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'Men In Black 3' - funny with right emotional tinge

2012-06-09T13:27:00.002+05:30

Film: 'Men In Black 3'; Director: Barry Sonnenfeld; Cast: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement; Rating:***1/2

Science fiction and humour can be a potent mix. Imagine having almost an endless array of things to play gags with. In such a scenario, one is limited only by one's imagination.

While the last outing of 'Men in Black' wasn't a patch on the original, this part manages to get the fun and humour of the series right back and tops it up with the right dosage of sentiment, sprinkled just at the right time.

Though it does not trek unchartered territories, choosing to stay in its now familiar universe, it works up a fun film.

Agent J (Will Smith) is always busy either trying to make his partner Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) smile or wondering the reason for his seriousness.

After Boris The Animal (Jemaine Clement) escapes from a prison, goes back in time, kills agent K and unleashes destruction that will end the world, J too has to travel back in time, team up with the young K (Josh Brolin) and try to save the world.

What he does not know is how this is as much about saving the world and K, as it is about him.

The strength of film, despite the obvious and a very linear plot, is that it manages to include the idea of a popular science fiction film and mesh it up into a convincing film.

Thus, it has a tug-of-war between our heroes, shows the earth at great risk, throws in some cool gadgets, a dangerous extra-terrestrial villain while managing to add an extra spice: a good dose of emotional engagement right at the climax of the film.

The characters are also memorable. Josh Brolin as a fun, younger version of Tommy Lee Jones does well. The villain is ugly and deadly and inspires fear in the viewers.

Yet, what takes the cake is the ending.

You have the actual climax of cool and intelligent action demonstrated by our man in black. But beyond this, the film relies on another climax, an emotional one that rounds up the story and missing explanations (for example, how did he remember the time before time was changed) and sets you off smiling from the theatre.

Will Smith does well to keep the humour going. He is as at ease with Tommy Lee Jones as he is with Josh Brolin. Together, the trio make it a worthwhile watch for lovers of both comedy and science fiction films making this outing a film not to be missed by fans of either.

Kamal Hassan, Barrie M Osborne in talks for collaboration

2012-06-09T13:26:00.002+05:30

After winning hearts and minds in Bollywood and South Indian films, thespian Kamal Hassan is now looking forward to take a plunge in Hollywood. The 57-year-old actor screened his new film 'Vishwaroop' to Hollywood producer Barrie M Osborne, of the 'Lord of the Rings' fame, and the two are now planning to collaborate on a project. 'My friend Barrie Osborne is coming down and we areplanning, so hopefully I'll be doing something in Hollywood,' said Hassan.

Meanwhile the actor-director is gearing up to release his new film 'Vishwaroop', a spy thriller made simultaneously in
Tamil and Hindi. The first look of The content of the film is such that it demanded a larger audience, so we made the film in both languages. The basic premise of the film is to get the audience to theatres, so that the people who have invested in the film, including me, can rake in the moolah,' he said. The film has an unusual star cast comprising Indian-American actress Pooja Kumar, Tamil actress Andrea Jeremiah and actors Rahul Bose and Sandeep Jamwal. Hassan himself stars in the lead role.

'I was not looking for stars in the film, I wanted talent. Also a person starring in a role should suit it, that goes for me as well. We chose Pooja after a looking through a number of other actresses. Rahul prepared for one and a half months for his role, working on his look and Tamil accent, I am very pleased with him,' said Hassan.

Kamal Hassan to unveil 'Vishwaroopam' first look at IIFA

2012-06-09T13:25:00.005+05:30

Southern superstar Kamal Hassan will showcase the first look of his much-awaited film 'Vishwaroopam' at the 13th edition of International Indian Film Academy to be held in Singapore. He hopes that the audiences like it.

Though the film has been made in Tamil and Hindi, the excerpts from the Hindi version of 'Vishwaroopam' will be shown at the three-day event starting June 7.

