Paathshala's good opening

Eros International and Paperdoll Entertainment’s ‘Paathshaala’ that hit the theatres today has done well on its opening day. Starring Nana Patekar, Shahid Kapoor and Ayesha Takia, Paathshaala has received a favorable opening and has succeeded in pulling audiences to the theatres. The movie received a grand opening all over India. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur started with 40-50 percent which has gone higher in subsequent shows. In Hyderabad, Punjab and Indore too it opened to 50-60 percent and is expected to go up show wise. In Mumbai city also Cinemax, Fun Republic and Fame Adlabs received a good turnover on the opening day.

zz up!

3 idiots to cross 65 Cr

3 Idiots is crusuing ahead to be a hit !

As per media report in Business Standard Aamir Khan-starrer raked in Rs 12.5 crore on Friday. Experts estimate the movie to net Rs 40 crore over the first weekend from the box office, with gross collections of Rs 65 crore. Khan’s last release, Ghajini, earned around Rs 40 crore net in the first four days, since the movie released on a Thursday. Aamir Khan said as quoted in Business Standard : “The response is huge, we are still gathering the enormity of opening collections. To match Ghajini’s opening day collections is something, to surpass Ghajini is completely overwhelming.” “3 Idiots would set the record for the biggest opening of this year,” added Ashish Saksena, COO, BIG Cinemas.

Bigg Boss - 3 : Vindu wins all, winner & boldest contestant prize !

Vindu is the Bigg Boss 3 Winner. Vindu Dara Singh son of Dara Singh is the winner of Bigg Boss 3. The grand finale was held today at Lonavala. He was selected by the vote of 'desh' as he says. It is Desh Ka Adesh !

Vindu will be awarded with a prize money of Rs.1 crore. The ultimate decision was announced in the presence Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan who has been hosting the current session. Vindu also won a Chevrolet Cruze car as being the boldest and stylish contestant in Bigg Boss -3 !

Vindu is Bigg Boss Winner

Vindu Dara Singh is Bigg Boss -3 winner. He also wins a cruze for being boldest and stylish in Bigg Boss - season 3. Vindu wins 1 crore and a cruze car.

Poonam out of Bigg Boss

Poonam is third and is out. Now the fight is between Parvesh & Vindu !!! Any guesses

Will Poonam be the winner of Bigg Boss-3 ?

Competition is tough among last three left out in Bigg Boss-3, this season. All three can make it big. But rumours are abuzz that Poonam will emerge as the winner. If she wins she will be the first female contestant who will win Bigg Boss. She will get Rs 1 cr as winning amount. It is still to be guessed who gets the car !

Who will win Bigg Boss 3 ?

The last day of Bigg Boss Season 3. Total 3 are left out contestants (Vindu Dara Singh, Poonam Dhillion and Pravesh Rana) out of which one will win the contest & get the total amount of Rs one croreIf we see the previous episodes of the show then we’ll find that both of the event has given us male winners as Rahul Roy & Ashutosh Kaushik respectively. If it is male than the competition is little tougher for Vindu and Pravesh Rana.

So will it be Poonam the first female contestant to win - Let see ! But feelers for PD are high !

Saif and Kareena to be on Vacation

Media is buzz with news that 'Lovebirds' Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor are planning to spend some quality time with their parents - Kapoors and Pataudis at the palatial family home of Pataudis in New Delhi. News Channel were also reporting that Karishma will also join this home coming !

Media story says that now that Kareena's 3 Idiots has released, she has free time before her next schedule begins in January. And Saif is not shooting, so there was no reason to be in the city. "Every year, Kareena and her family attend midnight mass in a Bandra church and then have a turkey dinner at home. But this year, they will be at the Pataudi House for Christmas and then New Year. Even her sister Karisma Kapoor will be joining them," adds the source.

Bebo is also inviting her designer Shabina Khan for the occasion. Tusshar Kapoor was also invited but he had a previous commitment.

Three cheers for 3 Idiots

3 Idiots is not about idiots. It's about 3 engineering students who believe in doing things on their terms. That's what they achieve and that's what Hirani, Chopra, and Aamir achieve, too: making a movie on their terms ! The film is fresh and funny. Movie has opened well today. Though still early days but trade pundits are saying it is going to be a hit. While their are some critics which say that it falls short of Munnabhai standards, but yet an entertainer.

Produced by Vinod Chopra Productions, 3 Idiots was distributed in collaboration with Reliance Big Pictures. Made on an estimated budget of Rs 35 crore, 3 Idiots has been released with 1,894 prints, of which 1,550 went to the Indian market and 344 went overseas.

New Quiz Master on TV Screen - Saurav Ganguly

PTI reports that former Indian cricket captain Saurav Ganguly will be seen in a new role. Instead of willow, the cricket star would be holding a speaker in his hand and will be seen compering a Bengali reality show on the small screen.The retired former national skipper has already signed a contract with Z Bangla, a popular Bengali television channel in the city, to conduct the weekly show, according to a report published in the Ananda Bazar Patrika.

The report quoting Saurav said, "Yes I have agreed to this proposal. So far I know I have to conduct a quiz show." Though the exact format of the show, likely to be named "Dadagiri" is yet to be finalised, a source said it would include a quiz.To start with there would be 72 episodes likely to be increased if the show becomes popular, the report added.

Kings & queens are in cards, not Bollywood: Kareena

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor is not vying for the crown of Bollywood queen despite her hit performances and high profile brand endorsements because she feels that kings and queens only exist in a pack of playing cards.

'I think kings and queens are in cards, not in Bollywood,' Kareena told reporters at an event here Saturday. Now Kareen is looking forward to the release of a number of films in her kitty including Rajkumar Hirani's 'Three Idiots' and Sajid Nadiadwala's 'Kambakkht Ishq'. In 'Three Idiots', she stars opposite Aamir Khan. In 'Kambakkht Ishq', she will be sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar for the seventh time.

'Aamir ki Pathshala' for IIM (A) students

As per PTI reports, Aamir Khan today shared his 20 years of experience in the film industry in a lecture addressed to Indian Institute of Management (Ahemdabad) students. This was part of institute's elective course "Introduction to Contemporary Film Industry". The corporatisation of Indian Film Industry has aroused interest in the premier B-school of country, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) to study the nitty-gritty of Bollywood and they had introduced this course. As a part of this course, which started from December, for students studying in institutes flagship post-graduate diploma programme, Aamir Khan was invited as a guest faculty by the IIM-A.

Aamir's 'pathshala' lasted for about two hours in the IIM-A. Khan today discussed the kind of challenges he faced during the start of his career, and the kind of scripts and directors he aspired to work with, a student at IIM-A who attended the class of Aamir Khan said.Khan also presented analysis of his successful films and why they became so successful and he also discussed his flops with reasons why they did not click ?

The DESIRE

THE DESIRE Indo Chinese project has completed its first shoot schedule in Kerela successfully. It is a passionate film which will mainly deal with dance, music, art, culture and emotions. It is being produced by Sharad Hegde for C- 9 Motion Pictures in association with Indish Creations. Directed by R. Sarath, THE DESIRE star cast includes Chinese super star Xia Yu, Shilpa Shetty, Jaya Prada, Anupam Kher, Sheetal Menon and Nakul Vaid. Its music is by A.R. Rahman. The story of THE DESIRE mainly revolves around an accomplished Odissi dancer and a talented artist. It's today story, but rises from the small cities of India.

Padma Shri for Akshay & Aishwarya

Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai have been honoured with the Padma Shri Award, top civilian honours in the country, for their contribution to the field of cinema. This has been a phenomenal month in terms of recognition and rewards for Akshay. Singh Is Kinng will also get prestigious RAAM awards nominations. So congrats to both of them and cheers to fan of Akshay & Aishwarya !

Shankar - Ehsaan -Loy - Gulzar with NDTV on save environment campaign

NDTV, musical trio, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and the seasoned Lyricist; Gulzar have come together with NDTV to launch an anthem to save the environment. This green anthem - "Hawaein, Patte, Paani" is a clarion call for people to take action instead of being just mute spectators to the continued degradation of the earth. The NDTV-Toyota Environment Telethon, launched earlier this year, is aimed at creating awareness about issues related to climate change, and how each one of us can make a difference and help create a cleaner, greener tomorrow. Commenting on their creation, musician Shankar Mahadevan, said, "The minute we heard that NDTV is taking steps towards saving the environment, our first reaction was that it was a much needed thing. We don't know whether this song is going to transform the way people look at the environment completely but even if we are able to make one percent of change, we will achieve what we want to. Music is a very powerful medium...it has communicated in the past and definitely will this time as well".

