Hyderabad (PTI): In spite of doing a wide variety of roles in his illustrious career, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan still hopes to do roles that will challenge him as an actor.
"I don't know what is there for me in the future. But I think there are roles that will challenge me as an actor," he told reporters here, when asked whether he still dreamt of doing any particular role.
Bachchan, his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya, were in the city tonight to promote Ram Gopal Varma's new film 'Sarkar Raj'.
Talking about the movie, he said Varma has proved that a film can do well commercially though it did not have typical song and dance sequences.
Film critics in western countries earlier used to criticise Indian films for their song and dance numbers but now they have come to accept it, he said.
Varma said coming to the PVR cinema at Punjagutta Circle for the event was an emotional moment for him as he was born and brought up in the locality.
He said 'Sarkar Raj' proved that a film can do well at the box office without necessarily having comedy scenes and song and dance items.
He thanked the Bachchans for doing a great job in the film.
Asked to comment on Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek's performance, Aishwarya said Bachchan senior is an institution onto himself and still has the attitude of a student towards work, while Abhishek too worked with total commitment.
The cast of 'Sarkar Raj' and the director were in the city as part of the 'Idea Yatra for Sarkar Raj'.
Still looking for challenging roles: Bachchan
Cricket cheers Ramu
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is upbeat these days, and seems to be scoring with all that positive banter about Sarkar Raj . Never mind that, when we met the director over a cup of coffee, we spoke to him about cricket and the IPL.
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Aamir Khan flirts around?
This was quite evident when the cast and crew of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na visited his home for the music launch of the film.
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Rajpal Yadav’s Kushti
Rajpal Yadav who is known for making the audiences laugh their guts out, faces a huge challenge this time.
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Aamir Khan’s & Harry Baweja’s release battle
Aamir Khan was introduced by his uncle Nasir Hussain and now Aamir is set to introduce his nephew Imraan Khan in Bollywood. Needless to say that he is not leaving a stone unturned for Imraan’s debut film.
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Vidya’s dirty dancing
Now we all know that Vidya Balan is infamous for her sense of styling but there is one more thing that she is certainly lacking.
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Review Report:Anamika
Cast: Minisha Lamba, Dino Morea, Koena Mitra
Direction: Anant Mahadevan
Music: Anu Malik
Director Anant Mahadevan returns this weekend with Anamika to complete the ‘A’ series trilogy after movies such as ‘Aksar’ and ‘Agar’. This time around not much has been said about the music of the film done by Anu Malik. Unlike Anant’s previous ventures the music played a key role in drawing the audiences to the cinema halls; but in this case does the movie survive without such mesmerizing music?
Here goes the synopsis…
When Jia Rao(Minisha Lamba), received a call for being an escort to Vikram Singh Sisodiya(Dino Morea) from the palatial Gajner of Bikaner, she hadn’t imagined that life would take a total turnabout. Her rendezevous with Vikram who had come to the city of Mumbai for a convention to turn his home into an international resort actually ended with Vikram proposing to her .She found herself hopelessly in love with him, despite the fact that Vikram was married and his first wife Anamika had died under mysterious circumstances.
Her arrival in Gajner wasn’t uneventful either. Mahajan the manager who seemed to know more than he should, Shekhar Rajput(Gulshan Grover) , Vikram’s brother in law a cop with an acidic tongue, Vikram’s doting sister, and Malini(Koena Mitra) the ever efficient governess were some of the characters who strangely influenced her stay in a place that hit her with its expanse, beauty and mystery.
And the biggest enigma was Anamika. Everyone seemed to be talking about her and how Jia could never step into the shoes of the charismatic socialite that Anamika was. Her efforts to live up to the foreboding image of Anamika ended up in creating a rift between Vikram and Jia .And the crunch comes when Jia is faced with the prospect of unraveling the secret of Anamika’s death…accident..suicide or murder?
Anant Mahadevan gets it entirely wrong this time. Firstly, ‘Anamika’ isn’t an untold story and is very much predictable. To add to all of that, there seems to be huge similarities between ‘ Anamika’ and Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rebecca’.
The flow of events in the movie are so dull and the pace just gets you annoyed. At the cost of being a so called suspense film, the events of the film are simply dragged on and on.
No doubt the film has been shot at splendid locales of Bikaner, Bangkok etc but all of it falls flat as these beautiful locales don’t come in as a saving grace for your storytelling.
On the acting front, Dino Morea isn’t at his best and delivers a weak performance. Minisha Lamba seems to be struggling with her Hindi and is a complete let down from her performance in ‘Shaurya’. Koena Mitra is a complete waste in the film. Her role offers no substance and she just hops in and out at any point in the film. Bunty Grewal is irrelevant. The only person who does his bit with ease and conviction is Gulshan Grover. He delivers the punch as the cop and carries the desired aura.
The music of the film by Anu Malik is such a let down. The only track worth listening to is ‘Shagufta Dil’. The tracks though shot in Bangkok etc are very poorly placed and composed which is the biggest drawback for an Anant Mahadevan film whose ‘Aksar’ and ‘Agar’ are still remembered for their music.
On the whole ,’Anamika’ is a poor one from director Anant Mahadevan and the movie is further going to be affected by the ongoing IPL cricket. Looks like the bollywood draught won’t end anytime soon.
Rating: ½
Courtesy:IndiaGlitz
Review Report:Pranali – The Tradition
Cast:Nargis, Upendra Limaye, Raman Trikha, Sudha Chandran, Dippsikha, Vinay Apte
Direction:Hirdesh Kamble
Music:Kailesh Kher
The story revolves around Pranali(Nargis) , a girl born in a small village and soon falls prey to the downtrodden systems of society. On the account of serving God, the child is offered as a Devdasi to the high priest in the village and soon becomes an object of lust.
Life becomes much tougher when Pranali gives birth to a girl and soon struggles to educate her daughter seeking a normal life for her. On grounds of being a sex workers daughter, the girl is refused admission in school.
Soon comes in an NRI (Raman Trikha) to do a research on Sex workers in India and soon engages Pranali and the gang of sex workers including Kanchi (Rohini Kapoor) , Salma (Vaidehi Singh) ,Chanda (Dipsshikha) and Akka (Sudha Chandran) into the battle for legalization of prostitution by the government.
Sounds interesting huh? Hmm…. Well , that’s what many believe and expect it to be one of those hard-hitting films. Though the movie tackled relevant issues, the execution and direction by Hirdesh Kamble is pretty poor. The story, screenplay and dialogues by Hirdesh Kamble and Manoj Pandey literally kill the entire film.
The movie is tremendously vague and the so called journey of the devdasi leads you nowhere. The movie starts off with the little Pranali and her encounter with the high priest , minister and from there to being a sex worker and from there moves to being a mother and then fighting as a social worker etc and finally the book release makes it a complete boring and vague mix of events.
To add to it all is the boring and dull Bhaigiri sequences including Upendra Limaye as the taxi driver which makes it completely pathetic. Upendra tries to carry the film off as the solo made lead in a film overloaded with women. Upendra even gets to swing to a song sung by Kailash Kher being a complete out sync track.
The movie keeps on dragging and truly becomes a never ending journey for the audiences. On the performance scale Nargis does show us that she has immense potential but the script in this case makes us overlook all performances even that of Sudha Chandran and Dipsshika.
Music of the film by Kailash Kher and his Kailasha band members Naresh and Paresh is such a letdown and the addition of songs in the film make you yawn. No comments on the other aspects of the film.
To conclude, Pranali comes across as a very poor launchpad for Harward Entertainments. With a movie being tremendously a never ending dull, boring journey; let’s hope that their next few ventures are worth a watch. Nargis no doubt is talented but needs to select her flicks carefully.
Rating : 1/2
Review Report:Tashan
Film:Tashan
Banner:Yash Raj Films
Cast:Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor
Direction:Vijay Krishna Acharya
Production:Aditya Chopra
Music:Vishal, Shekhar
Tashan marks the debut of Vijay Krishna Acharya , the man behind the scripts of Dhoom and Dhoom2. Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor, who has been associated with the smash hit status of both Dhoom’s, tries his bit at direction. So, is it as enthralling as Dhoom?
What happens when you throw two guys who hate each other together...
A cool call center executive Jimmy Cliff (Saif Ali Khan), a desi wannabe gangster Bachchan Pande (Akshay Kumar) add for good measure a beautiful girl Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) who can't be trusted... on a journey across spectacular India... a journey which will alter the course of their lives in more ways than one... a journey where even enemies need to trust each other if they want to be alive...
Trouble is, in this world no one can be trusted ever!
And to top it all there is the evil eye of Bhaiyyaji (Anil Kapoor)... a maverick gangster who enjoys killing people as much as he enjoys speaking English...