'It is a great opportunity to present my film on such a large and international scale. I look forward to unveiling the first look of 'Vishwaroopam' and I am hopeful that it will be well received,' Kamal said in a statement.

It features Kamal in the lead role along with Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar, Jaideep Ahlawat, Samrat Chakrabarti and Zarina Wahab. The film also has a special appearance by Shekhar Kapur.

Shilpa names son Viaan

2012-06-09T13:25:00.002+05:30

Actress Shilpa Shetty has named her son Viann Raj Kundra.

'Hey tweetos, Yes, its official, Did the naming ceremony today, our son is christened VIAAN RAJ KUNDRA. It means Full of life and energy,' the 36-year-old tweeted Wednesday night.

Shilpa, who is married London-based Raj Kundra in 2009, gave birth to her son May 21. This is Kundra's second child - he has a daughter, Deleena, from ex-wife Kavita.

Kundra also introduced the son on micro-blogging site Twitter.

'Please welcome twitter's youngest user my son Viaan Raj Kundra. Be nice to him and he may reply,' he tweeted.

Karan signs Emraan for next, says there's always a right time

2012-06-09T13:24:00.002+05:30

Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is teaming up with Emraan Hashmi for two of his films, seems to be taken by the actor's talent and his steady success graph in Bollywood. The serial kisser would be seen in Johar's next home production film to be directed by Rensil D'Silva. 'Emraan is doing a film for us, Rensil is directing it. And we are also talking to Emraan for another project. I have great amount of respect and regard for him and his talent and the way he strategies his career. He is very talented actor. It is never late, there is always a right time,' Karan Johar told PTI in an exclusive interview. 'I think when Emraan and I come together it should be for the right film. I am glad we have found the right script,' he said.

With the recent string of hits including 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai', 'Murder 2' 'The Dirty Picture' and 'Jannat 2' Emraan is being considered as a bankable star. 'I always liked him from before. I liked him in 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai', 'The Dirty Picture', I think he really suited the role so well. For this film (untitled) the script suited him... it is different for him and yet it suited him tremendously. I am really very excited about it,' he said. When Emraan is there in a film, it is bound to have some
intimate scenes. Ask Johar about this and he says, 'I don't think that the script allows. Like in 'Shanghai' he has broken the mould and it is lovely to have an actor who de-constructs his image. It is wonderful he is doing well.' Gossip mills were abuzz with rumors that Kareena Kapoor might be starring opposite Emraan but Johar preferred to be tight lipped about it.

'The film has a strong ensemble cast, like Emraan, lots of people are there in it.. like Kangana, Randeep Hooda and host of young brilliant actors. We will announce the film with title and cast very soon. It is about individual paths, there is no predominant love story. It is too early to talk about it (story line),' Johar said.

About another project with Emraan, Johar said, 'We are talking to him on another project. We don't have any contract with him. We never sign multiple contracts with anyone. It is all about suiting the role.' The filmmaker is all looking forward to his upcoming directorial venture 'Student of the Year' which is all set to release on October 19 this year. It stars newcomers Varun
Dhawan, son of filmmaker David Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and Siddharth Malhotra in lead roles. 'We should be hitting the cinema houses on October 19 and we are very excited about it. There are new comers in the film, so there is vast excitement as this is first for us. We are hoping to pass this exam. It is new for me.. it was new for them as well. It was my first time with new comers so I also felt like a newcomer. We all were nervous -- the three
actors and me.. but it worked really well,' he said.

Meanwhile, Karan would be seen judging the fifth season of dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa', alongside Madhuri
Dixit and Remo D'Souza. 'I have been offered loads of shows. I feel it is allabout being in right place and time and have faith about it. I would be looking at their concept, presentation, performance, energy and passion they would be bringing in a performance. I have seen the previous seasons. It is a very successful format,' he said. When asked to pick a favorite contestant, he says, 'I am not going to choose my favorites, and it is not fair to do so at this juncture. Each one of them brings something new, some of them are prolific dancers and some may be not. But the history of 'Jhalakâ€¦' shows that a non-dancer lands up winning. The dancers are the one who actually have to pull up their dancing shoes.' As far as performing is concerned, Johar feels shy dancing on the show.

