches etc and more.
Ultimately they decided to do away with any crutch for the character and give it a complete natural look, pretty much how Harsh is in real."We didn't want to go overboard but wanted to create an image different of what people generally have of me.

It was the more of a challenge with my natural look out as I needed to get the …'gayness' out, contrary to the characters iv played earlier." Says Harsh.Well we have always appreciated his work, no doubts it wont impress this time either! [From Internet]

2008-10-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

Vidya Balan learns to drive, thanks to Vishal Bharadwaj

New Delhi: After making sure Saif Ali Khan learnt the typical Uttar Pradesh dialect for Omkara, filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj forced actress Vidya Balan to overcome her road phobia for a driving scene in his next movie Ishqiya.
"Vidya has an acute road phobia. She was petrified at the thought of driving earlier, but not any more," said a source close to the film."Driving a car was something completely alien to her.

But Vishal saw to it that she mastered the art and now is pretty comfortable manoeuvring her car on the road," the source added.

The filmmaker is known to be particular about making his actors learn the required skills in reality rather than making them pretend on screen.-*-'Hema Malini's Vijayaraje Scindia look decided in 48 hours'It took fashion designer Neeta Lulla just 48 hours of hard work to decide the right look for Bollywood 'dream girl' Hema Malini's forthcoming venture "Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi" in which she plays erstwhile Gwalior queen Vijayaraje Scindia.

"Actually we both had time constraints so I had to work round-the-clock to give Hemaji the look of the Rajmata. I did my own research and Hemaji also gave me a reference book, which helped me a lot," said Lulla.

Lulla is the one who gave Aishwarya Rai the ethereal look in Ashutosh Gowarikar's period drama "Jodhaa Akbar". She was also behind Hema Malini's refreshing look in Ravi Chopra's "Baghban"."I tried to give her a different look in 'Baghban' and people loved the way she looked in the film. Hope people will like it this time too," the designer added.

Being directed by Gulbahar Singh, "Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi" went on floors recently and is being produced by the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Smriti Trust.-*-Katrina dominates 'Yuvvraj' postersBollywood actress Katrina Kaif seems to be the shining star of the hoardings of Subhash Ghai's forthcoming film "Yuvvraj", with the male actors - Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Zayed Khan - taking a backseat.

"Katrina is considered to be a lucky mascot for her directors and Subhash is confident that Katrina will bring luck for him too," a source close to the project said.The filmmaker apparently chose to give Katrina such a prominent spot to let her know that she has earned her rightful place in the film.

"Katrina has done a fabulous job in 'Yuvvraj' and Subhash has witnessed the dedication with which Katrina has worked in the film. Hence the solo hoarding," the source added. [From Internet]

2008-10-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

Sushmita's comfy with ex!

Sushmita Sen is known to share a warm relationship with her exes. At the BT bash sometime back, her retro gear with plain white hair band, pencilled eyebrows, enormous fake eyelashes reminiscent of the swingin' sixties and seventies got noticed.

She was also seen bonding big time with Randeep Hooda.

Onlookers saw the ex lovers go up to each other, do the pecking and hugging for a long time. There seemed to be no discomfort between the two.

There was a long chat session and Sush was seen leaning regularly to whisper sweet nothings into his ear.

This woman sure has a one of a kind bindaas style!

2008-10-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

Injured Mithun still a daredevil in movies

New Delhi Some stars never age. Actor Mithun Chakraborty is one of them. In the capital to cheer his Indian Cricket League (ICL) team, the Royal Bengal Tigers, which played the Dhaka Warriors in Gurgaon Saturday, the actor showed that he was still a do-it-yourself daredevil and stuntman at 58 - even if it meant a few cuts and bruises.

Mithun hurt himself while jumping off a helicopter while shooting for the film "Luck" in Durban in South Africa and injured his hand.

"I jumped from a helicopter without realising that the safety mat had been displaced and there was a boulder. I crashed on it," said the actor, just out of the hospital after a minor surgery - with his hand in a sling and bruises on his brow. "I am on sedatives.

There was a blood clot but I ignored it in South Africa. The wound worsened and I went to a clinic after landing in Mumbai and removed it. Everyone thinks it's easy to be a movie star, but it's tough being a hero," he told reporters Saturday.

Mithun plays a senior army officer with Sanjay Dutt in "Luck", directed by Soham Shah and slated for release next year."I have 12 movies awaiting release this year, but you must watch 'Heroes' in which I play a very interesting character of a father.

You must watch 'Heroes'," the actor said. "Heroes", directed by Samir Karnik, is being billed as one of the most inspiring movies this season. Mithun feels that today's stars have an edge over the older crop of action heroes, who had to perform several stunts themselves.

"Moviemaking in Bollywood is technically more advanced now with more safety nets. Today's action heroes are well-protected," he said. The actor is also part of several projects in the Bengali movie industry.

"Two movies that I am working on at the moment are 'Sukno Lanka' (Dry Chilly) and 'Handa-Bhonda' with Aritro Dutta Banik, the tiny star of Zee TV's 'Dance Bangla Dance'," Mithun told IANS.

"Tollygunge is making great movies. Talent abounds in the Bengali movie industry," he said. The star is also promoting the Bengal Football Academy, along with the Bengal contingent for the ICL.

"I must begin with little things now and then move on to bigger projects in Bengal," said the actor, for whom both "cricket and movies are all about luck". Asked about his most enduring performance in a recent film, he said, "I have put in my best for 'Ekti Nodir Galpo' (Story of a River)."

The movie, directed by samir Chanda, is based on a story by Bengali novelist Sunil Gangopadhyay (Noted novelist Sunil Ganguly).

2008-10-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

Shilpa Shetty's hot bod finds new fans!

We all know that Shilpa Shetty is one of the most well maintained actresses in B-Town. She has carried off her great body really nicely all these years( almost 15 years now)!
Currently K JO too is going gaga over her physique (of course apart from John Abraham's chiseled physique which he's flaunted so much in 'Dostana')!It's after seeing her in the finished product of the item song 'Shut Up and Bounce' which she has shot for 'Dostana'!He's said, "Shilpa has done a sizzling job but the credit also goes to Tarun (director) and Vaibhavi Merchant (choreographer).

Composed by Vishal-Shekhar, the track is an introductory song picturized on the film's stars — John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan in Miami. Tarun and Vaibhavi wanted a hot actress to be with them.

We all brainstormed and felt that Shilpa undoubtedly has the best body in the business."New director Tarun Mansukhani is also singing her praises, "She is the quintessential bikini babe.

She was comfortable about wearing everything and is very dedicated. We were to shoot the song in seven days but completed it in four and a half."

A friend of Shilpa adds, "The actress had stopped doing item numbers as people had stopped taking her seriously. She was concentrating more on performance-oriented roles. When Karan asked her to do the song, Shilpa wanted to hear it out. The moment she heard it, she loved it and agreed instantly.

When she landed in Miami, her baggage went missing. But she went shopping with Manish and bought stuff from designers Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana to wear."We think flaunting her toned body will give her more fame, name and money that trying to hunt for performance oriented roles and try showing off her debatable acting skills! [From internet'

2008-10-23T04:04:00.000-07:00

Aishwarya Rai's eyes voted the 'sexiest'

Melbourne: Aishwarya Rai, known as the world's most beautiful woman, has now walked away with another coveted title of having the 'sexiest eyes' in US TV E!'s Sexiest Body Parts List.

Aishwarya's dazzling eyes have been voted the most sultry, beating the likes of Hollywood superstars Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen walked away with the sexiest legs award.

'Monster' star Charlize Theron took away E!'s decolletage award with her sultry shoulders.
Eva Mendes lovely locks were voted the sexiest, reports News.com.au.

Taiwanese actress Shu Qi trounced Angelina Jolie fopr having the sexiest lips.

'Pearl Harbour' star Jennifer Garner's sweet smile emerged victorious among Rachel McAdams and Sienna Miller.

Scarlett Johansson has been voted the female celebrity with the best breasts. Actress Jessica Biel's butt has topped the list of E!'s sexiest bottom.

Singer Fergie's flat stomach has been named as the hottest abs.

Among males, Mario Lopez won for best male dimples while, rapper LL Cool J walked away with the sexiest lips.

Atonement star James McAvoy beat Johnny Depp with the sexiest male hair.

Irish actor Jonathan Rhys-Myers won best male eyes award.

Matthew McConaughey topped the list of the sexist chest, while Usher was named as having the best male washboard abs in E!'s Sexiest List. [From Internet]

2008-10-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

Eesha Kopikar Starves!

Talk about getting into the skin of the character, and aamchi mulgi Eesha Kopikhar takes it to the next level.
There was a scene where director Lalit needed Eesha to look starved in a scene for her forth coming film Shabri. Eesha being the professional that she ate minimal food just enough to sustain herself for two days fighting spells of dizziness and cramps in order to feel the character.

"I requested the director to complete the shot in one take as i knew the first morsel of food that i put into my mouth would be the genuine expression of a starving woman."Its a welcome change to see that some actors are willing to put themselves through physical and mental hardships to potray the essence of the character.