What you get is... TASHAN
Firstly, Victor truly does a fine job at making Tashan live up to its title. The movie is sleek and high on style. Right from the colours , costumes , hair styling , cars , dances , guns etc everything has got its style quotient. Don’t look for similarities between Dhoom and Tashan cause the only similarity lies in the syling which in turn vary in terms of an urban look in Dhoom to a rural,semi-urban,urban look in Tashan.
Victor does well at imbibing humour in a script that involves high action and rivalry amongst various characters in the film. The lacuna comes in the form of the storytelling and screenplay done by Victor himself. The brain behind Dhoom fails to tell a story that grips the audience. The storytelling particularly in the 1st half seems dragging and gets a lift only on the introduction of Bachan Pande (Akshay Kumar) .
The proceedings in the movie tend to get vague as the movie moves ahead right from the hollywood style road chase for treasure to a typical Hindi formula film of revenge and lost love etc. Nevertheless, the action and comic sequences keep you entertained.
The cinematography by Ayananka Bose is splendid capturing the locales of Greece, Rajasthan , Kerala etc in its true essence. Editing by Rameshwar S. Bhagat and art direction by Sukant Panigrahy is what further enhances the Tashan(style) of the film.
Music by Vishal Shekar and Choreography by Vaibhavi Maerchant are definitely entertaining and foot tapping enough but tend to barge into any portion of the film making the film’s Tashan take a dip.
On the technical front, the action by Peter Hein is supreme. Peter does a splendid job at making the action look no less than any Hollywood flick (atleast close to some of the finest action flicks). For those who love playing the’ Counter Strike’ game on their PC or Playstation will surely see the resemblance in the sequence where the prime characters in the film take on the team of cops.
On the acting front, Anil Kapoor as Bhaiyya Ji , The bad guy trying to learn English is funny but only at the initial stages of the film and eventually gets monotonous and boring. But, Anil does a good job as the villain from Kanpur.
Kareena Kapoor is ok as the smart, cunning Pooja but isn’t at her best. She does very little to prove her acting credentials and more to beat the likes of people who believe that she can never dawn a Bikini.
Saif Ali Khan really struggles to make a mark in this film. Just like any other Yash Raj Film, Saif relies on his antics of being a flirt etc. Saif does his bit of action, dance and shows off his biceps but after watchin Saif in Race , one would hardly find the character of Jimmy impressive except for his looks. P.S.-One gets to see Saif’s cute little son Ibrahim as Jimmy junior in the film.
The man who steals the show and elevates the film is none other than Akshay Kumar. Though he comes in much later on in the film, he impresses with immediate ease. He makes you giggle right through with his Bachchan Pande dialogues and leaves you awestruck with his acton sequences. It’s been a long time since Akshay has done a film that involves his forte-action and indeed the action comes as a complete treat. Whether it is Akshay jumping over barrels and climbing a building or whether it is Akshay simply running about in slow motion to the howling theme of Bachchan Pande, he rocks!
On the whole, the action, styling, and a few witty lines with a superb performance by Akshay Kumar makes Tashan a movie worth watching. Though the IPl has forced producers to push their release further ahead, no doubt a movie like Tashan is sure to find audiences specially the youth who are fed up of being at home glued to cricket and the subsequent ads that come along with it.
Rating : ***
Abhishek- Aishwarya agian
Some years down the line Bollywood's most talked about couple most probably will be holding a record for the most number of appearances made by a real life B-Town pair as lovebirds on the big screen.
Ram Gopal Varma's latest offering 'Sarkar Raj' has not yet got released, but not itself the news of Abishek Bachchan and his Wife Aishwarya teaming up for an untitled movie of the master director Mani Rathnam is already attracting enough interest.
Seems like the directors get a spark of novel ideas, subjects, inspiration, great characters and all those other things that start of a film's journey from the creator's mind to the screen just by seeing this couple together.
Apparently the famous Director, Cinematographer Rajiv Menon who started off as a director with 'Minsara Kanuvu' starring Prabhu Deva and Kajol which came to B-Town as 'Sapnay' later on directed 'Kandukondain Kandukondain' a Tamil film with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a key role is thinking of having the Abhi-Ash team in a film of his too.
Rajiv Menon who did the duties of the cinematographer for the film 'Guru' directed by Mani Rathnam narrated the story of the film to the star couple while they were in the sets of 'Guru'.
Abhi and Ash gave the go ahead signal to the director to work on the script after liking the romantic story.
The fates of the two movies at the box office in which the most wanted couple will be seen before Rajeev Menon's film gets to the floor will have an impact on the this future project.
But as the business in Bollywood goes, drastic changes can be made with box office fortunes kept in mind.
Kareena, down south?
After Kareena toned down her muscles to emerge as the hottest lass in Bollywood, the Bollywood film makers are not the only one eyeing her.
According to the latest grapevine Kareena has been offered the heroine's role in a Telugu film opposite the superstar Pawan Kalyan titled 'Puli'.
A.R.Rahman is the music composer of the film and is said to be a big budget project.
Whether Kareena Kapoor can be seen speaking Telugu can be known in a few days time.
Hrithik becomes dad again
Sussanne Khan delivered a baby boy yesterday (May 1) at Lilavati hospital in Mumbai. Daddy Hrithik caught the first glimpse of the new born baby at 11:45 a.m.
This is the couple's second child after their son Hrehaan, who is now two years old.
Courtesy:indiafm
Saif to work with Homi Adajania again
After Being Cyrus, Saif Ali Khan and Homi Adajania team up yet again with their second venture Thagi, an action flick which will be made under Saif's production house Illuminati Films.
Thagi, an action film is about a crook (thag) played by Saif who goes on a conning spree. When contacted Homi Adajania confirmed the news and said, "Yes, I am in talks with Saif about Thagi. But I can't disclose any more details at this point of time."
According to sources, Saif chose Adajania as his director because he feels their sensibilities match and work wonders together on screen. Thagi is going to be an out and out masala caper but with Saif and Homi's sensibilities.
Looks like, after his much appreciated act in Being Cyrus, Saif is all set to wow the audience with yet another maverick performance.
Hectic Tuesday for Himesh...all thanks to the stars
For astrological reasons, Tuesday was a day of hectic activity for Himesh Reshammiya. There were two mahurats to attend one after another. He barely finished recording the first song for Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh Mudh Mudh Mudh Ke at the Empire Studio in central Mumbai when he had to rush to the suburbs for the first day's shooting of Kajraare.
Explains Himesh, "We had two mahurats on the same day due to astrological reasons. It was my Mahurat shot for Kajraare and my first day of shooting with my first female director Pooja Bhatt. Actually, we had launched Kajraare with the recording of a song on 29 November 2007. In addition, we also launched Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh Mudh Mudh Ke on Tuesday with a song recording."
Former Femina Miss India, Niharika Singh, who's Himesh's leading lady in Mudh Mudh Ke ….adds, "It's being directed by a new duo named Seema-Sudhir. And you've to hear Himesh's title song. It's fantastic."
Niharika is also Himesh's leading lady in John Mathan's Love Issshtory. "That shooting starts on May 11. Mudh Mudh Ke… starts in June. I play an NRI who runs a café with her dad," informs Niharika happily.
Chak De girl Shilpa Shukla steps into international cinema
Chak De girl Shilpa Shukla is all set to enter the international cinema with a film titled Extrospection which will be directed, written and produced by Manan Singh Kotohora. It is said that the film is based on Satyajit Ray's Charulata but set in contemporary times.
The film will be shot in New York with Shilpa playing the lead role of Charu. With all praises for Shilpa Shukla, Kotohora said that he was taken aback by the actress' performance in Khamosh Pani and Chak De India. Hence, she was his natural choice for the film.
Kotohora's another project titled When Kiran Met Karen, which is based on the issue of lesbianism, is in under post production. Extrospection is expected to go on the floors this year.
Anupam Kher pays a tribute to an Idol
Not too many people know this but when Anupam Kher came to Mumbai from Simla, there was one journalist whom he idolized. "And that was Behram Contractor, better know as Busybee. I'd read his columns in Simla and marvel at the way he'd describe the minutest topographical details. In his interviews, the environment truly defined the personalities. Such journalism is, I'm afraid, becoming obsolete. Like other forms of entertainment interviews and columns are all about instant gratification."
On Wednesday evening, Anupam got a chance to pay a tribute to Busybee. "I've been asked by his wife Farzana to read excerpts from a new anthology of his articles Best Of Busybee. All I can say is that it's an honour. She was aware of my admiration for her husband and asked me to read out his prose," says Anupam who would've been a journalist if he wasn't an actor. "The closest I come to writing is through the syndicated news service Bollywood News Service which I started last year. I also plan to write my memoirs shortly."
