Bollywood

Happy Birthday Salman Khan

2009-07-27T19:51:00.003+07:00

It’s Salman Khan’s birthday today. Apna Sallu’s a man with several images. A man who refuses to wear his shirt most of the times, A man who has the best sculpted physique in Bolywood, the one who always ends up having tiffs with the law, the one who has the record of having the most number of gorgeous girlfriends, the one who has drop dead looks and was voted by People magazine in 2004 as the 7th most good looking man in the world and the first in India. On his birthday today let us go through his entire journey in Bollywood till date.

Born on December 27, 1965 Salman Khan is the son of the legendary writer Salim Khan, who has written many super-hits in the yesteryears like Sholay, Deewar, and Don. His step-mother is Helen, an actress and dancer famous for her blonde wigs and shimmies. He has two brothers Arbaaz and Sohail who also work in Bollywood and two sisters Alvira and Arpita. Salman is known for dating some of the prettiest faces of Bollywood like Somy Ali, Sangeeta Bijlani and Aishwarya Rai. His current partner is Katrina Kaif.

Salman started his acting carrier in 1988 by doing a supporting role in the movie “Biwi Ho To Aisi”. The following year he came up with his leading role in the box office romantic hit Maine Pyar Kiya (1989). From there he became the heart throb of Indian cinema. Following with other box office hits he showed his terrific performance in Saajan (1991), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! (1994), Karan Arjun (1995), Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai(1998). His transformations can be sensitive, vulnerable, funny, aggressive and charming as his role demands. In 1999, he co-starred with Karishma Kapoor in the hit comedy Biwi No.1. He starred with Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan in the love story Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam which made waves in India and overseas. The film Hello Brother carried a family tag on it as he starred alongside his brother Arbaaz Khan and it was directed by his brother Sohail Khan.

2000-2008 Salman continued to churn out several films. Some did fairly well like Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega in 2000 and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke in 2001, both films in which he worked with Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta. None of his movies that came out in 2002 worked well. He made up for it with Tere Naam in 2003 that not only did well at the box office but his performance was appreciated widely. He played the role of an AIDS patient in Phir Milenge that came out in 2004. The World Health Organisation commended the film for it’s portrayal of AIDS. Mujhse Shaadi Karoge in 2004, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? In 2005 and funnies like No Entry in 2005 and Partner in 2007 kept his fans hooked. His Hollywood venture with Ali Larter, Marigold: An Adventure In India was flopped. He took over from Jim Carrey in God Tussi Great Ho in 2008, based on the Hollywood comedy Bruce Almighty. He has put in an appearance in Hello, which is adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s book One Night at a Call Center. In the year 2008 his cameo appearance in Heroes was something his fans will remember him for. The last film of the year was the much awaited Subhash Ghai’s Yuvvraaj.But once again unfortunately the film dint do well inspite of Salman trying hard.

There’s never been a phase in Salman’s life when he is not in the limelight, when not wow-ing his audience on-screen, has managed to get into quite a few tangles with the law off-screen. In 1999, he was accused of shooting Chinkara, an endangered species during the shooting of Hum Saath Saath Hai and was awarded a jail term. After days spent behind bars and several appeals that were denied, he is currently out on bail.

He was arrested for negligent driving in September 28th 2002, which resulted in the death of one person while three others were injured. Charges were dropped against the actor for homicide though other charges were leveled against him over this incident, still being battled in court.
He has also been at the receiving end of fatwas for permitting Madame Tussaud’s to make a wax statue of him and then participating in the Ganesh festival.

Aishwarya Rai’s parents had pressed charges against him for harassment after the couple broke up. In 2005, alleged tapes were released of Salman Khan threatening Aishwarya Rai to participate in events supported by the underworld. These charges were dropped as the tapes were found to be doctored.

But inspite of all the flaws apna Sallu bhai has a soft side to him as well, he is said to frequently visits sick children in hospitals, and also goes often to donate blood. He exercises daily and feels the day was incomplete without a workout. Not only is he a health freak, he also loves to initiate people who aren’t as health-conscious as himself into workouts. He forced co-star Anil Kapoor to work out at the gymnasium every day. While Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan are his early trainees. He manged to transform his friend Govinda for his release Partner

After all said and done Bollywood’s Bad boy and his knack of walking into trouble has overshadowed people’s perception of him as an actor. He may have been featured as the bad guy of the industry several times over. But many-a-common-man claims that this macho hunk has a heart made of pure gold. We wish him a very happy birthday and a successful and trouble free year to come.

Akshay Kumar’s Blue is Hollywood inspiration ..

2009-07-27T19:44:00.002+07:00

Blue which is supposed to be India’s first ‘official’ underwater film is a thriller story involving crucial scenes by the lead actors Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar (who plays a fisherman based in the Bahamas) beneath sea water.

Lara Dutta plays the character of a glamorous beach babe and is paired opposite to Sanjay Dutt in the movie.The international technician crew consisting of Nickolette Skarlatos and Clarabelle Saldanha (who worked on Megan Fox in the Hollywood film ‘Transformers’ ) compared Lara’s look very similar to Megan Fox. Katrina Kaif was initially taken in to do just an item song , but the producers later on extended her role as they felt that an Akshay-Katrina starrer would again prove to be a lucky pairing at the box office.

The film is being made on a lavish scale of a 100-150 crores. The producers are leaving no stone unturned to make this movie have an ‘International’ feel, and have roped in many Hollywood top notch technicians, along with the Australian sensational singer Kylie Minogue, who will be seen in two of the most hype about songs of the movie, choreographed by Farah Khan.

Cast: Askhay Kumar, Zayed Khan, Sanjay Dutt,Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif with Kylie Minogue roped in for two special and sizzling hot item songs.
Director: Anthony D’souza
Producer: Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd.

Bollywood Movie Toss - A Flip Of Destiny

2009-07-24T00:29:00.003+07:00

An incident can change lives, beliefs, relationships and in most
probability.. You.

Toss is the captivating story of childhood friends who on their way back from a vacation stumble upon a fortune. They decide to split the money and start dreaming a king’s life. They calculate the actions, risks, percentages- but forget to calculate the human heart. Soon before they realize the owners of the booty are after them, the law is after them and worse ...they are after each other. The friends tread a path where greed rules and
death has an equal chance of triumph.... and money awaits its new set of victims!

This hair raising theme that revolves around an unpredictable human psyche keeps you on tenterhooks and its any one's guess who will survive the testing grounds...
After all...It's a flip of destiny.

VEER – NEW MOVIE OF SALMAN KHAN

2009-07-22T03:27:00.005+07:00

Salman Khan

Salman Khan’s fans would be able to see the actor in a new avatar. The Bollywood actor is set to wrestle with a lion, in his next coming movie Veer.

Cast: Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty
Producer: Vijay Galani
Director: Anil Sharma
Story: Salman Khan

Movie VEER

Salman Khan’s upcoming movie Veer has been offered a grand amount of Rs 150 crores. The flick is set to create a new record in Bollywood, topping even other big movies like London Dreams, which has been sold for a whopping Rs 120 crores to Studio 18, or Hrithik Roshan’s Kites , which has fetched an equally mammoth amount of Rs 120 crores from Eros International.

The reason why ‘Veer’ is being seen as such a hot proposition is because its story is written by Salman himself. The movie, directed by Anil Sharma , is a period drama starring Salman, his brother Sohail Khan and Mithun Chakraborty . Salman’s leading lady in the movie would be a debutante, who, it is rumoured, looks almost like Katrina Kaif .

Salman has truly put all his efforts in multiple areas for this movie. Apart from playing the lead character, he has penned the film’s story as well as has turned its producer. He is hell bent to make Veer a bigger project than rival Shah Rukh Khan’s hit, Om Shanti Om.

The staggering price offered is a sort of moral victory for Salman Khan as he is now considered the hottest stars of Bollywood in terms of market price overtaking Shah Rukh Khan by leaps and bounds.

Delhi CM Sheila Dixit unveils Tere Sang's music

2009-07-17T16:43:00.002+07:00

Delhi CM Sheila Dixit unveiled the music of Satish Kaushik's film on teen pregnancy titled Tere Sang on 15 July, 2009. The film’s music is given by debutant Sachin & Jigar and is scheduled to release on 7th August.

Speaking about the film, Kaushik said, “Though the topic revolves around is very serious, real and carries a message about the influence, physical relationship at teen age and about the complexities. It deals with child-pregnancy.” The film stars Ruslaan Mumtaz ‘MP3-Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar’ fame and yesteryear’s actor Sadana Singh daughter Sheena.

Apparently, few months back, the music of the film was caught in an controversy after Anu Malik filed a case against Satish Kaushik over the music of Teree Sang – the fall out happened when Satish Kaushik decided to rope in composers Sachin and Jigar to work on the songs which Malik was against. News reports later mentioned that the legal battle ended soon as the two resolved matter amicably. However, trouble doesn't end there as critics believe Tere Sang has similar story line as Oscar winning Ellen Page starrer Juno which also revolves around the topic of teenage pregnancy. The filmmaker, however, denies that his film is a copy and that he wrote Tere Sang much before Juno hit the theatres in 2007.

Besides Sachin & Jigar, the film includes songs by Anu Malik and Bappi Lehari. Singers Shaan, Anmol Malik, Master Salem, Raja Hasaan and Sumedha have given voice to the songs, whereas, the the lyrics are written by Pritam and Virag Mishra. The film is produced under the banner of Karol Bagh films and is produced by Bharat Shah and co-produced by Satish Kaushik and Anupam Kher. Satish Kaushik will also be acting along with Sushmita Mukherjee, Rajat Kapoor, Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher in a special appearance. The music is released under Pen Audio.

Aagey Se Right is the story of chance, co-incidence and real life humor based in the present day Mumbai.

2009-07-17T16:26:00.002+07:00

Aagey Se Right is the story of chance, co-incidence and real life humor based in the present day Mumbai. The film spans over five days of panic, chaos and mayhem.

The film is about a cop and terrorist. Through a series of events not in their control the cop loses his gun and the terrorist loses his heart. Their two worlds collide in a maze of chance and mayhem. The film is an edgy contemporary satire of the chaotic times that we live in where “Aage se right” may not be always right.