'I won't be performing at allâ€¦I am here in the capacity of a judge. I won't be dancing at all. It is not in my place to dance on this platform such as this. I would shy away (to dance in front of Remo and Madhuri), I would rather make them direct something,' Johar said. 'Who would be silly enough to dance in front Madhuri. Remo is a trained dancer and Madhuri is an exceptional dancer. I am a judge here as a filmmaker and I will use that skill to judge contestants,' he said.

Diamond Necklace on May 4

2012-05-03T11:05:00.002+05:30

Under the banner of LJ Film Pvt Ltd and Anita Productions, directed by Lal Jose, Diamond Necklace will hit the floors on May 4. With Fahad Fayas in the primary role, the cast includes Samvrata Sunil, Gowtami Nair and Anusree. Sreenivasan, Maniyanpilla Raju, Mithun Raj, Ramesh, Moideen Koya, Rohini, etc. Screenplay is by Dr Iqbal Kuttipuram.

The film was shot at Thrissur, Pollachi, Palakkad and also in Dubai. Dubbing is being done at Vismaya studio owned by Mohanlal. The story revolves around three levels of life situations that connect protagonist Arun Kumar with three women.

Abhishek to star in Bhojpuri film

2012-05-03T11:04:00.002+05:30

Mumbai: After his father Amitabh Bachchan acted in three Bhojpuri films, son Abhishek is set to follow suit.

The junior Bachchan is most likely to appear in the upcoming film of the megastar's make-up man Deepak Sawant.

'One fine day, Abhishek had asked me as to why I am not casting him in my film. The offer to work in Bhojpuri cinema
came from Abhishek himself. All I can say is Abhishek will be part of our upcoming Bhojpuri film,' Deepak Sawant, the film
producer told PTI, last evening.

'We have a film in place titled, 'Ganga Ramji'...it is a political movie. It is about how a third person, say politician gets benefit from the fight between two politicians. All I can say is that he (Abhishek) would be there in the film,' he said without elaborating further.

Amitabh has already worked with Sawant in three Bhojpuri films -- 'Ganga', Gangotri' and 'Ganga Devi'.

'Ganga Devi' a political thriller about women reservation, stars Amitabh Bachchan, wife Jaya, Bhojpuri actors Dinesh Lal
Yadav and Pakhee Hegde besides Gulshan Grover in lead roles.
The film is set to release post IPL.

'We intend to release the film after IPL. We do not want to incur any losses with this film. Also, fans are crazy about
IPL,' Sawant said

Aishwarya Rai's shape, a subject of intense debate

2012-05-03T11:03:00.001+05:30

The shape which Aishwarya Rai is in five months after her pregnancy has generated unusual public interest with the Bachchan bahu coming in for some criticism for the 'oodles of weight' gained by the actress. But some celebrites who have been associated with the 38-year-old Bollywood star including Designer Sabyasachi defended her, saying that like any other woman the new mother would definitely take some time to shed pregnancy weight. The trigger for the reactions came following the
publication of some pictures of the former Miss World while emerging out of a party hosted by eminent industrialist Mukesh
Ambani in Mumbai last week. Married to Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya gave birth to her first baby, a daughter, on
November 16, 2011. The pictures set off a buzz on the internet and in the social media with articles, videos, blogs and tweets
highlighting her 'oodles of weight', 'double chin' and calling the photos of the beauty queen 'shocking'.