Vidya Balan to star opposite Abhishek Bachchan
The ad maverick Balki's first feature film Cheeni Kum made a dynamic dent in audience's minds. It also made him a lifelong Amitabh Bachchan fan. Having gotten masterly performances out of Tabu and the Big B in Cheeni Kum, you'd expect him to recreate the same magic in his next feature film.
But no. Balki is on to a different route for his second film. His next film entitled Pa which begins at the end of the year features real-life father-son Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan. And no Tabu! This, in spite of her brilliant performance. "But that's because Pa has no room for Tabu at all. This time the story is a father-son one. Amitabh has no love interest in the film. And sorry about that. Abhishek does have a girl though." And for the first time Junior is being paired with the petite and lately out-of-sight Vidya Balan.
Says Balki, "We've already approached Vidya and she's more-or-less agreed. I can see her as a pair with Abhishek, can't you?" Vidya comes into the picture through her sister Priya who works with Balki at Lintas. "In fact, it's Priya I know well. I got to know Vidya only when we started talking for Pa," says Balki.
After repeated pairing with Preity, Rani and Priyanka, Abhishek is on the look-out for fresh collaborative opportunities. Vidya Balan is someone the Bachchans have admired from the time the Big B saw her in Parineeta and then worked with her in Eklavya. The Big B had compared Vidya with his favourite actress Waheeda Rehman. Both father and son adore Waheedaji.
So is Balki looking at the prospect of directing a new pair? "I don't look at it that way. Vidya suits the role. I've known her from her ad days. Though we haven't done any ad together, she has done ads for my company Lintas."
One questions remains. Why don't encore- projects happen with Tabu even after powerhouse performances the first time? Madhur Bhandarkar's Chandni Bar and Balki's Cheeni Kum led to no second project. In fact the only directors whom Tabu has worked with more than once are Priyadarshan and Gulzar.
Courtesy:indiafm
Review Report:KRAZZY 4
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Arshad Warsi, Rajpal Yadav and Suresh Menon
Director: Jaideep Sen
A film like KRAZZY 4 is easy on your brains. It rests on a thin plot, but the makers have tried to package the proceedings with entertaining stuff from Scene A to Z. Sometimes it works, at times it doesn't. But the pros outweigh the cons in this case. Also, let's get one thing straight. This isn't path-breaking or ground-breaking cinema by any chance. It's targeted at the aam junta, not connoisseurs of cinema.
Also, one of the trump cards… sorry, make it two, are the dance numbers filmed on the two superstars -- SRK and Hrithik. Just these two numbers are enough to satiate the hunger of an avid moviegoer. Even the Rakhi Sawant track is an asset, since it's hugely popular with the desi junta [like 'Main Aayee Hoon U.P.-Bihar Lootne' and 'Beedi'].
In a nutshell, KRAZZY 4 isn't the kind of cinema that would invite debates or discussions. Its intention is to make people leave the cineplex with a smile and it succeeds in its endeavour.
Arshad Warsi is Raja: Truly the angry young man! His blood boils, his fists clench and he's ready to beat the daylights out of anyone who upsets him in some way.
Irrfan Khan is Dr. Mukherjee: He has decided that he's the Captain of the team! But so obsessed is he by the need to be in control of a situation, he doesn't realise he's totally lost control of himself and his mind.
Rajpal Yadav is Gangadhar: He's marching to a beat only he can hear; he's fighting for a cause that's long over. But in his mind he's still fighting for Swaraj.
Suresh Menon is Dabboo: He's everybody's pet and however far gone the rest may be, when it comes to Dabboo, everybody's protective. Even if he can hear and understand, Dabboo refuses to speak. And nobody knows why!
Dr Sonali [Juhi Chawla] treats them all. She has faith that all it needs is a little time and lots of patience to make them part of the mad, mad, mad world out there…
Rakesh Roshan's story takes a leaf out of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, while Ashwani Dhir's screenplay tries to pack everything that's available on the shelf. The first hour is quite entertaining, with a few sequences compelling you to flex your facial muscles.
But the problem lies in its second hour. More specifically, the writing relies on the age-old stuff to reach the finale. Too many cinematic liberties have been undertaken in this hour, just to reach the culmination and it doesn't really work at times. Even the end outside the hospital looks contrived.
Jaideep Sen shows a flair for comedy, but had the debutante director opted for a slightly novel screenplay, it would've taken the film to another level. A few comic scenes are well executed and in terms of execution, Jaideep knows the grammar right.
Ashwani Dhir's screenplay may lack novelty, but the dialogues penned by him are witty and enjoyable. Cinematography is nice. Rajesh Roshan's music is up to the mark. The two tracks, filmed on the superstars, are top notch and what enhances the effect are the choreography and production design [of SRK track] and the visual effects [in Hrithik track].
Arshad Warsi is the best of the lot. His character is bound to work with the moviegoers. Irrfan's role doesn't offer him that much scope. Yet, the actor enacts his part with precision. Rajpal Yadav is quite funny at places. Suresh Menon is a surprise. He hardly utters one word in the film, but he delivers with expressions.
Juhi Chawla doesn't get ample opportunity. Dia Mirza is efficient. Zakir Hussain is okay. Rajat Kapoor is relegated to the backseat.
On the whole, KRAZZY 4 is slightly above the average mark, but the brand [Rakesh Roshan] coupled with the presence of the two superstars in its songs and of course, some great actors in comic roles should ensure positive returns at the box-office.
Review Report:U Me Aur Hum
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Divya Dutta
Director: Ajay Devgan
Let's come to the point right away. Devgan needs to be lauded for choosing a daringly different theme in his debut film and most importantly, doing justice to it, handling it with extreme care. We know him as a powerful actor, now there's yet another designation added to his name -- avant-garde director.
Let's move on to the next query! Is the real-life couple -- Ajay and Kajol -- as dynamic yet again? The answer is, they're electrifying. Both pitch in bravura performances, reaffirming the fact that this jodi is amongst the finest of this generation.
One of the prime reasons why U ME AUR HUM works, and works big time, is because it's aimed at the heart. Anyone who's into relationships, anyone who believes in love, anyone who thinks from the heart, anyone who has watched his/her partner grapple a grave disease, will identify with a film like U ME AUR HUM.
To cut a long story short, U ME AUR HUM marks the birth of a powerhouse of talent. Watch U ME AUR HUM for various reasons, but most importantly, watch it for a new director who respects your 2.30 hours and the hard-earned bucks that you invest on watching his movie. It's time to fall in love with love… again!
The first time Ajay [Ajay Devgan] saw Pia [Kajol], she served him drinks. She affected him more than the alcohol, it was love at first sight. The first time Pia saw Ajay, he had a drink too many. She watched him make a fool of himself and was relieved when he passed out.
Ajay is on a cruise with his friends -- Nikhil [Sumeet Raghavan] and Reena [Divya Dutta], unhappily married, and Vicky [Karan Khanna] and Natasha [Isha Sharwani], happily unmarried. Ajay is having a wonderful time dealing with martial strife, lots of bad language and huge hangovers, when he finds Pia and time stands still.
After a disastrous first meeting, Ajay tries everything to woo her. He wants her, by hook, crook or even her little private notebook. She's not an easy catch at all, but finally, by sheer perseverance, he dances his way into her heart. Ajay and Pia develop a strong and special bond.
Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry. And Ajay-Pia love each other dearly, but no marriages can be complete without problems, and Ajay and Pia have also have to face hurdles. Kajol is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. How does the couple face the crisis?
The one thing you must carry when you set out to watch U ME AUR HUM is a kerchief. For, this film makes you shed a tear at times, cry at places and weep in at least two vital sequences. But it's not just rona-dhona that you get to see in U ME AUR HUM.
The first hour, strictly average in terms of writing, has several sunshine moments. It's breezy, funny, at times silly, but interesting. What also catches your eye is the eye-filling cinematography [Aseem Bajaj in top form, yet again] on the cruise. The songs, the glam look, the subtle humor… you don't take to the film instantly, but you know for a fact that a volcano is brewing.
And the volcano does erupt in the second hour! Ajay Devgan, the director, shows his expertise in this hour as the story does an about-turn, exposing the delicate, sensitive and fragile relationships. Devgan reserves the best for the concluding reels and you finally get the answers in the end.
U ME AUR HUM is more of a director's film, than anyone else's. A theme like the one projected in this film could go dangerously haywire if entrusted in inept hands, but Devgan seems to have done his homework well. The only glitch is the length in its second hour. A shorter narrative would've only helped!
Robin Bhatt, Sutanu Gupta and Akarsh Khurana's screenplay casts a hypnotic spell in the second hour. Sure, the germ stems from THE NOTEBOOK [2004; James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Rachel McAdams], but the writers have altered the screenplay keeping Indian sensibilities in mind. It works! Ashwani Dhir's dialogues touch the core of your heart. Every spoken sentence has a meaning. Vishal Bhardwaj's music may not be a chartbuster, but it alternates between soulful and melancholic beautifully. Aseem Bajaj's cinematography is topnotch. Monty Sharma's background score is effective.
