Bolly n TV Gossips/pics

Asin does a Priyanka, faints!

2009-10-28T20:53:00.001+05:30

The race to stay in shape is affecting the health of B-town’s actresses. First Priyanka Chopra fainted and now Asin.

She passed out at an Andheri club because of non-stop interviews that she had to give for her latest film, London Dreams. She had to be revived by her staff and friends by instant energy boosters.

Asin rested at home on her birthday yesterday and stated that the reason she fainted was because she had slept for barely 3-4 hours last week and on that day, she had no sleep or food. But she was making it up by spending a restful birthday.

On Sunday night, her closest friends came over to dinner after which they made her cut the cake at midnight.

Earlier, when she came home in the evening, her parents had done up the entire house with balloons, like they used to when she was younger.

She admits that this was the best birthday of her life. The later part of the day was spent with children from her building.

Ranbir to walk with Katrina, not Deepika

2009-10-28T20:48:00.000+05:30

Today Wednesday (October 28) Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor will walk the ramp in Delhi for designer Rohit Bal at the conclusion of the Couture Week in Delhi.

Both Katrina and Ranbir have known Rohit Bal socially though this is first they’ll be wearing his clothes,

This is also the first time that Ranbir and Katrina will be walking the ramp together.

“And most definitely the first time for Rohit Bal. But it’s for our film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Rohit will be dressing us up in some fun funky young vibrant clothes. And I’ll of course be sporting my trademark ponytail hairstyle from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, ” says Katrina.

Ranbir has been shooting in Bhopal for Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti. On Tuesday the film’s last day of shooting happened. On Wednesday morning Ranbir was expected to join Katrina in Delhi for their ramp romp in the evening.

The last Bollywood biggie to have walked the ramp for Rohit Bal was Shah Rukh Khan.

“I’m excited because Rohit is not a typical Bollywood designer. I want too see what he has put together for me. I’ll only know tomorrow, ” Katrina said on Tuesday.

Katrina is excited about the release of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani because it’s her first attempt at doing situational comedy. “I’ve a much smaller role in my next release De Dana Dan. But I’m equally excited about it since Akshay and I form a great team. And this is my first film with Priyadarshan.

Acid Factory--Movie Review

2009-10-18T19:59:00.002+05:30

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Dia Mirza, Aftab Shivdasani, Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea and Danny
Director: Suparn Verma
Rating: **

Five guys (Danny, Manoj, Aftab, Dino and Fardeen) wake up in a dilapidated warehouse only to realize that they have momentarily lost their memory due to a gas leak.

The exit doors of this factory are locked from outside and there is no way out for them. They get a phone call from a mafia boss (Irrfan) telling them that out of them four are kidnappers while one amongst them is the hostage.

Puzzled, frustrated and irritated, the five try hard to make sense of things happening to them and desperately attempt to find their personal identities before the outside who set them up arrives!

Acid Factory is a typical Sanjay Gupta production (means a foreign rip off, sepia tone camerawork with loads of slow motion and dialogues full of expletives) which offers nothing new in terms of treatment, styling and dialogues.

Suparn Verma’s narrative tries to be cool by jumping back and forth but ends up fizzling out midway for various reasons. The over the top action filled climax blows the film out completely.

To be fair the film begins well with a superb opening credit sequence and coming straight to the point in the initial scenes itself but then as the suspense gets revealed not much is left to hold your interest till the climax.

However the men are presented extremely stylishly and a few sequences, especially in the first half have turned out really well. The Manasi Scott-Vida item number wasn't really required for the film.

Amongst the actors it’s the veterans who hold fort and make the film more interesting than it is. Manoj Bajpai, Irrfan Khan and Danny are superb in their given parts.

Aftab, Fardeen and Dino are well suited to their parts as well and act ably. Gulshan Grover and Neha don’t have much to do. The much talked about ‘hatke’ role of Dia Mirza is a big disappointment. She looks super hot but her role is relegated to the back ground as the men take over.

It is not entirely a waste of time at a running time of just 1 hour and 45 minutes but you just wish had the rip off (from Hollywood film The Unknown) been more innovative with better twists and turns added.

Wake Up Sid--Movie Review

2009-10-18T19:59:00.001+05:30

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sen-Sharma, Anupam Kher, Supriya Pathak
Written & Directed by Ayan Mukherjee
Rating: ****

Wake up, Bollywood. Here comes the warmest most credible captivating and kaleidoscopic coming-of-age film since Dil Chahta Hai.

Wake Up, Sid has no overt dramatic highs and lows. It has an inherent charm and candour in its storytelling that take the narrative a very very long way, right to the heartwarming lovers’ union ending on the seaside where the only splashy thing is the sea and where Sid embraces love with all its glorious shortcomings.

At the end of Sid’s saga of spiritual awakening one is a little flummoxed by what quality in debutant Ayan Mukherjee’s film makes this film so endearing. Could it be the disarming lack of artifice and affectations in the way Ayan portrays Sid’s journey from slothful affluence to working-class agility?

Or could it be just the fact that Ayan uses tender supple moments in the narrative as though they were punctuation marks in a long and deeply disarming discourse on ‘How To Find Yourself & Your True Vocation In The Melee Of Bombay….sorry, Mumbai.’

Wake Up, Sid is a triumph on many levels. It takes the protagonist’s predictable but yet kinetic voyage into self- realization to a level where the langorous plot exudes a beam of light that cuts right across the radiant narrative.

The colours are bright but never glaring. The film is shot in a warm and sunny speckled ambience filled with fleeting glimpses into hearts that are forever on a run. The moments to retrospect are snatched from the bustle of metropolitan life.

The most obtainable component of young Ayan Mukherjee’s artless narrative is the remarkable rhythms of the ordinary and the unostentatious in the narrative.

All the relationships in the plot are potentially predictable and clichéd. Ayan takes the age-old dramatic conflicts of our commercial cinema into quiet supremely understated corridors. Wake Up, Sid gives us many moments to carry home.

Whether it is Ranbir Kapoor with his screen-father (Anupam Kher) or his mother (Supriya Pathak, endearing n her simplicity), or his bummy-chummy camaraderie with his friends (Shikha Talsania and Namit Das are credible all the way as Laxmi and Rishi) the motivations behind the characters’ words bubble to the surface without external props to hammer in the emotions.

The background score and cinematography (Anil Mehta) are done in practical and unassuming shades. Mumbai never looked less romanticized.

The relationhsip between Ranbir and Konkona develops as they move around her cramped apartment. Miraculously their hearts never bump into the furniture. The narrative dodges the clamour of daily life with a determined fluency.

Konkona Sen-Sharma as the Kolkata girl trying to find her bearings in the cool largely heartless city of Mumbai conveys so much of her character’s unstated emotions that we wonder if she’s even aware of the camera’s presence.

And she isn’t alone in her pursuit of a non-cinematic performance in a film that salutes and dodges predictable drama. Anupam Kher as Sid’s father effectively uses his limited space to create a tycoon who wants his laadla to stand on his own sneakered feet.

It’s the little-little things that the characters do when the camera isn’t looking that nourishes the narrative.