Ehsaan Noorani too was elated about being associated with an environment awareness song. "Music, the way it is in India, is all about Bollywood and entertainment. It's not about protests, and people don't do anything about using music to protest. We have been associated earlier with movements like cancer and AIDS awareness, and I think it's wonderful that we can be associated with a movement to save the environment". Loy Mendonsa has already taken steps on the personal front to save energy. "I have replaced all the bulbs in my house. I am not fond of tube lights; I like yellow lights. So I have put in energy savers as the first step. I hope I can cut down the use of the A/C. It's a long road and I have got to do my part".

Log on to green.ndtv.com to listen and download this foot-tapping number that's sure to get you to your feet to save the environment. Take the pledge for a greener and better future with the NDTV-Toyota Environment Telethon!

Golmal Returns with lots of expectations

Sequel of Golmal - ‘Golmal returns’ will be released during Diwali ! Promos of the film state that it is going to be a blast this Diwali. The film is a sequel to year’s 2006 ‘Golmal’. It is expected to be a comedy and fun filled entertainer, will have lot of expectations and hopefully will get a good opening. The movie stars Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Amrita Arora, Shreyas Talpade, Celina Jaitley, Tusshar Kapoor and Anjana Sukhani. Pritam has composed films music and film producer is Dhilin Mehta and Directed by Rohit Shetty. The sequel will have three actress unlike ‘Golmal’ wherein it was one to three actors !

Rohit Shetty, Director wwhile speaking to media said that the film is full of gigs and since anyone who gets a tattoo becomes fodder for TV coverage, he decided to incorporate it in the film too ! This time we have tattoo of word ‘Saif ‘ on Arshad Warsi chest !! Though denied as it being a spoof will evoke debate and interest !. Though the prequel to Golmal Returns is 2006 hit Golmal. But when ever one talks of Golmal one is also reminded of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Golmal starring Utpal Dutt and Amol Palekar. And off course Utpal Dutt’s famous quote ‘A moustache is the mirror of the human soul and mind’, which he himself denounces away at the end of film !! The film was about wherein characters get into corny situations from which they extricate themselves only after extravagant bursts of imagination. Many critics do still feel that was the best of Golmal’s but the one in 2006 was a hit and let’s wait till Diwali as the ‘Returns’ hit the theatres !!

Alina evicted from Bigg Boss – 2

Alina Wadiawala’s was the fifth participant who has been evicted from Bigg Boss season – 2. As the Bigg boss house was settling in with its new house entrant Diana Hayden. It was turn of one eviction, and the two nominated last week were Alina Wadiawala and Raja Chaudhury. Raja Chaudhury survived. And after Sanjay Nirupam, Rahki Vijan, Monica Bedi, Ketaki Dave, it was turn of Alina Wadiwala's to be evicted. Alina becomes the fourth lady to be shown the door. Alina was non celebrity participant in the show and was not a part of the backbiting and fighting going on in the house. But she was nominated by fellow housemates and was in the danger zone for the last two weeks, and was evicted yesterday night.

Sweety voted out of Bigg Boss -2

Sweety (Rakhi Vijan) of the comedy serial Hum Paanch was voted out of Bigg Boss - 2 the reality show which is on air at Colors TV Channel. This is the second week of the programme. Though she described her stay "Fantastic" and found Rahul Mahajan as the sweetest among all. Both Rahul and Rakhi were nominated last week by the house members last week and then it was decided by the sms poll from the people who would be evicted within the two. Interestingly all the ones evicted ones had some kind of tiff with Sambhavna Seth , another participant at the show. It was earlier Sanjay Nirupam, the politcian who was voted out last week. He had some heated debates with Sambhavna and now Rakhi. ! In this week episode the K queen Ekta Kapoor and Tusshar Kapoor made a special appearance at the Friday's show to promote their film 'C Kkompany'.

Aamir Khan's two faced Tata Sky ad

TATA SKY had roped in Aamir Khan as their brand ambassador. He will be on air with new advertisement where he plays a double role of a ‘bride and a groom’. He enacts a discussion between bride and groom on honeymoon night wherein both are played by him. One half of Aamir is dressed in a pink salwar-kameez and dupatta plays a Punjabi girl, while the other half in a blue sherwani with moustache. Aamir as always is different. This is going to be a part of campaign that encapsulates television, print, outdoor and radio along with on-ground activities and marketing on a digital platform.

In fact, now two Khans are endorsing the two products in similar category. While Shahrukh has been endorsing Dish TV country’s largest direct-to-home (DTH) company and now the second largest Tata Sky, is using Aamir Khan to push the sales further. It is time to see when other Khans, Salman and Saif too join the bandwagon of products in similar categories. This new Tata Sky ad is creation of Rediffusion DY&R, which aims to strengthen the brand Tata Sky.

Aamir Khan does ad campaigns or movie wherein he uses lot of creativity and also has his new looks. That’s why they are different from the regular ones. We all remember Coca Cola ads, Titan Ads, and at present he is the brand ambassador for Samsung mobile phones with his new look. He is also the brand ambassador of Incredible India, the country’s tourism promotion site and will be involved in a drive to create awareness about tourism and the attitude towards tourists. Though unlike his movie career wherein he is very selective, for advertisements he has increased his quota.

By Anil - source http://www.merinews.com/

Pune - Priyanka and Shahid fell off a bike at shooting

Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapur fell off a bike while shooting for Vishal Bharadwaj's film Kaminay. The accident took place in Pune while a scene that required Priyanka to ride a bike with Shahid on the back seat was being shot. The two were riding the bike on a slope that was slightly muddy when the two-wheeler skidded and the two fell off. And to make matter worse, the bike fell on top of them. "By god's grace, I am fine and so is Shahid, except for a few cuts and bruises. I think the only thing that is seriously damaged is my ego, otherwise I am alive and kicking," Priyanka was quoted as saying in her press statement.

Pooja Bedi the latest celebrity blogger !

Pooja Bedi has also now new member of blogging club. After Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Aamir & Salman Khan's, Ajay Devgan, its she who has her own blog.Pooja, known for her vocal and direct approach, intends to share her experiences, thoughts, and opinions and reveal her real side to her fans via the blog. "This blog is my way of saying there's a lot more to me than just a sum of all the parts people tend to gossip about. I am what I am and through this blog, you will get to know the real me," said Pooja in a message posted on her blog which is online now.

http://www.poojabediblogs.blogspot.com/.

New task at Bigg Boss house

As per One India website the 2nd task of the Bigg Boss house is that all the housemates have to sit together and the Bigg Boss has given them a list of questions to ask each one... in the duration of 3 minutes. The questions are ask follows:From where have you come?Where do you belong to?Most important moment of your lifeOne thing that changed your lifeReason for being in Bigg BossWhy you want to win the prize money?After these questions it's an open forum, where the housemates ask questions to each other, but only till the time the alarm ring.

Bigg Boss -2 : Celebrities chained and sleepless !

Day one in Bigg Boss house – cool it – all of them took it light, wake up time, 9 am except Ehsaan and Ketaki who were bit early, enjoyed Egg Bhurji at the breakfast. To offset their great sleep on day one as a part of their weekly job, partners have been chained and the entire gang will have sleep time of 100 hours with till next Wednesday afternoon. That is all the time they can sleep ! It going to be fun as they will not be able to get the sleep as it was on day one.

More is happening in Bigg Boss house …
Goody is Gudi ! well that is the new name of ‘Jade Goody’ the only foreign participant in Bigg Boss. Sambhawna, the item girl is trying to teach her dance style to Jade Goody !!.

In open discussion Jade did share her experiences of Big Brother, and her point of view probably to better her image in India. Rahul Mahajan was being considerate to her and volunteered to translate. Rahul is proding Monica on personal issues like which jail she went to ?? - tough one on her. Action is on !!

On day one all participants were divided into partners, which they did by using ‘chit’ and they landed like this : Zulfi – Rahul, Sambhawana- Ashutosh, Monica – Ehsaan, Ketaki – Raja, Sanjay- Rakhi, Payal- Jade, Elina – Deobjit. Keeping the tradition of Athiti Devo Bhawa, Bigg Boss has given safe guard to Jade and lucky Payal her partners was also put into the safe zone. Both of them will not be nominated from the eviction this week. In the nomination Raja and Sanjay are the ones which have got nominated by the participants for eviction one of them will be out. Raja got 10 votes while Sanjay 5 for eviction from the participants.