'Perfect Mismatch' to be a full fledged family entertainer.

2009-07-17T00:15:00.004+07:00

Perfect Mismatch invites you to join Mr.Bhalla, Mr.Patel, Aman and Neha, as they celebrate life, love and everything in between.

Aman (Anubhav Anand) is a talented young architect. Raised by his uncle, he has all the love and care a family could offer which he takes for granted. While working towards his dream, his life takes a beautiful turn when he bumps into the perfect girl Neha (Nandana Sen). The two fall in love, and nothing seems able to come between them.

Nothing...until it's time for their families to meet. Sparks fly. Every known disaster strikes when the hyper-vibrant Mr.Bhalla (Anupam Kher) and the rigidly conventional Mr.Patel (Boman Irani) meet. Both are hilariously different. Both are woefully mismatched. Naturally both the fathers lock horns and vehemently oppose the MATCH.

The lovebirds must find a way to bring their families together and this leads to a series of misadventures. In this process, Aman realizes the true definition of family and what it really means to love someone.

Will Aman be able to bring the two families together? And will he succeed in achieving his dream?

The movie brings alive a hilarious star-crossed romance while never forgetting the importance of family, culture, and staying true to one's emotions.

Luck

2009-07-01T22:58:00.005+07:00

Kamal Haasan had an eventful journey in June with his magnum opus 'Dasavatharam' tuning out to become one of the biggest hits of his career. He now has one more reason to remember June 2008 as his daughter Shruthi had signed for a Hindi film named 'Luck'.

Shruthi Kamal Haasan, who entered filmdom as a singer was widely rumored to debut into acting with a Tamil movie opposite Madhavan. But somehow the project didn't work out as expected. And now she is now trying out her luck in Bollywood with 'Luck'. She will play the heroine to the latest sensation Imran Khan, the nephew of Aamir Khan. Directed by Soham Shah, the character of Shruthi in the movie involves a lot of action sequences. She is said to be a perfect fit for the role with her lean athletic looks and will be trained by a stunt master to execute her role with perfection.

'Luck' will also star Sanjay Dutt, Mithun Chakraborthy, Danny Denzongpa, Ravi Kisshen and Rati Agnihotri.

The shooting for ‘Luck’ will commence on the 8th July in South Africa.

Rumors were also making the rounds that Kamal Haasan is least interested to present his daughter as an actress in films, that too in Bollywood.

Let's wait and see if Shruthi will make her father proud with her debut venture.

Wake Up Sid

2009-06-24T07:43:00.004+07:00

Plot

The film is Mumbai-based romance about urban relationships and revolves around a good looking young guy (Ranbir Kapoor) who falls for an older and simple woman (Konkona Sen Sharma), a writer from Kolkata.Anupam Kher will be seen as father of Ranbir Kapoor.

Movie Details
Genre: Romance
Language: Hindi
Release Status and date: Releasing on Oct 2, 2009

Cast

Ranbir Kapoor - Sid
Konkona Sen Sharma - Aisha
Rahul Khanna - Special appearance
Anupam Kher - Sid's Father

Crew Members
Director: Ayaan Mukherjee
Producer: Karan Johar
Written by: Ayaan Mukherjee
MUSIC_DIRECTOR: Shankar Mahadevan , Ehsaan Noorani , Loy Mendonsa

Shortkut

2009-06-13T22:13:00.005+06:00

Remember the infamous rivalry between Sanjay Dutt and Anil Kapoor? Apparently, many aeons ago Kapoor had made some uncharitable remarks about Dutt's family, though now Kapoor completely denies.

Stings of the past completely forgotten, Sanjay Dutt who according to his company's CEO Dharam Oberoi is booked to act until 2009, is adamant on mending all his bridges and washing away all the bitterness of the past.

Putting aside whatever differences that might have existed between the two, Sanjay Dutt this week took time off to do an item song for Anil Kapoor's production Shortkut which is nearly complete.

The song also featuring Anil Kapoor (making a guest appearance in his own film) and Amrita Rao was shot at breakneck speed by choreographer Bosco-Caesar. "Sanjay Dutt rushed back to Mumbai for two days from the Bahamas only to shoot the song for Anil's film. But the song couldn't be completed in time. He was to leave for South Africa to shoot for another film on Wednesday night. But he postponed his trip to South Africa by a day to complete Anil's song," informs the CEO of Sanjay Dutt Productions, Dharam Oberoi.

What's more, Dutt refused to charge a penny for the item number, although the Kapoors insisted on paying. "Finally, Anil's wife Sunita Kapoor found a way out. Being a jewellery designer she presented Sanjay Dutt's wife with a diamond necklace, ear-rings and bangles from the Sunita Kapoor Collection," informs Dharam Oberoi.

The Dutt-Kapoor-Rao item number was wrapped up on Thursday. And Dutt flew off for a long schedule in South Africa a day late.

Sankat City

2009-06-13T21:56:00.006+06:00

Guru (KK Menon) is a smalltime car thief. Ganpat, who owns a dilapidated garage, is his partner-in-crime. Guru wacks cars and Ganpat (Dilip Prabhawalkar) gives them a make-over in order to sell them for tidy profits.

One night, while returning to his kholi, Guru chances upon a swank Mercedes parked outside a brothel, unattended. He steals the car and takes it to Ganpat. While working on the car they discover a sum of Rs. 1 crore in the boot. They are delirious with joy at the unexpected turn of events and start spinning dreams. Little do they know what lays in store - for the car and the money belongs to a vicious gangster/loan shark called Faujdaar (Anupam Kher)!

Guru's plans ricochet when he tries to sell the stolen Mercedes to Suleman Supari (Rahul Dev), a hitman, who recognizes the car and notifies his friend Faujdaar. Scared for his life, Guru squeals that the moolah is in Ganpat's garage. Faujdaar sends his henchman with Guru to retrieve the cash.

Unknown to them, the paranoid Ganpat has hidden the money in what he thinks is a safe place in his garage, because he's afraid that thieves might rob him off the cash. By the time henchman Lovely and Guru reach the garage, Ganpat is involved in an accident, which results in a temporary loss of memory!

Guru can't find the money anywhere and he has no clue where the amnesic Ganpat has hidden it. A vengeful Faujdaar decides to bump off Guru, who pleads for his life and begs for a chance. The sadistic Faujdaar gives him a grace period of 3 days to cough up the dough.

With no hope in sight, a dejected Guru almost resigns himself to death, when he bumps into Mona, a con woman who had teamed up with him in a smalltime con job a few years back. The heist had been a success, but Mona had vamoosed with all the money, leaving Guru in a lurch. She's right now in the process of putting a sting on a builder, Pachisia (Yashpal Sharma), for which, she requires a partner. Since Guru needs the dough quick, he hesitantly teams up with Mona (Rimi Sen).

Mona and Guru successfully con a large sum of money off the builder only to lose it again to a strange quirk of fate. The story then weaves itself to a thrilling climax, going through a series of hilarious events, comic situations and nerve wracking moments.

Sankat City There are also thrills and spills with other characters including Chunkey Pandey in a double role as Sikandar Khan the actor and his body double, Manoj Pahwa as the director and Sanjay Mishra as his assistant, Hemant Tiwari as Philip Fattoo, Virendra Singh as Faujdar's guru among others, each bringing in his own dose of laughter.

Will Guru be able to return the money to Faujdaar, who is a great stickler for time? Will Mona get the better of Guru yet again? Will the poor Ganpat regain his lost memory?

Will the sankat be over for all the people involved? Well, one finds that out as the story deliciously unfolds itself - layer by layer.

This and more form the essence of Sankat City, the fast-paced entertainer from Moserbaer and Seven Entertainment.

Jashnn

2009-06-11T23:43:00.003+06:00

On every street, in every home, somewhere in India, there is a 'nobody' who wants desperately to be a 'somebody'. Jashn is the story of one such nobody… Akash Verma, a twenty year old Indian lad, thirsts to become a singing icon that can blaze a trail for himself among the galaxy of existing stars. But though he has dreams in his heart, he has been unable to find that distinctive voice that he can call his own, that will propel him to the top.

Only when he's shattered by life and unflinchingly looks at the sordid truth straight in the face – that he is freeloading off his elder sister Nisha, who, in order to offer him a decent life style, has become the mistress of a rich businessman, Aman Bajaj; is he is able to touch his inner core. Call it irony or a twist of fate, but the person who sees him through this dark night and mentors him when he's down and out is none other than the sister of the person who he hates most in the world... Aman Bajaj. It is Sara, Aman's sister, who makes him realize that he is an extremely talented man who is simply going through a bad phase and that the biggest crime a human being can commit, is to give up on himself. Spurred by life's bittersweet lessons, and Sara's genuine love and support, Akash, in the harshest winter of his life discovers an invincible summer within himself… thereby discovering his own voice.

With this very special tune which has been soaked with the passion of his lived life, he not only touches his inexhaustible potential and becomes an overnight star but also brings dignity to his beleaguered sister, humbles his biggest detractor Aman Bajaj and in the process, lives up to the faith that Sara had in him all along.

Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol head to San Francisco for My Name Is Khan shoot

2009-06-09T08:38:00.001+06:00

Last week, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol joined Karan Johar in San Francisco for nearly two months of non-stop shooting for My Name Is Khan. It is the longest-ever shooting stint away from home for Kajol and especially tough on her husband who is unlikely to visit her in the US during the long shooting.

Says a source, "Ajay is not the kind of guy who can hang around his partner's sets. If it was another unit, perhaps Ajay would've considered visiting his wife, but not Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan. Though outwardly, Ajay is normal with them, there's actually no love lost between him and the Khan-Johar team. He would never be seen anywhere near their shooting even if it means being away from his wife and daughter for months."

Staying away from his daughter for almost two months is especially hard on Ajay. Considering the long absence from Mumbai, earlier this week Kajol flew down with her daughter to join her husband in Goa where he's shooting. She flies to San Francisco with Shah Rukh on Thursday, for one of the toughest shooting schedules ever.