Now to the performances! U ME AUR HUM is like a medal that glimmers on Ajay Devgan's body of work. He's exceptional! Kajol, well, what can you say of an actress who has proved herself time and again? That she's undoubtedly the best has been proved yet again. Sumeet Raghavan is first-rate. Divya Dutta gets into the groove in the subsequent portions. Karan Khanna and Isha Sharwani are okay. Sachin Khedekar does a fine job. Aditya Rajput and Hazel get minimal scope.
On the whole, U ME AUR HUM is a well-made, absorbing love story that's high on the emotional quotient. And that holds tremendous appeal for ladies/families mainly. At the box-office, it's the kind of film that will gather more and more speed with each passing show. Its business at multiplexes should be fantastic. Overseas too should be excellent.
Karan Patel admits he irked Ekta
By indiaabroad
Mumbai,(IANS) TV Actor Karan Patel, the rebellious Robby of 'Kasturi', is becoming tardy, and Ekta Kapoor does not like it one bit.
With surprising candour, Karan admits that there was indeed a problem at Balaji Telefilms.
'Yes, I did come late for the shoot. But that's because I've taken on another show, 'Kaho Na Yaar Hai'. And initially there was some problem synchronising the two schedules although they're both shows for the same channel. I'm sure it'll be sorted out very shortly. For now I regret the inconvenience caused to the 'Kasturi' team and to Ekta,' Karan told IANS.
Karan admits things reached a head and the entire cast walked away en masse.
'Yes, the 'Kasturi' cast did walk out en masse because I arrived late. Then Ekta and I had a meeting and I explained my situation. And she's okay now. But it's not something I could help. Or something that I'd do intentionally.'
Kasturi's bad boy turned angel makes another strangely disarming confession.
Amita Chandekar, who has a vamp's part in 'Kasturi' and who partnered him in 'Nach Baliye 3' was never his real-life girlfriend.
'I'd like to clarify that I don't have a girlfriend. This was something I needed to clear for a long time. It's a misunderstanding that has been allowed to go on for too long. Amita and I are close friends. And we were together for some time, though not as a couple. Our togetherness was mistaken for something else. I'm much relieved to clear this notion,' Karan said.
So how did they end up being a couple on 'Nach Baliye'?
'We were friends and we suited the rules and regulations of 'Nach Baliye'...you could say we were a pair or you could say were never a pair. I never proposed to her. There was never a girlfriend-boyfriend tag. We were two people who hung out together quite often.'
Karan is currently one of Indian television's most coveted stars.
'Really?' he feigns disbelief. 'Now that you've brought it to my notice, I'm flattered and thrilled. Yeah, the change has been quite sudden, though I hardly get time off from television to see what I've achieved. I was just one of the bit players on 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki' where I was almost a junior artist. I was suddenly pulled out of the backbench to play the lead in 'Kasturi'. I never thought the serial would fetch me so much recognition. It just boosts your morale to know you've finally arrived. I guess I've made big progress,' says the scion of a Gujarati business family.
The young actor says he was always confident of his success. 'But I never knew it would happen so suddenly. One day I was just another face on television. The next day I was Robby in 'Kasturi'. Then 'Nach Baliye' happened. Now I'm anchoring a show for STAR. I couldn't have hoped for more.'
He admits the fan attention has multiplied. 'I'm now craving to make the next move...to cinema. Insha Allah, it should happen soon. Yes, television has its own place now. But when you do a lot of television, you become identified as the character you play in the soaps. Smriti (Irani) will be known as Tulsi no matter what she does in the future. But age and time are on my side. So I can be patient. I'll have to cut off from television, re-invent myself for the big screen. Yes, I do have film offers.'
He admits 'Nach Baliye' added to his popularity. 'Weekdays, I was seen on a soap. And during weekends I was seen as dancer on a reality show. So I was there in viewers' faces throughout the week. It gave me a chance to dance, something I am very fond of. I used to dance for Shiamak Davar's troupe earlier. Yes, I was preparing for stardom from my childhood.'
Very few can perform like Kajol: Ajay Devgan
By indiaabroad
New Delhi,(IANS) Kajol is a director's delight, says Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan of his talented wife whom he has cast in his directorial debut 'U, Me Aur Hum'.
'Very few actresses can perform like her. Doesn't every director want to work with Kajol?' Ajay told IANS.
'Working with her is a delight. When a writer writes his book, he uses words to express himself and when a director makes a film, actors like her help convey the message rightly,' added Devgan, who was in the capital Saturday to promote his upcoming film.
The actor denies he would only select Kajol for his future projects.
'Taking her in my first film doesn't mean that I would only work with her. Casting depends on who suits the role most, and for this character she fitted the bill.'
Apart from Ajay and Kajol, the movie also stars Divya Dutta, Karan Khanna, Isha Sharvani and Sumeet Raghavan. It narrates the story of three couples and how the successful marriage of one couple helps mend another's relationship and how the third is urged to tie the knot.
'I have not tried to make a pseudo intellectual film, instead a commercial one. 'U, Me Aur Hum' is about love, life and relationships. The aim is that people must come out of the theatre with a smile and feel good,' the national award winner said.
Ajay believes directing a film and acting in it is not difficult.
'Doing two things at a time requires a lot of hard work but once you are clear about what you want to do it is not that difficult.
'Moreover, direction wasn't a big change for me. I started my career as a director. I used to make small films and would do everything except acting in them. I always wanted to direct a full-length film,' he said.
'It all started with a thought that gradually took shape. Only when a second thought comes along will I roll out my next film.'
Commenting on whether his role in the film is a reflection of his personal life, he said: 'No, there are no similarities.'
'For instance, in the film the character falls in love at first sight but nothing like this has ever happened to me in real life. However, I believe in what the character believes in.'
Shilpa to do a song with Abhishek, John
IndiaFM
Post Celebrity Big Brother, Shilpa Shetty seems to be on a professional high. The tall and beautiful actress continues to make news, even though it's been more than a year since she stormed UK winning the reality show.
Now Shilpa, whose last release was Apne, surely seems to have jumped into the big league. The actress will be seen doing a 'special song' in Dharma Productions' Dostana starring Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles. This Karan Johar production, directed by Karan's erstwhile assistant Tarun Mansukhani is currently being shot in Miami. "Yes, Shilpa is currently shooting in Miami along with Abhishek and John for a really special song for the film Dostana. I wouldn't really call it an item number,” said Shilpa's publicist Dale Bhagwagar. “However, the song is indeed going to be one hell of a sensational chartbuster. Let me put it this way, if she won over the nation with her UP- Bihar song you can expect her to win a reasonable part of the world with this song."
So what else is Shilpa up to these days? "Shilpa would be starting work on her film The Man opposite Sunny Deol. It's a Vijeta films production and co-directed by Sunny Deol and Neeraj Pathak. Her role in the film is quite similar to what happened to her in real life [read the instant worldwide fame]. She would also be seen in the international flick Hanuman where she plays Sita. They are in talks with Keanu Reeves to play the role of Lord Ram"
What about her plans of getting into production? "Yes, Shilpa is starting her own production called S2 Global Production. The first thing that was made under S2 global Production was Shilpa's Yoga DVD, which mainly released in the UK & international market,” said Dale. “The first film under her banner is an action comedy to be directed by Manish Jha (Matrubhoomi, Anwar). It's a two heroine project with Shilpa playing one of the heroines. The second female lead would also be a very famous Bollywood actress. I can't reveal much now."
For all those who are eagerly waiting for Shilpa's Yoga DVD in India, there is good news on that front. "Yes, she is going to release her Yoga DVD in India. Shemaroo has bought the rights at an astronomical price. Shilpa will be dubbing for it in Hindi when she returns from Miami,” he added. “The DVD got a fabulous response in the UK. It was a sell-out among the non-fiction DVD charts. So we are looking forward to its release in India."
Well, after speaking to her publicist all we can say is that Shilpa surely has her plate full and the next few months are bonanza time for her die-hard fans.
Amitabh Bachchan cleared in tobacco ad case
Panaji,(PTI) In a relief for superstar Amitabh Bachchan, a local court has cleared him in a case of an alleged violation of Goa's law against smoking after a poster showed him puffing a cigar. National Tobacco Eradication Organisation (NOTE), an anti-tobacco organisation, had filed a suit against Bachchan along with others objecting to his poster on the hoarding which showed him smoking a cigar and accusing him of violating Goa Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act, 1997.