Rajiv Gandhi Awards - Lara, Saif, Yukta and Darsheel get honours

The Annual Rajiv Gandhi awards honoured people from different walks of life who have achieved excellence in their respective fields on Aug 17, 2008. Saif Ali Khan was awarded the Best Actor trophy while Lara Dutta was awarded Best Actress and Darsheel was awarded as a child prodigy.

Others who recieved awards were footballer Bhaichung Bhutia for the most inspiring sports personality, model turned actress Yukta Mookhey, Anna Hazare for social service, Mehul Choksi for innovative marketing, Sunny Varkey for education, Sameer Gehlaut as the young enterpreuner and Vandana Luthra as the Women Achiever. Indian wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as "The Great Khali" was not present to receive his award for Super Achiever Wrestler.

While Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Rakhee Sawant performed on the occasion along with Navin Prabhakar who added the laughter on the show.

Product placement through movies soar

Using movies to promote brands has assumed significance in India. In fact, the tag-line of a product is being integrated with the title of a movie being made by established producers. But measuring the success of this strategy is tricky..

MARKETING WHIZ kids are now trying to engage consumers with emotional connections. They are using Bollywood to promote their brands by arranging adequate exposure in films. One can see celebrities using these brands in the film – the camera closes up on the brand name for the benefit of the viewers. Cinema has a lot of influence on young minds. Cinema represents one of the faster growing markets in the world and hence marketers are using this vehicle to push their brand, increase brand recall and convey the brand’s association with celebrities. This helps in offsetting costs - costs have been rising steadily these days; costs associated with film production and marketing have been soaring. Products used by the celebrity-actors become a topic of debate which is what the marketers want sometimes! But it depends on how the product is projected in the film. At what point of time of the film’s on-screen progress it is shown, also matters. If the product matches the celebrity’s characteristics, it can really help in increasing the sale of the product in question. Product placement, regarded just as another marketing tool hitherto, has now emerged as a key strategy in both Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

Recently, Subaye.com Inc announced that it had bagged a one million USD contract for product-placement advertising in three international movies. Sports goods, digital electronic products and cars would be advertised in this manner in three of MyStarU’s films. Companies like Sony Ericsson and the manufacturer of Swatch brand wristwatches have used James Bond 007 movies to promote their brands. Recently, in Bollywood, it was announced that Mountain Dew, from the PepsiCo stable, would be promoted through the upcoming movie, ‘Mission Istanbul - Darr ke aagey Jeet hai’. The movie is being jointly produced by Balaji Motion Pictures Ltd and Suniel Shetty’s Popcorn Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd. According to the arrangement, Mountain Dew’s tag-line will be integrated into the title of the movie. This is the first time that a brand’s philosophy and its tag-line have been integrated with a movie’s title.

Lots of discussions are on to work out the right mechanism to monitor the impact and effectiveness of product placement in movies. One does hear that in US, agencies are trying to work out a method to measure the effectiveness of advertising and product placement either by asking the viewers to fill out surveys on-line after they watch their favourite shows or by measuring the viewer recall generated by product placement. But this is an area which needs more research even as the money being spent on it soars!

Politician, TV/Film stars, singer, comedian crowd Bigg Boss house !

It is going to be sleazy when you have many - who have had hyped controversies plus add to that sleaze is stand up comedian and politcian !. What to say - that is Bigg Boss start up of season -2. It is back with a with bang on ‘Colors’ channel with its host Shipla Shetty. It started today on August 17, 2008. Bigg Boss was hit when it was launched by Endemol on Sony TV and with Arshad Warsi as its host. This time it will have new 14 celebrities including one international celebrity which will be watched inside a room with 32 cameras for 24 x 7 hours for 3 months. This time around halls of men and women will only be separated by mirror. Well their was lot of guesses this time with many names floating around but finally 14 who will be watched in this the house are as follows -

Ketaki dave - Famous for “Arr..ra…raa,” tagline that epitomizes Ketaki Dave in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’.

Zulfi Syed is an Indian model turned actor. He won the Gladrags Manhunt in 1997.This tall, good looking & charming supermodel made his debut in Bollywood with "Pyasa" opposite Yukta Mookhey & Aftab.Zulfi has done a lot of modelling and has been featured in numerous music videos of Anu Malik's "Dhuan Dhuan..". He is single as of now and ready to mingle

Monica Bedi – She is one her second winning. On July 25, 2007 she was released from the Chanchalguda Central Jail. Now a year later, she is entering another house. One the first show she performed on the stage after eight years before entering Big Boss house. She is now facing camera again after her time in jail. Am sure Bhopal police wala will watch her closely as they are the one who saw her closely when she was taken their in regard to her case.

Raja Choudhury – An actor who got into fame due to the problem he had with popular actress Shweta Tiwari, his wife.

Rakhi Tandon – Well who can forget this the sweety bubbly Rakhi Tandon of Hum Paanch fame. Dressed in a casual avatar, she didn’t reflect her effervescent self
Rahul Mahajan - son of the late Pramod Mahajan.
Sambhavan Seth Item girl Sambhavna Seth who has appeared in many films like 36 China Town, Wadh, Zameer etc might finally be noticed for something apart from her vital stats. The moment she enetered Bigg Boss houes she wanted to be in boys room !!

Ehsaan Quershi – That was surprise !! and was not talked even before the lauch The great laughter challenge show stand up comedian Ehsaan Qureshi

Elina Wadia is youngest Bigg Boss and no celebrity participant on the show. She is no tension girl and loves shopping; pink is her favourite colour and loves Shahrukh.

Payal Rohatgi – glamorous sleazy actress who was last seen in the 2007 movie Dhol will also be seen in film Dil Kabaddi is now a part of the Bigg Boss.

Ashutosh Kaushik, a dhaba owner who won MTV Roadies is one the show.

Sanjay Nirupam a politician – who was born in the remote village of Rohtas in Bihar. He was one of the leaders of Shiv Sena for many years till he had resigned from Shv Sena in March 2005 and later on joined Congress

Jade Goody – The British celebrity who was evicted from Britain’s celebrity Big Brother last year after she had made racist remarks on Shilpa. This time roles will be reversed. Jade Goody will be the only foreigner among a house full of Indian celebrities. Shilpa Shetty will be her only link to the outside world.

Debajit the Singer and Elina Wadia are the last two participant of the show. Elina is the youngest participant of Bigg Boss. Well no celebrity participant on the show. She is no tension girl and loves shopping, pink is her favourite colour and loves Shahrukh.

Now with all 14 in the house, the show begins which will glue viewers on to the TV everyday (Monday to Sunday), at 10:00pm.

Priyanka & Bobby's Chamku - will it revive them ?

Chamku is uncoventional film starring Priyanka Chopra and Bobby Deol - both of them needing a hit. Chamku played by Bobby Deol is story of little innocent boy when his family was brutally murdered. Raised up by the Naxalites in the southern interiors of Bihar, he was trained and molded into a fine young man who does not know what fear is. Later on after being picked up under a cover by government programme, he is trained to kill. As an Hero he is the best among his tribe and thus begins the numerous crime operations, encounters and political assassinations. Turnaround in is attitude has been brought about by his mind which inhaled the intoxicating fragrance of love. So what feelings and emotional turmoil his mind must be going through when it is held between the addictive attraction towards his lady love and his dark past which is also pulling him with full force into its bowels The action thriller 'Chamku' is directed by Kabeer Kaushik and is a Dharmendra production. Priyanka Chopra plays the hero's lady love. The other main characters of the movie are handled by Irrfan Khan, Danny Denzongpa, Ritesh Deshmukh, Arya Babbar and Rajpal Yadav.

Jade Goody in, Sherlyn out from Bigg Boss season -2

British actor Jade Goody, arrived in Mumbai on Friday to participate in the Indian show 'Bigg Boss . She had hit headlines fro her remarks on Shilpa Shety in Big Brother. However this time, Shilpa will not be Goody's house-mate, but her 'host'. Goody landed in Mumbai by Virgin Airlines this morning and drove to Lonavala, where the 'Bigg Boss' will be shot. Meanwhile Sherlyn Chopra had denied her participation in Bigg Boss as her demands had not been met. She had demanded one crore a month and had wanted cameras to be placed even in the bathrooms for her to flaunt her bikinis while bathing, which the producers didn’t agree to - a miss for many !