2008-10-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

Bollywood and Ash mocked!

Canadian comedian of Indian origin Russel Peters who's also internationally famous has launched an attack on Bollywood. The man is not too impressed by the Bollywood movies despite reports of the progress the industry has made internationally in recent years.

He's reportedly said, "I wouldn't watch a Bollywood film even if I am at the lowest point of my life. These films have horrible stories and terrible acting.

I don't know why your films have singing or dancing every other minute. Either you are telling a story or you are not."We know that most of the news about Bollywood growing by leaps and bounds is created by the overenthusiastic Indian media.

It's great that someone has seen through the sham and has straightforwardly talked about it.He delivers another shocker when he says, "Aishwarya Rai is the biggest example of bad acting. She has proved it time and again how it can do wonders. In Bollywood, people can become superstars just by having a pretty face.

"Now not everybody can be floored by her charms or think she's the most beautiful women in the world. Will Smith is, her family obviously is (they have dubbed her the perfect bahu) but not people like this motor

mouth stand up comedian.Wonder how and Ash and the rest plan to react to his blatant and unkind remarks! Or will they just choose to ignore it all? [From Internet]

2008-10-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Women my age having a ball in Bollywood: Shabana Azmi

From being sari-clad, teary-eyed melodramatic mothers to smart, strong and independent women - forty plus actresses are having a ball in Bollywood. Seasoned actress Shabana Azmi says this is the best time for women her age to be in Hindi films.

"Earlier, there was hardly any visibility in Bollywood films for women over 40 years except for those cranky, motherly and grandmotherly roles. But today, there are so many different roles on the platter. Basically, with the kind of choices that actresses my age are getting these days, this is a pretty time to be in Bollywood," Shabana told IANS in an interview.

Shabana has dabbled in a melange of powerful roles in "Ankur", "Mandi", "Arth", and "Masoom" in the past to the more recent films like "Godmother", "Fire", "Hari Bhari" "Morning Raga" and "Dus Kahaniyaan" in her career spanning over three decades.

The actress feels she is at the "right place at the right time". "I am getting delightful roles that can be wicked, naughty, comic as well as usual positive roles," she said.Shabana added that she now gets to be a part of light-hearted films like "Loins of Punjab Presents" and "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd" in contrast to the serious roles she is known for in parallel cinema.

"Today filmmakers are offering such a variety of roles - from strong, dramatic and powerful roles, I am also getting offers for comedy. The image of women has changed so much for the better in the industry," she said.Before "Loins of Punjab Presents" and "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd" happened, Shabana didn't have too many comic roles to boast of.

Now she will feature in another comic caper titled "Sorry Bhai" - it has an ensemble cast including Boman Irani, Sanjay Suri, Sharman Joshi and Chitrangada Singh."In the film, I play a bossy mother and a wife, but it is a very likeable bossiness. 'Sorry Bhai' is a very sweet and gentle film with a lot of spunk.

It pushes the bar to where relationships can be stretched and has a very strong underline of comedy," explained Shabana.The film is scheduled for a November release.She is also kept busy with "Kalpvriksh", a children's film by Manika Sharma for which she was shooting in Ladakh last week.Shabana was given a National Integration Award by the Assam government Sunday and she will be conferred an honorary doctorate by the Jamia Milia Islamia University here later this week.

After having won five National Awards and many international honours, Shabana says she no longer craves for awards."Awards have to be the by-product of the work one does and not the cause," Shabana told. [From Internet].

2008-10-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

Like every girl I too dream of getting married- Eesha Kopikar

An extract of an interview with Eesha Kopikar by Rajnee Gupta

In spite of playing a plain Jane in couple of her films glamour girl Eesha still holds a place for herself in the list of glamorous heroines. But very soon she will be getting rid of this tag coz recently she has accepted the role of Chandni in Rajshri films Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi.This role will help her get rid of her glamorous image.

Q-The title of the film is Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi, What does that mean?
A-The story of this film Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi is about such a marriage which is very different from the regular customs of marriage, very sacred. As its easy to get into relationships but very difficult to maintain them in the long run, but when two people without getting married are so committed to each other that they try their best to maintain the pureness of the relationship that in true sense is a sacred relationship.

Q- How would you define your character in this film?
A-The character of Chandni is very similar to me in real life. Just like me she comes from a family who value their customs and systems a lot. Just like me she believes in love.Alongwith this just like me she also believes in the fact that before getting into a relationship with anyone we need to think twice. One should never think of breaking a relationship just to get into another one. Just like me Chandni is very attached to her dad. The only difference we have is that Chandni comes from a small town where as I'm a city girl a simple heart but with the nature of a tom boy.Chandni is shown as a very soft spoken girl not as loud as I am.

Q-How did you prepare yourself for this role?
A-I dint have to do much as the director of the film Kaushik Dada kept reminding me that Chandni has a style which is different than Esha's.

Q-It's a dream of every girl to work with Rajshri Productions, how did you feel when you got a call from their end?
A-I felt great when my manager told me that they had called me. I heard the story last year on my birthday 19th Sept,So I felt that this film s a gift from God on my birthday. Its like a dream come true to work with such a great banner.

Q-You have never actually played such a character before, was there any kind of fear while accepting this role?
A-Have you ever seen me act in similar kind of roles ever? I myself make it a point to try out different roles every time and the two prime reasons for it are ,first that I easily get bored of the same stuff again and again and second that I know for sure that im a very talented actress and I can do a lot better., its only that not many directors have got to utilize my talent properly.

Q-What do you think about your co star Sonu Sood?
A-He is a very well grounded person. Just like the actor of the film he also comes from a small village named Moga.he is as hardworking as I am. Eight years ago we worked together in a south film named Nijin Ille at that time we had never thought that we would be working together again in Rajshri films

Q-How was the whole experience of working in this film?
A-I've never had such a great experience in my entire career till date. Not once did I feel the need to complaint about anything. All through the shoot I always felt that Raj babu is likemygrandfather,Sooraj Barjatya like my father and Kaushik dada like my elder brother must be the first film of my life where I just dint want the shooting to end. One hundred and twenty days for the shoot just flew away. I still remember the last day of our film which was 6th of June. I had cried a lot that day and surprisingly it was raining heavily that day, which made me feel that as if the rains were crying with me.

Q-Do you regret the fact that Soraj Barjatya isnot directing this film?
A-Before the narration I had some doubts about the same but after the narration when I saw my directors vision I was convinced that the film would be superb. The time when Kaushikwas narrating the film I could actually picturise every seen in front of my eyes and tears were rolling down them.

Q-A twelve year long wait for your beloved is what is shown in this film, do you think this funda works these days?
A- I in my personal life waited for ten years to keep my relationship going, but I guess destiny had something else in store for me. If the love and the feelings are true and genuine then why only twelve years you could spend your whole life waiting for that person.

Q-What are your views about marriage?
A-I strongly believe in the institution of marriage. Its a beautiful feeling, here two different people with different thought process, different outlook and different cultures meet and bind into one relationship.

Q- When do you plan to get married?
A-Its just been six months since ive met Timmi,but he too keeps asking me the same question always. But honestly speaking after a real long time my career graph has shown a rise so I would want to concentrate on that first. I will definitely get married as I don't want to continue working for my whole life. Like every girl I too dream of getting married and having kids.

Q-Your seen in films like Ek Vivah Aisa bhi and Shabri and at the same time in films like Haseena ,Hello Darling and Rite Ya Wrong what is the kind of image you actually want to have?
A-First of all you cannot compare Haseena with Hello Darling and Rite Ya wrong, Haseena is the biggest mistake of my life and I do not want to discuss about that film at all. Hello darling is a comedy flick while Rite ya Wrong is a suspense thriller. As far as my image is concerned ive already said that I want to be versatile.

Q- Most of the time s you are seen in multistarrerfilms, why haven't you tried doing solo films?
A-Coz no one casted me in a solo film. I haven't intentionally signed mutistarrer films it just happened coincidently. As it is I do not have a filmy background nor am I seeing any of the top directors, whatever I have achieved till date is all by my own hard work.

Q-So do you feel any kind of pressure?
A-I love to give pressure than to feel it.

Q—Are you happy with your career graph?
A-Its all in the mind, some people are not happy in spite of winning an Oscar while some are happy without it. What makes you feel that im unhappy, im very happy?

Q- Tell us about your new release?
My forthcoming films are Shabri, hello Darling, Rite ya Wrong,Har Pal and Gehrai. [From Internet]

2008-10-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

'Shoot On Sight' lays out blueprint for global terrorism

Film: Shoot On Sight;

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Greta Scacchi, Gulshan Grover, Mikaal Zulfikar;

Director: Jagmohan Mundhra;

Rating: ***

"Shoot On Sight" works as a wake-up call for those slumbering in their bourgeois belief that terrorism is as far away from home as Osama Bin Laden is from the US.It's a frightening piece of fiction laced with a fair amount of warmth and affection that lulls us into a false sense of wellbeing. In essence, the plot takes us back to the domesticated terrorism of Alan Pakula's "The Devil's Own" or more recently Subhash Ghai's "Black And White" where a young wide-eyed seemingly-unspoilt guest in the house turns out to be a closet-terrorist.