Says a source, "With the swine flu fear in the west, Karan Johar is more tensed about this schedule in the US than ever before. In fact, fearing a fan invasion, Karan didn't want it to be known that he was shooting in San Francisco. Also, the sensitive theme (post-terrorism Islamic threat) automatically makes the project suspicion in the minds of the American authorities. Karan wants to avoid all the hassles he went through in his last American schedule when some members of his cast were denied visas, then he was denied permission to shoot in religiously sensitive places in America and finally Karan was pulled up for default of payments. Karan wants to keep it completely low profile."

However, with Kajol and Shah Rukh around, can any shooting be low profile?

Barah Aana

2009-06-03T07:25:00.002+06:00

The recently concluded Pune International Film Festival was an occasion for some noteworthy appearances by film makers. One such film maker seen at the event was the maker of “Barah Anna”, Raja Menon sharing his thoughts. Speaking about his experiences during the making of the film Menon said, “In the process of making this film, I learned that cinema is not one person's medium. Everyone’s voice counts, may it be the producer, the camera man, the actors or any member of the unit. Every one's opinion leads to the final result.”

He went on to reveal how he conceived the idea for Barah Anna. “I used to see my watchman everyday and slowly, I started to interact with him and as I got to know him better, I realized that there isn’t much of a difference between him and me. Except for the fact that there was a difference in how much we earned. But at the end of the day, both of us were chasing a dream. And that’s what urged me to make this film.”

Also present was the star of the film Naseeruddin Shah. Speaking about his experiences of working with the younger generation of directors he said, “I definitely feel that the young generation of directors is more advanced in their craft. They also have a benefit as they are born in a more technically advanced age. Now the people they are working with are also more exposed. When we were young getting a photograph clicked was also an event, but kids nowadays are more used to cameras so the awkwardness is less. Directors nowadays talk of issues that directly concern us. The use of language has seen advancement too. Even in the times of my debut the films portrayed characters speaking chaste Hindi. Nowadays characters speak the colloquial language, the sort of ‘khichdi’ language that we speak. I was anxiously waiting for an age in cinema when the ‘khichdi’ language would be brought on screen. I am glad that the younger generation is doing that and I am glad to be a part of it.”

Producer of Barah Anna, Raj said, “I was keen to do this film because just halfway through the script, I was curious about the end. And now I am happy to be a part of the film. Another reason was that I felt this was an unique film with a fresh perspective.” Anuraddha Shetty, the production designer of the film and also Raja Menon’s wife added, “I knew the story since it’s inception so I already had visuals ready in my mind. The look as well as the design.”

During the course of the conversation, Naseeruddin Shah also shared what he felt about the public response to the film at PIFF. “There was surely a lot of applause, but I do not get carried away with it. I know that the audience is not applauding you it is applauding the dream that you are presenting to them in the form of your character in the film.” And what is it that drives him to sign a film? “I work on instinct. I can’t say I have always been right. You cannot always get an accurate idea about the film from the script.”

With someone as seasoned as Shah, there could be issues working with younger directors. But Shah insists he never had any clashes with them. “In fact, I might have had more thought clashes with veteran directors than the new age ones. And I can claim that no other actor has worked with so many new time directors as many as I have.”

Is this what being a director’s actor means? “I think it is the actor’s responsibility to deliver the directors vision. I prefer it if a director sees a character in me than I having to select my own work. I would any day trust the director’s judgment over mine.”

The film also stars other acclaimed actors like Vijay Raaz. Speaking about Raaz, Shah said, “Vijay Raaz can not only flawlessly and effortlessly represent the common man on screen but he can moreover present an abstract point of view of the common man. It will be a pity if the industry will not recognize him.”

The commercial cinema and the parallel cinema differences are dissolving, how do you feel about that? “I am very happy that these differences are dissolving. Anyhow I feel it is an artificial discrimination. Everyone in the industry gets slotted against their will. I feel every film is commercial, because every film has a producer who has invested in the project and is looking forward to recovery of the amount! I hope a day comes when the distinction will disappear.”

Shah has recently appeared in another film that focuses on the common man and the angst felt by him in the wake of the political machinery in the country appearing toothless. And he thinks that there is a common thread running between “A Wednesday” and Barah Anna. “Yes, there surely is, because they are real. I do not believe in films as a medium of education. Films are a medium of recording that particular time in which they are made. If 100 years from now someone wants to know what the 2000’s were like and if they find Barah Anna or A Wednesday they will surely not be getting a wrong picture of this time.”

But why Naseeruddin for the role of Shukla? “The character of Shukla was such that he had to keep quiet for half the film. He had to speak through his body language and not words. I could not think of anyone else but Naseeruddin Shah. And halfway through the film I knew I had taken the right decision,” said Menon.

Working with someone as methodical, experienced and skilled as Shah could be daunting for the co-stars. But the unit of Barah Anna didn’t seem to face any such issues. “We held a rehearsal workshop for two weeks before we started shooting. This broke the ice between the entire unit and a lot of things for the film changed as well. The script evolved in ways we had not thought of before. It did the film a lot of good,” said Menon.

With classics like Baaton Baaton Mein, Rajanigandha and others that have depicted the life of a common man in unique and effective ways, Barah Anna aims to do the same. The story addresses universal issues that the characters represent and this could be the film’s biggest winner added Shah. It’s one film that we are looking forward to for sure!

Videsh - Heaven on Earth

2009-06-03T07:15:00.004+06:00

Plot 1

' Vibrant and irrepressibly alive, Chand (Preity Zinta) is a young bride leaving her home in Ludhiana, India, for the cavernous landscape of Brampton, Ontario, where her husband Rocky (Vansh Bhardwaj) and his very traditional family await her arrival. Everything is new to Chand everything is unfamiliar including the quiet and shy Rocky who she meets for the first time at the Arrivals level of Pearson Airport. Chand approaches her new life and her new land with equanimity and grace, and at times the wide-eyed optimism of hope-her first snowfall is a tiny miracle of beauty, and the roar of Niagara Falls creates the excitement of new beginnings. But soon optimism turns to isolation as the family she has inherited struggles beneath the weight of unspoken words, their collective frustration becoming palpable. No one feels the pressure more than Rocky, weighed down by familial obligations. A controlling mother, who can\'t let him go, a sweet but ineffectual father, and a sister whose two children and unemployed husband are also a burden, all live with Rocky and Chand in a two-bedroom house in the suburbs of Toronto. To make matters worse, Rocky is expected to find the money to bring his extended family to Canada. Unable to express his anger, he finds other ways to release it and it\'s Chand who bears the brunt of his repressed rage. Trapped in a world she cannot comprehend and unable to please her husband, Chand is desperate. Hope comes in the form of Rosa (Yanna McIntosh), a tough and savvy Jamaican woman who works alongside Chand in a factory where immigrant women from all over the world clean and press dirty hotel laundry. Rosa sees past the make-up that covers Chand\'s bruised face. Realizing Chand has nowhere to turn, Rosa gives her a magical root advising her \"to put it in whatever the bastard drinks.\" The root is supposed to seduce the one who takes it, making them fall hopelessly in love with the person who gives it to them. Chand\'s attempts with the magic root lead to surreal incidents and her life gradually begins to mirror an Indian fable involving a King Cobra. As the lines between fantasy and reality converge, Chand and Rocky come face to face with each other and themselves.'

Plot 2

Heaven on Earth is a 2008 Canadian film directed and written by Deepa Mehta. Preity Zinta plays the leading role of Chand, a young Indian Punjabi woman who finds herself in an abusive arranged marriage with an Indo-Canadian man, played by theatre actor Vansh Bhardwaj. The Film is to release in India in hindi under the title Videsh.

Vibrant and irrepressibly alive, Chand (Preity Zinta) is a young bride leaving her home in Ludhiana, India, for the cavernous landscape of Brampton, Ontario, where her husband Rocky (Vansh Bhardwaj) and his very traditional family await her arrival. Everything is new to Chand, everything is unfamiliar including the quiet and shy Rocky who she meets for the first time at the Arrivals level of Pearson Airport. Chand approaches her new life and her new land with equanimity and grace, and at times the wide-eyed optimism of hope—her first snowfall is a tiny miracle of beauty, and the roar of Niagara Falls creates the excitement of new beginnings. But soon optimism turns to isolation as the family she has inherited struggles beneath the weight of unspoken words, their collective frustration becoming palpable. No one feels the pressure more than Rocky, weighed down by familial obligations. A controlling mother who can’t let him go, a sweet but ineffectual father, and a sister whose two children and unemployed husband are also a burden. All live with Rocky and Chand in a two-bedroom house in the suburbs of Toronto. To make matters worse, Rocky is expected to find the money to bring his extended family to Canada. Unable to express his anger, he finds other ways to release it and it’s Chand who bears the brunt of his repressed rage. Trapped in a world she cannot comprehend and unable to please her husband, Chand is desperate. Hope comes in the form of Rosa (Yanna McIntosh), a tough and savvy Jamaican woman who works alongside Chand in a factory where immigrant women from all over the world clean and press dirty hotel laundry. Rosa sees past the make-up that covers Chand’s bruised face. Realizing Chand has nowhere to turn, Rosa gives her a magical root advising her “to put it in whatever the bastard drinks.” The root is supposed to seduce the one who takes it, making them fall hopelessly in love with the person who gives it to them. Chand’s attempts with the magic root lead to surreal incidents and her life gradually begins to mirror an Indian fable involving a King Cobra. As the lines between fantasy and reality converge, Chand and Rocky come face to face with each other and themselves

Will WANTED be Ayesha Takia's swan song!

2009-06-03T00:37:00.001+06:00

Ayesha Takia, the pretty, innocent girl next door, made a lot of promise with her bubbly act in Imtiaz Ali's SOCHA NA THA. Even though the film did not do well at the ticket window, Ayesha was instantly likeable and the movie too was critically appreciated. Ayesha then went on to do many films, but unfortunately none of them succeeded at the box-office.

The only film that tasted average success (that too in select centres) was DOR, where once again Ayesha was highly appreciated for her superb portrayal of a young widow, winning her many awards. Even an extremely well made SUNDAY sank at the ticket window. Despite being a commercial failure, Ayesha kept getting good write ups and continues to be a media favourite.