District and Sessions Judge U V Bakre nullified the legal process against Bachchan initiated by judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) in the case. NOTE had accused the actor of indirectly suggesting and promoting smoking on a multi-coloured billboard advertisement that depicted him puffing a cigar while endorsing a brand of electric appliances.
The board was prominently displayed on Goa's national highway. NOTE had asked the court to prosecute Bachchan for violations the Goa Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act.
Bachchan's lawyer had in a revision petition filed before sessions court said the criminal case was registered despite the actor conveying in writing that he was not a party to the hoarding. PTI.
Review Report : 'Shaurya'
Film: 'Shaurya';
Cast: Rahul Bose, Javed Jaffrey, Kay Kay Menon, Minissha Lamba, Deepak Dobriyal;
Director: Samar Khan;
Rating: *** 1/2
It takes vision and courage to make a film about the de-escalating valour and plummeting morale of the Indian Army. 'Shaurya' is about the army, but it isn't a war film. The battles are all fought at the level of individual conscience. But never does it get preachy.
It's a film about the Indian Muslim's identity. But it steers miraculously clear of taking sides or becoming hysterically passionate on the subject. There have been significant films on the isolation of the Indian Muslim as seen through the eyes of a persecuted individual. One can immediately think of John Matthew Matthan's 'Sarfarosh' and Raj Kumar Santoshi's 'Khakee'.
In 'Shaurya', Deepak Dobriyal as Javed Khan, the Muslim army man accused of terrorist activities, reminds you of Atul Kulkarni in 'Khakee'.
There's even a predictable sequence where the mother of the accused comes visiting the lawyer's home in the dead of the night. Seema Biswas' cameo as Javed's mother is surprisingly lacklustre.
She demonstrates unnecessary restraint where a more dramatic pitch for the distraught mother would have carried the theme of persecution and isolation further.
Samar Khan seems exceptionally shy of emotional display. The relationships that grow within Joydeep Sarkar's intricately plotted courtroom drama seek solace in silences rather than dramatics.
Even the relationship that grows between the hero Major Siddhanth Chowdhary (Rahul Bose) and the journalist (Minissha Lamba) resonates with restraint rather than rhetoric. Buddies Bose and Javed Jaffrey, we are told, are inseparable. But that level of camaraderie isn't evident in the film.
The cloudbursts are saved up for the entire climactic interlude. The last 45 minutes are so stunningly honest that you wonder if the dormant spirit of the rest of the narrative was meant to mislead us.
The wake-up call - how a certain section of the government-sponsored agencies look upon the Indian Muslim - is hurled into our face with a ferocity that leaves us in state of stunned incredulity.
Credit must go to the writer, director and the dialogue writer (Aparna Malhotra) for telling it like it is about the alienation of a community.
More than Rahul Bose, who's remarkably in-sync and uniformly vibrant in playing his character, it's Kay Kay Menon as the biased army officer who imbues a compelling credibility to Samar Khan's honourable and brave intentions.
It would be no exaggeration to say that 'Shaurya' and its theme of the Indian Muslim's self-worth would not have worked without Menon's vital presence.
In the courtroom, when he spews venom against the community for 'polluting and poisoning' the country, Menon sounds frighteningly Hitlerian.
Again, we must stress that the director doesn't try to get fashionably polemical in addressing the sensitive issue of communal angst. Samar Khan mostly remains non-judgemental in his treatment of characters and their blemishes.
The trial of the silently smouldering Muslim is punctuated by bouts of humour between Bose and his screen-friend Javed Jaffry.
'Shaurya' reveals sparks of master storytelling and doesn't hide away from uncomfortable truths - from its opening titles, when on a wet, windy, and slippery night out in Srinagar, Javed Khan pulls the trigger on his senior, to the stunning finale when Shah Rukh Khan's voice recites poignant poetry defining valour and courage not as we see it but as the conscience knows it.
But the director could have easily avoided the limp pockets in the narrative, those telltale breathers when the buddies bond, lovers sing and the fringe characters try to get a face from the edges.
Forget the humbug. Just watch 'Shaurya' for its compelling and positively gripping insight into the heart and mind of the average Indian who hides his subconscious biases in the garb of fashionable liberalism.
The film's army backdrop is authentically captured by Carlos Catalan's panoramic cinematography. It captures the feelings and failings of the characters as fluently as the cascading tranquillity of the Srinagar backdrop.
Mughal descendant moves court against `Jodhaa Akbar'
Agra, (IANS) Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, the great grandson of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against what he calls 'molestation of history and character assassination of emperor Akbar' in Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Jodhaa Akbar'.
In his writ petition filed Thursday, Tucy prayed to the apex court to direct the producers of the film to change the name of the character 'Jodha' to 'Harkha' or some other fictitious name which 'does not distort history and defame the name of Akbar or the illustrious Mughal dynasty'.
Talking to IANS from Hyderabad, Tucy said he presented documents and statements of prominent historians like Jadunath Sarkar, Satish Chandra, Ashirwadi Lal Srivastav, and R. Nath to establish that emperor Akbar had nothing to do with Jodha Bai 'who was actually the daughter of Udai Singh and daughter-in-law of Akbar.'
He objected to the distortion of history in the movie, which the producers were promoting as a 'period film'.
Tucy said he wanted the film's screening to be stopped as it was misleading people and creating a wrong image of the Mughal dynasty.
Noted Mughal historian R. Nath said 'Jodhaa Akbar' is an example of perverted history for entertainment.
'The film by Gowariker is no match to K. Asif's 'Mughal-e-Azam'. No doubt Asif added characters and events to romanticise the film, but hardly ever did he try to transgress the limits of history or outrage its sensitivity or authenticity. That was how Anarkali was permanently imprinted on the collective psyche of people.'
Nath said 'Jodhaa Akbar' is a poor imitation of 'Mughal-e-Azam' and without any historical basis whatsoever.
'In history, there was only one Jodha Bai, daughter of Mota Raja Uday Singh Rathor of Jodhpur, and was married to Salim (Jahangir, 1628-58).
'She was called Jodha Bai because she belonged to Jodhpur. Jahangir bestowed upon her the title of Jagat Gosain, as he styled himself as Jagat Guru. Jahangir's queen Jodha died in 1619 and her son Shah Jahan built for her a magnificent tomb at Agra.'
Akbar had four wives and with none did he have any romance as 'all these were political marriages'.
Nath said Gowariker had done 'injustice' to Mughal emperor Akbar whose dignity, majestic looks and grandeur had been 'caricatured' in the form of Hritik Roshan.
Even the inscription outside the so-called Jodha Bai palace in Fatehpur Sikri clearly mentions that Jodha Bai has been mistakenly called Akbar's wife, said Tucy. With such material proof how can filmmakers claim they had researched and presented true Mughal history, he asked.
No one needs to question what I've done: Big B
Stung by comparisions with superstar Rajnikanth, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan said no one had the right to question what he has done for Mumbai.
"No one needs to question what I have done for Mumbai, for I know what I have done," Bachchan said.
He was reacting to a question on an article in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna that compared him with Tamil superstar Rajnikanth, who is agitating for Tamil Nadu on the issue of Hogenakkal water project.
The article: 'Rajnikanth Khalya Meethala Jaagla' (Rajnikant has been loyal) said though he was born in Maharashtra and grew up in Karnataka, he took sides with Tamil Nadu after achieving superstardom.
The article said, 'several actors who live in Mumbai achieve fame and glory. But when it comes to taking a firm stand on the issue of Marathi or regional pride many of film stars including Amitabh Bachchan backtrack'.
Reacting to the allegations, Bachchan said, "do you think I am not doing much for Maharashtra? If that's what you think, then it is unfortunate".
Review Report:Bhram
Bhram
Cast: Dino Morea, Milind Soman, Sheetal Menon
Direction: Pawan Kaul
Rating: *
If this wham-Brahm-thank-you-ma'am cross-hover effort will go down in the annals, tunnels and funnels of Indian cinema history, it's simply for the fact that it has more ‘eff' words than you'd find in a country bevda bar.
Anyway, Morea (dentist's delight), Soman (call good old Nalini-Yasmin for an immediate shear) and newcomer Menon (with beer mug eyes), go on that f-and-butt spree. Oof, eff, such pelf.
Surely Kaul could have made a straight, slick whodunit, instead of making you gasp at the lingo, endless shots of a lady looking through a monsoon glass, and heavens, Simone Singh delivering angry Bachchanesque dialogue while moving around in a satiny night gown. Clown frown.
More: two lines of dialogue might actually make you fall out of your chair. Asks Dino of Menon, as saltily as Eno, "Do you like your eggs fried or fertilised?" And a reluctant cab driver is howled at, "Then just sit there and sh.." Honestly, the cabbie could have just said eff eff. For Finland, of course.