Where "Shoot On Sight" scores is in laying out the blueprint for global terrorism through characters who appear real in words, body language and political ideology.

Jagmohan Mundhra has earlier balanced a social cause with a message in "Provoked".

Here the 'thrill' element emanates far more effortlessly from the characters and their predicament, partly because the theme of terrorism renders itself far dramatically to a cinematic treatment than domestic violence.

London is shot by cinematographer Madhu Ambat with all its inherent buzz and blemishes without fuss or rush. The flow of adrenaline as the British cops zero in on their distinguished Pakistani colleague's nephew as a terrorist is rather reined in than rushed.This isn't a film that's in a hurry to get there. But it knows how to value the audiences' time. And this is where "Shoot On Sight" scores the optimum impact.

Mundhra revels in generous levels of understatement most of the time. Whether showing the fanaticism in the mosque (Om Puri, aptly extravagant) or the dilemma of the cop's Pakistan-British daughter - Mundhra packs it all into the simmering cultural cauldron with dexterity and dignity.

While on the whole the characters in the cop-protagonist Tariq Ali's home and workplace come to life with vigorous fluency, some portions of the storytelling fall flat. Naseer's assistant, played by Laila Rouass, comes to a soggy end in a river with the suddenness of a video-game with its socket pulled out.

The hastily-executed climax in a shopping mall where Tariq Ali's nephew is shot down with a sweeping-under-the-carpet haste, is a screaming shame.Mostly, Mundhra uses economy of expression to great effect.

Sometimes just one or two scenes are enough to establish the camaraderie between characters creating a crisscross of inter-relations with disconcerting deftness.

There's just one intimate interlude in the kitchen at the start between the Pakistani cop Naseer and his British wife played Greta Scacchi.

It's enough to show the enduring empathy between the couple. The rift that seeps into their marriage because of the closet-terrorist nephew's presence in their house is again represented in a flash of anger and indignation where Naseer accuses Scacchi of discrimination.

A culturally-defining moment that stays with you after the last bang-bang.A major part of the film's success goes to the the actors.

Om Puri as a radical clergy, Gulshan Grover as Naseer's butcher-friend, and the British actors, who play Naseer's colleagues at the precinct, they all add a wealth of credibility to Mundhra's tale of malevolence in a city that's outwardly a haven for healing.Debutant Mikaal Zulfikar as Naseer's nephew gives a comfortably-defined performance.

Mikaal gets the point early in the narrative when on arrival from Pakistan in London, driving from the airport he gets to know his English aunt has not converted to Islam.

Watch the young actor's subtle shift of expression from easy grace to disgust and disapproval -- it's frightening to see because it reflects the reality about how young people all over the world are converted to extremist causes.

What finally gives "Shoot On Sight" a compelling edge beyond the expected, making it more than just a pantomime of post-terrorism mores, is Naseer.As always Naseer merges into the character pitching the emotions at a level where they appear to be thought of on the-the-spot and certainly not for the sake of a camera.

Domestic scenes and details served up in delicious vignettes provide a back projection to Naseer's complex character. Naseer glides effortlessly with his character as it goes from cultural comfort to fundamentalist isolation. The actor and the character become one. [From Internet]

2008-10-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

Priyanka's tryst with Hollywood stars Melanie, Antonio

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra bonded well with Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas at the Middle East International Film Festival in Dubai and apparently Spanish star Banderas expressed a wish to work with her.
The ongoing festival started Oct 10 and on the opening night Priyanka first met "When Harry Met Sally" star Meg Ryan. At the opening ceremony, Priyanka shared a good two hours with Hollywood's hot couple Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas.

"What you've heard is right. I did spend come time chatting with Antonio and his wife Melanie. We sat together at the opening. Antonio was extremely charming.

He was familiar with the Bollywood film industry and the financial leaps it has made in recent years," Priyanka told IANS.Banderas spoke to Priyanka about the possibilities of a tie-up, but the actress didn't comment on this.When asked if she was going international, Priyanka said: "The language doesn't matter.

It could be Hindi, English or Punjabi, it's all the same to me."Priyanka's much-publicised movie "Fashion" was supposed to premiere at the film festival. "And that's how I found myself there. 'Fashion' was supposed to be shown at the opening night of the festival. But the post-production wasn't done.

They still invited me. I was very happy to represent Bollywood. "I was in Abu Dhabi for just half a day. I went in the afternoon and returned to India late night, to Delhi for another event next morning.

There's too much going in my life: the dubbing of 'Fashion', promotion of 'Fashion' and 'Dostana' and my new film 'What's Your Raashee' is starting."Priyanka says when she walked into the posh Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, she was like, "Wow this is meant for a holiday not work!" "For the first time I craved for a holiday. But I don't need to combine work with pleasure. Because my work is my pleasure.

The opening ceremony then the after-party at Abu Dhabi and I left at 1 a.m. "I can't even afford to be jet lagged. I enjoy the rush, but I realised my body needs rest. I am petrified about not fulfilling my commitments. So far so good. I just need a holiday after 'Fashion' and 'Dostana' are released." [From Internet]

2008-10-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hema Malini turns 60 Thursday, but feels "Sweet-16"

New Delhi: An actor, classical dancer, filmmaker and politician - Bollywood's 'dream girl' Hema Malini who juggles different roles with aplomb, turns 60 Thursday but says she still feels 16 at heart.
"I feel 16 at 60. I guess age has nothing to do with creativity, but it certainly has a lot to do with maturity and dedication. I have lived life on my own terms and conditions and now when I look back, I feel happy about all the decisions I have taken," Hema said in a statement released here Wednesday.

The actress, who is also a Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographer, plans to start her special day by offering prayers at the famed Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh with daughters Esha and Ahana Deol.

"The best way to celebrate one's birthday is by praying to the lord for peace and harmony in the world. In times of terrorism and global financial depression, I guess we can only find peace in our prayers," Hema said.Known for her memorable performances in films like "Johnny Mera Naam", "Seeta aur Geeta", "Jugnu", "Sholay", "Dream Girl", "Satte Pe Satta", " Khushboo" and "Baghban", the actress has had a successful film career spanning almost 40 years.

However, Hema's entry into films was not a cakewalk for her. In 1964, she was rejected by director for not having star appeal when she tried her luck in southern cinema.

Hema got her break in "Sapnon ka Saudagar" opposite Raj Kapoor in 1968 but became an overnight star with "Johnny Mera Naam" in 1970.By 1972, she gained the status of the reigning Bollywood star and the success of her double-role in "Seeta Aur Geeta" fetched her the Filmfare award for best actress in 1973.

Throughout her career, Hema has been paired opposite a range of actors but it was her on-screen chemistry with actor Dharmendra - whom she later married - that made the duo a hit pair in films like "Sholay", "Charas", "Jugnu", "Seeta Aur Geeta" and "The Burning Train".

Hema took a sabbatical from the big-screen in the early 1990s during which she tried her hand at direction with box office dud "Dil Aashna Hai" in 1992 that was Shah Rukh Khan's launchpad.

The actress made a comeback in 2003 with box office hit "Baghban" opposite Amitabh Bachchan and since then has been seen in films like "Veer-Zaara", "Baabul" and "Laaga Chunari Mein Daag".An acclaimed dancer, Hema does not think age is a deterrent and plans to continue performing Bharatnatyam and her dance ballets across the country and abroad.

Representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hema is a Rajya Sabha member.

Asked how she manages to juggle different roles in life, she said: "Its all about time management and I guess one can do even more than this if we sort out our priorities." Hema's future projects include "Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi", "Saadiyan" and Deepa Sahi's directorial venture opposite Nana Patekar.

2008-10-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

'Cleanliness is Godliness' says Raima on Global Handwashing Day

New Delhi, Oct 15: On Global Handwashing Day, Bollywood actress Raima Sen brought forth the old Indian adage -- Cleanliness is Godliness -- to press her point on cleanliness saying more needs to be done to create awareness in the country on the issue.
Demonstrating tips on washing hands and inculcating hygienic practices to school children, Ms Sen said hygiene was critical to one's development and leading a disease-free life.

"'The simple practice of washing hands with soap, especially after toilet, can reduce diarrhoeal disease by over 44 per cent and respiratory infections by 30 per cent,'' she told the children while distributing personal hygiene kits to them.

Speaking on the occasion, organisers NGO 'Sulabh International' founder Dr Bindeshwar Pathak said the aim of Global Handwashing Day is to educate people about washing hands with soap, especially after using the toilet and before having meals.