The first look of Bigg Boss house !

Bigg boss season 2 starts on colours from Aug 17 ,2008 which is being hosted by Shilpa Shetty this time. Here is first look at Bigg Boss house where 14 contestants will be hosted. Located 200 kms away from Mumbai and sprawled over 10,000 square feet of land, the Bigg Boss will feature 14 contestants whose movements will be tracked over 84 days, 24* 7 by 32 cameras.

Shilpa to host new Bigg Boss on Colors !

Shilpa Shetty, will be hosting the “Bigg Boss Season 2” show to be started on Colors TV channel. It will have 14 contestants who will leave their families behind and prepare to live – cut off from the world -- in the Bigg Boss house built on the outskirts of Mumbai. Thirty-two cameras will capture each and every move of the contestants. Bigg Boss will give the contestants some tasks on a daily or weekly basis through which they will earn their weekly budget.

Why sell Horlicks Darsheel ?

Taare Zameen Par's Darsheel Safary is now in ad market, minting money for himself and of course will be wooing kids to make Horlicks part of their daily lives.

Darsheel is Horlicks's brand ambassador. The TV ad of Horlicks will be his first TV commercial wherein he is seen as a school kid who gets infatuated with a charming classmate. In his attempt to look cool to impress the girl, he ends up making a fool of himself. As a solution, Horlicks gives him a simple and easy way to look cool. The advertisement ends with Safary successfully impressing the girls with trendy sunglasses. The sunglasses came free with 500 gm packs of butterscotch, pistachio and chocolate flavoured Horlicks. By the way Darsheel does Horlicks really do that you do in ad ? Have you be using Horlicks before you became its brand ambassador ?

A question that you need to scatch your soul for its answers. You have a great image, contribute it for children of India who suffer and then you earn out of it - not a problem. Why not become brand ambassador for some children's cause ?
blogathonindia, blogathonindia1

Aamir Khan crops his hair for Ghajini

Recently, there has been a lot of gossips going on and the media was buzzing with news from various sources that Aamir Khan will go bald for his role in his upcoming film ‘Ghajini’. But at the premier of Abbas-Mastan’s thriller, ‘Race’, he stunned everyone with his new look, whereby he did not go bald. Instead, he had a small crop with ‘marks’ (that will be ‘scars’ in the film) in between his small hairline. Totally unexpected as always! Kiran Rao, who was with him at the premier, finds his new look ‘hot’. Media went abuzz to catch his new look, and of course, his bytes! He did steal away a lot of media glare from others at the launch.

Khan is a man, who, with almost his every new film, goes into hibernation and comes out with a new version of ‘Aamir Khan’, which fits perfectly into the character he is playing in the film. Lot of efforts have been made to match Khan’s looks with the character he is playing in the film, because he does not want to use wigs. Even before the launch of the movie, he becomes the ‘center of attraction’ wherever he goes, and this definitely creates a lot of hype about him. For me, he is the master makeover man and stands to his repute of being a perfectionist in the film industry.

He was innocent ‘Bhuvan’ with his village youth looks in Laagan, ‘Aakash’ with his suave urban cool youth looks in Dil Chahta hai and one cannot forget the tapori ‘Munna’ of Rangeela and ‘DJ’ of Rang de Basanti. He was brilliant in playing sensitive painting teacher ‘Nikumbh sir’ in Taare Zameen Par, with looks matching his character, of course. One of Khan’s makeovers that made headlines was his Mangal Pandey looks, which many did copy. I am sure that it will happen with his ‘Ghajani’ looks also. We just have to wait and watch, or who knows it may already be happening in the saloons of hair stylists next door!

Contributed by anil

Kareena Kapoor Collapses during while Shooting

According to sources, the actress, who has been on this major diet to look absolutely perfect in a bikini for her film Tashan, that she actually stopped eating a few days before the shooting of the sequence in Greece.

But the grueling shooting schedule proved to be too much for her and her 'only orange juice diet' as she collapsed on the sets sparking off concern about her health. The actress who is currently holidaying in London with boyfriend Saif Ali Khan brushed aside the incidents as a minor health scare and resumed shooting. Kareena as p[er media sources has had weight less than 48 kg with a waistline of 23 inches. She has raised serious concerns about anorexia but the actress insists that she is healthy and has credited yoga and balanced eating to her weight loss.But one guy who is happy with her new figure is Tashan producer Aditya Chopra who texted her compliments on her stunning look in the film and especially the bikini sequences

Shah Rukh's wax statue in Paris

Shah Rukh Khan will have his second wax statute coming up in France. Paris's Grevin wax museum will present King Khan's wax statue next month. This is almost a year before his wax statue was unveiled at Madame Tussauds, London.

Shah Rukh will be the second Indian celebrity after Mahatma Gandhi to have a wax statue in Grevin. He will be the first Bollywood star to have two wax statues in the two most prestigious wax museums worldwide.

Khan is extremely popular in France with a huge fan following and the wax statue would give Indians another reason to travel to that country, already Paris is a hot destination among Indian tourists. A 19th century French journalist Arthur Meyer conceived Grevin's wax museum. He collaborated with Alfred Grevin, a cartoonist, sculptor and costume designer to work on the project. Wax museum was open to the public in June 1882, and it became a grand success.

Some of the wax statues in the Grevin collection include Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Pope John Paul-II, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

Jodhaa Akbar goes south

NDTV movies.com, Natasha Raj

Ashutosh Gowariker's epic romance Jodha Akbar will now be seen in down south. Tamil audiences who saw Bollywood's hottest pair Aishwarya Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan sizzle in the dubbed version of Dhoom 2 will once again hear them speak in Tamil.

The Hindi version of Jodha Akbar, which was released world wide three weeks ago is said to have collected around Rs 70 crore with Chennai alone making grand collections crossing the Rs 65 lakh mark.

With 60 prints in Tamil, the producers are certain that the dubbed version of the movie will draw in more audiences, especially those who had trouble understanding dialogues, which had a light dose of Urdu.

"We believe they are superstars here also. They are well known across the country and well known in the south and we want to cash on that," said Henry, Distribution Head (South), UTV Motion Pictures.

The music of the film has been scored by the Mozart of the south, A R Rehman. He has worked his magic in the dubbed version as well.

A bonus will certainly be a grand release of this movie in Telugu following a star studded premiere in Hyderabad, which will be attended by none other than the cast and crew of Jodha Akbar including Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Bachchan, A R Rehman and the man himself who has created box office history, Ashutosh Gowariker.

Golden Star Ganesh and Shilpa marriage reception

It was a sprawling marriage reception of Golden Star Ganesh and Shilpa on Sunday night at the Golden SPA resorts near Bangalore. National award winning art director Shashidhar Adapa had erected a beautiful set of a Ganesh Temple near the pool side of the resort.The proceedings were colourful and every thing went on smoothly. The major attraction of the reception was the grand entry of the couple to the reception podium. Ganesh wore a pink sherwani and it ws a pink Ghagra for Shilpa and they also had some bright antique ornaments which were the cynosure of all eyes. Ganesh had an antique chain with the Anjaneya inscribed pendant. And both Ganesh and Shilpa were looking stunning. Noted film personalities, VIP's were among more than 2000 people who attended the reception.

Bani to quit Kasamh Se !

Prachi Desai aka ‘Bani’ in daily soap ‘Kasamh Se’ will no longer be seen as a ‘Bani’. She will move to act in bollywood. Though she is not quitting television but as of now has signed a movie. She became a household name after playing Bani, in the hit soap of Balaji, Kasamh Se. After winning the dance show ‘Zhalak Dikhla Jaa 2’ her professional life took a leap and since then she film offers. She finally has agreed and will be staring in a movie with director Farhan Akhtar. Prachi has signed movie ‘Rock On’ and as per the media reports on the movie contract, she is not allowed to be seen on TV serials during the promotion of the movie. So she has decided to quit from serial ‘Kasamh se’ .

Prachi will finish her shooting for last episode of Kasamh Se by the end of January and then move on to shoot for her debut movie ‘Rock On’ from February onwards. She plays character of a teenager in the film. After Roshni Chopra (who played Pia in Kasamh Se) walked out of the show, Prachi’s exit is bound to affect the show’s popularity.

Bachchans in Bhopal !