Would this wonderfully –uncrowded film have worked without Ranbir Kapoor ? Ranbir’s Sid is a near-perfect portrait of the aimless young man searching for a direction in life.

Ranbir handles the character’s innerlife with the effortlessness of a Sitar maestro twiddling with his instrument’s strings to create a music that takes the audience to a world where the sounds suggest a harmony between art and life.

In Wake Up, Sid Ranbir proves once and for all that he’s the future of Hindi cinema.

As for Ayan Mukherjee, the debutant director gives us insight into maturity of hearts even when they are stubbornly immature in their outward conduct.

Don’t miss thie wake-up call from a director-actor duo who have created a world of heartbreaking transparency.

Blue-Movie Review

2009-10-18T19:57:00.000+05:30

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Zayed Khan, Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif Kylie Minogue
Director : Anthony D'Souza
Rating: ****

When the makers of a film proudly proclaim their product to be at par with their Hollywood counterparts, one is bound to be sceptical. More so because "Blue" is an action film, that too set underwater, which is not just a first in Bollywood but also a rarity in Hollywood.

So does "Blue" set new standards for Bollywood action movies? Does it actually get into the underbelly of the sea and show a world hitherto unexplored? The answer is yes.

Let's put it this way - "Blue" may not be the mind-blowing commercial action thriller that you would have ever seen. However, it certainly is the most innovative attempt that deserves to be acknowledged and lauded.

Action is truly the USP of the film and keeps the momentum going for "Blue" due to which one doesn't quite miss the presence of a solid storyline.

From first till the last frame, it's the amalgamation of action and an unknown world (under the sea) which brings in a novelty factor.

For those hunting for a storyline, "Blue" actually begins and ends at the basic synopsis level. Mr. Richie Rich Akshay Kumar wants a treasure to be explored and entices his employee and friend Sanjay Dutt with tempting offers.

Dutt is reluctant to take that dive into the sea even though his girlfriend Lara Dutta and brother Zayed Khan do present him enough reasons to take the plunge. Eventually he relents and the journey of "Blue" begins. Simple.

There are five key action sequences that keep the pace up for the film. Each of the three bike sequences featuring Zayed become better and better and in fact his introduction a la 'Fast and the Furious' is something unique for an Indian film.

The boxing ring sequence featuring Sanjay and Akshay does hint of "Broken Arrow", though it works in establishing their characters. Most importantly, the entire underwater hunt sequence is a breathtaking affair.

Anthony D'Souza has a strong eye for visuals and that shows. Technically, whether it is camerawork or sound, "Blue" bears an international feel. Whether it's Sanjay or Akshay, the revelation about their past isn't quite hammer strong, even though convincing.

Moreover, even though the film is a multi starrer, one does expect Akshay to be on the forefront. However, for a change, a film featuring him does allow equal screen space for other actors as well.

As for Lara and Katrina Kaif, their presence is required to make the film look good and in that aspect, they do well.

In a nutshell, "Blue" is made for those who want pulsating action, innovative stunts, glamour and some unbelievable moments that defy logic.

It mainly caters to the youth that just want some non stop action in those two hours while keeping James Bond movies in mind.

The kind of films where bikes are meant to race through traffic, cars are meant to explode, women are meant to bring on a glamour quotient, villains are meant to be suave, action is meant to belong to never-seen-before variety and technical aspects are meant to be superior to the best.

I want Blue to work for my sake: Akshay Kumar

2009-10-18T19:56:00.000+05:30

Aren’t you working too much these days?
I don’t think so. Recently when we shot in London for Housefull it was like family holiday. It was like a picnic. Houesfull is an emotional comedy.

When Sajid Khan told me we were done with 90 percent of the film in Europe I couldn’t believe it. Our families were there. Once I was back in Mumbai my schedules got stressful. That’s why I like shooting abroad. I came back to Mumbai last month to shoot two songs for Blue.

Do you enjoy shooting songs as much as all the other aspects of a film?
I enjoy being in front of the camera, period. It doesn’t matter whether it’s to put sindoor in the leading lady’s hair or to wipe it off.

The rapport between you and the Blue director Tony d’Souza is supposedly amazing.
Tony took really good care of his cast. Though Blue is his first film you can’t really make it out. He’s a very hard-working man. Of course I want Blue to work for my sake. But more than me it’s Tony who deserves to succeed. I hope he succeeds. Regarding our rapport it’s all about the vibes you give to the director as your actor.

You’ve established a long-standing rapport with many directors?
Why just directors? It’s important to have a rapport with producers. You’ve to be a thoroughly professional, finish your work on time. I feel it’s more important to be a good human being than a good actor.

When you are shooting abroad you also escape all the gossip and controversy?
No, that you are clued in to wherever you are. You can’t get away from that. Trust me if I’m shooting abroad and no one calls me I’d get very anxious and insecure. After every shot every actors checks his missed calls. If after three shots there’re still no missed calls it’s time for pack-up.

Do you enjoy the freedom of moving around freely abroad?
You mean because of the fans? But there are Indians in every part of the world. And they do call out to you, wave and say hello. But beyond that they leave you alone. My son loves skating. We went in skating in Hyde Park.

Do you want to direct a film?
Not really. I’m very happy being in front of the camera. I’m happy being an actor and a producer.

Are you producing a film with Shah Rukh Khan?
No, not at all.

Are you working in a film with Trisha?
Yes I am. Priyan is planning something. I love working with all kinds of co-stars, new or established doesn’t matter. I’ve worked with three new girls in Priyan’s Garam Masala. And that was a hit. Hopefully Trisha will be a hit too.

Blue is the first Hindi film to go underwater?
I think the movie should’ve been called Red. The sea is now filled more with the blood of killed fish than the blue of the ocean. And now there’s my own blood in the ocean.

What do you mean?
I got badly injured doing an underwater sequence. I hit my head 150 feet under water and blood just started oozing out. I was in a daze. I’d have been dead. I could’ve been eaten by one of the sharks.

It happened while I had to kick a goon underwater. For the action shots the oxygen tanks were removed. You can’t control your body movements underwater. I hit my head in a sunken ship. Blood started oozing out. The unit was in a panic because sharks get instantly attracted to the smell of blood. There were 40-45 sharks around me.

One of the unit guys quickly stopped the blood from oozing out of my forehead. Two sharks actually smelled the blood and started coming my way. One shark chased me all the way to the top of the ocean, as I swam back to safety.

Were you frightened?
Not at that time. But looking back I realized anything could’ve happened. I realized sharks are not a threat to you until they feel threatened by you. Now do you know why I think Blue should be called Red?

Was Blue the most difficult film you’ve ever done?
By far it was the most difficult film. Every morning going underwater. It’s the toughest film I’ve ever done. I don’t know what bigger challenge I can throw at myself…except shoot a film in space. I’d also love to jump down from the Empire State Building.

Didn’t you once say you won’t do these dangerous stunts now that you’re a father?
If you saw Khatron Ke Khiladi (Fear Factor) I warned audiences not to try the stunts. I don’t want any harm to come to anyone while trying my stunts. I do them with a lot of precaution. But at the end of the day I know with my caution and experience I could go badly wrong with my stunts.