Ayesha tried her hands at 'hat ke' cinema too and did films like Anurag Kashyap's critically thrashed, NO SMOKING and 8X10 TASVEER with her DOR director Nagesh Kukunoor. Some trade pundits were of the view that with 8x10 TASVEER opposite Akshay Kumar, Ayesha Takia would finally taste big time success, but once again lady luck refused to smile on the lady who has always stuck to her principal of not exposing.

Ayesha is now happily married to long time boyfriend, Farhan Azmi but she still has a few projects in hand. The most important ones being, WANTED opposite Salman Khan, PAATHSHALA and NAUGHTY FOURTY, apart from an animation film, AB DILLI DOOR NAHIN.

However, the elusive super hit that Ayesha is looking forward to should come in the form of WANTED, as it has all the ingredients of a blockbuster. Apart from Salman Khan in prime form (action role!), Prabhu Deva as the director and Boney Kapoor, the producer, things seem just right for Ayesha.

8 X 10 Tasveer

2009-06-03T00:28:00.004+06:00

Nagesh Kukunoor, the poster boy of independent, small-budget cinema changes track - and how! He tries to re-invent himself with a thriller - and a superstar.

Although the premise sounds interesting to start with - as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that Kukunoor has lost his way and the audience interest with it.

Canadian forest ranger Jai Puri (Akshay Kumar) is so dedicated to his work that he will not only jump off the cliff to plumb the depths of a lake for several minutes to fish out an incriminating evidence to nail a poacher.

But also will forsake his father’s millions made in oil business to pursue his higher goals! Jai also has a supernatural power to see beyond a photograph and unravel mysteries. But he’s totally foxed when his father Jatin (Benjamin Gilani) meets sudden, accidental death and a crack detective Happi (Javed Jaaferi) with.

A delightful Hyderabadi accent and an engaging obsessive compulsive disorder for cleanliness insists that it’s a murder! Jai tries to ‘read’ into the photograph of his father and his business associates taken just before the fatal accident. He revisits the picture four times and that itself is trying on the patience of the viewer. The denouement of the plot is so contrived and confusing that you would rather give it a miss!

Writer-director Kukunoor is clearly not in charge of his survey and he’s lost his grip totally this time. Technical Expertise- Kukunoor must be lauded for choosing such a picturesque locale as South Africa; the autumnal red-browns of trees are absolutely enchanting as is the main colonial bungalow. Some action sequences like Akshay’s last chase after the masked man who’s knifed his mother are executed well. Sadly.

The same cannot be said of the rest of the film which is long-winding and most outrageously illogical. Akshay’s almost fatal trance when he ‘enters’ a photograph borders on the ludicrous. Also how a trained nurse leaves him to his devices with a life-saving adrenaline injection is inexplicable.

Of the actors, Akshay underplays and underscores. Lost somewhere in this meandering and illogical plot are the pleasant South African landscape, a modern mom act by Sharmila Tagore and to an extent the cuteness of Ayesha Takia Azmi. The sole relief in this wild-goose chase is Javed’s straight- faced comedy. He sure steals the show. But veterans like Girish Karnad and Ananth Mahadevan are totally wasted in insignificant cameos.

Cinematographer Vikas Sivaraman paints attractive frames. But the special effects by Prime Focus aren’t effective. Salim-Sulaiman’s music is lacklustre. Between the director and the editor Sanjib Dutta - they bring the long-winding film to a confusing climax. All in all, a crawling storyline that only bores.

Salman Khan back as host for 10 Ka Dum season 2

2009-06-03T00:16:00.004+06:00

Salman Khan is ready to pack a ‘power’ful punch yet again. After making 10 Ka Dum a success the first time around, the Bollywood actor is returning as the host of the Sony TV game show’s second season.

On Thursday, Salman said he agreed to return to the small screen only because the audiences loved his game show.

At a conference organised by Sony Entertainment to announce its new programming, he said that the onus of inviting celebrities will now be on the channel and not on him.

“Sony is taking care of the celebrities because I have few friends left in the industry. I will try to get those on the show,” he said.

Among these is believed to be Mallika Sherawat, who media reports said has been paid an obscene Rs 50 lakh to appear on 10 Ka Dum.

They said Mallika will be shooting for on May 24 for the game show. Rumours are also rife that the celebrated Kapoor sisters Karisma and Kareena are keen on appearing on 10 Ka Dum. Karisma has starred with Salman in films such as Biwi No 1, Andaz Apna Apna and Judwaa. Kareena, on the other hand, is doing Main Aur Mrs Khanna with the actor.

“Both girls have always refused invitations by reality shows earlier to appear together. But they made an exception for Salman,” a source close to the Kapoor family was quoted as saying. Their actor cousin Ranbir Kapoor had participated in the first season of 10 Ka Dum.

During the first season, the show clashed directly with Salman’s friend-turned-foe Shah Rukh Khan’s Kya Aap Paachvi Paas Se Tez Hain?. However, 10 Ka Dum managed higher TRPs than Shah Rukh’s show and even boosted Sony TV’s position in the television pecking order. The first season featured a number of celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Aamir Khan and Rani Mukherji.

Salman said he was excited about interacting with his fans yet again. “I am my usual self on the show. The way I interacted with the audience is the way I talk to my fans. Just because you saw it on TV, it looked novel,” he said. The first episode of the second season will air on May 25.

Flat

2009-06-02T23:59:00.002+06:00

The non actress that she was, it wasn’t easy for Katrina Kaif to survive in B-Town despite the help from her man Salman Khan until a certain Mr. Akshay Kumar happened to her.

He too was looking for a perfect screen partner after his wifey Twinkle Khanna banned him from working with Priyanka Chopra following too much talk of their link ups. And Katrina knew nothing about acting other than sitting and looking pretty and running around trees.

They share many hits like Namastey London, Welcome and Singh Is King together. Both wanted to experiment and started doing films with other actors but things didn’t turn out to be as rosy as they thought they would be.

By the way, Akshay loves to do the same thing over and over again and put in a mishmash of comedy, action, romance etc in all his movies

And Katrina doesn't have the prowess to do anything new either. So Chandni Chowk To China fell flat on its face and the chemistry with Deepika didn’t work at all. Katrina’s movie with beau Salman Khan - Yuvvraaj did badly too.

So looks like now the twosome have realized their real worth now. When director Priyandarshan was making a choice of heroine for his next venture, De Dhana Dhan opposite Akshay, Katrina's name came up. Akshay quickly recommended Katrina’s name as he again wanted to repeat the on-screen chemistry. Priyan was happy too and they are currently shooting in Singapore. All looks well as of now unless something drastic happens. Watch out this space for more!

Kal Kissne Dekha

2009-06-02T23:45:00.007+06:00

Even though Kareena Kapoor is a super star and Lara Dutta is certainly looking good to be one, especially in her current innings when she has numerous exciting projects up her sleeves, it didn't require any persuading whatsoever to support Jackky Bhagnani for his debut venture KAL KISSNE DEKHA.

Ready to lend a helping hand and ensuring that Jackky gains enough mileage due to their presence, both women consented immediately when Vashu Bhagnani approached them to perform in the country wide tour that the team of KAL KISSNE DEKHA has embarked upon.

'For both Kareena and Lara, Jackky is like a 'ghar ka bachcha'', says Vashu who is continuing to market and promote his film aggressively in spite of yet another move in the film's release date, 'Kareena has worked with me in one of her biggest hits ever, MUJHE KUCH KEHNA HAI as well as JEENA SIRF MERRE LIYE.

With her sister Karisma too I have made COOLIE NO. 1, HERO NO. 1 and BIWI NO. 1. Somewhere down the line we have continued to share great relationship with each other, both personally as well as professionally. This is the reason why when I approached her to help in promoting Jackky and his film, she was game for it.'

How about Lara Dutta? Was she cool as well in the very first go? 'Absolutely yes', says Vashu in a proud tone, 'Even though Lara has worked with me in only one film [soon to be released DO KNOT DISTURB], we have known each other for 8-9 years. There was no hanky panky whatsoever.

She just asked me when and where she is required to be present. That's the best part of this industry. There is such emotional bonding between people in spite of all the talks about professional rivalries and back biting. In the last few weeks, the way Kareena and Lara have lend me support, I have further gone on to realize that we folks are indeed one big family and the ties that are seen in Bollywood can't be evidenced elsewhere.'

Adds Jackky, 'I have known Lara and Kareena for so long but them supporting me for the promotion of my debut film has been an extraordinary affair. Frankly, I wasn't too sure how it all would turn out but dad always has belief in the people he works with. He was confident that no one would turn him away.

Thankfully, this is what happened and both the ladies were sporty enough to accompany me for the tours. I can never ever forget what they have done for me.' Meanwhile there continues to be uncertainty around the release of the movie after it was announced at the last minute that Vivek Sharma directed KAL KISSNE DEKHA won't eventually make it for the 29th May release. With the current stand off between producers and multiplexes failing to see any resolution, it is indeed a 'kal kissne dekha' moment for all involved with the movie.

Let`s Dance

2009-06-02T23:35:00.003+06:00

Playful, mischievous and joyful – colourful Holi takes on so many hues. It becomes all the more vibrant, sensuous, glamorous and mysterious in the tinsel town of Bollywood. Holi in our filmdom is very special because there are deep lying shades beneath the colours of the festival. Don’t forget this – in Bollywood, there is always a reason to celebrate Holi – onscreen or offscreen!

Onscreen Holi is celebrated to add rare sensuousness and spice to a film. A drenched sizzling heroine in white, pursued by the lovelorn hero along with jubilant junior artists, present a colourful spectacle onscreen. The naughty camera does justice to the heroine’s figure as she twirls and swirls to escape the splash of colours.

Who can forget Mother India`s flirtatious Holi number – ‘Holi ayee re Kanhai’ and Navrang’s ‘Arrey ja re hath natkhat,’ which is all about sweet mischief. V Shantaram beautifully captured the mood through the dance of wife Sandhya in the song. She played both Radha and Krishna as she sang about the tussle between the two.