Some social media writeups sought to suggest that the star is not taking her weight gain seriously. However, some blogs and tweets too have come out in Aishwarya's defence with comments that the focus on her post-pregnancy weight gain was pathetic.A video compilation of her recent photos attracted comments like: 'She is a Bollywood actress and being a part of
showbiz it is her duty to look good and fit. Till now she has been praised for her beauty, so it is only fair that she should also be criticized if she is not able to live up to it.

She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to size zero weeks after their delivery! She needs to lose that weight... its been close to 5 months already!' On the other hand, there are many who believe that five months is not enough time to shed weight and that the comments on her figure are 'harsh'. Designer Sabyasachi, who made Aishwarya's costumes for 'Raavan', said, 'Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has just delivered a baby and like any other woman she would definitely take time to put off that weight.'

'She's a super celebrity and I think she is doing a commendable job by showing her real side to the media. Earlier, she was criticised for being unreal and plastic,' Sabyasachi told PTI. Aishwarya looked a lot slimmer at the press conference
conducted by the Bachchans at their residence, Jalsa, immediately after the baby's arrival. But in recent photographs, Bollywood watchers say it seems as if she is heavier by five to six kilos. Designer Rina Dhaka says that a new mother gains weight especially when she is taking care of her baby. 'It is very difficult for a woman to shed that weight. I think the media is being very harsh on her. They are deliberately printing those photos which are taken at an angle which makes her look fat or highlights her double chin,' Rina said.

Designer Rocky S lashed out at the critics. 'Why people are obsessed with Aishwarya's weight. This maternity weight takes time to lose. Being an internatianol celebrity she is not hiding her face, rather she is enjoying her motherhood. She should not be pressurised and she doesn't have to look perfect at this moment.' Even blogs and tweets have come out in Aishwarya's
defence. 'Focus on Aishwarya's post preg weight gain pathetic. Glad she's not a celeb bimbo who's wheeled in2 plastic surgery straight frm labour room,' said one Twitter user, while another wrote, 'Reports in some parts of the media about
Aishwarya's weight gain are vile and irresponsible. Let the woman be.' 'Utterly gross & sexist commentary in sections of the
media on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Makes me sick with anger at how we deconstruct women,' said another tweet.

Filmmakers offer an interesting palette of films during IPL

2012-04-01T13:21:00.005+05:30

Mumbai: Bollywood filmmakers have put up a brave act this year by lining up a string of big and small budget films for release in the next two months even as the cricket fever kicks off from April 4, with IPL season 5. This year, films which will face the IPL, mainly include Sajid Khan's multi starrer comic caper, 'Housefull 2' (April 6), actor John Abraham's maiden home production 'Vicky Donor' (April 20), Viacom 18 Motion Pictures' 'Bittoo Boss' (April 20) and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 'Ferrai Ki Sawari' (April 27). On the risk of releasing a film during IPL, Sajid Khan told PTI, 'Its OK to release a film during IPL..its a myth not to release a film during that time. IPL will also do well andeven 'Housefull 2' will be a superhit film.'

According to actor-turned-producer John Abraham, 'the IPL opens very strong and dips in the middle after the first fortnight, and that is when we have decided to release the film. Because we know there is going to be a fatigue factor somewhere in the middle and we are going to cash in on that.' 'It is not a social film (Vicky Donor)..its a commercial one. The concept of sperm donation is first of its kind, we needed it to be treated with care. We know that our target audience is mainly colleges. We will market this film effectively,' he said.

Priyadarshan's action-thriller 'Tezz' (April 27), Emraan Hashmi-starrer 'Jannat 2' (May 4), Karisma Kapoor's comeback film 'Dangerous Ishq' (May 11), Yash Raj Films 'Ishaqzaade' (May 18) and Ram Gopal Varma's 'Department' (May 18) are other releases. 'This time around we have a fantastic variety of films lined up for release during IPL. Its great that filmmakers are
not afraid of IPL anymore. Usually it is vacation time, summer holidays..so everyone wants to relax.. have a good time, so
what better than a good dose of entertainment through movies,' Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh told PTI.
'This is a great trend as a mix of both big and small
films are releasing during this time. Films should release
whether IPL or no IPL,' he said.
Now its wait and watch on who scores high on audience
attention -- cricket or films.