Is it worth it?
I’ve seen stunt men lose their lives in front of my eyes because of one wrong move. The wind can suddenly change its direction during an aerial stunt and you’re gone. I know it’s dangerous. But I just love doing stunts. It’s a thrill I can’t stop myself from. I tried to stop it for my son. But I can’t. I suppose it’s my one addiction in life.

Main Aurr Mrs Khanna-Movie Review

2009-10-18T19:54:00.000+05:30

Starring: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sohail Khan, Mahek Chahal, Nauheed Cyrusi, Yash Tonk and Bappi Lahiri
Director: Prem Soni
Rating: **

Samir (Salman) and Raina (Kareena) are married and settled in Melbourne, Australia. What started of as a loving relationship which lead to a quick marriage between the two has now turned into a complicated situation what with Samir facing major hurdles in his career to some wrong work decisions that he had taken.

Raina is working as a waitress to support their house.

Jobless Samir gets an opportunity to work in Singapore and make a new beginning. He takes Raina along with him but only to tell her at the airport that he has booked her ticket for India to go back to his parents and that he will come back to her once things fall in place in his career.

After Samir catches his flight for Singapore, a dejected and sad, Raina keeps waiting at the airport lounge right till the final boarding announcement for her flight to India comes in.

A bar tender at the cafeteria in the departure lounge, Akash (Sohail) sees her plight and offers help. He falls for her instantly but only to realize she is married.

Raina gets confused whether to go to India or stay back in Australia. Just then, help comes in form of her friend Nina (Nauheed) who arranges for a job through a friend (Mahek Chahal) and Raina decides to stay back.

Incidentally, Raina gets a job at the jewellery shop situated bang opposite of that of Akash’s café. Gradually friendship grows between the two. But what happens after Samir arrives back to take Raina along with him to Singapore forms the rest of the film.

Debutante writer-director Prem Soni must be called truly lucky to get a top line lead pair of Salman – Kareena and a reasonably good budget basing his film completely in Melbourne.

While his film begins well, establishing his main characters and their issues without much deviation to sub plots, he fumbles in the second half.

While there are a few extremely well handled and well penned sequences in the second half, but the points that the film downhill are – unconvincing situations, lack of depth in emotional issues, too simplistic solutions and most importantly you feel zero sympathy for Mr. Khanna (Salman) or Mrs Khanna (Kareena) or even Akash (Sohail).

The drama is just not engaging towards the climax. The actors however have risen above the script and have pitched in wonderful performances.

Salman looks smashing and shows he can play a serious romantic role extremely well too. Kareena looks WOW and acts superbly, especially in the emotional scenes.

Sohail in what one may call one of his career best roles does complete justice to his character and rises much above his written role. Yash Tonk aids him perfectly. He is hilarious in the second half especially in his scenes with Salman.

Nauheed and Mahek Chahal (last seen as the gangster’s moll in Wanted) add glam quotient and act ably. Bappi Lahiri is hilarious as the jewellery shop owner. Deepika Padukone in a special appearance has nothing much to do.

Sajid Wajid’s music is very good and has been well incorporated in the film. Also, the use of RD Burman’s song sung by Amit Kumar – Bade Achche Lagte Hai has been made smartly use of two times in the film.

As you come out of the film, you do keep feeling that film could have been much better had the second half been handled well. But overall its not a bad film and you won’t regret your time wasted watching it.

Iwant to be Miss Universe when I grow up: Avika Gor

2009-08-19T13:00:00.000+05:30

By Subhash K Jha

A very grownup conversation with 12-Year old Balika Vadhu sensation Avika Gor.

Avika, how has Balika Vadhu changed your life?
More people want to talk to me. You are calling, aren't you? Now you're my friend.

Nope. I am your fan.
Ha ha. I love the attention. I love meeting new people.

What about your friends and teacher in school?
They tell me not to cry in Balika Vadhu. Because when they see me cry they feel sad.

Yeah even I cry?
Really ? You shouldn't. That's Anandi the character crying. Not Avika.

Avika, you've become an overnight star with Balika Vadhu.
Have I? But it isn't my first serial. I earlier did Rajkumar Arryan, Chalti Ka Naam Gaddi and Karam Apna Apna.

But none of these made you a household name?
Haan, I agree. Thank you.

How can anyone so small be so talented?
Issmein kaun si badi baat hai? It's my father, and the writer of Balika Vadhu and my director Siddharth Sengupta. All of them taught me to do the right thing in front of the camera.

You talk like a 40 year old
But I am just 12. You don't believe it? It feels great to be called a star at this age.

Who are your favourite actors?
Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Hrithik, Kareena, Katrina, Deepika….I like them all.

And guess who's my favourite? It's Avika.
Sacchi? She talks too much, don't you think? Avika makes people cry and laugh. If you meet her please tell not to make Anandi cry and laugh. Pucca bolna.

What do people call you Avika or the girl in the serial Anandi?
Neither. They call me Nak-chadi chuhiya and Bindani. That's a bride on the Rajasthani language.

How many hours do you shoot for Balika Vadhu? Do you get to do fun things?
Sab kuch karti hoon main. Yes, I do miss school sometimes. But I bring my school books on the sets and study between shots. I go to school in the mornings and then I shoot for 7-8 hours.

An 12-year old girl working for so many hours?!
It's hardly anything because 2 hours is set aside to sleep and study. So that's only five hours of work. Even at school I've to put in that many hours of work, no?

And I can always have my friends over on the sets when I want to play with them. Otherwise I play with the crew members of my serial.

So Balika Vadhu is like school?
No it's fun. Acting is my hobby.

So what do you want to be when you grow up?
Miss Universe

In the meanwhile?
Tab tak padhaai karungi, films karungi, sab kuch …

What about the brat who plays your husband?
What about him? He's nice. No we don't fight at all. We study and play together.

But doesn't he pull your hair?
That's Anandi's hair he's pulling, not Avika's.

Who are your friends?
Everyone in Balika Vadhu. My Saasu-ma, my mother, Anoop Soni Uncle…they all love me immensely.

Do you watch television?
Yes, whenever I get time. I love Balika Vadhu and everything on Cartoon Network.

Do you watch Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi?
Sometimes. I like it. Every serial has something different to offer.

Do you know your Balika Vadhu has effected Kyunki Saas…?
Really? That's good to hear. But aisa nahin hai ke, people don't watch those serials any more.

But they watch Balika Vadhu more?
Acha hai na? (giggles).

It seems you'll have to work in Balika Vadhu for a long time.
I'm really happy for that.

I'm also doing very small roles in two feature films Paathshaala and Morning Walk with Anupam Kher, Sharmila Tagore, Rajat Kapoor and Divya Dutta. These were signed before Balika Vadhu.

You're very sweet. Don't neglect your studies.
I promise.

Kareena and Saif's Secret Love Nest

2009-08-19T11:55:00.000+05:30

Nothing stops Kareena from being a loving girlfriend to Saif, not even her packed schedule.