In Kati Patang, Rajesh Khanna declares his naughty mood through ‘Aaj na chhodenge bas hamjoli khelenge hum holi’ to the blushing Asha Parekh. In Dhanwan, Rajesh Khanna flirts unabashedly with Reena Roy, singing ‘Maaro bhar bhar bhar pichkari’. In Hello Brother, Salman Khan teases Rani Mukherjee in ‘Chandi ki daal par sone ka mor’ and in ‘Baaghbaan’, Amitabh celebrates Holi with the elegant Hema Malini in Baghbaan’s ‘Holi khele Raghuvira’.

The trend of onscreen Holi celebration began with Jwar Bhata (1944) – the debut of legendary actor Dilip Kumar. Amiya Chakrabarty shot the beautiful Holi scene but with time, Holi in films became more than just a festival.

Ramesh Sippy used Holi to set a mood antithetical to the one that would prevail when Gabbar Singh attacked the legendary village Ramgarh. Dharmendra and Hema Malini, along with the villagers, danced and celebrated Holi in the song ‘Holi ke din dil khil jaate hain, rango men rang mil jaate hain’ forgetting about the looming danger.

In Yash Chopra films, Holi takes on a myriad tinge. The unforgettable ‘Rang Barse’ in Silsila effectively captures the conflicts, the angst, the romance and passion of the characters. Big B throws caution to the wind, as he croons the song penned by dad Harivansh Rai Bachchan and flirts recklessly with Rekha onscreen (ahem) as Jaya and Sanjeev Kumar watch on. The song became benchmark for wearing white clothes on Holi. In Mashaal, the popular ‘Holi aayi holi aayi dekho holi aayee’ serves as the occasion for love reunion for Anil Kapoor and Rati Agnihotri as well as Dilip Kumar and Waheeda.

In Darr, Chopra injects suspense and a sense of foreboding through ‘Ang se ang lagana sajan mohe aise rang lagana’, when the stalker Shah Rukh Khan disguises himself in Holi colours to steal a moment with Juhi Chawla. Chopra`s Mohabbatein too has a match-the couples Holi song, ‘Sohni sohni ankhiyon wali’, that went on to be a big hit.

In Rajinder Singh Bedi`s poignantly penned Phagun, Holi celebration turns sour when Waheeda’s stinging remark makes the sensitive Dharmendra desert her and a long separation follows. But, the melodious ‘Phagun aayo re’ leaves an indelible impact on the audience mind.

Music director Rajesh Roshan greatly contributed to Holi revelry through his ‘Mal de gulal mohe’ (Kaamchor), and Apne rang mein rang de (Aakhir Kyon?). Most recently, songs like ‘Koi bheega hai rang se’ from Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, ‘Dekho aayi Holi’ from Mangal Pandey and ‘Do me a favour let`s play Holi’ from Waqt have carried forward the trend of Holi in films.

Offscreen Holi in Bollywood -Offscreen Holi in Bollywood is all the more happening. Holi bash is about power games and lobbying. Earlier, being invited to RK Studio’s Holi was considered the biggest privilege in Bollywood. All the filmy bigshots and happening actors were invited. Holi would become colourless to those who would not get invited to the event and eventually, their career would take a nosedive.

At RK Studio, the guests were greeted with a dip in a large pool of coloured water. Raj Kapoor ensured that women were treated with dignity. Story goes that when Rekha was facing condemnation due to her ‘link up’ with Big B, she earned the industry’s goodwill after she attended Holi at the RK Studio and touched Raj Kapoor’s feet. The Holi at RK studio has somewhat lost it vibrance, but the next generations of Kapoors are doing their best to continue the tradition effectively.

Holi celebration at Big B’s bungalow, Pratiksha, is a much-awaited event. Almost everybody who matters in the film industry is invited. It’s a star-studded event, with exotic food, dance and lot of fun. After a dip in pool of coloured water, people wash themselves in showers, specially installed in the garden.

Equally famous is the Holi Hungama organized by the biggest name in Bollywood today – Yash Chopra. He undisputedly holds the reigns of Bollywood not only for his movies but also the Holi bash as stars and starlets vie with each other to get invited by him. After all a Yash Raj Film does wonders to one’s career.

So folks, be on the lookout and see the true colours behind the coloured faces of your favourite stars. Happy Holi!

Love Aaj Kal story

2009-06-02T23:29:00.003+06:00

Deepika Padukone is apparently hurt that her co-star and the producer of Love Aaj Kal, Saif Ali Khan, has been stating in his interviews saying he wishes his lady-love Kareena Kapoor was in the film instead of Deepika, sending wrong signals about his leading lady, and about his home production.

But the actress puts up a brave front, "I wouldn't like to comment on it as he's my producer. He's a great producer and a great co-star and I am happy that my director Imtiaz Ali wanted me to be there. I have gone according to his dictates.

It's scary the kind of stuff Imtiaz has envisaged for my character in the film it's so close and similar to me. It's almost as if he had written the film with me in mind." About Saif wanting Bebo in the film in stead of her, he said "He's in love and that's a good thing. I don't feel bad because I am confident about what I have done and I know he won't repent taking me in his film." Deepika is also involved with an actor and cannot ever consider asking a director to cast them together.

However she understands that each couple is different and react to situations differently. The actress, who was last seen in Billu has returned from the land of the Incas (Peru) where she had gone on a photoshoot. Deepika came back to India with a bad bout of flu. Though after some anxious moments, swine flu was ruled out. The actress skipped Shahrukh's party for Gerard Butler due to the illness but has been reporting for shooting for Farhan Akhtar's Karthik Calling Karthik every day in spite of the flu."

Deepika says, "Yes, I was a bit unwell but I didn't want to cancel the shoots. I missed Shahrukh's party because I was unwell and exhausted. I was shooting till 11 pm that night and had to report for shooting again the next day from 9 am again."

She says although people around her were concerned, she knew she hadn't caught the dreaded flu, "It started only after we had left Lima (in Peru)." Deepika is more disappointed that she couldn't visit Cuzco, the old capital of the Incas and other places as there was too little time. "I have never been to South America before and was hoping to see the Land of the Inca and Machu Picchu but there was too little time. I was in Lima for less than 48 hours."

Rocket Singh - Salesman of The Year

2009-06-02T09:40:00.004+06:00

Apparently, Ranbir is the highest paid one-film actor for whom even Yash Raj had to revise their pay scales

Ranbir Kapoor is going great guns. His forthcoming films will have him playing different characters. After his debut film Saawariya, he is playing a casanova in Siddharth Anand’s Bachna Ae Haseeno. In Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani he is playing an intense lover boy. In Shimit Amin’s Rocket Singh Salesman of the year, he plays Rocket Singh, wherein he is preparing to perfect the look, body language and lingo of a young sardarji.

Meanwhile, Ranbir has reportedly also said yes to new projects with Mani Ratnam, Prakash Jha and a Karan Johar film with a debutant director. Besides this, Ranbir has supposedly inked a deal with Tips for Rs 8 crore, the highest fee ever commanded by a one-film-old actor, though nobody is confirming it. Reportedly, even the frugal fee-payers Yashraj have revised their earlier pay scales and paid Ranbir his full fee for the two films that he’s doing for the banner.

However, just in case one gets the feeling that Ranbir’s spiraling career is all about illustrious banners and the zeroes on his pay cheques, here’s the heartwarming twist in the tale. The young star has also given a nod to a novice director Vikramjit Singh, who is Ranbir’s childhood buddy. The film, Mera Jahan, is slated to be a social satire, far removed from romantic escapism of Ranbir’s other assignments.

Says a source close to Ranbir, “When Vikramjit decided to make a film, Ranbir happily said yes. He’s very clear about his priorities. He’ll be as professional as it gets with the industrywallahs, but when it comes to friends there’s little that Ranbir won’t do to accommodate them.”

PAYING GUESTS

2009-06-02T09:27:00.004+06:00

A Mukta Arts presentation PAYING GUESTS is a fast paced rip roaring comedy which will be enjoyed by the entire family. This madcap comedy, earlier titled as CHAAR YAAR, is based on Paritosh Painter's superhit theatre play by the same name 'Paying Guest' (which ran for 2 years in the US, UK, UAE and India).

Starring Shreyas Talpade, Aashish Choudhary, Jaaved Jafferi and Vatsal Sheth, Celina Jaitley, Neha Dhupia, Riya Sen, Sayali Bhagat, Chunky Pandey, Asrani, Delnaaz Paul and Paintal, this laugh riot is written & directed by Paritosh Painter himself and produced by Raju Farooqui. The music has been scored by duo Sajid-Wajid and lyrics penned by Jalees Sherwani. The film has been shot extensively in Bangkok and Mumbai.

PAYING GUESTS is a story about four friends who only create more problems while they think they are solving the existing ones.

What happens when four young fun loving boys [Shreyas Talpade, Javed Jaffrey, Ashish Chowdhary and Vatsal Sheth] begin a crazy house hunt which takes them through a series of ultra comical hurdles in a bid to find that one roof that can tolerate and shelter their combined problems?

In the search for a new accommodation, these crazy friends manage to convince their crazier landlord Ballu played by JOHNNY LEVER to keep them as paying guests but, Ballu has one condition i.e. he wants only couples.

They give in to his condition but - they are all bachelors! Who will play wives? And how?

The new drama triggers a series of confusions that builds into the rich complexities of mistaken identities and a climax of comic wizardries.

Rann Images

2009-06-02T00:44:00.004+06:00

Raima Sen as Yasmin Hussain - An ex-model, and fiancée of Jay Malik, Yasmin watches TV, reads gossip columns, and for most part, takes everything that is dished out to her, AT FACE VALUE. She does not understand the intricacies of power games, and hidden motivations behind actions of people. The resources at her disposal to know what is true and what is not, are limited. She is not innocent, and she is not clever either. Yasmin therefore epitomizes the ‘common man’.

Rajpal Yadav as Anand Prakash Trivedi - A creative editor, Anand Prakash Trivedi has a knack for sensationalizing even the driest story and making it sound like the story of the decade with super catchy headlines. More than any filmmaker, he makes far better movies. Only, he calls them NEWS.