Vidya had to undergo more than 60 tests to bag Parineeta

2012-04-01T13:21:00.002+05:30

She is one of the most sought after actresses today but her journey in filmdom wasn't a cake walk.

Vidya Balan had to give over 60 screen tests for her debut Bollywood film, Parineeta.

After appearing in several ad films and music videos, she made her debut in B-town with Vidhu Vinod Chopra's home production in 2005.

'I was doing ad films and I had signed quite a few South films but then I went through a phase of being called jinxed because my first South film was stopped midway and then other directors threw me out of their films. I started doing music videos but Dada (director Pradeep Sarkar) had told me he would make a film with me,' Vidya told reporters here, last night at the Vidhu Vinod Chopra festival.

'He (Pradeep Sarkar) went to Chopra (Producer) with the script and Chopra wanted a bigger star but he also said if I am able to show that I can do the role then they will take me. I gave over 60 tests right from Indian look, western look, curly hair, straight hair, song, emotional scene, etc. I kept doing it but later I was fed up as I was not aware if they were really going to take me or not,' Vidya said.

'And the moment I gave up was the time when I got the film,' 34-year-old actress recalled.

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra made her undergo gruelling tests for the role of Lalita, till she got it right.

'We tested her 60-65 times. After a few tests I saw her looking at the camera and abusing me. The fact that she was desperate to do the film, it showed in those 60-65 tests. But when she did not give a damn was the time when she performed. If you are desperate for something you won't get it,' Chopra said.

'Vidya became Vidya Balan when she stopped caring. I am happy that she sustained those 65 odd tests and did not give up and look where she is today,' he said.

The Dirty Picture star also revealed that even director Pradeep Sarkar, made her do 28 takes to capture an emotional moment in the song Raat Humari Toh.

Parineeta besides Vidya, also starred Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt in pivotal roles and was a hit at the box office.

PVR Cinemas, in association with Chopra has organized a first of its kind retrospective of his films as a tribute to mark his completion of 30 years in the film industry.

On the second day of the fest when Parineeta was screened, those present on the occasion included Vidya, Raima Sen, Pradeep Sarkar, cinematographer Natarajan Subramaniam and music director Shantanu Moitra among others.

'Peepli' goes without power as film unit 'fails' to pay up

2012-04-01T13:20:00.003+05:30

The power supply to Badwai village in Raisen district where Aamir Khan's much acclaimed Peepli Live was shot has been discontinued due to alleged non-payment of dues of over Rs 3.5 lakh by the film unit and the village has been without electricity for the last fortnight.

The matter was raised on Friday in the Madhya Pradesh assembly during the Zero Hour by Arif Aqueel of Congress.

Aqeel alleged that villagers were forced to live without electricity as the film unit had failed to pay the power dues.

The film unit allegedly owes Rs 3.5 lakh to the state utility. Some villagers, including Masterji, Gaya Prasad (who featured in the film) were also among the defaulters, the power supply company sources said.

The power supply to the main water source, a borewell, has also been disconnected.

Javed Khan, a resident of Badwai, said while villagers owed petty amounts, the film unit's bill was hefty and it was not possible for the villagers to pay it.

Power Distribution Company's Gauharganj Junior Engineer, Rajkumar said that total dues from Badwai and nearby villages stood at nearly Rs 4.5 lakh.

'Even if a small part of dues are paid, the electricity supply will be restored,' he said.