She took off with Saif to an undisclosed location near Chicago for a secret vacation, as a birthday present to Saif (his birthday was on August 16). They took off after completing their professional commitments and spending some time with close friends.

Incidentally, they left for their secret retreat a day after Saif’s birthday. According to sources, they were busy with prior commitments in Houston due to Independence Day, after which they had to attend a meet and greet event in Chicago.

They reached Chicago late in the evening on August 15 and attended the event with Shah Rukh and Katrina, after which they had dinner with them.

Kareena planned the holiday to surprise Saif, informed sources. The destination is still unknown and they will be back in Mumbai by the end of this week.

Chitrashi took me very lightly. I had to teach her a lesson: Mika Singh

2009-08-19T10:00:00.000+05:30

Controversy’s favorite child Mika Singh is eliminated from Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao! Mika who entered the show 2 weeks back is on his return now.

Incidentally when Mika came to know that Jay and he were in the bottom two and had to face the Maha Jungle Challenge, he decided to quit and requested to leave the show so that Jay could get another chance to stay in the jungle.

But since this was against the rules of the show, Mika had to take the challenge head on but finally lost out to Jay. He shares his experience and opinions about the contestants in Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao!

How was your experience in the jungle?
My friends had kept a bet that I wouldn’t last more than 3-4 days in the jungle. They told me I would fight with everyone, since the living conditions are quite difficult.

But I loved the jungle experience. It has made me realize how I can live life without the help of any entertainment. In spite of living a luxurious life and having 4 hatte khatte (strong) bodyguards, I lived in the jungle without an AC or a fan.

I cooked food, lit fire, guarded fire giving up a night’s sleep, shared the same bathroom that 8 others used. I would bathe in open and above all ate breakfast on time, which I never did in my life.

Why did you call it quits from Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao?
I see Jay as my younger brother. I had promised in the very beginning that I would never fight against Jay or Chitrashi. I like to keep my word. I had my adventure for 14 days, and I am very happy with the experience.

Other people in the jungle need to stay back in the jungle for various reasons, for money, popularity, visibility etc. They all deserve to stay. But if it were anybody else against me, I would have fought; I would have wanted to fight. Haar kisi ko pasand nahi hai na.

Do you think people now know the real Mika through IJSMB?
Yes. I am a simple man. When everybody heard about my entry they thought there would be fights and controversies but none of those happened. I was just what I am in real life. In little time, I made friends and also became the jungle’s leader.

I tried my best to keep my calm too. Aman and Akashh never liked each other. But since the time I entered I made sure I spoke well about Aman to Akashh and vice versa. Now both of them are comfortable with each other.

What do you think of the contestants– any favorites or rivals?
I got along well with everybody and they all liked me too. I kept them entertained through my music. Music is very important. With me coming on the show, they got a colorful life.

Mona is a sweet girl; no matter how much work you give her she would be ready to do it. Anaida was very moody. Marc also had a back problem but still he would do his work. Chetan is a 6 feet 3 inch tall little baby.

He is still a child at heart but overgrown in size. He used to call me “Mickey Mickey” he’s too good, a very enthusiastic and a unique character. Akashh too was good.

People think he would be someone who would get angry anytime but he’s a sweet guy. He thinks he is the only one who would work in the camp and nobody else does any work (laughs). Chitrashi is a sweet girl. We entered the camp together so we hit it off immediately.

What about you fight with Chitrashi?
Chitrashi is nice, but I guess she took me very lightly. When I would assign her any work, she would refuse to do it. If Marc assigned her the same work, she would take it up instantly. I didn’t like that attitude. She is very childish and I had to make her understand to stay in limits. The fight I had with her was a small one and after that everything was normal.

Who according to you is the weakest in the jungle?
We 3 were the weakest links– Jay, Chitrashi and I. All the other contestants are very strong and have the attitude to stay in the jungle. For Chitrashi it’s like an outing, a picnic, she has come here for fun.

Who should win the show?
Chetan. He is the most deserving among all. Akashh is good at physical tasks and Marc at eating. Chetan is a mixture of both. He has the capability of doing all the tasks well. I think he should win the show. I fully support Chetan!

Anything that has surprised you about the contestants?
I have seen girls gossiping. But after coming here I was shocked to see the boys- Chetan, Marc and Akashh gossip too. Out of the 24 hours, they would be gossiping for 16 hours.

Every night they would gossip for 3 hours. And nothing major to talk about, but just in general and they would speak real fast- chatter chatter… if they were not gossiping, then they would use sign language.

Yeh 3 characters hai hamare show ke. But Aman is very smart; he knows everything about everybody, their weaknesses, strengths etc. he is the smartest chap there.

Will you miss the jungle?
Mein toh miss karunga hi par I think the people there will miss me the most. My presence will be missed. There is nothing in the jungle; it’s very difficult to survive. I think if I was given good food for 6 months then I could survive that long. I need good food for survival.

Item girl Bipasha to fire up Ranbir's Rocket Singh

2009-08-19T08:00:00.000+05:30

Ranbir Kapoor as Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year has got some sizzling company now. We hear that Shimit Amin has roped in Bipasha Basu in a special song in a glam avtaar.

Accroding to a source, "Rocket Singh is a character driven film with no clear lead pair. Suddenly, after they began shooting, the idea of no oomph in the film didn't seem right, Aditya Chopra had a word with Shimit and bounced an idea of an item number with Bipasha in it.

Even though Shimit Amin, the director of superb films like Chak De India and Ab Tak Chhappan, is known for his uncompromising work style, he’s learnt to have capitulated to the Yashraj honcho’s demand and agreed to have the item song on Bipasha in the film.

Bipasha will shoot for the film in two weeks on a set in Yash Raj Studios. A spokesperson for Yash Raj says, "Not true at all." The film hits cinemas worldwide on Dec 11 this year.

Big Deal: Karan Johar talks about his deal with Fox

2009-08-18T22:12:00.000+05:30

You’ve apparently inked a deal with 20th Century Fox for an astronomical never-heard-of amount of money?

Let me tell you the amount mentioned is nowhere near being a realistic amount. The deal among Star Fox studios, my company and Red Chillies is an internal matter and can’t be discussed in public.

What makes this deal so historic is not the money involved but the attempt to cross the disapora with a Hindi -language film My Name Is Khan. We’ll reach out in places where Hindi-language films have not gone before.

I am foxed by the deal.

The Fox guys read the script and have followed the project. They’re close enough to it to know what it’s all about. I’ve shared a comfort zone with them from Day 1.

Both Shah Rukh and I believe they are the best people to handle I Am Khan. They’ve faith in our brand power and content creation. It’s not about money. It’s all about mutual respect.

Is Fox trying to give the Islamic world a more positive image in the West by buying a film about Islamic isolation and the western world?

It’s not the politics of the film.It’s when the film moves you on a human and emotional level that matters. My Name Is Khan endeavours to do just that. I don’t think Fox was swayed by the positive message.

It’s the human aspect that won them over. I believe in the emotional content of both my cinema and personal relationships. Look at the longevity of the association between my company Dharma Productions and Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies and you’ll see what I mean.