Amitabh Bachchan along with his wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh visited Bhopal on Saturday to attend a marriage ceremony in the family. Bachchan family reached airport here from Mumbai in a special aircraft at 1100 hours to take part in the marriage of film actor Rajeev Verma's son and drove straight to the wedding spot. They returned the same day after attending the wedding. Abhishek was busy with the film shooting in Jaipur, hence could not join them in the wedding. Shweta Nanda, Amitabh's daughter was already present at Bhopal for the wedding.

Arnold to act in Akshay - Kareena starrer ‘Kambakth Ishq’

Kambakth Ishq starring Akhsay Kumar and Kareena kapoor has also signed in the famous holloywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger also the California Governor. Akshay plays a Hollywood stuntman in the film. It is expected that the film may rope in stunts experts from Hollywood for Akshay’s stunt scenes in the film. Adding more to the entertainment, pop diva Beyonce Knowles will also feature in a track in the film. According to sources, the production work on Kambakth Ishq has already begun in LA. It is reported in media that talks are on with Sylvester Stallone and was confirmed by Sajid Nadiadwala the producer as per the media reports. Kambakth Ishq is slated to go on the floors towards the end of the month. Reportedly, the film will star a total of nine Hollywood actors and will be shot in the exotic locales of Los Angeles.

'Umeed' - Young Aditya’s maiden album

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan along with Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray have released the debut music album ‘UMMEED’ of Thackeray’s grandson Aditya on January 18, 2008. Aditya, who is studying in class twelve, started writing poems initially at the age of fourteen on his grandfather.

Amitabh Bachchan while releasing the album had all praise for Aditya. Aditya’s younger brother Tejas has also contributed to the album. The album features noted singers like Suresh Wadkar, Devki Pandit, Shankar Mahadevan, Kailash Kher, Sunidhi Chauhaan, Kunal Ganjawala, Jolly Mukharjee, Vaishali Samant and Swapnil Bandodkar.

Deepika may pair with Rajnikant in Robot?

Rajnikant will be coming in Director Shankar’s new sci-fci thriller mega budget film ‘Robot’. A.R Rahman will be composing music for ‘Robot’. The trio Rajnikanth, Shankar, and A. R. Rahman, after success of ‘Svaji’ will be once again together to create the same magic. The film will be produced in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Ayngaran International and Eros International will jointly be producing this film. It is rumored in media that Deeepika Padukone who made a superb debut with Shahrukh Khan in film Om Shanti Om may now be pairing with Rajnikant in Robot. Interestingly Deepika who is 22 years old had paired with Shahrukh of 40 plus and will now be with the Rajnikant who is of 57 years! But for superstar Rajinikanth who has acted earlier opposite to Shreya in ‘Sivaji the Boss’ who was almost Deepika’s age. As of now Deepika is filming for Yash Raj Film's Chandni Chowk to China which is expected to hit the floors in February. Robot’s budget may exceed 100 crore probably may be the most expensive in Indian film history. It will be worth a wait and watch for Deepika if she finalizes the deal and off course for Robot.

Media speculates that 'Yuvraj and Deepika' may tie a knot !

The ‘Times of India’ newspaper dated January 5, 2008 while referring sources close to the family had a report that ‘two are dating and are close to each other’. The media report in print had said that ‘if things go well, in two years time marriage could be on the cards. But right now, both of them are focused on their respective professions’.

Many in media had reported that Deepika and Yuvraj Singh were spotted recently at a popular Sydney restaurant. Zee news website quoting grapevine sources had said that ‘Om Shanti Om’ girl had gone to Sydney on after Yuvraj had sent out a special invite for his latest love interest to catch him in action during the ongoing India-Australia test series. But Yuvi’s family had denied the same to media and had said that she was there on a film shoot.

Speculations about Yuvraj and Deepika started a month back when couple had met at a Mumbai-based nightclub and since then media had rounds of speculations. It was also said that Deepika had played host to Yuvraj’s birthday party in December, which was an indication of their growing intimacy.

‘Jodha Akbar’ – the awaited one

‘Jodha Akbar’, a Bollywood movie which many were waiting and were being thought to be ‘the big one’ in this year’s start will be on theatres in April. Media reports point out that Gowarikar, Director of the film has been advised three weeks bed rest.

The movie is based on a 16th century story between the Mughal emperor Akbar, played by Hrithik Roshan and Hindu princess Jodha Bai, played by Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai. The film has been directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and has musical score from A.R. Rahman. Hrithik Roshan who had several blockbuster successes earlier like "Krrish," and "Dhoom 2", will like to take his path of success forward in this year with this movie. Hrithik as Akbar in the film will be seen wearing a lot of heavy jewelry and armour to showcase the royalty of the 16th century.

Kiran Deohans, the ad maker and with ‘Quayamat Se Quayamat Tak’ and ‘Kabhi Khushi…’ fame is the lensman of the movie. In fact after shooting QSQT in 1988, Kiran took a ten year break before shooting another film- Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and now will be showcasing his talent in this movie. Though the official date of the release was February 15 but may be now slipping down to April.

Film has been produced by UTV and rushes of the highly anticipated film have already generated interest among the movie-goers across the country. Media speculates that the production cost of this mega blockbuster is 50 Crores. With its delay ‘Welcome’ the super-success and ‘Taare Zameen Par’ will gain more at the box office.

'Sunday' and 'Halla Bol'- new releases of January 2008

January in hindi film industry will see more of Actor Ajay Devgan. His release of the month would be Rajkumar Santoshi’s 'Halla Bol', a social film. Another of Devgan release would be 'Sunday, a comedy starring a host of talented actors like Ajay Devgan, Irfan Khan and Ayesha Takia. By the way Devgan will also make his directorial debut in ‘U me aur hum’ this year and would be seen Kajol in the same. Sunday and Halla Bol will be the major who will trying their luck this January, then always lies the surprise from the other ones coming in.

A new comer Nikhil Dwivedi will be testing waters in 'My name is Antony Gonsalves this January. Promos of the same are already on air. Another comedy 'Rama Rama Kya hai Drama' with Rajpal Yadav and Amrita Arora will also be there in January along with romantic thriller 'Bombay to Bangkok'.

In February the big one 'Jodhaa Akbar' , starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. Though it was planned to be in theaters on January 26 but now has been postponed to February.

Welcome - hilarious but leave your brains behind and enjoy the movie…

Welcome movie starring Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, Feroz Khan and Mallika Sherawat is going on at cineplex’s. It also has a special dance number by Malika Arora Khan. Though the film is based on Hollywood’s ‘Mickey Blue Eyes’, but is still interesting with Anil – Nana and Mallika doing a great one to pull the comedy in the film. Never to forget Akshay is subtle but nice, and is paired with Katrina (Namaste London pair) in the film. For me - watch the film, leave your brains behind and enjoy. Probably that is one of the reason you spend the money !!!. Welcome is directed by Anees Bazmee, produced by Feroz Nadiadwala and written by Rajiv Kaul and Praful Parekh duo.

In the film story flows that Akshay and Katrina fall in love. Akshay is Rajiv in the film, nephew of Dr Ghungroo (Paresh Rawal) while Katrina is Sanjana, sister of mobsters Uday Shetty (Nana Patekar) and Majnu (Anil Kapoor). Family members of both of them i.e. Dr Ghungroo and Uday and Majnu want nice spouses, who have good name in the society. But the twist is here as the respectable doctor when Dr Ghungroo goes whacky as he comes to know that his ‘to be bahu’ is sister of these mobsters. It is here where begins the mayhem as Rajiv and Sanjana realize that they must bring the criminals to the straight path before they get married…...never to forget RDX played by Feroz Khan who is International partner of the mobsters and jumps in the fray.
Welcome, is being distributed worldwide by The Indian Film Company (IFC), and as per web site information it had grossed Rs 571.8 million in its opening week.

Enjoy the fun !!!

Film enjoyment is contagious, says study

Sify.com

If you are you a movie buff then this research is sure to bring a smile on your face --- the presence of other people may enhance our movie-watching experiences. Researchers from University of Chicago carried out a study and explained that ''the more in sync we are with the people around us, more we like the movie,'' the Science Daily reported. They suggested that over the course of the film, movie-watchers influence one another and gradually synchronise their emotional responses.

''By mimicking expressions, people catch each other's moods leading to a shared emotional experience. That feels good to people and they attribute that good feeling to the quality of the movie,'' explain researchers Suresh Ramanathan and Ann L McGill.