''The practice of hand washing with soap is on top of the international hygiene agenda this year and this campaign begins with children.'' Killer diseases like diarrhoea and pneumonia are caused if hands are not washed properly with soap, he said adding, ''Children are more vulnerable to these diseases; hence the focus is on them.'' Informing that 'Sulabh' had already launched an extensive 'wash campaign' by forming school sanitation clubs in seven countries, Dr Pathak said Diarrhoea kills more than 1.5 million children, under five years of age, each year but the simple act of handwashing can reduce this by 45 per cent.

Year 2008 has been declared as the International Year of Sanitation by the United Nations. [From Internet]

2008-10-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

Two fashion divas disappoint; Riya provides Bollywood glamour

New Delhi, Oct 15: Bollywood actress Riya Sen added some sizzle on the opening day of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week here tonight, but the country's two fashion divas disappointed the fashionistas with Ritu Kumar's son Amrish taking centrestage using her label and Ranna Gill coming up with a collection sans glamour and innovation.
India's number one fashion designer Ritu Kumar stepped aside once again this year for her son Amrish Kumar who came up with a look reminiscent of European fashion from the 60's and and 70's. However, that is not to discount the son's worth.

His dresses comprised of full length maxis, shifts and spaghettis with impressive pallazzos, ghaghras and wide bottom denims hewn from loud prints and textured wovens.Talking to mediapersons about his collection, Amrish said, ''My inspiration for the collection is East Africa and Bengal sarees.'' So, sindoor and gulal 'thalis' adorned the ramp on which the models showcased tunics, skirts and long dresses with mostly 'A' line shapes using beads, sequences and shells.

The colour scheme was steal blue and brick red and minimal work was added to highlight the prints.The solid lines used checks and stripes woven in Maheshwar and a stretch silk cotton in fitted clean shapes. The second part of the collection had traditional borders and buti motifs woven into a knit with exquisite drape and feel.

However, his prints line was the most impressive comprising of evening wear in darker colours and casual daywear in pink and turquoises. The combination of floral and geometric prints created a very modern yet Indian feel.

When asked whether it was a stepping aside move for her son to take over the world of fashion, Ritu kumar simply dismissed it by saying, ''It's all about promoting the young generation.'' On the other hand, even Riya Sen could not save Ranna Gill's collection, though sexy is the only word to describe her gowns and lingerie. Ranna's clothes were a big let-down owing mainly to the appalling colours and ordinary fabrics. However, the last factor also made her collection very affordable.

The designer, in fact, was quite defensive about her work. ''I love sexy clothes, my collection is very 'nirvanic' and meant for the happy, colourful and contemporary woman.'' How the modern woman would like to wear her off-putting gowns with dull shades, cheap fabrics and, adding to it, mirror work is beyond anyone's comprehension! As if this was not enough, she went on to add, ''My collection is very affordable. It starts at Rs 2500 and goes up from there depending upon the embellishments. No wonder, we have not had overwhelming response from the buyers.'' Some confession this! When asked about the economic recession, she said, ''In recession, you have to wear bling.'' Any takers? [From Internet]

2008-10-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Box-office Report

(The verdict is based on all-India collections and indicates the overall status from the date of release)

TOP 5 FILMS (for The Week Ending October 5, 2008)

1. WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR

2. A WEDNESDAY

3. ROCK ON!!

4. 1920

5. HARI PUTTAR

1. WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR

Director: Shyam Benegal

Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Amrita Rao, Ravi Kishan, Rajeshwari, Kunal Kapoor

Plus Points: Shyam Benegal diverting from his usual style of film making, UTV backing the same, excellent performance by Shreyas Talpade

Weak Points: Unwanted songs which breaks the flow, actually the film should have been without them, slow at some places

Box-Office verdict: Hit

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 45%, Delhi: 35%

2. SAAS BAHU AUR SENSEX

Director: Shona Urvashi

Cast: Kirron Kher, Farooque Shaikh, Tanushree Dutta, Masumeh, Lillite Dubey

Plus Points: Excellent performances by Kirron Kher and Farooque Shaikh.

Weak Points: Confused narration by maker – whether women should venture into stock market or not remains unanswered, going by title one expected good dose of comedy but it comes in parts.

Box-Office verdict: Flop

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 11%, Delhi: 10%, Overseas - $23,000

3. RU-BA-RU

Director: Arjun Bali

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Shahana Goswami, Rati Agnihotri

Plus Points: Not any

Weak Points: lack of publicity, poor music etc

Box-Office verdict: Washout

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 12%, Delhi: 10%

4. 1920

Director: Vikram Bhatt

Cast: Rajneesh Duggal, Adah Sharma, Anjori Alag, Raj Zutshi.

Plus Points: Vikram Bhatt attempting horror genre again after Raaz, background score that scares you at many places, top notch cinematography and good performances by the new comers.

Weak Points: slow narrative, if Raaz had haunting music this one is no music for ears.

Box-Office verdict: Above Average

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 40%, Delhi: 35%

5. THE LAST LEAR

Director: Rituparno Ghosh

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Prety Zinta

Plus Points: Rituparno Ghosh, a great story teller at helm, Amitabh Bachchan working with him

Weak Points: Too much of artistic approach in making, no substance for regular cinegoers, loopholes in script

Box-Office verdict: Flop

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 18%, Delhi: 15%

6. HIJACK

Director: Kunal Shivdasani

Ca6. st: Shiney Ahuja, Esha Deol, Kaveri Jha

Plus Points: Good promotion and nothing else

Weak Points: unconvincing storyline, below average performance

Box-Office verdict: Flop

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 24%, Delhi: 15%, Overseas - UK - $26,810

7. A WEDNESDAY

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Jimmy Shergill, Aamir Bashir, Deepal Shaw

Plus Points: Brilliant performances, direction

Weak Points: Too short in length (but a film like this has to be shortto leave an impact)Box-Office verdict: Poor

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 20%, Delhi: 16%

8. TAHAAN

Director: Santosh Sivan

Cast: Purav Bhandare, Rahul Bose, Anupam Kher, Rahul Khanna, Victor Banerjee

Plus Points: Brilliant performance by Purav, cinematography by Santosh Sivan

Weak Points: Limited appeal, loose and unappealing screenplay

Box-Office verdict: Washout

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 21%, Delhi: 20%

9. CHAMKUDirector: Kabeer Kaushik

Cast: Bobby Deol, Priyanka Chopra, Irfan Khan, Danny Denzongpa

Plus Points: We tried to figure any plus point but could not find any

Weak Points: Bobby Deol's poor run at the box-office, weak promotion, weak music, outdated story with poor narration

Box-Office verdict: Washout

Business: India - 1st week Mumbai: 20%, Delhi: 16%, Overseas - UK - $23,093

2008-10-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

Rani misses her Bari puja

While the Bengalis in Bollywood were getting all dressed up to get into the mood of the most awaited festival of the year, Rani Mukerji was away in Chandigarh shooting for Yash Raj film, Ishqiya .

It’s after a long long time that the Bong beauty missed the Mukherjee Bari puja. The Mukherjees have been celebrating the Durgotsav in a magnificent way every year at the Poddar school grounds, but this time the location was shifted to Juhu’s Balkanji Bari grounds.

The members of the Mukherjee pandal paid tribute to one of its founding members, Late Mr Makhan Sen, who had just passed away alongwith other big names like like Shomu Mukherjee...Rani’s mother kept updating Rani about the event and proceedings happening in Mumbai over the phone.

An insider tells us, “At the time of Anjali (Aarti), Rani heard the entire prayer over the phone.” However, Rani’s mom was quite upset with Rani’s absence. She says, “Who told her to give her puja dates to the producer? She should not expect the producer to give her time off while the crew waits for the shoot at Chandigarh.”

We also hear that during the puja in Mumbai, a whole team of dancers were flown in to Chandigarh for a dance sequence for Ishqiya .

2008-10-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

Anna Faris

Age: 31

Home Town: Baltimore, Maryland

Status: Livin' Life

Biography: Faris was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of Karen and Jack Faris, having Scottish, Irish, English, German, and French ancestry.

She has a brother, Bob, and grew up in Edmonds, Washington, north of Seattle. Her parents encouraged her to pursue acting when she was young and she gave her first professional acting performance at age nine at the Seattle Repertory Theater.

After attending Edmonds Woodway High School, she studied English literature at the University of Washington.

Her first significant film role was in the independent production Lovers Lane (1999). Her breakout role was the horror film parody Scary Movie (2000).

The 5'5" Faris is a natural light brunette (as seen in the film May), but usually keeps her hair dyed blonde. She dyed her hair black for the filming of Scary Movie so that her character more closely resembled Neve Campbell, who played the equivalent character in Scream, one of the films that Scary Movie was parodying.

Faris gained further popularity after becoming recurring character Erica in the final season of the popular American sitcom Friends.

She also was in the critically acclaimed film Lost in Translation—in which she plays an actress promoting the fictional action movie Midnight Velocity.