You are adapting Fox’s Stepmom.Will there be more such adaptations of American films produced by Fox?

I’d always want to direct original content. But there’re young filmmakers in my company who are excited by the idea of adapting films.

Siddharth Malhotra, for example, is doing a Hindi version of Stepmom for our company. He’s working really hard on it. An adaptation is as difficult as an original film. And Siddharth is working really hard on it.

What is the final cast of Stepmom?

It’s Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.

I'm expecting a baby and Swine Flu has shaken me: Amrita Arora

2009-08-18T15:00:00.000+05:30

Amrita Arora (she’s expecting a baby): “It’s definitely shaken me. Instead of panicking I’m following orders. I’m wearing mask. I’ve a sanitizer by my bedside. And I’m trying to instruct my staff to take precautions. We’ve to stay calm.”

Bipasha Basu: “I’m in London. But I heard about it. It’s really sad and scary. I hope things return to normal very soon.”

Shabana Azmi: “The swine flu has not really affected our lives at all. The hysteria it has generated can only hamper the cure.

Instead of apportioning blame we should act as responsible citizens and make sure the citizens are alerted warned and informed about the disease.

Hema Malini: “I’m not able to understand the gravity of it. I’m scheduled to perform at several places for Janmasthmi. But now the shows are being cancelled and I feel the seriousness of the situation. We shouldn’t take it lightly. We need to be very careful.”

Shekhar Kapoor: ‘I’m trying to differentiate between rumor and reality. My daughter’s school has shut down. And I was supposed to be back in New York this week. Now I’ve had to re-evaluate my plans.”

Tusshar Kapoor: “I’m taking precautions. Trying not to panic. Unfortunately my film this week cannot be released on time due to the flu scare.”

Rensil d’Silva: “I lost two days shooting of my film Qurbaan in Pune which I’ll make up for when I shoot the climax. That apart, the flu scare hasn’t affected me.”

Amole Gupte: “It’s love during the time of swine flu.The family is indoors for a change. No option but to be happy bonding over varan-bhaat and televised paranoia.

Rajeev Khandelwal: “There are huge warning hoardings outside the studio where we’re currently shooting. There’re doctors on the set. And that’s a tad scary.”

Minissha Lamba: “It has definitely made one more cautious. Normal movement is restricted. That’s the least we can do to ensure it doesn’t get out of hand.”

Shreyas Talpade: “I’m in Mauritius trying to be as careful as possible.”

Sonu Sood: “I’ve been traveling a lot. The swine flu scare is a hassle at the airport. It takes extra time. Less people are stepping out. I hope it gets over quickly.”

Ranvir Shorey: “The roads are deserted in the evening. People wearing masks on the streets is scary. But they don’t know the masks need to be changed every three hours to be effective.”

Rohit Roy: “In some ways the swine flu scare has affected my family. We’re really concerned for our baby and my mom as kids and older people are more susceptible.

Also Mumbayites have become extremely wary of anyone who is even remotely infected with a common cold. Profesionally, as though recession wasn’t enough we’ve theatres shutting down due to swine flu. But I still say it’s just a virus and we can fight it.”

Kabir Khan: “There’s a huge over-reaction. But the shutting of schools suits me because I’m taking the kids and rushing off to the Malaysian jungles to be with my wife Mini who’s shooting there.”

Purab Kohli: “It’s scary, though I do feel there’s a certain amount of sensationalism by the news channels. At home we’re just making sure our immunity is kept at a high level.”

Vidya Balan: “The swine flu just got scarier because it’s in our city now. And the civic conditions and the large population make us vulnerable. Some say the media is exaggerating and creating panic but I think it’s better safe than sorry. Let’s hope it abates sooner than later.”

Shahana Goswami: “It’s not affected me. But I see the effect on others. There’s sucha paranoia about in the media and in the people. Hopefully that won’t spread the disease further.”

Neha Dhupia: “I’m in Los Angeles and very worried because the swine flu is all that props up on the internet every time I speak to anyone back home. The key is not to panic and to take action as soon as and only if the symptoms prop up.”

Riya Sen: “I’m taking all the precautions possible. I’ve ensured that my staff at work and at home including building watchmen wear masks.”

Anjana Sukhani: “Mom doesn’t let me go out. And there’re people on the streets with masks. It’s definitely scary.

SRK's detention is shocking, disturbing and disgraceful

2009-08-18T13:00:00.000+05:30

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's two-hour detention at Newark airport in the US over his surname had members of the Indian film industry fuming. Karan Johar was "shocked", actress Priyanka said it was "downright disgraceful" and filmmaker Kabir Khan termed it "harassment".

The 43-year-old actor was detained while he was on his way to Chicago to attend an event related to India's Independence Day and was freed only after Indian diplomats intervened.

Here's what King Khan's friends and colleagues had to say:

Priyanka Chopra: Shocking, disturbing and downright disgraceful. It's such behaviour that fuels hatred and racism. Shah Rukh Khan is a world figure for god's sake. Get real!

Kabir Khan: When I heard this news, I was so surprised...it has almost become a routine if you have a Muslim name you are bound to be questioned. It happened with me thrice in the US I was stopped by immigration officials for three to five hours... they don't care whether you are a celebrity or whoever.

But when it comes to Shah Rukh, it doesn't take more than 20 seconds to figure out who he is any search engine (on the Internet) will give more information on him than Hollywood stars Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt and despite that if it took them two hours to figure out, then its harassment.

Post 9/11 it is prejudice to have a person's name and religion checked and it is very discouraging as well.

Pritish Nandy: This is the problem with law enforcers worldwide...Truly obnoxious. Cops don't want to recognise anybody. They love to show their power and authority, especially in the US.

Karan Johar: I am shocked and upset...feeling terrible for Shah Rukh.

Kunal Kohli: It's really disgusting. Even if they had done a Google search on their mobiles, they would have seen who he is. What were they checking for two hours on their super computers? To detain him for two hours is ridiculous, disgusting and an insult to us Indians.

Arindam Chaudhari: Shah Rukh has just finished his film "My Name Is Khan" in which his character tries to prove to the Americans that he is not a terrorist. I'm sure he never thought it would happen in real life too...What a shame! It's shocking and shameful because I am sure Shah Rukh would have had to explain who he is.

It's Shah Rukh so it's become big news. But there many who constantly go through this everyday. It's really sad.

Eesha Koppikhar: I am not sure of the exact events but if he was detained just because he is a Muslim with Khan as a last name, it is very wrong.

Newest Hottie to enter Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao

2009-08-18T11:55:00.000+05:30

The channel and the production house are on their toes to keep the TRP’s high of the show Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao. Thus now they have planned to bring another sensational actress to boost the views of the show.

“Yes it’s true, as the actress Kashmira Shah will be entering the show coming Thursday,” chirps our little birdie. When asked of the reason for her sudden entry our source adds, “We have seen that in the last few episodes there had been ouster of females like Negar Khan, while Shweta Tiwari walked out.

This was bringing down the TRP’s as there were no masala that could attracts the audience, thus the channel took this decision in a hush-hush meeting.”