'3' neither joyous love story nor serious movie

2012-04-01T13:07:00.004+05:30

Film: '3'; Cast: Dhanush, Shruti Haasan, Sundar, Prabhu, Bhanupriya, Rohini, Sivakarthikeyan and others; Director: Aishwarya R. Dhanush; Producer: Kastoori Raja; Composer: Anirudh; Rating: ** 1/2

The film '3' is the maiden directorial venture of Aishwarya, daughter of Tamil movie icon Rajinikanth. Interestingly the film about three stages in the protagonists' lives begins with a funeral shot, but the identity of the dead person is not clear initially.

The following scenes gradually reveal that it is misery struck Janani's (Shruti) husband Ram (Dhanush) who is dead.

The stories continues with Janani's memories opening up.

Ram, a class 12th student, falls in love with Janani whom he meets on the road. Janani hails from a middle-class family and they are going through a financial crunch, while Ram is the son of a successful businessman.

Janani tries to avoid Ram, given her family background and natural reaction of a teenage girl. Ram, however, follows her undeterred and finally wins her love. This flashback constitutes phase one of the movie.

Janani disregards her parents' wishes and their dream of settling in the US after her college education to be with Ram. Gradually their parents accept their love and the two get married. Ram's father buys a posh apartment for the young couple to live in. This is phase two.

After marriage, it is revealed that Ram suffers from bi-polar disorder. Ram's friend Senthil (Sunder) finds out about his mental illness.

The doctor says that because of his illness Ram could be dangerous at times. So the friend decides to protect Janani from his unexpected emotional upheaval. They hide it from her. Senthil tries hard to cure his friend, while Janani struggles to cope up with Ram's inexplicable behaviour. This is stage three of their lives.

What transpires later forms the crux of the story.

The first half is full of romance in scenes where Ram follows Janani, their midnight's adventure romance on terrace, meetings at each other's home in the absence of parents.

But there are many scenes that don't go down well. For instance, a school girl going to bed with full makeup is not convincing. There are many such scenes, but they do not reduce the charm of the movie's first half.

Excellent cinematography, Anirudh's youthful background scores, Dhanush and Shruti's chemistry and Aishwarya's dialogues carry the movie forward.

The drama and emotion that ensues at Janani's home after her parents oppose her relationship with Ram are beautifully portrayed.

But the movie falls flat in the second half.

It is an unwritten rule in Tamil cinema that if lovers are united before the interval, then in the later part either one of them dies or suffers from some disease. 'Vazhve Mayam' and 'Varanam Ayiram' are some of the examples.

Aishwarys's '3' is no exception. The hero suffers from a disease, but no valid explanation is given for that.

Hiding Ram's illness from Janani is justified, but one wonders why Senthil didn't approach Ram's father who would've arranged for his treatment.

Post-interval, the movie never gets a chance to rise.

Dhanush and Shruti have performed well, both in romantic and emotional scenes. But their efforts have gone futile as audiences refuse to tolerate the same drama that they have already seen umpteen times.

Shruti looks beautiful. Dhanush was not playing a mentally disturbed person for the first time in '3', and his acting has matured a lot.

Rohini has performed well. Sundar's performance as Dhanush's friend shows refinement.

More than Anirudh's massive hit 'Why this Kolvaeri', 'Kannazhaga' pleases our ears more.

The picturisation of the song 'Kolaveri', which went viral on the internet when released in November last year, doesn't match up to its popularity.

Background music sounds good. Velraj's cinematography has added a glow to the movie.

The director has attempted to show '3' phases of life. Because of the pitfalls in the third phase, the movie falls apart.

Neither a joyous love story nor a serious movie, '3' actually stands in between.

Jackie Shroff in Rajini's Kochadaiyaan

2012-04-01T13:07:00.001+05:30

Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff will be seen in Tamil superstar Rajinikanth-starrer Tamil film Kochadaiyaan.

Kochadaiyaan, a period film, is directed by Rajini's daughter Soundarya.

'I am doing Rajinikanth's film Kochadaiyaan. I play the role of a Raja (king), beyond this I cannot talk much as I am not allowed to do so,' Jackie told reporters at the festival of Vidhu Vinod Chopra's films.