2008-10-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

I was such a late bloomer: Anna Faris

London : Actress Anna Faris of 'The House Bunny' fame describes herself as a late bloomer in life who finds its awkward to use her sexuality.
Thesun.co.uk quotes Faris as saying: "I would come to work every day wearing oversized sweats and it would be four in the morning and I was exhausted. But after three hours of teasing and getting pushed up eventually you're like, 'Okay, I gotta go do this'. "I was such a late bloomer growing up.
I was so short and I had no chest or hips until I was 23, so that part of being Shelley was always really awkward for me. It was fun to do but very unnatural."

She added: "I did a lot of training and I was working out a lot. When you see those skimpy outfits you have to wear every day it's very motivating."Faris, 31, is making a mark in Hollywood and has been often compared to legend Goldie Hawn.

"It's so flattering and completely intimidating. I grew up watching her movies and I just love her so much, it's a huge honour."

2008-10-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

"Fashion has been hyped so much that the expectations are high" - Arjan Bajwa

Arjan Bajwa, the lead hero of Fashion, was in for a surprise on his recent visit to Delhi. Though he was aware that there is a widespread awareness and curiosity built up around his upcoming film, he didn't have a clue that quite a few politicians too were eagerly awaiting it's release."I was paying a courtesy call to a few people from the political world and was chatting about anything but movies.

Suddenly the talk shifted to Fashion and I was pleasantly surprised to find that people there too are waiting to have a dekko at the film.

I guess they know the kind of reputation that Madhur Sir carries as a film maker and his recent National Award for Traffic Signal has only added on to people at the highest level being aware about his work", details Arjan Bajwa who was recently seen in Summer 2007. Not many are aware that if not an actor, Arjan Bajwa may well have been the blue eyed boy of politics.

This is because he is the son of Late S.S.Bajwa, the BJP ex-Deputy Mayor of Delhi. "I am very much in touch with people with whom dad had worked with over the years. They are all like family and treat me as their son.

When I meet them, discussions could be anything under the sun ranging from life to general to politics and even movies," says Arjan. Apparently politicians like Sushma Swaraj and Venkaiah Naidu amongst others have shown a keen interest in Fashion.

Do such huge expectations make him feel nervous? "Of course they do", Arjan is prompt to reply, "The film has been hyped so much over the year gone by and everyone is expecting nothing but the best from it.

It is surreal to hear people calling it a sure-shot success even though it hasn't been shown to anyone. While working, you don't think about the hype and buzz your film would generate; you just do plain and simple work." "Since the time promos have been air, I have been inundated with queries around the film.

Now I can't wait for 29th October, the day when the film releases. The suspense around public response to the film has been killing. I hope the film gives much more than what they have been looking for and surpasses their expectations", concludes Arjan on a hopeful note.

2008-10-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Tamil remake of 'Main Hoon Na' due for Diwali release

Chennai : 'Aegan', the Tamil remake of Bollywood blockbuster 'Main Hoon Na', starring Ajith Kumar and Nayanthara, is almost ready and expected to hit the screens on Diwali.
According to a source, the entire movie is complete save for one song. Director Raju Sundaram was originally planning to shoot the song on a set in Chennai, but finally ended up shooting in the Swiss Alps.

Yuvan Shankar Raja has rendered the music for the film.

'The movie's screenplay has been altered slightly to suit Tamil sentiments and sensibility. The post-production work is simultaneously underway to meet the release schedule,' a spokesman for film producers Ayngaran International told a news agency. [From Internet]

2008-10-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Katrina has no time for TV

It was reported recently that Katrina Kaif signed a two-film deal with UTV. The first film will be directed by director duo Abbas-Mustan while the details of the second film are being worked on. The actress had earlier signed a deal with Studio 18.
Recently, rumours were abuzz about Katrina being offered a dance reality show on a leading television channel. A source revealed, "Katrina’s popularity is growing larger and larger by the day. Not only is she topping all the opinion polls and popularity charts, she’s also being offered large amounts of money for endorsements and films — the latest being a TV show. A news report claimed that Katrina had already given her nod to this show as she was being offered a multi-crore deal. It is true that she’s been besieged with offers and she has turned this one down. She has no dates to spare as she is busy shooting for her films."

At present, Katrina is looking forward to Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, where she is paired opposite Ranbir Kapoor for the first time. "I am looking forward to this film since this is the first time I have been paired opposite someone of my age," Katrina says. She will also be seen in Subhash Ghai’s Yuvraaj opposite Salman Khan.

2008-10-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

Questions about Saif, Kareena are frustrating: Soha

Soha Ali Khan doesn’t mind media attention, but ask her questions about brother Saif Ali Khan and his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, and it definitely rubs her the wrong way. "It’s very frustrating when people ask me about them, but it doesn’t annoy me anymore. I very calmly and politely ask the media not to ask about them," Soha said, "Not because I don’t want to speak about my brother or Kareena, but because I don’t speak for them in case the media is not able to reach them. These questions are often private and I’m not comfortable with that."

Soha had to face the media glare earlier when her gun licence was cancelled in May. She was also in the news for posing in a sexy, skimpy outfit for lifestyle magazine Maxim. All that is past and Soha is now relaxed, free of controversies and is enjoying every bit of entering a new decade in life. Having turned 30 on October 4, Soha says that she still feels like she’s 16, though her responsibilities in life have increased. "I have responsibilities now, I manage a house, I’m financially independent and have bought a new house in Mumbai — these are great things. I do feel like an adult in many ways, but when it comes to the real things, I’m very selfish and very much in the youngest child syndrome," she said.

Soha made her debut with Dil Maange More in 2004 and has featured in a variety of films but gained prominence with Rang De Basanti, Khoya Khoya Chand and more recently Mumbai Meri Jaan. She is now shooting for her forthcoming comedy 99 along with Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha. The actress has a long line-up of projects, signalling busy times ahead.

"I am doing a lot of comedies for the first time. There’s 99, then there’s Dil Kabaddi where I play Irrfan Khan’s wife — it’s an unusual pairing. There is Dhoondhte Rahe Jaoge with Kunal Khemu and then a Sudhir Mishra film Tera Kya Hoga Johnny — a slightly darker film where I play a small town model."

Soha will also soon be seen opposite Emraan Hashmi. "After 99, I’m doing one romantic film opposite Emraan Hashmi. That’s by Vishesh Films and Kunal Deshmukh, who directed Jannat, will be making it. I also have an English horror film in hand," the actress said.

2008-10-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Bollywood acknowledges only success, not talent: Diya Mirza

By Robin Bansal

New Delhi: Bollywood runs on 'herd mentality', acknowledging only the successful films of actors and not their talent, says actress and former beauty queen Diya Mirza.
Missing from the big screen since her cameo in the box office dud "Krazzy 4", Diya hopes that her off-beat film "Bits and Pieces" opposite Rahul Bose is released soon.She attributes her absence to the failure of her films and the industry's "biased" attitude towards her."It was important for me to back off from films.

I started my career on a good note with big banners, good producers and good actors, but the films didn't do too well. We live in an industry (Bollywood) that runs on a herd mentality. It functions only on the number of successful films you have, not your talent," Diya told IANS in an interview.Diya won the Miss Asia Pacific beauty pageant in 2000 and forayed into Bollywood in 2001 with Gautham Menon's "Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein" opposite R. Madhavan.

The film did average business at the box office. But after that most of her films including "Deewaanapan", "Tumko Naa Bhool Paayenge" and "Tehzeeb" sank without a trace.In seven years, Diya has failed to deliver a memorable performance in the lead.

She was, however, seen in cameos in hits like "Parineeta", "Lage Raho Munnabhai", "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd." and "Shootout at Lokhandwala".

She also made special appearances in box office hits "Heyy Babby" and "Om Shanti Om".Not many know that the actress also worked in an offbeat project - National Award winning director Manmohan Mahapatra's "Bits and Pieces" opposite Rahul Bose. But the film is still awaiting release." 'Bits and Pieces' is ready and sitting in the can since last year. Unfortunately, some good films don't see the light of day.

I am really sad people didn't get to see the film despite its diverse story and strong characters. I hope it is released," she said.Diya currently has five projects in her kitty - "Acid Factory", "Johnny Mastana", "Alibaug", "Kaun Bola" and "Kisaan".The actress is more excited about "Kaun Bola", which is Arshad Warsi's first home production."I play a girl called Gehna in 'Kaun Bola' that is perhaps the meatiest role I have ever played. It is a character I instantly fell in love with.

She is perhaps the most real character I've done in commercial movies so far. There are very few characters that are so real that you can associate with. There is a lot of me in the film," she quipped.The film is written by Arshad and also stars Boman Irani."It is a funny, light-hearted as well as an emotional film. It is not a senseless comedy like we have these days."Diya says she is looking forward to exploring herself as an actor in her forthcoming projects and carving a niche for herself."I need to find my own foothold. Even if I do a small film, I need to explore myself now. Whatever I'm doing right now is satisfying me both personally and professionally. People will see a tremendous change in my upcoming films. I am working very hard to get it right this time," she said.