“Though after the entry of Mika, Jay and Chitrakshi there weren’t suppose to be a new entrant, but Kashmira got an entry as the channel is very sure about her personality, and she can hold the viewers,” concludes the source. So again there will be a lot of hissing in the jungle with the entry of the vivacious actress.

Arre Ram Gopal Varma Dhoni Ko Nahi Jaanta!

2009-08-18T10:00:00.000+05:30

Talk about living in a shell. Ram Gopal Varma learnt how embarrassing it could get when he failed to recognize Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently.

The cricketer met the director in the VIP lounge at the Bangalore airport and was shocked when Ramu thought he was a wannabe actor wanting his number. He brushed off the captain giving him his office number and asking him to drop off his photos there.

Dhoni was left stunned at that.

Ramu admitted to knowing absolutely nothing about cricket. He treated Dhoni like any other upcoming actor, eager to work with him. Although he denied that he asked him to drop off his photos.

He remained blissfully unaware about who Dhoni was until people around him told him that it was Dhoni. He would like to apologize to Dhoni the next time he meets him.

As for upcoming actors rushing to Ramu for movie offers, we doubt that’ll happen any time soon now, not when everyone is still shocked at the debacle, Agyaat.

Here comes meatier and curvier Vidya Balan

2009-08-18T08:00:00.000+05:30

Vidya Balan, whose weight was one of her biggest issues, now has another issue to deal with. The actress who lost a lot of weight recently can’t fit into some of her designer clothes, made for her then meatier and curvier frame.

Since some of those outfits cannot be altered, she has to do away with them. The clothes that she has lost sum up to a total of Rs. 3 lakhs.

According to sources, she has been forced to discard outfits by Sabysachi, Priyadarshini Rao and Abu Sandeep.

Vidya has lost 4 inches from the top and 3 from the waist and she herself confirms having to get rid of the outfits. She believes it’s a classic case of ‘To gain something, you have to lose something.’ We couldn’t agree more.

Sohail Khan embarrasses Vivek Oberoi at a Party

2009-08-17T21:35:00.000+05:30

Vivek Oberoi wishes he hadn’t called that press conference in April 2003. Yes, that one where he said that Salman Khan had been harassing and threatening him over the phone for his relationship with Aishwarya Rai, who Salman was earlier dating.

The poor guy is still paying a price for it. At Ramesh Taurani’s silver anniversary, Sohail Khan, Salman’s younger brother decided to take a potshot at Vivek.

Sohail walked into the party and saw Vivek sipping a drink in a corner. He then went on further in the hall where most of the people were and he saw Vivek standing alone in a corner.

Sohail suddenly called out, “Oye Vivek!” Vivek quickly turned to see who had called him. Sohail cheekily looked at a waiter, calling him Vivek and beckoning to him.

Vivek was dismayed to see that Sohail had insulted him. He quietly walked away from where Sohail was standing.

Sources have confirmed the incident. Now why was Vivek controlling his anger? Is it because Salman was expected to make an appearance at the event soon? We Khan-not be sure…

Shah Rukh recounts his horrofic encounter in US

2009-08-17T20:34:00.000+05:30

After his detention at a US airport sparked a furore in India, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Monday asked people back home not to take the issue further, even as he said that America needs to offer "a little more warmth and speed in its processes".

In Houston where he arrived from Chicago to attend a 'Meet and Greet' carnival, Khan who was 'inspected' at the Newark airport on his arrival from India, said he respected the procedures the US requires incoming foreigners to follow but maintained his experience was "not pleasant".

The actor, who had earlier told his fans that he did not feel like stepping on US soil again, said while everybody loves what America has to offer "but I think it needs to offer a little more warmth and speed in its processes".

However, he requested "everyone" back home not to take the issue "further than it should be".

"I didn't mean it to be like this. Because I had to make a few calls to get out of that place, so I guess it became a big piece of news," he told CNN IBN.

Khan, 43, was stopped and questioned at Newark airport on his arrival from India for about two hours on Saturday and was released only after the Indian consulate intervened, an incident that caused widespread anger in India with the government saying it would take up the issue with the US.

"I just like to tell people that I do understand the anger and angst and disturbance that an incident like this can cause."

The actor, who is in the US to promote his upcoming film My Name is Khan, mingled with his fans in Houston and signed autographs for them. Ironically, the film revolves around a Muslim character and his experiences in a post 9/11 America.

"The film's issue is much larger than just being a stop at the immigration. Its not ironic, may be we made the film because one thinks this is an issue that should be addressed," Khan said.

Commenting on the incident in Newark, he said: "I understand a country has to be a little careful specifically with the things that have happened".

But, he said, instead of doing a retina and finger scan, which is a normal procedure, the immigration authorities kept telling him that his name was "common".

"... They kept telling me your name is common... and I was too polite to ask common to what," he said.

US authorities had denied that the procedure they followed with the Indian actor had anything to do with his name and described it as mere "inspection," attributing it to the delay in the arrival of his baggage.

Khan said America needed to understand that "its not an isolated parallel universe existence for this country".

"There is a whole world which makes all the good and bad that is happening. So if you are scared of violence, terrorism, all of us are responsible for it. It is not that the rest of the world is and America is not," he said.

The Khans react to Shah Rukh's humiliation in US

2009-08-17T19:34:00.000+05:30

After Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained at Newark airport for a security check, many others like Zayed Khan and Irrfan Khan have come out with the ordeals they faced in the US because of their last names. This is what they have to say:

Zayed Khan: “Of course we Khans go through this kind of humiliation all the time. I’ve gone through it, Salman has gone through it. I’m glad people are talking about it because of Shah Rukh. There have been times when I’ve been with 17 people in a team on tour or for a shooting in the US.

Out of these only one gets detained on the airport while the others get cleared in no time at all. Guess who invariably gets detained? And some Caucasian bully who does these checkings by the book and who thinks all Khans are terrorists will tell you it’s a random check.

Tell me, how can there be random checks on 5 US airports one after another and in all of them only yours truly gets detained for additional checking? I think there’s a big difference between being secure and being ignorant.

I think American investigation agencies need to take a close look at the way they treat a certain community of people. How uncool is to humiliate your guests?? We in our family have stopped going to the US because of these, ha ha, random checks on the airport.

We don’t go to the US for holidays, only for work and to meet family and close friends. The Americans must realize they’re losing out on a lot of goodwill. They first insulted our former president Abdul Kalam.

And now Shah Rukh. Humiliation of Indians anywhere is unacceptable. Nothing has been done about racist attacks on Indian students in Australia. I see no difference between what’s done in Australia and in the US to Indians.

Iqbal Khan (tv actor): “Such attacks Khans is nothing new. These things happen on American airports. It is time for all Muslims in the world to let everyone know Islam means beliving in God and the Almighty and in peace…..It’s happened to me. Once I was to go to the US for a show.

I was the only one who didn’y get a visa. And I was the only Muslim. However recently I applied again and I got a 10-year multiple visa.

Kabir Khan (director): “I was accompanying my wife in the US along with the Morani Brothers. It was a flight from LA to Washington just 15 days after 9/11.