In a series of experiments, the researchers had participants watch a video clip. Some of the participants watched alone, some with other people whose expressions could not be seen due to the presence of a partition, and some with other people whose expressions could be seen.

The participants used to indicate their feelings at each moment with the help of a joystick.

The researchers found that people watching a film together appeared to evaluate the film within the same broad mood, generally tracking up or generally tracking down. In another study, the researchers videotaped participants and found that synchrony of evaluations can be traced to glances at the other person during the film and adoption of the observed expressions.

The researchers explained: ''Participants who looked at each other at the same time appeared to note whether the other person's face expressed the same or different emotion than their own.

Perceived congruity of expressions caused participants to stick with their current emotional expression . . . Perceived incongruity, on the other hand, led to a dampening of subsequent expressions.'' ''Social effects described above were bi-directional suggesting that such influences were mutual rather than the result of a leader-follower pattern,'' they concluded.

The researchers are the first to examine how a shared experience affects not just our immediate feelings, but also our overall impressions of the experience as a whole.

Madhuri's 'Aaja Nachle' back in theatres of Punjab and UP

Madhuri Dixit's film "Aaja Nachle" was back in theatres of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh with the state authorities deciding to give it a green signal after some controversial lines were removed from the title song.

A decision to allow screening of the film in Punjab was taken by the state government late last night, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister D S Guru said here on Sunday. A notification in this regard was also issued on Sunday.

The Punjab government had last night asked district magistrates to decide on whether to screen the movie after its objectionable content in the title song had been removed. The Badal government had on Saturday banned the movie in order to maintain law and order in the state.

In Uttar Pradesh, screening of the film started in various cinema halls with theatre owners giving an affidavit on removing the controversial portions in the film and respective district authorities verifying the amendment.

Reports from Lucknow said cinema hall owners had furnished affidavits as desired by the government on deletion of the objectionable portions and the district authorities too verified that they had the amended reels for screening before they were allowed to go ahead with showing of the film.

SRK apologises to Manoj Kumar

Press Trust of India, Friday, November 16, 2007: (Mumbai):

Offended by a sequence in recently-released film Om Shanti Om, yesteryear actor Manoj Kumar is contemplating a legal action against the fim's makers.However, Shah Rukh Khan tendered an unqualified apology to Manoj Kumar for the sequence in the film.

"Manoj Kumar has been offended by a certain sequence in the film, and he asked me whether any legal action was possible," Kumar's lawyer Mukesh Vashi said. "However, I myself haven't seen the film. So, I would be able to advise him only after seeing it," Vashi added. Kumar told a TV channel that "Indian audiences had made Manoj Kumar into an icon; that icon has been wounded, made fun of; a moral action is more important than a legal action." Om Shanti Om, released last week, is a spoof on Bollywood films of 70s, and shows a few real-life film characters from the Mumbai film world. Kumar is reportedly angry about a sequence in which he has been shown being thrashed by policemen outside a theatre. In the movie, Khan's character steals Kumar's pass to enter a movie premiere, and police, not recognising Kumar, beat him.

Khan is also a co-producer of the movie, directed by Farah Khan. Khan said "I was completely wrong. If he is hurt, I apologise. I called him in the afternoon, and the first thing he said to me was "it is no big deal, son," Khan told reporters.

"People do parody. It is a done thing," Khan said, adding Manoj Kumar had every right to say anything to him. A look-alike has played Kumar in the movie, Khan's home production. In a hastily called press conference, Khan said "I should have been over-careful. I should have called him earlier (to tell him about the spoof)."

Farah Khan, who was also present, said "I am to blame for this. I wrote that scene."
About Kumar's remark that it was unpatriotic on OSO producer's part to make fun of him, Khan said "I think he did not mean it. He was angry." When asked whether Manoj Kumar was over-reacting, Khan said it was not so. "He belongs to a different era. People from that era have a different way of talking. If I were old, I would react in the same way," Khan said. "His achievements are marvelous. We grew up watching his movies. I have immense respect for him", the younger actor said.

"Tomorrow, we will go his place and have a cup of tea," Farah said. Farah said she offerred to cut the scene when she called Major Kumar but he said there was no need.

Earlier, an emotional Major Kumar had told reporters that "Shahrukh has hurt my soul. Manoj Kumar was made into icon of India by the audiences. By making fun of him, Shahrukh Khan has wounded him." He had also consulted lawyers as to whether any legal action was possible.

Farah Khan credits Shah Rukh’s shirtless act behind film’s success

Bollywood filmmaker Farah Khan, who is riding high on the success of "Om Shanti Om", credits superstar Shah Rukh Khan's shirtless song-and-dance sequence as one of the main reasons for the film's good opening.

"Om Shanti Om", a film on reincarnation, had a tough battle to overcome for box-office supremacy as it was sharing its opening date with "Saawariya" -- on unrequited love -- by top Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

But three-days since its release, analysts say, "Om Shanti Om" has edged past "Saawariya”.

"The entire credit for the film's success goes to Shah Rukh," director Farah Khan told Reuters over phone on Sunday. "He is the film's main attraction and the shirtless song is definitely one of the main reasons for the film's hit. It is the scene to watch out for."

The bare-chested act by the 42-year-old actor who underwent rigorous training sessions to develop a six-pack, has helped the song "Dard-E-Disco" reach the top of the charts across television channels and FM radio stations.

"I have made many girls and women happy by showing Shah Rukh in a very different way," she said. "He has a huge audience base and everyone I'm sure is loving the way he has pulled it off. He had to train a lot for the scene and he is looking very good."

Dream Girl goes on canvas

After making millions of hearts flutter with her evergreen beauty, the dream girl of Bollywood Hema Malini has been put on canvas by Kanhai Brothers. The beauty of traditional Kanhai art is implausible. The life-size portrait of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K Advani says it all. Govind and Krishna Kanhai were to gift Hema Malini this beautiful creation on her birthday. However, due to some schedule problems, they could not make it. Nevertheless, Vrindavan brothers did the honour of laying an exhibition in Mumbai

Kanhai Brothers seem to be adding on in the list of Dream girl’s admirers. Well, that does not come as a big surprise. What say Hemaji?

Source : IndiaFM

Ash to do a sci-fi film?

If all goes as per plans, it will be nearly after a decade that actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would be starring in a film with sci-fi elements and fantasy. This would be for the upcoming and untitled offering by producer Rohan Sippy. Incidentally, Rohan is known to share a close friendship with Abhishek Bachchan. In the start of her career, Aishwarya had worked in the Shankar directed ‘Jeans’ (1998), which abounded in special effects.

However, while John Abraham’s dates are already available with the makers, Aishwarya’s signature on the dotted line is still awaited. Director Sriram Raghavan (‘Johnny Gaddaar’), who would be shifting genres from thrillers ( he also directed ‘Ek Haseena Thi’) to a love story with this film says, “Yes, the film does have a fair bit of sci-fi and fantasy elements. Though it is a love story, the plot is unique and requires a different treatment. We may go abroad to get the special effects in place.”

Will Aishwarya feature in this film? “There are positive indications about her being a part of the project. But I guess the final decision may come only after Diwali once we are able to sit down and discuss it with her,” divulges Sriram. He adds, “Aishwarya was busy with her ‘Pink Panther’ shoot abroad. Once in India, she was occupied with the Karva Chauth ceremony. Once the festivities are through after Diwali, we should have all the dates finalised.”

Earlier there were talks about the shooting beginning in November. “We have moved a little. We will begin in December and should still be able to finish more than 70 per cent of the shoot in a start to finish schedule. Post this, work on special effects would begin.” The film will also star Nana Patekar. Incidentally, Aishwarya’s ‘tough girl’ act in Aditya Chopra’s ‘Dhoom 2’ was much appreciated.

Source : DNAIndia

Oh, how Sanjay Bhansali hams!

On screen on Diwali


www.rediff.com
Raja Sen

First off, using the ever-fantastic words of Pete Townshend entirely out of context, The Kids Are Alright.

No, Ranbir and Sonam Kapoor -- megahyped bachchas sharing a surname but entirely different Bollywood legacies -- aren't, as the hype might have had you believe, the instant quick-mix superstars ready to take Bollywood into the next generation. He's occasionally likeable, she's undeniably attractive. And that's that. As said, they're alright.