2008-10-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

Vulgarity in 'Bigg Boss 2' has reached its peak: Sanjay Nirupam

New Delhi: Congress leader and evicted 'Bigg Boss' contestant Sanjay Nirupam has said that the vulgarity level on the reality show on 'Colors' general entertainment channel has reached its peak which is why he refused an offer from the channel to re-enter the show as a wild card entry.
Mr Nirupam, who was evicted the very first week from the 'Bigg Boss' house, has, in his latest blog, claimed that he recently recieved an offer to re-enter the show as a wild card entry but refused because of the rising vulgarity level of the show and the lack of transparency in the voting process for deciding the contestants to be evicted.

''Watching the episodes of 'Bigg Boss 2' after I was evicted, I realised that there wasn’t any clarity in the way participants were being voted out. I felt something was amiss somewhere. Also the vulgarity of the show was increasing day by day. Then I was invited for the wild card entry.

This is where I put my foot down. The show had lost its decency. It was to be a family show in my understanding. But the vulgarity levels had reached their peak. The use of foul language had become an irritant.My belief system wouldn’t let me be a part of this evident vulgarity,''Mr Nirupam says in his latest blog.

Elaborating on his charges of the lack of transparency in the voting process in the show, which has witnessed participation from celebrities like Pramod Mahajan's son Rahul Mahajan, film actresses Monica Bedi, Payal Rohtagi and Sambhavana Seth, former Miss world Diana Hayden, MTV roadies winner Ashutosh, stand up comedian Ehsaan Qureshi and playback singer Debojit, Mr Nirupam says,''I asked the organisers to show me the proof of the votes that had come in. I told them: ''I will go once I am satisfied that the voting process is foolproof.'' I wanted it to be transparent. But they were not ready to show the voting statistics.

I feel the trust of the people in the organisers would have increased manifold had they been open about the process. But sadly, they weren't.Hence, I opted out.'' Mr Nirupam said that when he first recieved an invitation to be a part of the reality show, he felt quite excited at the prospect.

''I felt challenged when I had received the invitation to be a participant in the show. No politician had ventured into that arena and entered a place where he would be watched 24x7. So I thought: Why not? Another very crucial reason in my mind was that by being a part of the reality show I would be in a position to show people of the country that politicians are not always what they are projected as.

They are human too. They have emotions. They also crave to spend time with their families. And, if I may say so, they too have interests in cooking, singing and arts. I believed I was not doing anything wrong,''he says. On his eviction in the very first week, he says, ''I was nominated within a day of being in the House mostly for the reason that people did not understand me.

For example Jade Goody nominated me because she couldn't recollect everyone's names but mine. However, I wanted to leave gracefully, which I did.'' Like Sanjay Nirupam, people from several section of society have criticised the 'Bigg Boss' reality show for its increasding vulgarity.The episodes in the past weeks have shown Rahul Mahajan and his close friend Payal Rohtagi indulging in some intimate gestures and talk.

Infact, in Mumbai, Region Youth Congress President Sunil Ahire has lodged First Information Report (FIR) against the producer and director of the reality TV show for allegedly telecasting obscenity and vulgarity.

Besides the show's producer and director, the FIR also mentioned about the owner of Colors, the channel that telecasts the show, and three participants including Rahul Mahajan, son of former BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, Sambhavana Seth and Payal Rohatgi. [From Internet]

2008-10-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Amitabh to write blog from hospital bed

Mumbai, Oct 12 : Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan will post a blog entry from his hospital bed to update his worried fans about his health, sources close to the actor said Sunday.
Amitabh Bachchan is planning to write about his health condition on the blog at http://blogs.bigadda.com/ab/ from the Lilavati Hospital here, the sources added. The Bollywood superstar was admitted to the hospital following abdominal pain Saturday when he was privately celebrating his 66th birthday at his bungalow Pratiksha in Juhu.

He was recovering Sunday after being treated for the ailment and doctors attending on him said his test results were normal and that he would be released soon.Hospital sources said Bachchan was under medical supervision.

He is being fed a liquid diet through an endoscopic pipe.Earlier in the day, his son and actor Abhishek Bachchan thanked senior Bachchan's fans for expressing their concern and praying for his father's recovery."I am overwhelmed by the people's concern for my father's health and their prayers for his well being," Abhishek told mediapersons at the hospital.

A host of celebrities that visited him in the hospital included Ramesh Sippy, Prem Chopra, Riteish Deshmukh and his brother Amit Deshmukh, Kirron Kher, Ram Gopal Varma, Tina Ambani, Goldie Behl, Yash Chopra and Subroto Roy Sahara. [From Internet]

2008-10-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

I am satisfied with films I am doing: Diya Mirza

New Delhi: She made a splash with her very first big screen appearance in Vashu Bhagnani’s Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein with her pristine beauty and graceful screen presence endearing her to cinegoers across the country.

However, nearly seven years after ‘Rehna Hai Tere Dil Main’, Diya Mirza's career in Bollywood has failed to scale the heights attained by her contemporaries like Lara Dutta and even those like Bipasha Basu, Mallika Sherawat and Katrina Kaif, who made their Bollywood debut after her.The amount of media limelight coming the way of Bipasha Basu, Mallika Sherawat and Katrina Kaif may have eluded her but Diya Mirza is content with the work coming her way.''I'm doing the kind of films I want. Whatever I'm doing is satisfying me,'' Diya says.Talking to UNI during a visit to the Capital, she admitted that her career in Bollywood had not progressed the way that of many of her contemporaries had. ''I haven't had many successful films in my career.

Luckily, however, there has been a big change in the film industry in terms of the kind of films being made now. So you will see more of me in the near future,'' Diya said.

In fact, after a long hiatus since 'Shootout at Lokhandwala', Diya will be seen in several cinematic ventures in the coming months.'

'I'm doing five films right now - 'Acid Factory' which is an action movie about six boys, 'Kaun Bola' - a romantic comedy starring Arshad Warsi, 'Kisan' which is about farmer suicides, a film with Amitabh Bachchan titled 'Johny Mastana' and 'Alibaug' with Sanjay Dutt,'' she said.When asked which of these five films she was looking forward to the most, she replied, ''All of them. See, this is not a diplomatic response.

All the characters being played by me in these films are separate and the story lines are very diverse. 'Acid Factory' is a high fashion action movie. 'Johny Mastana' is a slice of life itself, depicting how far can you go for the one you love. 'Kisan' is a UTV Production. 'Kaun Bola' is with a supreme powerhouse of talent - Arshad Warsi. It has the meatiest role ever played by me.'' Of all her rols, however, Diya is particularly excited about her character in ‘Kaun Bola’, which is Arshad Warsi’s home production venture.

''The character I play in 'Kaun Bola' was really exciting because she's probably the most realistic character in a film from commercial cinema. She is so many things altogether - she's a child, a woman - which makes a woman what she is,'' Diya said.

The former beauty queen has had really fond experiences of working in ‘Kaun Bola’. ''I had a lot of fun working in 'Kaun Bola'. It was light, emotional. Most importantly, it's valid, when you see the film you will feel that you can be a part of what's happening on the screen. Arshad himself has written the screenplay and the dialogues of the film.

In fact, a lot of him as a person is evident in the film,'' Diya said.Despite being a natural beauty herself, Diya doesn't believe in traditional concept of beauty.

''Beauty is something undefined.You can't ever define beauty truly, certainly not such as diamonds are forever. To me, where there is tranquility, serenity, that's beauty. As far as inner beauty is concerned, I stopped using that line eight years ago after winning the Asia-Pacific beauty pageant in 2000,'' the actor said. [From Internet]

2008-10-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Payal denies romantic links with Rahul Mahajan

New Delhi: Only Rahul Mahajan could get close to her, kiss her and scold her in season two of reality show Bigg Boss, but actress Payal Rohatgi has denied any romantic involvement with him after her eviction from the show.
"Rahul is not my boyfriend, he is my friend," Payal told IANS over phone from Mumbai.In August, Rahul, son of the late Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former union minister Pramod Mahajan, formally parted from his wife Shweta after a Gurgaon court passed a decree on their mutual divorce petition.

His closeness with Payal was an alleged reason for the break-up. But Payal, who was evicted from the reality show Friday, maintains that "Rahul is only a good friend". Viewers were witness to their intimacy on "Bigg Boss" when they were assigned the task of playing volleyball in a swimming pool.Commenting upon their physical proximity on the show, she said: "The pool was six feet deep and I'm only five feet six inches tall.

I needed someone to shift me around and hold me in the pool. I was more comfortable with Rahul because I know him. We have partied and have had dinners together. "I couldn't let others like Debojit (Saha), Ashutosh (Kaushik) and Raja (Chaudhary) come as close. After all they are men," she said.

Payal was criticised by her inmates for her closeness to Rahul, her cat fights with item girl Sambhavna Seth, wearing a bikini on the show and constantly wearing make-up.

Sambhavna alleged that Payal is "fake" and that she used to backstab people on the show. But Payal denies her allegations saying: "I was very neutral. I was not there to make friends for life. I just wanted to be cordial and nice to people so that we could live together in peace.