Kerala girl wins Miss World crown
Mumbai,(IANS) Parvathy Omanakuttam, a 20-year-old from Kerala, was crowned as the Pantaloon Femina Miss World 2008 at a glittering ceremony here Saturday evening.
At the grand finale, Simran Kaur, a 22-year-old from Mumbai who has won the Miss India Universe 2008 title, was named the first runner-up. Harshita Saxena, 20, from Goa, was the second runner-up.
Article attacking Big B not my views: Thackeray
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray distanced himself from the article on Marathi pride in party mouthpiece attacking actor Amitabh Bachchan, and said the views published in the paper were not his.
"Amitabh Bachchan is our family friend. I have neither said anything against him nor written against him in the editorial. The hue and cry which has been created by the media regarding the news in Saamna is condemnable. Our relations with Amitabh are not so weak that it can be broken by electronic media news," Thackeray said in a statement.
He said people were beginning to 'lose faith' in the electronic media because of the way they were making mountains out of molehills, but the relations between him and the Bachchan family would be unaffected 'because it is a bond of love'.
A front page article in Saturday's edition of the party organ edited by Thackeray, targeted Bachchan who was born in Uttar Pradesh but achieved stardom in Mumbai on the issue of Marathi pride.
While praising his Tamil counterpart Rajnikanth for taking the side of Tamil Nadu on the issue of Hogenakkal water project issue, it said actors like Bachchan would backtrack when it comes to taking a firm stand on the issue of Maharasthrian regional pride.
Katrina raises the price and prestige!
Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network
As is known, the actress with one of the fastest ascent to the top, Katrina Kaif, has agreed to do an item number in Ashtavinayak's Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar starrer, BLUE. Reliable trade sources confirm the buzz that Katrina has demanded and received a whopping 1.5 crore for the same. With that the much maligned item number has assumed a new high and also a prestigious new name- Hot and sensational dance number!
In fact, we now hear that many other top and respectable names in the industry have decided to take the plunge too. First off the block is going to be the woman of substance, Preity Zinta, who has consented to do an item number in the Salman Khan-Kareena Kapoor starrer, MR AND MRS KHANNA.
Well, we won't be surprised if more top names join the fray and agree to do (as per our new nomenclature), hot and sensational dance numbers!
Amitabh Bachchan to judge Aishwarya
IndiaFM
For the Big B it seems that the reel life seems to be following the real life. We are talking about Amitabh Bachchan's relationship with the name 'Aishwarya'. At home, he is a loving father-in-law to the dutiful Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. He is also planning to start 'Aishwarya Girls School', amongst many others to follow.
At work, Amitabh is all set to be the judge to the beautifully talented Aishwarya! We are not talking about his bahu, but a contestant Aishwarya Mazmudar, the finalist of the mega reality show Amul Star Voice of India - Chhote Ustad, who is pitted against Anwesha Dattagupta, yet another volcano of talent.
The finals of this show will happen on Saturday April 5, 2008. What remains to be seen is that, after months of hard work and eliminations, who will finally be crowned the winner: Aishwarya or Anwesha?
Abhishek: I like Ash's pairing with Hrithik
Guru which most consider your finest performance to date came at the start of 2007. Do you think it's forgotten at the awards at the end of the year?
Why do you say that? Rang De Basanti had also been released in January. Awards are no doubt very encouraging. But there have been many notable films in the past that haven't won awards. At the end of the day, the greatest award is a successful film.
Are you more possessive about Sarkar Raj than Jodhaa Akbar since the former stars you with your wife?
No. At the end of the day I am an actor. And we're both thoroughly professional. It would be incorrect for me to be possessive about our film together. I am both an actor and her husband. I'm possessive about her, not her films. It doesn't matter whom she works with. In fact, I really like her pairing with Duggu. I think they looked good together in Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar. I wish that pair all the best.
Interestingly the first and second turning points in your career were both courtesy Mani Ratnam, weren't they?
Yes, Yuva and Guru. Mani is very special. He had faith in me at a time when most people had lost faith, including myself. He's a friend and mentor. I hope I never let him down. I'd love to work again and again with him. He knows I'm only a phone call away. According to me, he's one of the most talented directors we've ever had. Mani is very reserved. If he has another film for me he would tell me when he's ready.
You went through a prolonged lean phase at the beginning of your career. Comment.
During the times when my films were flopping I had friends like Karan Johar who kept my morale high. I can't deny access to the industry was easier because you are a Bachchan. And I guess I did have it much easier than many people. But once you get a chance you've to prove yourself just like anybody else. I had to struggle. I almost gave up after seventeen failures. My father kept saying, just keep working and believe in yourself. Thankfully, better days were around the corner. You've to work very hard to get anywhere in this business. And I'm working hard. However, there's no formula for success. When I decided to do Guru, a lot of my friends thought it wouldn't work at all. By the grace of God it did well.
Are you pleased with your assignments?
Of course! How wonderful to be working at a time when an actor gets to do a Sarkar Raj, Drona and Dilli 6 during the same year. It's a dream come true for any actor.
Why did you initially opt out of Dilli 6?
Rakeysh Mehra mentioned the subject to me many years ago. He finally decided to shoot it in winter 2006 when I was committed to shooting Drona. I suggested he do it with someone else. He asked Duggu who asked me if it was okay. I was perfectly okay with that. But then Duggu's dates didn't work out. Then Rakeysh decided to re-write the script. By then it was December 2007 and I was thankfully able to do the film. The rest, I hope will be history. Rakeysh is a very sensitive director and I love working with him. I was meant to start my career with him.
How has the experience in Jaipur been so far?
It's like attending acting school every morning. When would I again get an opportunity to observe and work with actors like Waheeda Rehmanji, Chintu Uncle(Rishi Kapoor), Om Puriji, Deepak Dobriyal, Pawan Malhotra,, Vijay Raaz, Atul Kulkarni, K.K Raina….It's school! It's cool!
Both you and dad are huge fans of Waheedaji?
Who isn't? This is my second film with her after Om Jai Jagdish. I just keep staring at her. Actors would do anything to be in one frame with her.
And what about your co-star Sonam Kapoor?
I saw Saawariya and thought she was wonderful. When I started my career I wasn't half as good as Sonam or Ranbir. It's wonderful to see this whole eager enthusiastic new generation coming in.
source:IndiaFM
Rani moves high court in land ownership case
Bollywood actor Rani Mukherji moved a petition in the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday, challenging the cancellation of her ownership of a piece of land in Maharashtra.
Rani's father Ram Mukherji arrived in Aurangabad and furnished the necessary documents pertaining to the land deal before the registrar of the court.
The petition challenging the Shrirampur sub-divisional officer's (SDO) order directing her to surrender the land in Ningaonkovali village, on the border of Nasik and Ahmednagar districts, will come up for notice before the court on Friday.
Nandkumar Suryavanshi, the SDO, said that earlier there was a sugar factory on the land that was subsequently closed. Since the factory had excess land, the government took it over in accordance with the Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA) and handed it over to the Maharashtra State Farming Corporation (MSFC).
As the land remained unused for a long time, the MSFC sold it to the original owner, a farmer who worked in a hotel in Shirdi town. From the farmer, Rani bought the plot in December 2005 for Rs.3.3 million.
However, when she applied for registration of the plot in her name, the revenue department refused permission and stressed that as it was an agriculture land, only a farmer could buy it.
The deputy collector of Ahmednagar district conducted an inquiry and Rani was asked to pay penalty for buying a farmland. Since the actress failed to pay the penalty, the Shrimanpur SDO ordered her name be deleted from the sale deed.
Suryavanshi told IANS that instead of going to the court, Rani could have availed of the options of either regularising the plot in her name at a reduced penalty or ask to reconsider the decision. "But as per the ULCA, the penalty on her could not have been waived totally," he said.
The actor's father Ram told the media in Aurangabad that Rani did not commit any irregularity in the land purchase.
"The deal was transacted as per the laid down procedure and the payment of the stamp duty. Rani was not the first person to purchase the land - it has changed hands at least six times before Rani bought it," he said.
"The penalty imposed on her is totally unfair. Why did the objection not come up earlier? Is it because she is a celebrity, a Bollywood star? Would this ever have happened if any common man had purchased the land?" he added.
David Dhawan is back with two films
IANS
After an eight-month sabbatical, the irrepressible David Dhawan, who churned out hits like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Biwi No. 1, is back in the swing of things and will direct two films.
"The layoff has done me good. I needed the break from direction, yaar! It's not as if I was sitting idle at home. I was a judge on a dance show ('Nach Baliye'). That I enjoyed thoroughly. I was finalising the scripts for my next two films and spending time with my family," Dhawan told IANS.