The film, also featuring R Sarathkumar, Vijayakumar and Deepika Padukone, will be released in Telugu, English, Hindi and Japanese too. It is expected to hit the theatres this year.

Talking about his experience of working with Rajinikanth, Jackie said, 'It was excellent working with him. He is superstar of India...we had great time.'

Jackie and Rajini have earlier worked together in Subhash Ghai's Uttar Dakshin

Ramcharan's `Raksha' on April 5

2012-03-31T10:35:00.003+05:30

Superstar and Chiranjeevi's son Ramcharan Teja's Raksha will hit the theatres on April 5. Dubbing works have been completed. The movie songs have already found a place in the hit list.

Director is Sampath Nandi and Raksha was shot at international locations spending Rs 30 crore. Tamanna will play the lead female role in the movie.

Manisha Koirala to make a comeback in Bollywood

2012-03-31T10:35:00.000+05:30

Mumbai : Actress Manisha Koirala, best known for her performances in films like `Khamoshi', `1942: A Love Story', `Bombay' and `Dil Se', is set to make a sort of comeback in Bollywood after a brief break.

'I will talk about my films later. Because I don't know when the directors and producers are ready to make an
announcement. But there are three films whose script I have okayed. I am meeting two more directors, I am okaying those
scripts as well,' Manisha told reporters here last night.

'This year I will be working (on these films)... so next year would be a kind of comeback,' she said.

The 42-year-old Nepali-Indian actress made her acting debut in Bollywood with Subhash Ghai's `Saudagar' (1991),
which was a huge hit.

After years of success, she was later seen in several low-budget films like `Paisa Vasool' (2004), `Sirf' (2008) and
a few others, which were box office dud.

Recently, it was reported that Madhur Bhandarkar's much-awaited film `Heroine' is inspired by Manisha's life.
Bhandarkar has, however, denied such reports.

When asked Manisha about the same, she said, 'I hope he knows me well to make a movie on me.'

Manisha was here to see filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's blockbuster `Parinda' (1989).

'He is one of the finest directors we have today. I was fortunate to work with him in `1942: A love Story',' the
award-winning actress said.

Discovery to telecast Ra One special effect

2012-03-29T18:43:00.004+05:30

Shahrukh Khan's Ra One is one of the costliest films ever made in Bollywood. The film reportedly cost the makers more than Rs 125 crores to produce.

Unlike most other films, the Making of Ra One wasn't released before or after the film's release. Now, Discovery Channel will be telecasting the entire making of the film on 30th March 2012 at 8PM .

The making will include exclusive on-the-set footage, as well as never-before-seen details on the how the special effects of the film were done. The Red Chillies VFX department won a National Award for Ra One.

Shah Rukh visits injured animator Charu in hospital

2012-03-29T18:42:00.003+05:30

Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan Wednesday paid a visit to 'RA.One' animator Charu Khandal at the Kokilaben Ambani hospital where she is battling for her life after an accident.

Actor-producer Shah Rukh Khan, who was busy shooting in London for Yash Raj's next untitled film, landed here Tuesday. He came to visit Charu at the hospital and also met her family members.

He spent around 35 to 40 minutes in the hospital, but didn't speak to the press waiting outside.

Charu met with an accident March 25. A speeding car, with an allegedly drunk driver at the wheel, rammed into the autorickshaw in which she was travelling with her sister and a friend.

The 26-year-old suffered multiple fractures and injuries to her spinal cord in the accident early Sunday.

DiCaprio embarrassed by 'Titanic' performance

2012-03-29T18:41:00.005+05:30

London: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was embarrassed when he recently revisited his 1997 blockbuster 'Titanic'.Director James Cameron and DiCaprio's co-star Kate Winslet Tuesday attended the premiere of the new 3D version of the film here.