The problem lies with their puppeteer, the all-conquering badshah of bluster. Sanjay Leela Bhansali [Images] takes Fyodor Dostoevsky's White Nights -- a stark, lovely story about romance born and rekindled over four nights -- and, picking out its barest heart, proceeds to smother it in mixed-up layers of trite melodrama. And money. And so this soft core, this tender tale, is hidden -- under several reams of indiscriminately wrapped silk and velvet, of loud noise and harsh light, of bewildering backdrops and the colour blue -- so deep beneath smug self-indulgence and a bizarre budget that you can't even hear the heartbeat anymore.

The story is simple: a minstrel, full to the brim with can-do enthusiasm, falls in love with a fair maiden. All would be well, except she is awaiting her faraway lover. Doggedly the singer tries to awaken her love, while she loyally stalks the bridge assigned to the some-night rendezvous. Over four nights, love, loyalty and longing are all born and questioned.

A still from SaawariyaWe're told, most redundantly, that this is a tale set in a different world. It is a fairytale realm reminiscent of the classic Prince Of Persia video game, with gondolas and prostitutes scattered around a wet Venetian nightmare. The architecture is whimsical, as is the generous use of flickery neon. Clock towers with hyperactive needles coexist merrily with sprawling mosque courtyards and numerous tiny cobalt by-lanes lead arterially out of the central tiny bridge area, most such roads seeming to lead to the exorbitantly built brothel or the one-resident-only guesthouse. It sounds fantastical and brilliant, and could certainly have been, except it doesn't really have a concept. Or a point.

Thus Omung Kumar gets to play madman art-director, Bhansali letting him go wild and asking only that he be theatrical and sporadic. 'Just paint everything blue and leave lots of room for Raj Kapoor film references,' the brief could well have read. And so runs the gamut, from azure to cerulean, with walls and pillars and peculiar choices of artwork.

And while dollars are positively dripping from the scenery, nothing is spectacular. Remember MF Hussain's Gajagamini? Now replace the high concept in that film with a big budget. The result is Saawariya [Images], an underwhelming waste. Thousands of Bollywood songs are shot with madcap little unreal backdrops; Bhansali has just used one of those for his entire film. One imagines it'll be a while before Sony Pictures grandly bankrolls another Indian project.

Black, flaws and all, was very well shot. Here one can imagine cinematographer Ravi K Chandran stifling a yawn. And if, for God's sake, you're building an absurdist city-of-many-cities, at least leave physical room for some mindblowing camerawork. There are a few -- four, count them -- well-executed shots in Saawariya, most of them simple cutaway shots. What in the world has been thought-through in this movie?

Not the characters, certainly. Ranbir's Ranbir Raj tells Sonam's Sakina that she knows everything about him: his name, where he lives, what he does. One assumes that is all there exists in their character sketches as well. Oh, and the boy is told to be restless, the girl, patient. Outside of that, there is no depth, despite the actress' limpid eyes and the actor's sometimes cheeky grin. These are cardboard characters, lazily written and ineffective. In a stylised world impossible to relate to, at least the protagonists should have been flesh and blood.

Instead, the director hams.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali needs to be thwacked with a subtlety stick, much like Sakina messily beats carpets hanging around her. Everything is overblown and hyper-real in the director's head, and there is no room for soft reality. The characters populating his movie, therefore, cannot sob without hysteria or laugh without sliding off a chair. A glare is held for ten minutes, a coy glance for five. And the dialogue is immeasurably grating, making the film's sub-130 minute length seem twice as long.

It is a testament to the star-kids, then, that they've gamely gone through these dizzying motions without afflicting career hara-kiri. Ranbir, playing a character labeled over-lovable from start to scratch, is often painfully exaggerated and moronic, but he does salvage a few moments of charm where you feel for him -- even if only sympathy at his debuting in this production. There might be hope, sure. But then there's that towel song, the most homoerotic picturisation in Hindi cinema, which could likely take a few years to live down.

The gorgeous Sonam Kapoor [Images] is armed with a great laugh -- almost as infectious as her father's -- and one wishes she was allowed to simper softly, instead of having a clearly overdubbed plastic giggle plastered onto her. She has the worst lines and moments in the script -- save for Rani Mukerji's [Images], where Bhansali clearly cashed in all his Black chips -- but there is a merciful agility to her movement, a fluidity to her style. It is a character impossible to like, and yet she warms you up to her.

The only times in the film the kids really, really work are when the tension abruptly breaks and they burst into laughter. It is almost as if -- or, possibly, because -- the director yelled cut and two old friends dropped the painful masks and chilled. God, how much better a Jab We Met [Images] style debut would have been for these two.

A still from SaawariyaIt's hard to fathom what Bhansali expects anybody to like in this film. With close to a dozen songs assaulting us once every seven minutes, on average, there is no room for the narrative to flow. The background score is deafening, and the writing is so emotionally manipulative -- wait for the way Ranbir convinces Zohra Sehgal to let him bunk with her -- it makes you want to pen down an alternate script in immediate protest. And, despite conjuring up moments with legends like Sehgal and Begum Para -- irresistible when devoutly mouthing Mughal-E-Azam dialogues -- these are too few and far between. Are we actually supposed to enjoy Ranbir doing dad Rishi's rabblerousing lines from Karz, or laugh at Rani's pathetic half-malapropisms? Please.

What's the deal, Mr Bhansali? This isn't a Luchino Visconti remake, as many had feared, but a bizarre reworking, an overbaked version of a very simple romance. Dozens of dancing prostitutes do not a Federico Fellini make, sir.

This film opens with Ranbir, off-screen, persuading a whore to listen to two lines of song. She deigns to listen and he picks up his blue six-string. And instead of an eager-to-please youth fumbling with a scratchy guitar, we get -- after a sudden title screen with the star-kids' name, a la Rajnikanth [Images] -- a mega song-and-dance production, a full-blown intro. No wonder the heartbeat is muted.

As Gulabjee, lady of the night, would say, I don't likes.

For some dreams, life is not enough

Preview - Om Shanti Om

This Diwali will see release of Shahrukh’s most awaited mega movie namely ‘Om Shanti Om’,. Time will tell whether his magic will work or not ? But nevertheless Shahrukh is all out to promote the same. The film is about reincarnation and has glamorous supermodel turn actress stunning Deepika Padukone opposite King khan. The movies plot starts in 1970 and ends in 2007, and probably that is the reason has a catch line ‘for some dreams life is not enough’.

Deepika is already in news with this movie and other thing which had caught media attention is King Khan’s six packs body which has already made it to cover page of many film magazines. Om Shanti Om has 12 song tracks but one of them namely "Deewangi Deewangi will feature 31 bollywood stars, and has zany signature tune of the film. Film has all the hit- masala and is raring to go. It has been produced by Gauri Khan (SRK’s wife) and directed by Farah Khan, her second directorial venture after her first ‘Main Hoon Naa’. Film already has a web site namely www.omshantiomfilm.com , in case you wish to hear a song track and download the film poster. Arjun Rampal, Kirron Kher, Bindu and Shreyas Talpade are some of the other cast in the film. Media reports quoting Farah Khan state that Amitabh Bacchan and Abhishek will be there in a guest appearance in the film. Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjani, better known as Vishal-Shekar, have put together the possible hit music of the film.

The film will be released at Diwali with another blockbuster Sawaariya. Though media reports do point out about some contention between the multiplex owners and distributors of these two movies over revenue sharing. Hopefully it will get resolved by then or else, will not to able to see both of these in multiplexes.

Rani and Konkana shine in an average film ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’

After a brief hiatus, Rani Mukherji was back with ‘Laaga Chunari mein daag’. Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is directed by Pradeep Sarker under Yash Raj Banner. Though it is a typical average Hindi film based on the plot of 1970s – 1980s, but something, which outshines in the film is the work of Rani and Konkana Sen, who play roles of sisters. The film starts with a nice humming number. Cinematography is superb in the film; Ghats of the Ganga, and Banaras, looks stunning so is Switzerland.

Story revolves around Rani who plays a role of Badki, elder sister of the family who due to hardships in the family, decides to take on the responsibility and lands up in Mumbai to earn money to support the family. She is exploited, but fights on and gets transformed into Natasha, a high priced escort. Meanwhile Chutki her younger sister, played by Konkana Sen after completing her MBA, gets a job in an ad agency, in Mumbai and comes to stay with her sister.

When she realizes the bitter truth about Badki’s lifestyle, she insists that the family face it together. Kunal Kapoor who plays boss of the younger sister and then her fiancé suits his character while Abshihek Bacchan has a two song and five scene role and is paired with Rani. Role of father is played by Anupam Kher while mother who undergoes hardships and turmoil of life is played by Jaya Bacchan. Hema Malini is there for a scene but as always looks stunning.