Ram Gopal Varma ropes in Big B – Riteish for Rann

2009-06-02T00:37:00.003+06:00

Ram Gopal Varma has roped in a huge ensemble cast for his up coming next, Rann. Apart from signing his favourite actor, Amitabh Bachchan to play a pivotal role, the maverick filmmaker has also got in Riteish Deshmukh, Sudeep (hero of Phoonk) Gul Panag and Paresh Rawal to play important parts. Manisha Koirala too gets a new lease of life in Bollywood as Ramu has cast her too in his film. She is back to Ramu camp after almost six years gap since Company (2006).

“When News Channels, Political parties and Industrial czars are the principal movers and shakers in a film, there is obviously a tremendous scope for high drama. This is not so much my conscious intention as the director of the film, but the very demand of the subject matter. Having said that, even the so-called high profile people at the end of the day are, ‘people’. And no matter how powerful they are, they are not without their share of insecurities, egos, jealousies, and dilemmas.” states Ramu in his blog about Rann.

Explaining in details each and every cast member of his film, Ramu states - I really enjoyed the process of casting for the incredibly exciting and thrilling characters of Rann.

The cast of Rann -

Amitabh Bachchan as Harshvardhan Malik - The founder of the first ever private news channel in the country INDIA 24/7, the Harvard-educated Harshvardhan Malik is India’s most respected media personality. He is a hardcore upholder of journalistic ethics. No wonder his Channel is battling for survival!

Riteish Deshmukh as Purab Shastri - Armed with a degree in journalism, Purab Shastri truly believes that the media should be the check point for the people of a country, and therefore, it should report news, instead of manufacturing news. Purab’s thinking sets him apart from most youngsters of this country. While everyone is chasing their individual dreams, Purab aggressively wants to work towards a better India. Needless to say, a clash between Purab and the powers-that-be looks inevitable. It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong!

Sudeep as Jay Malik - A go-getter and highly aggressive and ambitious son of Harshvardhan Malik, Jay looks at his Dad’s news channel purely as a business enterprise that must make profits to justify its existence. He hates that his competition is doing better than him.

Manisha Koirala Nalini Kashyap - She is the programming head of Harshvardhan Malik’s news channel, INDIA 24/7. Having been in the industry for long enough, she has developed a practical view of how things operate here. And this comes in direct conflict with what her boss Harshvardhan Malik, thinks. Juggling the cut-throat world outside with the idealistic universe of her boss, Nalini Kashyap has her job cut out.

Paresh Rawal as Mohan Pandey - It is every politician’s dream to become the Prime Minister of his country. To that extent, the leader of the opposition Mohan Pandey is no different from his contemporaries. The only difference being - if the need arises, Pandey can and will kill to get the coveted chair.

Gul Panag as Nandita Sharma - The assistant of an ad filmmaker, Nandita Sharma someday hopes to bag an independent feature film. She is in a live-in relationship with her boyfriend Purab. Nandita is smart, educated, and intelligent. She is also highly indifferent to what’s happening in the country, and first thinks about herself and her man, before anything or anybody else. On both counts, she represents the youth of India.

Mohnish Behl as Amrish Kakkar - He was the first to have the VISION and the foresight to realize that even the business of delivering NEWS can be made ENTERTAINING. Amrish therefore can be safely held singularly responsible for taking the television news industry to the dogs, or to the heights, depending on how you see it. His channel is no less than a shady brothel, the content that is NEWS is no less than a cheap hooker, and Amrish Kakkar - the most powerful pimp around.

Rajat Kapoor as Naveen Shankalya - Apart from being the son-in-law of Harshvardhan Malik, is also one of the topmost industrialists of the country. Despite this, he is the most insecure man on earth, and won’t rest till he becomes the number one industrialist in the country. His best buddy Mohan Pandey becoming the Prime Minister of India will surely help his cause.

Aishwarya Movie Info

2009-06-02T00:12:00.005+06:00

Her debut film was Iruvar, a Tamil movie also starring Mohan Lal. Everybody was under the impression that she couldn't act, and that she was too stiff. But since her first movie, she has progressed a lot and has now matured into a very confident and a (real) good actress.

Her Movies:

Year	Title	Language
1997	Iruvar	Tamil
1997	Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya	Hindi
1998	Jeans	Tamil
1999	Aa Ab Laut Chalen	Hindi
	Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam	Hindi
	Ravoyi Chandamama	Telugu
	Taal	Hindi
2000	Mela	Hindi
	Kandukondain Kandukondain	Tamil
	Josh	Hindi
	Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai	Hindi
	Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke	Hindi
	Mohabbatein	Hindi
2001	Albela	Hindi
2002	Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam	Hindi
	Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin	Hindi
	23rd March 1931: Shaheed	Hindi
	Devdas	Hindi
	Shakti: The Power	Hindi
2003	Chokher Bali	Bengali
	Dil Ka Rishta	Hindi
	Kuch Naa Kaho	Hindi
2004	Bride & Prejudice	English
	Khakee	Hindi
	Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na	Hindi
	Raincoat	Hindi
2005	Shabd	Hindi
2005	Bunty Aur Babli	Hindi
2006	Mistress of Spices	English
	Umrao Jaan	Hindi
	Dhoom 2	Hindi
2007	Guru	Hindi
	Provoked	English
	The Last Legion	English
2008	Jodhaa Akbar	Hindi
2008	Sarkar Raj	Hindi
2009	The Pink Panther Deux	English
2010	Robot	Tamil

Achievments: Screen Weekly - Most Promising New comer in 1997.

Filmfare Awards - Best Actress for the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, 1999.

Filmfare Awards - Best Actress for the film Devdas, 2003.

Some of Aishwarya Photo:

Pankh Story | Pankh Movie Plot | Pankh Censored Scene

2009-06-02T00:10:00.001+06:00

The censor board members have raised a strong objection to a scene in Sanjay Gupta's Pankh. The scene has first time actor Maradona Rebello baring his butt. The Sudipto Bhattacharya directed film has been stuck with the censor board for three months now.

Pankh also stars Bipasha Basu, Lilette Dubey and Mahesh Manjrekar. The film is about a man who is treated as a woman by his mother since childhood and how, subsequently, he is confused about his sexuality.

The censor board members have seen the film twice and had earlier raised objection to the abusive language and some other content. The makers of the film promptly had the offending scenes deleted and the abusive words beeped.

Sanjay Gupta, producer of Pankh said, "Yes, the censor board has objected to the scene but it is an extremely important sequence that is integral to the film. I cannot divulge details as that would mean giving away the plot.

We are the last people to have anything incorporated in a film just for the sake of sensationalism. We have made the changes we had been asked to make in the content and language but I just cannot do without that particular scene in the film. The film is still stuck and we hope that they soon be convinced."

Vinayak Azad, Regional Officer, Censor Board said, "We have indeed raised an objection to the scene and we have asked them to modify it. Though they have made the other changes we had requested them to, this scene still remains and hence the problem."

When we asked Azad whether this is part of a framed guideline to censor such scenes, he said, "There are no guidelines. We have to see a film and make decisions accordingly. In the scene, a male actor is completely nude in front of his mother (played by Lillete Dubey) and his rear is exposed to the audience. That is the reason we have asked them to either change or modify the sequence."

Vaada Raha

2009-06-02T00:03:00.004+06:00

Bollywood director Samir Karnik of multi-starrer film Heroes has renamed is his upcoming flick Roshan and it is now called Vaada Raha. The movie has the Ek- the Power of One bollywood star Bobby Deol and Raaz- the mystery continues bollywood star Kangana Ranaut in its lead role. Check out the Vaada Raha movie Wallpapers below.

Hisss

2009-06-01T23:51:00.001+06:00

Mallika Sherawat will play a Nagin (snakewoman) in her next release, Hisss.Hisss is directed by Jennifer Lynch of Boxing Helena (1993) fame, which incidentally won her a Raspberry award for the worst director for the movie in 1994.

Photo: Mallika Sherawat's look in Nagin

Does not augur well for Hisss on the face of it. But, Hisss‘ costume, make-up, and special effects teasers have generated a lot of interest. You can see from the pictures here that this is not your standard Ramsay, or even Ramu (The Factory) horror film. Costume quality and makeup in the Hiss arfe definitely on Hollywood standards. We hold our judgement though on that ridiculous name Hisss - who chose that, some assistant director to the Ramseys?

The producers, Vikram Singh and Govind Menon, have roped in Robert Kurtzman, known for his expertise in make-up, special effects, and visual effects. Kurtzman has won the Saturn award in 1999, for make-up in the movie Vampires.

Mallika Sherawat

Mallika Sherawat is best known as the hottest bod in Bollywood. Mallika Sherawat was last seen in Maan Gaye Mughal-e-azam and Ugly aur Pagli, both of which were box-office disasters. She has also acted in The Myth with Jackie Chan.

Mallika Sherawat’s look has been crafted quite painstakingly in Hisss. In the movie, Mallika Sherawat has to wear huge contact lenses that even cover the white of her eyes. Mallika Sherawat has to take out the lenses every few hours to let her eyes breathe. The elaborate nagin elaborate costume has to be kept on for 8-10 hours at a stretch, and she has to be carried around.

Mallika cannot drink water or go to the loo during those 8-10 hours.

Photo: Mallika Sherawat in her Nagin avatar in Hisss

Mallika Sherawat was first noticed in Khwahish (2003), a movie that became famous for its seventeen kisses. The hero was forgotten, Mallika was both appreciated and condemned for her “boldness,” depending on which side of the fence you are on. Mallika Sherawat refused to apologise for her sexy image, rather she reveled in it.

Next came the 2004 Murder, which was a runaway hit. Mallika Sherawat played the role of a woman who has an extramarital affair.

All through her career, Mallika Sherawat has courted controversy because of her outspoken comments on sexuality.

Mallika Sherawat’s last hit has been Pyaar Ke Side Effects, a multiplex movie that did quite well, and gave her an opportunity to shed her sexy image.

Mallika Sherawat does not have any other films in her kitty right now, except the recently announced Unveiled. The other movie she was supposed to apppear in, Fauj Mein Mauj, has been shelved. Hisss is very important to Mallika’s career, in that sense.