So the fear and parnaoia were not totally unjustified. We were waiting for the flight to take off talking to each other in Hindi when some passengers complained that we were talking in a ‘strange’ language.

Within no time two burly FBI agents came on board and took me and my co-passengers to the front of the plane. When they got to know my name they questioned me for more than two hours, googled my name for terrorist links and then finally allowed me to fly.They asked me if I had been to Pakistan. I told them no.

If I had told them I had been to Afganistan they’d have freaked out.Two other passengers on board refused to fly with us. So they were asked to deboard, the logic being that if my name was cleared by no means could I be prevented from traveling.

So you see post -9/11 persecution comes with its inbuilt safety measures. But I honestly think a part of the global fear is justified.We can’t blame people for being paranoid after what has happened.”

Shabina Khan (dress designer) : “I really dunno what happened with Shah Rukh in the US. But I definitely get into issues at the airport thanks to my surname. It’s annoying. I’m now on my way to the same show where SRK was detained and harassed. I hope I don’t get into any hassles. It’s scary.”

Dilip Kumar (Yusuf Khan): “After hearing these atrocious accounts who wants to travel to such a stupid place when our beautiful India offers Kashmir’s jannat and Kerala’s luminous glory? God forbid if we have to go to such a country.”

Eijaaz Khan (tv actor): “I’ve gone through similar experiences a couple of times in the US.While all my friends breezed through immigration I was questioned and had to give the address I was staying at, and for how long.

My whereabouts were even checked by them later. This was in February after 9/11.I guess this kind of treatment is to be expected by us Khans. We’ve to take it in our stride.”

Irrfan Khan: “More than the physical torture it’s the wounds of humiliation that never heal after you undergo such a horrific experience.It happened to me on two occasions. I was detained in New York and Los Angeles airport for secondary interrogation.I was outraged.

I was told to quietly come into a room for questioning and identification verification. I wasn’t allowed to talk. When I tried to ask why I was being treated this way I was told to keep quiet. I wasn’t allowed to use my phone, even to inform the people who had come to receive me at the airport.

They said, ‘No, you just sit down.’All because my name was Irrfan Khan.The authorities did their job like computers, not caring how it affected the individual. You can’t argue back or rationalize. America is a country of superior sophisticated knowledge.

Surely they can tell the difference between a terrorist and an innocent traveler.On a second occasion this time in New York, when I was detained I blew my top.

I told this big Black American buy, ‘Please clear the confusion about my identity once and for all. Or don’t provide me with a visa. I don’t want to come back to the US’ The guy wanted to know if it was a threat. I was taken aback.

Mira Nair had to intervene. She advised me to never counter-question them. I wasn’t allowed to even get up from my chair. This is the free spirit of America.

This 90-minute detention changed me completely. Just the thought of being held froze my blood. Can you imagine what a 90-day detention can do to an innocent man thrown into jail?”

At 43, Salman Khan still gets beaten up by mom

2009-08-17T18:31:00.000+05:30

Salman Khan has often made headlines for getting into verbal and physical fights, but very few know that the 43-year-old Bollywood star still gets beaten up by his mother Salma.

"As a child, Salman was very naughty He used to get the most beating...still does," Salma told choreographer-turned- director Farah Khan on her soon-to-be-launched celebrity chat show "Tere Mere Beach Mein" going on air Plus Sunday.

When Farah asked "Is it just a pat?", Salman, who was the first celebrity guest for the show, said: "Are you mad or what? It comes as such a phatak (tight slap)...I reel under its heavy impact and wonder where it came from! I tell her that how can you beat me mamma, I'm a grown up man now."

Some of the actor's best kept secrets were also unravelled on the show. For instance, she revealed that she still stays up waiting for him at the window till he returns home. Salma said that all her kids tease her for this habit.

"They say that the building doesn't need a watchman with me keeping guard all night," she said.

Life Partner--Movie Review

2009-08-16T13:00:00.000+05:30

By Taran Adarsh

Rating: ***

A few questions cross your mind when you're about to watch Life Partner...

* Haven't I watched something like this in the past? Isn't it getting repetitive?

* Haven't I had enough of mindless potboilers?

* What's Rumy Jaffery going to serve now? A rehash of what he's made in the past?

There's so much negativity surrounding Life Partner, even though you don't have a clue about its content/material. Even though you have no inkling what it has to offer. Also, the buzz is clearly missing.

But, but, but... never judge a book by its cover. To answer the questions I raised at the very outset, let me say that Life Partner isn't innovative or ground-breaking, but it's interesting and entertaining.

One may assume that it's a nonsensical comedy, but it isn't. Instead, it's a 'family film' [a popular term for socials/paarivaarik films within the industry].

It gives you a sneak peak into the lives of two couples -- one, who believes in love marriage and the other, who believes in arranged marriage.

Life Partner also surprises you because Rumy Jaffery incorporates vignettes from real life. Most importantly, Life Partner entertains, makes you laugh [at even silly jokes] and keeps you hooked for most parts of the film. It's only the climax that acts as a spoilsport. But more on that later!

To sum up, Life Partner carries no buzz and also the baggage of zilch expectations. But this film springs a pleasant surprise. You leave the auditorium with a smile, not a smirk!

Karan [Fardeen Khan] and Sanjana [Genelia D'Souza] are madly in love with each other. Marriage is the next step to cement their relationship. But is 'love marriage' the right way to be?

For Bhavesh [Tusshar Kapoor], his Life Partner, Prachi [Prachi Desai], comes with the approval of his family. But is 'arranged marriage' the way forward? Is it right to prioritize family over marriage? Does Prachi have to prove herself as a worthy daughter-in-law to qualify as an ideal wife?

Jeet [Govinda] is an accomplished divorce lawyer who does not believe in the institution of marriage. He can't be monogamous and is often responsible for his getting his clients divorced. But is 'no marriage' the right policy? Will Jeet ever find a partner and accept matrimony?

Life Partner is about three protagonists struggling on the marital marathon, but on different tracks.

Life Partner is a simple story told in a simplistic manner. Director Rumy Jaffery comes to the point at the very outset and the principle characters and their characteristics are well established at this juncture.

The film is laced with funny incidents initially, but gets serious as it reaches the interval point. In this case too, the interval point is a shocker and you await the second half for several reasons.

The post-interval portions get more real, since the two marriages go through a crisis and the transition is depicted wonderfully.

However, the climax is a downer. Ideally, the writer should've come up with a better thought of conclusion, instead of the one that's depicted now.

Rumy Jaffery shows ample improvement over his previous film. He has handled a number of scenes very well, especially the Tusshar - Prachi - Darshan Jariwala portions. Pritam comes up with an ordinary soundtrack. 'Kuke Kuke' is the best of the lot.

Yunus Sajawal's screenplay has several appealing moments. Niranjan Iyengar's dialogues are first-class. Sameer Arya's cinematography is admirable. The locales of South Africa are a visual treat. In fact, the film sports a rich look all through.

Govinda is in terrific form this time. After PARTNER, the talented actor gets a role that does complete justice to his abilities. He seems to have worked on his looks and that only enhances the impact.