An average film, but is doing brisk business. A debatable dialogue in the film was on definition of patents and trademarks by Rani Mukherji on her role as Natasha whereby she defines it as practices used by so called developed world on developing world to exploit them further.

by Anil Gulati
Source www.mynews.in

Salman Khan on a wall clock!

Anil Gulati

Moved by his idol, Salman Khan, Kirori Mal got Salman moving on the wall. That’s the ingenuity of a barber in a dusty village in Madhya Pradesh.

DHARDA GANESH is a village in the Shivpuri district of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is more than an hour’s drive from main district headquarter or Shivpuri urban and one has to navigate many bumpy roads and stretches which hardly have roads. The village looks like a typical village in the state of Madhya Pradesh with a cluster of mud huts, roofed with thatch or earthen tiles, narrow paths full of mud and water (if it rains) which leads to the outside world. Probably time had a little effect on these villages.

I happened to visit this village on some work. But it was interesting visit for me as I had an opportunity to visit the shop of Kirori Mal. Kirori Mal is a barber. His shop is just at the entrance of the village, outside the Panchayat Bhawan. It was a makeshift shop, a few inches above the ground. One had to climb to enter it.

Probably he seems to be a huge fan of Bollywood. The walls of his shop were lacquered with the photographs of all the well-known actresses. May be it was an added attraction to his shop for the clients who came for a haircut or for shave and sometimes had to wait for their turn. He was a self-confessed fan of Salman Khan. But I was bit puzzled as I could not see Salman Khan on the walls so got bit inquisitive. I dared ask him where is Salman Khan? He looked into my eyes and then pointed his finger towards his wall clock, which was hanging on the wall of his shop.

There was the Khan, captured in the wall clock! Actually he had a cut out of Salman Khan and had replaced it with second’s needle in the clock. Instead of ‘seconds’ needle, it was Salman’s photograph cut in shape of it. It was quite an interesting way to use a photograph of his idol.

So it was Salman Khan on the move that too every second! Not only Bollywood actress but also moving Salman attracted the young clients of the village to visit his shop every now and then.

Source - www.merinews.com

Thankfully Cinema is promoting 'No Smoking'

Anil Gulati
Smoking has become a symbol of elitist behaviour, especially among the college and university students. The role of cinema is crucial in this habit of the new generation as the youth smoke their way to stardom in the campus.

THE HEALTH MINISTER of India would be a happy man with this film. After all, he has been urging film industry not to smoke, at least on screen. Obviously he is right. Films, advertisements and celebrities do have a strong influence. In fact, recognising their power to influence, many developmental and social organisations globally and in India are using them to help promote positive behaviour. If they smoke, they tend to promote smoking as an acceptable behaviour. Fact of the matter is that smoking kills, though silently.

Just by printing pictorial and graphic warnings on the harmful effects of smoking on cigarette packets may not have a significant impact. The need is of more. As per one estimate, tobacco kills 8,00,000 Indians in a year and about four million people the world over. Estimates also tell us that approximately 1,60,000 people develop cancer each year as a result of tobacco consumption. Every year some 4.5 million Indian smokers suffer from angina or heart disease and about 3.9 million people get lung disease. The major concern is for youngsters, who get hooked on to smoking at an early age.

A survey conducted among 2599 college students in Delhi shows that two per cent of the surveyed students smoked their first cigarette before attaining even 10 years of age. The survey, conducted among the students of three colleges in the capital, also revealed that 61 per cent of them smoked for the first time while they were between 16 and 20 years of age. Exposure to smoking activities, easy availability of cigarettes in educational institutions and the message of smoking getting reinforced through films are the major contributors to the problem.

Thankfully, a film titled ‘No Smoking’ will hit the Indian cinema halls on October 29. Anurag Kashyap’s ‘No Smoking’ has John Abraham and Ayesha Takia in the lead roles. The film is supposed to be a surrealistic take on a smoker trying to quit the habit. Even the song tracks in the film are about the mental and physical state of the individual, who is completely dependent on smoking in spite of knowing well about its effects on his health and mind.

The song, ’Jab Bhi Cigarette’ is about the bygone days as the protagonist fills his ’ash tray’ with the remains of his cigarettes. Similarly, song tracks like ’Phoonk De’ and ’Kash Laga’ are centred on the subject of the film. We will have to wait to see how this film does at cinema halls. Whatever be its fate, the effort has to be complimented.

Meanwhile a good news on the same front is that the World Lung Foundation - South Asia (WLF-SA) has also begun work on a two year project to make the North Campus of Delhi University a ‘tobacco free’ area, a positive move that would help reduce smoking. The project needs to be replicated by other educational institutions in India.

The Bollywood-Hollywood marriage

Anil Gulati

Indian stars and filmmakers are not far from Hollywood. Hrithik is said to have signed a leading production, Adlabs and Hyde Park Entertainment are working in a co production and Sony Pictures is producing Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’.

THE BLUE-EYED Krish is planning to work on a Hollywood film in the near future. Media reports say that he has signed a deal with Brad Pitt’s management company Brillstein Grey Entertainment. Though there has been no official confirmation from him, and nor has he denied. His guarded response to media was: “If I get a script that really looks good, then I will”. While Hrithik will be possibly exploring himself in Hollywood, in Bollywood director Vikram Bhatt has come out with Zayed Khan’s venture ‘Speed’ which was released on Friday. Though the film is titled ’Speed’ but has picked up leads from Hollywood’s action packed thriller ’Cellular’ and another hit ’Nick of Time’. Urmila Matondkar has also acted in the movie.

On Hollywood - Bollywood connection, it may be worth to mention about the Ashok Amritraj’s and Adlabs’ new joint venture film, which will feature film actors from Hollywood and India. Hyde Park Entertainment, (Amritraj’s company) has announced the film titled ‘The Other End of the World’, which will be directed by Jimmy Dodson. It stars Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives), John Tucker (Must Die), Shriya Saran, Larry Miller (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Sara Foster (The Big Bounce), Anupam Kher and Tara Sharma.

While talking of the same connection it may be pertinent to mention about Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming romantic film ‘Saawariya’, which will be released near Diwali and is the first Indian film produced by a Hollywood company – Sony Pictures.

The power of Bollywood is also growing and probably that is the reason an American expensive watch company namely Swatch Group is eyeing the Indian film industry, to associate with Bollywood movies to promote its brand Hamilton, which has been featured in over 300 Hollywood movies.

The marriage of Hollywood and Bollywood brands is a win-win situation for all stakeholders – their economies, the industry, cast and crew of both the countries as well as the audience. This will also boost cultural and business relations between the countries and the people

Laughter shows crank up TRPs, dump wit

Anil Gulati

Laughter is a new cash cow these days for TV channels. Gone are the days when we had satirical kavi sammelans, it is day of gags, spoofs and slap stick comedy

THE INDIAN LAUGHTER CHALLENGE has a new look Shekar Suman, bustling Navjot Singh Sidhu and a brand new sponsor Britannia. The new avatar promises ’Purane Jokes Ab Aur nahi. TGILC 3- Naye Jokes Naya Talent.’ The show has got a new face Shonali Nagrani, along with Parizaad Kolah, as an anchor.

Thanks to the Laughter Challenge and its kick off, Sunil Pal, Raju Srivastava, Ehsan Qureshi, Bhagwant are household names today. These shows have brought them to fame. News channels for whom news (or so called breaking news!) was the buzz, comedy has become a new TRP puller. From late night (and weekened day time) crime capsules and horror capsules it is now over to comedy.

Aaj Tak uses Raju, while Star plus uses ‘Star’s one’ laughter challenge retakes. When we refer to these shows one needs to mention about Shekhar Suman’s (The Laughter Challenge Judge) ‘Poll Khol’ on Star Plus, probably the first one to kick off such shows on the news channels. NDTV’s ‘Gustakhi Maaf’ may have a special mention in all this as it stands out differently and still retains its original flavour, though it is majorily focused on politics, cricket and a bit of Bollywood.

In all this jhamela many old timers do feel that comedy is moving into the ‘remix zone’ and originality is just fading away. May be true, but presently it is attracting TRPs. TV critics add that days are not far when it gets staid and the cheap humour gets repetitive. There is indeed a growing need to bring something new or else it may loose excitement of viewers - which anyway is short lived!