Dhawan is teaming up with Govinda for producer Vashu Bhagnani's next film. The duo has given successful films like Hero No. 1, Coolie No.1 and last year's hit movie Partner, which also starred the director's another favourite actor, Salman Khan.
"The first would be for my friend Vashu Bhagnani with my dear friend Govinda in the lead. It'll be an out-and-out David-Govinda dhamaka, the kind that audiences will expect from us," said Dhawan.
"This would be my sixth film with Vashu - can you believe it? We still continue to believe in each other! We're looking for an interesting title for the film. But my next Hook Ya Crook written by Rensil D'Silva is a complete departure from everything I've done so far."
In Bhagnani's untitled film, Dhawan is repeating the Govinda-Lara Dutta pair after Ravi Chopra's Pappu Pass Ho Gaya. The film will also star Riteish Deshmukh.
While the Bhagnani project takes him into familiar territory, Dhawan has decided on a completely new team for Hook Ya Crook.
"Rensil wrote the full script for me immediately after Rang De Basanti. He's an amazing writer. His film for me is unbelievable. I've decided on John Abraham for the lead. One more major leading man has to be selected. This is a darkish film with violence in it. But nothing that would make the audiences alarmed, 'What's wrong with David Dhawan?'
Dhawan's son Rohit is also ready to turn director this year.
"In a couple of months, Rohit will be ready with his project. I'll most probably be producing the film along with a corporate house."
Vidya: My man can be from any walk of life
With two hits - Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Heyy Babyy - in her kitty, Vidya Balan's career is going great guns and she believes the industry has started offering meaty roles to actresses.
"I'm lucky to be a part of the movie industry when leading ladies are no longer decorative. It's providential that I started with Parineeta."
So is she doing her Heyy Babyy director Sajid Khan's next film? "There's been no formal talk on this. Sajid hasn't offered me the role. I've been reading reports that I'm doing the film. Right now he's writing his next film." Vidya had five releases last year - Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Heyy Babyy, Eklavya: The Royal Guard, Salaam-E-Ishq and Guru. She also made a brief appearance in the title song of Om Shanti Om.
"I was very happy about all my five releases in 2007, though some of them didn't do well. From the very start when dada (Pradeep Sarkar) showed so much faith in me by giving me 'Parineeta', the industry has made substantial space for me.
"By the grace of god, there're lots of interesting roles happening. I'm in the process of signing some more. Since I came to cinema, my criteria for signing a role remain unchanged. I've never been in a hurry to get anywhere. Things are happening at a pace I'm enjoying. And I'm not insecure." The actress, who was seen in Rajkumar Santoshi's Halla Bol along with Ajay Devgan this year, has no regrets.
"I don't regret anything. I'm a hopeless optimist. I feel what I've to go through will happen regardless of how much I fight it."
The industry is looking at Akshay Kumar and Vidya as a hit pair after Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
"I'd love for us to be seen that way. Even Katrina Kaif-Akshay look great together. I'd love to work with Akshay again. Yes, we have offers together. He's a great co-star. The icing on the cake is our films together have worked."
In Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Vidya invested demoniacal energy.
"Yes, it was a frightening experience. My director Priyadarshan handled the last 20 minutes of the story when I get into a supernatural rage of dance very intelligently. I love Priyan. He's a man of few words. We even converse in Malayalam."
This year Vidya was supposed to do another film with Priyadarshan. "But there's a problem with the leading man. I'd love to work with Priyan again. I've been fortunate in the fact that directors have signed me more than once."
Any hopes for 2008?
"Add some spice to my own life and not wait for others to do it for me. I would like love to happen. But I'm not holding my breath for it. Yes, there're times when I get lonely. But most of the time I'm quite happy being with my family and myself."
Unlike Preity Zinta, Vidya has made no pledge to stay away from actors in her personal life.
"Some people are doctors, others are actors. My companion can be from any walk of life. If he's an actor we can both carry our own mirrors to the sets and be narcissistic individually. And we can have mirrors all over the house. Instead of looking into each other's eyes, we can look into the mirrors," Vidya joked.
Raj Thackeray watches excerpts from Sarkar Raj
Raj Thackeray, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the man whose remarks and activities of his followers sparked off parochial unrest in Mumbai, has met Bolloywood director Ram Gopal Varma to watch a part of Sarkar Raj.
Loosely based on Shiv Sena's chief Bal Thackeray's life, Sarkar Raj is a sequel to Varma's Sarkar and stars Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in key roles. Raj Thackeray had also taken on Amitabh Bachchan in his diatribe.
"Raj and Varma have been friends for some time now. In fact, when Sarkar was made, it was Raj who coordinated between Varma and the Shiv Sena supremo," a source close to Varma told IANS.
"Raj is keenly interested in movies. So when after chatting up, Varma asked Raj if he wanted to watch some of Sarkar Raj, he readily agreed. He watched about 30 minutes of the film and apparently loved it," the source said.
Raj was amused to see one of the actors in Sarkar Raj resembled him. "Yes, one of the actors does resemble Raj, but his role is not modelled on him," added the source.
Interview with Emraan Hashmi
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network
2006 was an eventful year for Emraan Hashmi. Though he had three releases to his name (GOOD BOY BAD BOY, THE TRAIN, AWARAPAN), only AWARAPAN worked in his favor as it brought him immense critical acclaim. Close to a year after his last release, Emraan gets ready with his latest film JANNAT, yet again with Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt. Joginder Tuteja catches up with the young man to know more about his first release of 2008 - JANNAT.
Q: What character do you potray in JANNAT?
A: The character I play in JANNAT has a whacky and mischievous shades. It is an author backed role. How my character changes from being a street side gambler to that of a man who operates at an international platform brings a completely diverse state of affairs. It is an exciting journey for him in quest of JANNAT as he gets sucked deeper and deeper into the world of cricket.
Q: JANNAT has a lot going along with it - match fixing, betting, Bob Woolmer episode, Azhar and Jadeja scandals. Is there anything more as well?
A: See, references to number of elements that you mention are there in the film though we are not naming any people. JANNAT is not a docu-drama where we start showing the events the way they happened. We are not picking up stars and icons and making their life public. We are here to tell a tale which would certainly have fictional elements as well while keeping the commercial prospects of the film in mind.
Q: Isn't there any fear of censors or any other body?
A: I don't think that censors would have any objections to JANNAT. As I said, we are not picking up people at all. We are talking about things which have actually happened, have been talked about and are generic in nature. Everyone knows to a good extent what really had transpired.
Q: This means JANNAT would boast of yet another shock-fest from the house of Bhatts?
A: Oh, absolutely, you can expect shock value from JANNAT. The good part about the film is that the shock value of the subject is quite relevant even today. In fact if we look closely, in the months gone by, sports have been glorified in Bollywood cinema. CHAK DE INDIA is a living example. Here the world of cricket and what happens beneath will be the focal point of the movie. The film will also bring to light other issues around cricket. (Laughs) Thankfully the post World Cup slump period is over and cricket is back to riding high with India's win over Australia.
Q: With the film having cricket as a backdrop, what part does a leading lady have to play?
A: In building the character graph of the protagonist, it is essential to showcase the relationships he has shared in his life. Why just this film, even if you look at a film which belongs to the horror genre, it is but natural to have a basic premise of a man-woman relationship. There is no point getting away from that. In the film too, the girl plays an important role in the protagonist's journey in the quest for JANNAT. Newcomer Sonal Chauhan is being launched with JANNAT and she has done a very good job in the film.
Q: Other than Sonal Chauhan, even film's director Kunal Deshmukh is a newcomer. How was the experience being a veteran on the sets?
A: This may be Kunal's first film as an independent director but he is not a novice. He has assisted Mohit Suri in 3-4 films. He has done a phenomenal job in the film and that pretty much comes from the fact that he is a die hard cricket fanatic. He knows in and out about the film's subject and has done a thorough research. There was a certain look he wanted to give to the film and I am proud to see the way he has accomplished that.
Q: How exactly?
A: Well, he has got a love story imbibed well into the script even as the film has a basic wallpaper of cricket. Even though he is a debutant director, you hardly get a feel that he is handling a project for the first time. For certain projects you get a feel that things are going quite right. Positive vibes get generated, you know. JANNAT is one of those projects.
Rajnikanth blasts Karnataka over water project
Chennai(IANS) Tamil film star Rajnikanth launched a blistering attack Friday against his native state Karnataka for opposing the Hogenekkal drinking water project in Tamil Nadu.
'I unequivocally condemn Karnataka for this reprehensible act of denying us what is rightfully ours,' Rajnikanth said.
Anger was writ large on the visage of the ageing superstar when he warned politicians in Karnataka against 'using a false premise for (short term gains) during elections'.
'A national political party I respect is forcing me to wonder by its despicable acts whether there is (rule of law) in this country (guaranteed by) the Supreme Court,' Rajnikanth argued.