Hisss revolves around a vengeful nagin (Mallika Sherawat), who shape shifts into a gorgeous woman and goes to the city to hunt for her mate, who has been captured from the jungle by an American, George States. Hisss also stars Irfan Khan who plays a cop who has to track her down to stop the destruction she unleashes in the city.

The vengeful nagin theme has been very popular in Indian cinema, with more than a dozen movies made on snakewomen, between 1925 and 1990. What is common among all the Nagin movies is the horrendous make-up and equally terrible special effects.

With good production values, Hisss might actually do justice to the tired theme. The last woman to play a Nagin in Bollywood was the sumptuous Sridevi in Nagina (1986). Nagina was a huge hit and even had a sequel.

Hisss will be released in 2009.

Mallika Sherawat's luxury pad in Hollywood

2009-06-01T23:44:00.002+06:00

Just a stone’s throw away from Hollywood, Mallika Sherawat has rented a penthouse in a posh location next to Beverly Hills.

True to her name, Mallika enjoys queenly luxury whenever she is in Los Angeles. The Bollywood bombshell needs to shuffle between Mumbai and LA till the release of her upcoming film Hisss and has therefore rented a swanky penthouse at ‘The Palazzo’ at a prime location between Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Mallika reveals to a tabloid that the penthouse is right next to the ‘Rodeo Drive’ which, she says, is “one of the shopping havens of the world”.

Quite understandably, the place is expensive and Mallika is shelling out of lot of moolah as its rent. But she would rather squander her earnings on The Palazzo than settle for any other place.

The penthouse reportedly offers a panoramic view of the city. It has a private swimming pool, apart from the usual dining room, drawing room, two bedrooms and of course the private terrace. In fact, reports say the apartment also has an original Picasso painting.

Mallika is expected to keep the apartment till September this year. However, if she bags another Hollywood project by then, she may even extend her stay.

‘Hisss’ is directed by Jennifer Lynch, daughter of the renowned filmmaker David Lynch. The movie has Mallika playing a snake-woman. The actress went through gruelling and painstaking make-up sessions while shooting the film.

Pyaar Impossible

2009-06-01T23:41:00.001+06:00

Priyanka Chopra launched the website for Yash Raj Films’ forthcoming movie – PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE - yesterday at YRF Studios. Uday Chopra had left for the next shooting schedule of the film and hence could not be present at the press conference had a special message on video for all.

Jugal Hansraj directs Uday Chopra and Priyanka Chopra in this romantic comedy which went on floors this April and is due to release towards the end of the year.

Pyaar Impossible is the story of Abhay and Alisha – Abhay who is a nerdy, awkward, socially challenged and bespectacled geek and Alisha who is the epitome of beauty that any man would willingly rip his heart out for!

And when these two worlds collide you get:

1 Beauty + 1 Geek = Pyaar Impossible!

To find out if Abhay and Alisha can ever come together log on to the exclusive “Pyaar Impossible” movie website at www.pyaarimpossible.in

Starting today you can catch fresh videos and the latest pictures with loads of behind-the-scenes moments on this first of its kind website.

So log onto www.pyaarimpossible.in now and don’t forget to get your daily dose of Pyaar Impossible!

99

2009-06-01T23:30:00.002+06:00

99' is a movie inspired by real events with an interesting tag line - Part Fact, Part Fiction, Pure Fun is all set to hit theatres on 1st May 2009. 99 stars Kunal Khema as Sachin, Boman Irani as Rahul , Cyrus Broach as Zaramud, Vinod Khanna as JC, Soha Ali Khan as Pooja, Mahesh Manjrekar as 'AGM, Amit Mistry as 'Kuber, Simone Singh as 'Jahanvi' It is much about 'What could have been' as it is 'What really happened' 99 movie is about the life stuck at 99 which is just one short of a century. Sachin and Zaramud who are street smart ends up in stealing of all cars around, the one car they shouldn`t have stealed but also end up in crashing the car as well. The car belongs to 'AGM' who is a small time bookie who runs a cyber cafe as a front for his operations takes both on to do his dirty work until they worf off the car that they crashed which is going to take long time paying. How do they overcome this problem ? watch '99' in theatres to know more... Rahul in Delhi an ordinary man, with an ordinary job in hand who is working as a bank manager but with an extraordinary quality of gambling. He never loses on any bet is his talent. He places an important bet on 'India-New Zealand one day match in November 1999 and he is not aware that the match was determined already even before the first ball was bowled. Rahul loses the bet and ends up owing money to 'AGM' and he has got just 3 months to pay up. How do Sachin, Zaramud and Rahul overcome their problems on thier own ways is the twist in the movies. '99' is filled with budding romance, car crashes, comedy and consipiracies wtih colourful characters around.

Agyaat

2009-06-01T23:24:00.002+06:00

Actor Ram Gopal Varma is currently in Sri Lanka shooting for Agyat. However, there’s news that this Hindi flick will also be dubbed in Tamil and Telugu. Apparently, the lead hero of this movie is Nitin Reddy who is an A-League Telugu star. And Ram Gopal Varma wants to cash in [...]

It's A Mismatch movie rieviews

2009-04-24T18:48:00.003+06:00

Movie Details Genre: Romance
Language: Hindi
Release Status and date: Released on Apr 17, 2009

Aman (Anubhav Anand) is a talented young architect. Raised by his uncle, he has all the love and care a family could offer but Aman takes it for granted. While working towards his dream, his life takes a beautiful turn when he bumps into the perfect girl Neha (Nandana Sen). The two fall in love, and nothing seems able to come between them.

Nothing...until it's the time for their families to meet. Sparks fly. Every known disaster strikes when the hyper-vibrant Mr. Bhalla (Anupam Kher) and the rigidly-conventional Mr. Patel (Boman Irani) meet. Both are hilariously different....Both are woefully mismatched. Naturally both the fathers lock horns and vehemently oppose the MATCH.

The lovebirds must find a way to bring their families together and this leads to a comical series of misadventures of the two disapproving, faultfinding fathers. In this process, Aman realizes the true definition of family and what it really means to love someone. Will Aman be able to bring the two families together? And will he succeed in achieving his dream?

It's A Mismatch invites you to join Mr. Bhalla, Mr. Patel, Aman & Neha, along with their families as they celebrate life, love and everything in between.

The movie makes for a passionate viewing of hilariously star-crossed romance while never forgetting the importance of family, culture, and staying true to one's emotions.

Cast »

Anupam Kher - Mr. Bhalla
Boman Irani - Mr. Patel
Nandana Sen - Neha
Anubhav Anand - Aman

Director: Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad
Producer: Anubhav Anand , Alan Noel Vega , Rajan Shandil
Written by: Anubhav Anand , Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad , Anup Sugunan

Hall of ‘frame’ for Sanjay, Akshay Kumar and Zayed !

2009-04-24T18:41:00.001+06:00

Our Bollywood stars once again share space with Hollywood actors. Well no, this time we aren’t talking of screen space as yet. The team of Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd. forthcoming action thriller ‘Blue’, Directed by Anthony D'souza, shot for their underwater sequence which included dangerous stunts with the sharks in the diving center of Stuartcove at Bahamas. And apparently post their shoots, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar and Zayed Khan who star in the movie have been included among their own hall of fame board.

The particular place also happens to be one of the biggest and most famous underwater shark dive in the world. The actor's photos have been put up among the prestigious guests who had come down to the place.

And interestingly the trio also happen to be the first Indians to be included in it along with top Hollywood actors like Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, Tiger Woods, Johnny Depp as the movie Pirates of the Caribbean had been shot there too.

Mallika_Sherawat hot picture Gallery

2009-04-24T17:33:00.002+06:00

Movie Reviews on Runway

2009-04-24T17:26:00.002+06:00

Movie Details Genre: Action
Language: Hindi
Release Status and date: Releasing on May 8, 2009

Tulip Joshi - Shaina
Amarjeet Shukla - Allen
Lucky Ali - Khalid
Deepal Shaw - Melvyna
Shawar Ali – David

Director: Sunil Tiwari
Producer: Reeta J Shukla
Written by: Praful Tiwari

99 actors get physical with the film's director

2009-04-24T17:24:00.001+06:00

During the shooting of 99, an unsuspecting Krishna DK (who is the co-director of the film along with Raj Nidimoru) was in for a shock as his actors came down heavily on him. Though he believed that he had managed to maintain a good rapport with all of them, he was in for a surprise as his actors conspired to get physical with him. Well, as you would have guessed by now, it was all a friendly banter as the actors decided to have some fun at his expense and conspired to throw him in a pool knowing fully well that he didn't know how to swim.

Informs an actor from the film, ''Everyone from Kunal Khemu to Soha Ali Khan and Cyrus Broacha thought of doing something funny on the location of the film's shoot. So together, we all plotted to push Krishna DK into the pool. We knew that it was taking things a little too far but then we had our defenses in place.''

Apparently, they were all large hearted (!) enough to ensure that his personal belongings do not get damaged in water. Hence, they came with different reasons to take his phone and wallet away from him and only then threw him into the pool.

''It's a different matter though that he had even more suffering reserved for him as he didn't know swimming'', says the actor, ''It was Cyrus who pushed him. Imagine how startled Krishna may have been with Cyrus's impact. However, Good Samaritan that Cyrus is, he saved him as well. Isn't that sweet?''

Meanwhile the film is all set to find a way for itself in theaters this May with or without the stand off between producers and multiplexes getting resolved. This comic thriller is arriving on 8th May and should see good promotion building up on fortnight to come.

It's ALADIN, not ALLADIN or ALADDIN

2009-04-24T17:19:00.001+06:00

There is not a single soul out there who hasn't heard of the Arab folktale of Aladdin and the magic lamp. And while the character is indeed known as 'Aladdin' worldwide, Sujoy Ghosh's take on it is a little different. He is calling his central protagonist as 'Aladin' (with one 'd' less) and this is something that reflects in the title of his namesake film as well.

Says a source close to Sujoy, ''Earlier there were different titles for the film which were making the rounds. They went like ALLADIN and even ALADIN AND THE MYSTERY OF THE LAMP. However, now it is plain and simple ALADIN.''