Fardeen Khan is very likable. In fact, the role requires him to go overboard at times and he does that so well. Genelia D'Souza is the scene stealer. She's superb and one of the prime reasons that makes Life Partner watchable.

Tusshar Kapoor pitches a remarkable performance yet again. He looks so perfect for his part. Life Partner is yet another film that showcases his talent well.

Prachi Desai showed abundant promise in ROCK ON!! and excels in Life Partner too. This pretty girl has the potential to carry off most difficult scenes with aplomb. Amrita Rao [sp. app.] doesn't create magic.

Anupam Kher is just right. Darshan Jariwala is proficient. Vikram Gokhale is good. Jagdeep is superb in a brief role. On the whole, Life Partner may lack the hype, but this one springs a pleasant surprise. It's aimed at the families and that section of movie-going audience should take to it gradually, with a strong word of mouth. The holidays in its opening weekend should help the film grow!

Chargesheet filed against Shiney Ahuja

2009-08-16T11:55:00.000+05:30

A 109-page chargesheet has been filed by the city police against Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja accusing him of rape, wrongful confinement and threatening his domestic servant.

The chargesheet contains medical and forensic reports of the actor and the victim, statements of the witnesses, including the neighbours and those who helped the victim lodge a complaint.

The victim's statement has been recorded before a magistrate under the provisions of section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in order to strengthen the case.

Ahuja has been in languishing in the high security Arthur Road prison in central Mumbai since his arrest on June 15. The 36-year-old actor, whose judicial custody ends on Thursday, would be produced before a metropolitan magistrate.

According to the police, on June 14, Ahuja had called the victim to his room at his residence saying he needed water. He then locked the room and allegedly raped her.

Garbage in, Garbage out: Priyanka Chopra

2009-08-16T10:00:00.000+05:30

Since moviegoers in India today are exposed to world cinema in a big way, Priyanka Chopra is surprised that quite a few Bollywood filmmakers still follow the escapist route. But she says her new film "Kaminey" doesn't fall in that category and audiences should come with their thinking caps on.

"Isn't it surprising that whenever there is a Hollywood film playing, we go all ga ga over it, especially when it follows an unconventional narrative? We ask each other when they can do it, why can't we? We are so much in awe of their cinema, " Priyanka told.

"However, when it comes to our own movies, we try to play safe stating that we are doing this for our audiences. Come on guys, it's the same audience we are catering to, so why not give them something really new and different to relish?

"Frankly speaking, I don't like it at all when we keep making such statements as so and so film doesn't require audiences to wear a thinking cap, " she said.

The actress asks a series of questions regarding the intelligence of the audiences.

"My question is -- why should we underestimate the intelligence of Indian audiences? Why do we believe that they want everything on a platter? Why don't we make a cinema-going experience so exciting and engrossing for them that they actually go on to exclaim 'wow'?" the actress said.

Releasing Friday, "Kaminey" is a dark thriller that revolves around gangsters, rebel soldiers, rogue politicians and crooked cops. Directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, it features Shahid Kapoor in a double role.

Priyanka observes that while good films are working, bad films, despite top star casts and huge budgets, are being rejected by the audience.

"It's as simple as that -- garbage in, garbage out, " she said. "Thankfully India is changing for the better and there are some brilliant films being made today."

Ask her to give a few examples and she responds in a jiffy, "Movies like 'Dev D', 'Jodhaa Akbar', 'Rock On' and 'A Wednesday' have worked because they had an original script and were treated so differently and innovatively. These were all intelligent films and not made for kindergarten kids. No wonder audiences grabbed them all in a big way."

She doesn't forget to mention her own movies from 2008 that saw her marching back into the reckoning.

"Both 'Dostana' and 'Fashion' were made within commercial parameters but still had a very good story to tell. These were not frivolous at all. That's the reason they succeeded."

"In fact, the last film that really impressed me this year was 'New York'. Kudos to Yash Raj Films for backing such a subject and making such a good topical entertainer. It was a sensitive story to be told and Kabir Khan treated it with utmost maturity. Hats off.

"These are the kind of films that make you believe that Bollywood is indeed seeing a new direction for better", she said.

Decade later, Salman Khan the singer returns

2009-08-16T08:00:00.000+05:30

A decade after he was last heard as a singer, Salman Khan is back behind the mike for his upcoming release "Wanted". Composer duo Sajid-Wajid say the song titled "Most Wanted Track" is true to the mood and theme of the film.

"The song is indeed a special part of 'Wanted'. We wanted to make something 'dhamakedaar' for Salman bhai and the idea was to have a track that gives audiences a taste of what the film is all about. This is why you don't just hear Salman bhai mouthing a few dialogues from the film but also singing in the true sense, " Wajid told.

In the late 1990s, each of Bollywood's three big Khans tried flexing their vocal chords as singers.

Aamir Khan saw huge success coming his way through the song "Aati kya Khandala" in the 1998 movie "Ghulam", Shah Rukh Khan's "Apun bola" that he sang for his 2000 movie "Josh" is heard till date and Salman too came up with a 'tapori' hit in "Chandi ki daal par" in "Hello Brother" in 1999.

Salman's new song has quite a few dialogues. It in fact begins with now-famous dialogue, "Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di.....", and packs in a lot more such one-liners that are bound to keep the masses and lovers of action cinema happy.

"Most Wanted Track" is currently being played along with the teasers of the film. If those 60 seconds are any indication, then this Boney Kapoor production is pretty much a successful film in the offing.

Courtesy the zany sound, two major aspects of the film are highlighted - Salman and 'desi' action - setting the tone for lovers of hardcore masala action.

"Salman Khan has always been known for giving his all to a film where his heart is set. 'Wanted' pretty much appears to be the film where he is back in a full-on action avtar five years since the release of 'Garv - Pride And Honor', " said a trade insider.

Wajid said: "The film is a full-on commercial affair and we went all out to make the album a complete package affair. Other than this theme track, which is of course the highlight of the film, we have incorporated a few dance numbers. We in fact even got Kamaal Khan, who has done so well with Salman bhai earlier, to sing a song ('Ishq Vishq') in 'Wanted'."

In the past, Salman has been credited as a singer for a couple of songs like "Chal mere bhai" or "Main hoon Yuvraaj". However, he didn't sing in the conventional sense for either.

While in the former it was Sanjay Dutt who actually crooned the track, with Salman just chipping in as a drunk younger brother, in the latter he primarily spoke a dialogue or two for around a minute as he introduced his character.

" 'Most Wanted Track' is a full-fledged song though. Other than the dialogues, Salman bhai is heard singing 'Teri yaad satati hai' as a part of it. He has got the feeling of pain spot on. The genre of the song dictated that he sing in a laidback tone and he has done that perfectly fine, " said Wajid.

Produced by Boney Kapoor, "Wanted" is directed by Prabhu Deva and features Ayesha Takia Azmi opposite Salman Khan. The film also stars Mahesh Manjrekar, Asseem Merchant, Mahek Chhal and Prakash Raj along with Anil Kapoor in a special appearance.