'Don't people who indulge in mindless violence for a worthless cause deserve to be belaboured?' he asked, speaking near the Chepaul cricket stadium where Tamil film stars were on hunger strike in support of the water project in Dharmapuri district, 350 km southwest of Chennai.
'I appeal to people like (former Karnataka Chief Ministers B.S.) Yediyurappa, (H.D.) Kumaraswamy and (former prime minister H.D.) Deve Gowda to desist from whipping up (chauvinistic) sentiments purely aimed at the (ensuing) elections and nip this fissiparous tendency in the bud before the situation gets out of hand,' Rajnikanth added.
Rajnikanth, whose mother tongue is Marathi, hails from Bengalooru where he has considerable investments. He has also played the male lead in several Kannada films.
A galaxy of stars including Kamal Hassan, Vijaykanth and Sarath Kumar made an impassioned appeal to Karnataka to give up its 'unjust quest'.
At the end of the fast, a joint resolution on behalf of the Tamil film fraternity was adopted. It assured Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi of the tinsel town's total support in his fight to achieve justice for the state.
WELCOME BACK Akshay, Anil, Nana, Kat, Mallika!
Bollywood Trade News Network
WELCOME enjoyed the grandeur success and rave reviews from all corners. It even broke all records turning out as a true Box-office champ.
Few days' back we even told you that WELCOME completed 100 days. It is counted as one of the solid blockbusters of 2007 grossing maximum moolah not only in India but overseas also. Later it was also released in Pakistan where it again made a good business and was well appreciated by the audience there.
Now seeing such overwhelming response Firoz Nadiadwala is so much so impressed that he is planning for the sequel titled as WELCOME BACK. This sequel will have the same star cast - Akshay Kumar, Anil kapoor, Nana Patekar, Katrina kaif, Mallika Sherawat.
So fasten your belts again for the hilarious sequel to come!
After London, Durban, Anupam's next destination is US
Mumbai(IANS) Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is literally going places - setting up acting schools in London and Durban. He now plans to open a branch in the US.
'We've completed all the formalities. The school in London will start some time in June, while the one in Durban takes off in August 2008,' Anupam told IANS.
'In 2007, I started new branches of my school in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. What started as a very small and sincere effort to share my acting skills with newcomers has now spread to three continents. For our acting school, the proudest achievement in 2007 was Deepika Padukone. Yes, she's our product,' added the actor Anupam, who was trained at the National School of Drama in Delhi.
The 'Saransh' star is the only actor in the world with acting schools in Asia, Europe and South Africa.
From Ang Lee's 'Lust, Caution' to lead India, 2007 has been an extraordinary of triumphs for the actor.
'Yes, when I look back on the year I do feel a great sense of satisfaction. I did quite a large number of films, good and not-so-good! In addition I went to Israel to do the commentary in a six-dimensional film on India and its culture, and then I gave my voice to an international animation film, in which I played an Indian horse.
'But I guess my biggest achievement is my acting school. I'm very proud of our students. The one in Mumbai is so successful that we've to take two batches of students instead one this year.'
Bachchan concerts to feature Saif Ali Khan and Madhuri Dixit
Mumbai(IANS) The 'Unforgettable' concerts in July that will see the Bachchan clan of Bollywood perform live across Europe and United States has new glamour quotient.
Saif Ali Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit (Nene) will join Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai at different venues across Britain and the US, a source close to the family said.
Riteish Deshmukh, Bipasha Basu and Akshay Kumar are also part of the entourage.
'Saif and Shahid showed absolutely no hesitation in joining the Bachchans on their tour. The price being offered was fine and the dates for venues where they'll perform also worked out to their convenience. As for Madhuri, it would be the easiest thing in the world to join the Bachchans for the concerts in the US because that's where she lives,' the source said.
Lara Dutta had opted out of the concert earlier. 'There's much more to her sudden withdrawal from the concert than a painful knee,' a source said, without elaborating further.
I will make my mother watch my new movie: Esha Deol
Mumbai(IANS) Actress Esha Deol, who has played a loud Tamilian in the comedy 'One Two Three', has one regret - that her mother Hema Malini, a true-blue Tamilian, was not around to watch her recently released comic caper.
'My mother has become quite a jet-setter travelling all over the place for her dance recitals. She's in Kolkata right now. I'll make her see 'One Two Three' as soon as she returns,' Esha told IANS.
The boisterous bit on screen notwithstanding, Esha stood out at the premiere of the movie in her chic makeup and elegant gown. 'I guess I wanted to create a contrast to my loud brassy character in the film. People see me as a tomboy. But I can be quite a lady if I want to be,' she said.
Esha is now gearing up for the release of her first action film 'Hijack'.
'But let me warn you, I don't do any of the kickboxing and all that stuff I'm dying to do on screen one day. Though this is a hijack-adventure story, all the action converges on Shiney Ahuja. I'm the airhostess and therefore very timid and gentle. The director, Kunal Shivdasani, made sure I don't jump out of character suddenly. It's a very realistic action drama,' the actress said.
She dismisses stories of her differences with Shiney. 'I don't know where that came from. Shiney and I had a great time shooting 'Hijack',' Esha said.
'Hijack' would be Esha's last film for a while. 'I haven't signed anything. And I won't until something worthwhile comes along.'
Preity Zinta hurt at IPL launch
Mumbai(IANS) Actress Preity Zinta, co-owner of the Indian Premier League's Mohali team, suffered a minor injury during its formal launch in Mohali, on the outskirts of Chandigarh.
'I don't know how it happened,' Preity said. 'But in the melee at the launch (Monday), an elbow came and hit me straight in the eye. I had to go through the event with a black eye wearing dark glasses.'
Eyewitnesses said there was a huge rush at the launch, and somebody appeared to have thrown something at Preity. As one of her bodyguards lunged to catch whatever had been thrown, his elbow appeared to have hit Preity in the eye.
After the event, the actress spent the evening nursing her eye with ice packs.
'It will swell a bit. I guess it's bound to happen when one is in such situations,' she said.
The IPL Mohali team is led by Yuvraj Singh. The tournament starts April 18.
Sandhya Mridul oozes oomph at Lakme Fashion Week
Mumbai(IANS) Bollywood actor Sandhya Mridul created a flutter at the Lakme Fashion Week as she swayed and oozed oomph on the ramp in an outfit designed by Priya Kataria Puri.
Decked in an off-white single shoulder short dress with asymmetrical hemline, the actor kicked off the show here late Sunday.
Her outfit was embellished with golden embroidery and a belt with geometric motifs. She sported a buffoon hairdo and carried an oversize golden flower clutch bag.
'Priya and I are childhood friends and she is very special to me. I usually defy glamour but when she called me up saying 'I need the attitude that you have', I couldn't refuse her,' Sandhya told IANS.
With lounge music as the background score and blue velvet curtains at the entrance to the ramp, models set the ramp ablaze sporting cowl neck dresses, two-in-one ensembles stitched like kaftans on one side and fitted on the other, dresses with puffed cap sleeves, ruffled hemlines, sash and lots of disco ball shimmer.
Models also sashayed down the runways in saris, skirts, kurtas with churidars and stoles. 'My collection, 'Bombay Glam', draws inspiration from Mumbai because as a child when I used to fly to the city with my mother, the air hostesses dressed in silk sarees and buffoon hairstyles fascinated me,' Puri said.
'Moreover, somehow or the other everyone is connected to Bollywood and Mumbai,' she added.
The colour palette was dominated by subtle hues - olives, off-whites, muted goldens, pinks, grays, greens and blacks. 'I used fabrics like Benarasi silk, taffeta, satins, chiffons, georgettes and brocades. The brocades have floral prints and have been imported from France and parts of Europe and printed in India. The fabrics are so rich in themselves that I used muted shades,' she said.
'I also wanted to revive traditional Indian fabrics that our designers are slowly forgetting,' she added. The show ended with Gregory David Roberts, author of book, 'Shantaram' and Puri's muse Francoise Sturdza, Princess of Romania, dancing for a few minutes on the runway.
'A muse makes the work of a designer so easy. Princess Francoise is a true princess by heart and that's why I selected her as my muse,' Puri said.
While Roberts sported a black suit and white shirt, Francoise was attired in a knee length beige dress in muted pink and green floral prints, highlighted with lots of shimmer.
'She creates such fantastic clothes, it can be worn anywhere - in India or outside,' Roberts said.
The princess added: 'I am not only smitten by Puri's creative brilliance, but she is also a very beautiful human being. All her designs are so feminine. I just love her collection.'
Model-turned-actor Anupama Verma was also present at the show. 'Whether I walk the ramp or not, I try my best to attend Puri's show as she is a friend of mine. I love her work.'
The five-day fashion fete, underway at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), will close April 2.