So there is no question of having backstabbed anyone. It would have been so had I nominated Rahul, who is a good friend," Payal said.As far as being called "fake" is concerned, she said: "I was there to gain visibility for the benefit of my career. If I dabbed on make-up to look good on the show, why are people complaining? "She (Sambhavna) has said that I used to wake up at six in the morning to touch up and then used to sleep again.

But then why was this footage not shown? It would have made for a juicy shot. 'Bigg Boss' was not a house, it was a house-like situation and being an actor, I had to take care of the way I looked on screen," Payal said.After coming out of the "Bigg Boss" house, the actress says she is dying to pamper herself with "a manicure, pedicure and a good massage" to rejuvenate herself mentally and physically.

"I am very happy to be back in the real world. I was there to gain visibility and show the other side of personality and I have been successful in doing that. People had only seen the glamorous side of Payal Rohtagi, but now they know that I even cry," said Payal who is now looking forward to getting some "lead roles in good films".

Payal was seen in films "Dhol" and "Corporate". In Madhur Bhandarkar's critically acclaimed "Corporate", she danced to the popular item song "O Sikander". Now she is looking forward to her next film "Dil Kabaddi", in which she will be seen with Soha Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan, among others. [From Internet]

2008-10-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

HDFC Standard Life takes to music for better communication

HDFC Standard Life has unveiled ‘Sar Utha Ke Jiyo,’ a music album promoting and propagating ‘Self Respect’ and ‘Self Reliance’. A music video announcing the same would be on air on all major television channels from October 13 onwards. The album will be available in all leading stores across the country from October 20.

Through this innovative marketing initiative, HDFC Standard Life seeks to convey a simple message – ‘Respect Yourself’ – to the quintessential middle class because from it emerges the essentials of one’s life that could be channelised to prudent investments through HDFC Standard Life Products. A value system that the company wants to embed in everyone’s life through this initiative is that self respect and esteem enables one to live life at one’s own terms and without compromises.

Speaking on the music album launch, Sanjay Tripathy, Executive Vice President and Head, Marketing, HDFC Standard Life, said, “We are happy to launch this music album that signifies everything that our brand stands for, through music. Currently, all life insurance brands communicate using generic categories.”

HDFC Standard Life has been instrumental in reinforcing its brand value – ‘Sar Utha Ke Jiyo’ – in all its communication campaigns. The company has found relevant ways to touch a chord with consumers across their life stages and link it back to this brand idea. And extending it to a music album and music video was logical to spread the message even far and wide, stated the company in an official release.

P9 Integrated has partnered HDFC Standard Life in this initiative and has been involved in this project right from conceptualising the idea to it final execution.

Navin Shah, CEO, P9 Integrated, commented, “At P9, we believe in offering our clients’ innovative marketing solutions through the means of entertainment. It has been an extremely fun filled and exciting partnership with HDFC Standard Life and together we are looking forward to celebrating the success of this clutter breaking activity.”

The music album has six songs with the title composition ‘Sar Utha Ke Chalenge Hum’ sung by Mohit Chauhan, lyrics penned by Swanand Kirkire, and music composed by Shantanu Moitra. The album also features songs by Madhuparna and cover versions of some popular Bollywood numbers by Bombay Vikings.

2008-10-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

Jaya (Bhaduri) Bachchan: My bahurani is the best!

It's not a hidden fact that the Bachchans dote on their favourite bahurani. Come on, aren't they always openly showing off their affection for Ash who they lovingly called Pari in public?
This time matriarch of the family Jaya Bachchan has decided to defend their darling bahu in public in a heart to heart conversation with People magazine. She has spoken in length about her connection with reigning superstar Shah Rukh Khan and her disappointment over his alleged remarks about daughter-in-law Aishwarya during the infamous SRK-Salman spat.She's even gone to the extent of saying that she would slap SRK if he says anything derogatory about daughter-in-law dearest! And if he would have done it in front of her, she would have done it there and then!

2008-10-11T09:45:00.000-07:00

Friends, colleagues wish Amitabh Bachchan a speedy recovery

Mumbai/New Delhi: Friends and colleagues of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan have wished him speedy recovery as he was admitted to a Mumbai hospital Saturday with severe abdominal pain.
Amitabh was celebrating his 66th birthday with his family at his Prateeksha residence when he complained of severe pain. Though the reason for the stomach pain is still unclear, most colleagues feel it could be due to overwork.Music director-singer Shekhar Ravijani of Vishal-Shekhar duo, who had recently accompanied the actor on their worldwide Unforgettable concert tour, told IANS that he had called the family to check up on Amitabh's health and there was nothing to worry about.

“We have called up and checked. Everything is fine. Otherwise we would have been with him. He has just gone to the hospital for a routine check up. Nothing serious,” said Shekhar.“It's his birthday today. It's so sad that he has to be in hospital! My brave soldier, excellent co-star should get well very soon.

Maybe it has happened due to the workload, but you can't stop him from working hard because it is in his nature,” actress Nafisa Ali, who has played Amitabh's wife in “Major Saab”, said.Punjabi pop singer Daler Mehndi, who shared screen space with the actor in a song “Masti bhari raat hai” in “Mrityudaata” in 1997, feels the same.

He said: “It might be due to exertion. With the kind of profession we are in, it requires loads of travelling, assignments, shoots and erratic food timings that do take a toll on a person's body.“Amitabh-ji is a very energetic person but maybe because of stress and workload, he has fallen ill. My good wishes are with him.”Aman Verma, who essayed the role of his son in two films - “Baghban” and “Baabul”, feels the veteran's illness is due to his “stressful life”.“Why are you all hyping it up? Let's all be positive about the issue. He is a man above 65 years of age and it could just be a mild case of food poisoning.

“He works a lot. Maybe this illness is a combination of fatigue and stress or maybe he ate something that did not suit his body. I hope he gets well soon as we all need him around,” Aman said.“Amitabh is a fighter,” says filmmaker Ravi Chopra, who has directed the actor in most of his films including “Baghban”, “Baabul” and “Bhoothnath” among the recent ones.“I am very sure that he will be okay.

You cannot say that stress and workload is responsible for this because work is something that keeps him healthy,” he said.Actress Shefali Shah, who played his wife in “Waqt: The Race Against Time” and was also in his most recent release “The Last Lear”, was unaware of the actor's illness when IANS contacted her.

“I am not aware of his illness but I hope he gets well soon. I am no one to comment on it. The doctors should tell what has happened. All I can wish is a speedy recovery for him. We all know that he is an incredible person and has very high energy levels,” she said.

2008-10-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

Prasar Bharati moves SC over Delhi HC’s order asking it to carry 3 Zee channels

Prasar Bharati has moved Supreme Court challenging Delhi High Court’s order asking it to carry Zee Group’s three channels – Zee Smile, Zee Jagran and ETC Music – and Total TV and Chardhikala Time TV on its DD Direct Plus DTH platform.

Prasar Bharati has been opposing carrying these channels on its DTH platform for sometime. A bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan recently stayed the Delhi High Court order and directed the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), whose order had been upheld by the High Court, to hear the matter.

Earlier on September 23, though the High Court had asked Prasar Bharati to air the TV channels under question, it had allowed the public broadcaster to charge Rs 60 lakh, up from Rs 25 lakh charged earlier, as carriage amount, a move contested by various broadcasters

2008-10-11T04:09:00.000-07:00

You can't have a sex bomb image forever' - Tanushree Dutta

Three years and nine films later, Tanushree Dutta has moved on.

The Bengali Girl, Tanushree Dutta, says she no longer worries about the kind of perception audience has about her and the variety of roles they want her to be seen in. Instead she wants to focus on different kind of projects that she can lay her hands on and wear different personalities for each of her roles.

"Just like in life you can't have the same mood everyday, the same holds good in your professional career as well. You can't be trapped in the image of a sex bomb forever or shy away from doing different kind of films. I can't be the same girl from morning till night and the same holds good for my films too which should be boasting of different flavors", philosophizes Tanushree Dutta.

Stating that she can't be playing monotone characters for life, Tanushree declares that she has grown in life. "I am not a kid anymore to be affected by talks around me. Anything that is extreme, whether overtly negative or highly positive, ceases to disturb the way I look at life or my work. I know of the people who love me and the supporters that I have. I don't have a point to prove to anyone out there.

"Her latest release 'Saas Bahu Aur Sensex' saw her in a different avtar altogether. From the bombshell image that she carries, suddenly she appeared as a girl next door.

"Well, it may be a little disappointing for few but again as I said earlier, those who love me would understand this. For others, well I can only be sorry for them but please, don't expect me to be the same all the time", smiles Tanushree who would also be seen in a children's adventure film 'Raama - The Saviour' soon.

"That's one film I am excited about since I have learnt martial arts for the film. 'Raama - The Saviour'. The film boasts of stunts on the lines of Lara Croft played by Angeline Jolie in 'The Tomb Raiders series' and has state-of-the-art special effects and animation. It was fun shooting for the film which has been shot in the jungles of Thailand", signs off Tanushree.