Sujoy Ghosh too confirms, ''Yes, now it is ALADIN for sure. Period.''

Hopefully this should put a full stop to all speculations and misgivings about the title of this multi-crore film which is all set to arrive late summer provided producers v/s multiplexes stand off is resolved soon. The film has been in news for long since it has taken a four year long journey ever since first steps were taken for the pre-production of the film. Ever since then a fortune has been spent on this film which has required a year being spent on scripting, a year and a half into pre-production, 149 days of shoot and then a year on post-production.

Starring Amitabh Bachchan as Genius - The Genie, Ritiesh Deshmukh as Aladin and Sanjay Dutt as a cool villain, ALADIN also marks the debut of Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandes who is paired opposite Ritiesh. With music by Vishal and Shekhar, ALADIN is produced by Eros International in association with Sujoy Ghosh's production company Boundscript.

KAMBAKHT ISHQ by July end/August!

2009-04-24T13:28:00.001+06:00

If things had been moving normally in Bollywood, each week would have seen one, if not more biggies at the marquee, what with the summer vacations commencing in many parts of the country and exams being over. Unfortunately, it is not so, and many promising projects have been rescheduled.

A major victim of the multiplex tussle has been the Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor starrer, KAMBAKHT ISHQ, which is of utmost importance to Khiladi Kumar's career, in view of the two back-to-back failures in form of CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA and 8x10 TASVEER. As is known, KI was scheduled to arrive on 29th May 2009. The first promo, featuring the potential chartbusting title track by RDB, 'Mujhe Maar Gaya Kambakht Ishq' had set up the buzz for the movie beautifully. Unfortunately due to the multiplex issue, not only the promo had to be discontinued but even the film has been postponed, expectedly. As per our trade and distribution sources, the film may release around July end or mid August. So, it is still a long wait for the fans of Bebo and Akki...

Here's hoping for a resounding comeback from Akshay Kumar, whenever KAMBAKHT ISHQ releases

2009-04-24T04:30:00.003+06:00

Cast »

Akshay Kumar - Jai Puri
Ayesha Takia - Sheela Patel
Sharmila Tagore - Savitri Puri
Girish Karnad - Anil Sharma
Anant Mahadevan - Sundar Puri

Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Producer: Bhushan Kumar , Elahe Hiptoola
Written by: Nagesh Kukunoor

Nagesh Kukunoor gives this flick a super Hollywood feel and manages to pull off a slick thriller. But I have a problem with the end, which escalates, or should I say degenerates to a climax of a typical Bollywood masala film. But this is not to deny the finesse with which this film has been captured on camera and the climax when the murderer is revealed. But you pretty much guess the involvement of one of the characters in the film.

8X10 Tasveer is a story about young man named Jai Puri, (Akshay Kumar), who possesses supernatural powers. Jai is of Indian origin who works as a forest ranger in Canada. His life is shattered by a loss of a very important person in his life. This personal tragedy leads him to use his unique supernatural power to unravel the mystery behind the murder. 8x10 is supernatural thriller with a nail biting finish to come up with startling answers.

Chowrasta Movie Review

2009-04-24T04:01:00.001+06:00

Director: Anjan Dutt , Buddhadev Dasgupta , Aparna Sen
Producer: S.D. Ahuja
Written by: Anjan Dutt

Victor Banerjee - Jimmy
Atul Kulkarni - Kenny
Roopali Ganguly - Nandana
Naved Aslam - Sunny
Aparajita – Rita

Movie Details Genre: Drama
Language: English/Hindi
Release Status and date: Released on Apr 17, 2009

CHOWRASTA is an interesting flick. It's like a well-written novel you read on a lazy afternoon.The build-up of the assortment of characters is subtle and their story interestingly narrated. Victor Bannerjee, the protagonist, if you may call him so, begins the narration, which then moves into sizing up every character. There's a couple who have eloped who are on their honeymoon in Darjeeling; there's a wife, long divorced, a struggling Bollywood actress, who surfaces from Mumbai to meet her ex-husband; there's a guy fleeing from himself, caught unwittingly with unscrupulous characters and of course, there's Victor Banerjee who is lamenting the loss of his wife.

“Chowrasta” is the story with four corners. Nandana, a fading Bollywood star, discovers that she is living on borrowed time, so she is in search of someone who will look after her twelve year old son.

Rita and Sunny realize immediately after their elopement, that marriage is really not a bed of roses. Rita’s expectations from Sunny are different from what he really is capable of.

Jimmy the planter from Darjeeling finds it difficult to face the loneliness that surrounds him, after the death of his wife. He even contemplates ending his life.

Kenny, who is a terrorist on the run realizes, all that he had given to the cause not worth the sacrifice. Nobody really cared whether he was dead or alive.

You never lose anything on the hills, you only find something. All of them found what they wanted in Chowrasta Crossroads of Love.

Rensil and Karan struggle to christen their baby

2009-04-24T03:44:00.001+06:00

Rensil D'Silva and Karan Johar are in a predicament – their movie is fast approaching completion and they still haven’t found a name! But the lead pair in the movie, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, have been referring to the movie as Jehad to all who will listen.

It’s not a title Rensil really approves of for his directorial debut movie because he believes that in the current climate, the movie can be easily misconstrued for something that it’s not. Since Jehad means holy war, Rensil is wary about sending out wrong messages. Karan, on the other hand, confesses that he doesn’t know why Kareena and Saif are using a title they don’t have the rights to. The producer hasn’t even been able to consult with friends about an appropriate title because that would mean giving away the plot of the closely guarded movie. And there there’s Bebo and Saif who have started a campaign to get the movie to be named Jehad.

In this melee, the movie is still nameless, and people have taken to referring to it as the ‘untitled one’. After the trouble Karan went to to acquire the rights to use ‘Khan’ from Keshu Ramsay, only to use My Name is Khan instead, we can only hope the producer-director duo are more cautious this time.

Celina Jaitley comes under fire!

2009-04-24T03:22:00.001+06:00

Celina Jaitley who recently relaunched the gay magazine ‘Bombay Dost’ has been at the receiving end of the ire of Homophobes!

Ever since there-launch of the defunct magazine a few days back, Celina has been inundated by mails on her official website. The support showed by Celina has triggered extreme reactions from people. Though there has been tremendous support from people all over the world, what has astounded the actress is that majority of these irate mails have come from women!!! These mails have gone on to call her names, use derogatory and abusive language and denounce her.

Celina elaborates saying, "Numerous intolerant and homophobic people have sent me abusive messages regarding my gay rights activism and launch of Bombay Dost on various websites including my own. It does not deter me from my cause but it saddens me that people have so much hatred not only towards sexual minorities but towards people who show them support. It is so unfortunate that people have not stopped their hatred against the gay community but have only learnt to mask it. My struggle has only just begun and I thank all those who stand by me in this human rights and human dignity issue.”

The actress who starred in the blockbuster ‘Golmaal Returns’, has always campaigned for the rights of gays and has actively supported them in every endeavour earning the epithet of the ‘Most Queer-friendly public icon’. Celina has extended her active support be it walking the streets hand in hand with the gays, protesting against the criminalization of homosexuality or setting up groups on her official website and social networking sites for people from all walks of life to lend their support and love.

Taking all the flak in her stride she says unfazed, “Despite all the hate mail from all homophobic groups, I will not cease to continue what i started. I’ve learnt one thing in life - people even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone...”

For this, she solicits every supporter to join the communities promoting gay rights on her official website and on the social networking site Facebook so that every individual can exercise his / her right to their sexuality without fear of being marginalised.Celina puts in a last word, “There are critics for everything a celebrity does so does that mean I must stop living and listening to my heart? I’m happy to do this for all my gay friends.

Prakash Jha's real life 'Rajneeti'

2009-04-24T03:18:00.001+06:00

Filmmaker Prakash Jha is contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections from the Bettiah constituency in Bihar. The acclaimed filmmaker has already begun campaigning after he got the ticket from the Lok Jansakti Party. Speaking to us about his real life political jump from reel life movies that circle mostly around Bihar politics, Jha says, ''It is nothing new that I am doing. I have been doing this for years. I have tried to change a lot of things in the state while making my films. It won't be difficult for me to balance both the fields as my filmmaking is an extension of my politics.''

But why he chose to contest from Bihar? ''That's because it will allow me to access to its resources. So if I go on to win from here, I can do my research and help in developing the state of Bihar. My films have always showcased realistically the problems faced by Bihar, my win will give me a chance to do lot more for the state in actual. I can utilize the available resources more easily as they shall be easily accessible for me and with that I will be able to do a lot more towards the betterment of the state,'' states the profound filmmaker.

Ranbir lied to Deepika?

2009-04-24T02:24:00.003+06:00

It seems the relationship between Bollywood's most sought after couple is going through tough times these days. But being the good actors that they are, they are not making it visible on their cute faces. Well we are talking about none other than Ranbir Kapoor & Deepika Padukone.

A close pal of the couple reveals, ''Last week Deepika was to join Ranbir to attend DOSTANA director Tarun Mansukhani's birthday party at late night. Since she got stuck due to her work commitments, Ranbir told her he would go alone to the party. But despite telling her so, he didn't go. Instead he chose to attend another party where his debut film SAAWARIYA co-star Sonam Kapoor and her good friend Kunal Kapoor were present. He didn't tell this to Deepika who was well under the impression for days that he was at Tarun's party. The birthday party saw new love birds Shahid Kapoor & Priyanka Chopra making an entry and exit together publicly for the first time. John Abraham & Bipasha Basu too came in for the bash. When Deepika came to know about Ranbir's lie, it is learnt that she lambasted him over the phone while he kept giving her excuses how it was all a last minute change in his plan etc.''

Well certainly not Deepika but it is also true that you are a very fine actress. Just a couple of days back, Ranbir's sister Riddhima told to a news channel journo on TV that she doesn't think Deepika is Ranbir's girlfriend and that she knows Deepika only as one of his good friends. With news of Ranbir striking great rapport on and off the sets with his AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI co-star Katrina Kaif, we won't be left wondering when Deepika also starts losing sleep just like Salman Khan is over his partner.