2008-10-11T03:57:00.000-07:00

Nostalgia tinged with concern as Lata meets Dr.Bhupen Hazarika
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai: Bhupen Hazarika, the 82-year-old veteran Assamese composer whose health has been rapidly declining, had an unexpected surprise on his birthday. He received a message from Lata Mangeshkar saying she wanted to meet him.
"Dada (Bhupen Hazarika) and Lata didi go back a long way. She has sung for him in Assamese, Bengali and Hindi. And Dada simply adores her. When he got the message from Didi it was like a signal from heaven. They met after decades," Kalpana Lazmi, Hazarika's protégée, told IANS.

Hazarika turned 82 on Sep 8. The two stalwarts met at Lata's home at Prabhu Kunj."The meeting was so emotional, so genuine, I broke down. Didi was so concerned about Dada's failing health. She offered all help to him at her hospital in Pune. She also said, 'Dada, the film industry is falling apart.

People like you and I are becoming legacies of the past'.""Dada has always had a very soft corner for Didi and he'll carry this meeting with him forever," Lazmi said. "On the way back from the meeting he told me, 'I'm so blessed to have shared a unique friendship with Lata'."Recently, plans to celebrate Lata's 80th birthday were called off when singer Mahendra Kapoor died a day before.

"Every year Lataji is reminded of the passing forth of the golden era. It's not an easy thing for her to see all those colleagues and co-singers whom she worked with pass her by. This is why she decided to meet Bhupen Hazarika," said a friend close to her.

2008-10-11T03:42:00.000-07:00

I want my father's poem sung: Amitabh on 66th birthday
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai: His father's poetry and some dry fruits - that is all that Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan wants on his 66th birthday Saturday.
"Instead of a cake, I would prefer a large portion of mevaa (dry fruits), followed by the singing of a wonderful poem written by my father," Amitabh told IANS in an interview.Harivansh Rai Bachchan used to recite a new poem for Amitabh on his birthday since childhood. However, the occasion closest to his heart is when his father broke down while reciting his poem on Oct 11, 1982, after Amitabh survived a near fatal accident.

"After my accident in 1982, when my father traditionally recited the poem he had written for me and broke down while reciting it. A very rare sight...I never saw him moved to tears on any occasion."

This year, it will be a quiet birthday for Amitabh since his mother Teji Bachchan passed away in December 2007.

He said: "It has not been a year since my mother passed away, so it will be quiet and without celebration. I will remain home and spend time with the family, but meet those that may take the trouble of wishing me.

"Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Do you enjoy getting extra attention on your birthday?

A: Attention of any kind embarrasses me. But I respect the attention that comes my way as a result of another year having gone by. The attention given by the family, fans and well-wishers. The poems they write, the banners they make, the flowers they gather. Just such a warm and embracing feeling. So much love. I have never thought myself to be worthy of such attention.

Q: How will you be bringing in your birthday this year?

A: It has not been a year since my mother passed away, so it will be quiet and without celebration. I will remain home and spend time with the family, but meet those that may take the trouble of wishing me.

Q: Do you like the thought of an extra candle on your cake? Are you a cake-balloon-candles kind of person?

A: This age-old custom of the cake and candles is a cute gesture, but it has now lost its charm for me. I would prefer a large portion of mevaa (dry fruits), followed by the singing of a wonderful poem written by my father for occasions such as this - "Harsh nav, varsh nav, jeevan utkarsh nav". I remember my parents singing it on one of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday's at the Teen Murti House.

Q: Have you ever had friends and family throw a surprise birthday party for you?

A: Yes. It was in Los Angeles, when I had gone there for treatment and rest after my myasthenia episode. Jaya and a close friend took me for a drive to an almost deserted hotel and suddenly threw the doors open to a massive hall, where almost half the Indian community had assembled to wish me. Oh, It was unbelievable!

Q: What is the earliest memory you have of a birthday?

A: The earliest would be of Allahabad. The common friends, the fancy-dress party, the food and of course the gifts that we, at that age, always looked forward to.

Q: Did your parents celebrate the birthdays of you and your brother with fanfare?

A: Yes. Whatever was economically possible for them. You must remember my father was a man of limited means. He always wrote a fresh poem for me on the day and my mother would bring in all the cheer and fanfare.

Q: Which was the most memorable birthday you've ever had?

A: One of the most memorable was after my accident in 1982, when my father broke down while reciting the poem he had written for me. A very rare sight...I never saw him moved to tears on any occasion. But Oct 11, 1982, was a date many felt I would not be alive to witness. The second most memorable birthday was my 60th birthday and the effort that Jaya made. The book she brought out, "To B or not to B", and the labour that went into it and the arrangements she made for celebrating the evening with the industry and friends. Overwhelming.

Q: Which is the best birthday gift you've ever received?

A: I receive it every birthday - the love and affection of the people of this country. Apart from the love and presence of my family.

Q: Looking back on the year, which was the one most memorable event for you?

A: The Unforgettable Tour.

Q: What are the projects that we can look forward to seeing you in ?

A: I have "Aladdin" for release early next year, "Teen Patti" and "Pa" and a film by Pritish Nandy and by Rakyesh Mehra.

Q: Finally, what is your one wish on this birthday?

A: Peace, harmony, brotherhood, friendship and trust. And strength from the almighty for all to accomplish this.

2008-10-11T03:39:00.000-07:00

Minissha's not over her sexy act!

'Kidnap' is a big dud and even Minissha Lamba's sexy act couldn't save the lousy film from sinking without a trace.
It's obvious that the film will be forgotten soon but Minissha isn't over her sexy makeover yet.She has posed sexily in various itsy bitsy bikinis in Maxim's latest issue.

She goes dare bare and full on bold!Nowadays she's a far cry from the sweet dame she used to be once upon a time.Looks like post the makeover there's no looking back for her. After all, the sweet girl act in movies like 'Yaahan', 'Corporate', 'Shaurya' etc didn't get her so much attention!And this girl has been desperate for more attention for long.

She even added that extra 's' (Minisha to Minissha) in her name for a dash of good luck.

Well, we all know that Minissha worked out hard and took care of her diet to look younger and slip into a bikini for 'Kidnap'. Then too some nasty people felt that Minissha is too short and has been always too pudgy to ever have a bikini body.

So the big question is will the so called super sexy makeover turn her into a superstar- something she so desperately wants? Brushing up her acting skills would have been a far better idea!

2008-10-11T03:30:00.000-07:00

I can relate a lot to my character in 'Fashion': Mugdha Godse

New Delhi: Former Miss India and model Mugdha Godse, who debuts in Bollywood as a failed model in Madhur Bhandarkar's forthcoming venture 'Fashion', says she could identify a lot with her character in the film.
"As a model, I can relate a lot to my character in the film. The film is very close to reality, but with a mix of fiction. It very well captures the emotions of everyone involved in the fashion fraternity - from a model to a designer," Mugdha told IANS in an interview.

Mughda plays Janet Sequeira, one of three leads in the film alongside Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut with other stars like Arbaaz Khan, Arjan Bajwa and the who's who of the fashion fraternity.The film is releasing Oct 29.Throwing light on her character, she said: "I play a very vibrant, outgoing, bold and outspoken girl whose life takes a turn when something happens to her. She has struggled a lot and has become very strong.

My character is intertwined with that of the other characters in the film and it is an emotional journey for all of them."The debutante was anxious before giving her first shot for the film despite having attended a 10-day acting workshop at Anupam Kher's acting school - Actor Prepares."I was really nervous before the first shot, as I had never acted in my life. But I was pampered a lot and they never let me feel like a newcomer.

In fact, Madhur gave me full liberty to act in front of the camera."And I'm still overwhelmed with the applause I got after the shot. I can still hear the sound of those claps," she said.The model also drew contrast between walking the ramp in real life and in the film."It was a completely different experience for me.

I realised that a real ramp walk and the one for a film is completely different. In real life, ramp walk is hardly a 15-minute affair, it took us around four days to shoot the same for the film."In terms of expressions, you generally keep a straight and stiff look on the face on the ramp, but for a film you have to be very expressive and exaggerate a bit," said Mugdha, a trained Kathak dancer.Though "Fashion" has garnered much media attention even before its release, Mugdha reveals that the fashion fraternity is quite sceptical about their portrayal in the film.

"They are afraid of what he (Madhur Bhandarkar) has shown about the fashion industry in the film. But I am sure once they watch the film, they won't have any reason to be scared at all," she said.Not even one-film old, Mugdha is already inundated with offers and has signed a three-film deal with a production house.

"I have also signed a three-film deal with Percept Pictures Company. I am also reading scripts and there is a lot of offers coming my way. But I want to do interesting roles that have substance and I will go with my gut feeling while selecting movies," she revealed.On being asked if she were bidding adieu to her modelling career, she asserted: "I won't quit modelling, but I'll concentrate more on acting career as of now.

"As far as her own fashion statement is concerned, the model-turned-actress believes in the jargon, "You should not go after fashion, it should come to you".