DiCaprio never made it to the red carpet, but Cameron revealed his former leading man was left red-faced when he recently re-watched the film.

'I wish Leo could be here but he's shooting a film. It would have been great for Leo to be here, to be part of the celebrations. I didn't show him the whole film but I showed him 18 minutes of it a few months ago. It was a good reunion for us but great to watch his reaction. He couldn't believe it. He said to me, 'I'm such a young punk. Look at me.' He was practically crawling under the seat. It was a good moment,' dailystar.co.uk quoted Cameron as saying.

Kareena to do item number in 'Heroine'

2012-03-29T18:41:00.002+05:30

Mumbai: Actress Kareena Kapoor, who has lately been doing many item numbers in Bollywood, is gearing up for her next item song in Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Heroine'.

'We have a new item song called 'Halkat Jawani' which is a wonderful song that will be picturised on Kareena Kapoor. I am sure the audiences will love this song. This film 'Heroine' will be a different sort of film for Kareena Kapoor,' Bhandarkar told IANS.

Directed by Bhandarkar, the film has Kareena and Arjun Rampal in the lead.

The director says 40 percent of the shooting has been done.

'Forty percent of the film has been finished. From (April) 10th, we will again have a nonstop shooting and by September the film will be released,' he said.

Bhandarkar also sought to deny speculation that the film is based on Manisha Koirala's life.

'This film is not based on Manisha Koirala. It is absolutely wrong. Lot of things had been written about the film before. I have created a character called Mahi Arora who is today's girl. The film is all about how she witnesses the ups and downs in her life,' he said.

Yet to decide Esha's wedding date: Hema Malini

2012-03-29T18:40:00.002+05:30

Mumbai: After Esha Deol's engagement with businessman beau Bharat Takhtani, everyone is eagerly waiting to hear about her D-day. But her mother and veteran actress Hema Malini says they have yet to decided the wedding date.

According to a recent tabloid report, Esha and Bharat are planning to exchange the wedding vows in July, but Hema told IANS: 'Wedding dates are not yet confirmed. I know a tabloid has published the wedding dates for May or July. I would like to stay mum on this matter. Whenever the dates, printings are done, we will make an official announcement.'

Esha got engaged to Bharat Feb 12 in a private ceremony at her Juhu home.

Daughter of Hema and Dharmendra, Esha began her tryst with Bollywood in 2002 with 'Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe'. She went on to feature in films like 'Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne', 'Na Tum Jaano Na Hum' and 'Dhoom'.

Last year, Hema tried to resurrect her 29-year-old daughter's movie career with 'Tell Me O Kkhuda', but it failed to strike a chord with the audiences.

'Agent Vinod': Bollywood espionage genre comes of age

2012-03-28T12:55:00.002+05:30

Film: 'Agent Vinod'; Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor

Directed by: Sriram Raghavan; Rating: *** 1/2

Believe me, it's really a small world.Even though a film purporting to be as epic in proportion as 'Agent Vinod' travels all across the world to capture some of the most never-seen spots in the world, the plot - an intelligent clever, urbane and wry melange of Bourne and Bond, 'Farz' and 'Mission Impossible', finally finds its most assured resting-place in apana jahaan Delhi.

The last half hour where an international terrorist outfit attempts to blow up Delhi, gets the grammar of an espionage thriller so riveting and so right, you wonder what took director Sriram Raghavan so long to get there.

'Agent Vinod' is the kind of meticulously crafted spy drama where cerebral considerations mesh into more earthy demands of commercial Hindi cinema, like item songs in smoky bars, shootouts in dust toasted-brown locations that are as treacherous as they are daunting and, wonder of wonders, a clumsily-choreographed Mujra which doesn't quite fit into the smooth storytelling.

Smitten more than we can eschew.

From its opening in a Taliban-infested area, there is no dearth of intrigue in 'Agent Vinod'. Agents, counter-agents, moles and molls, open-air flea markets and shopping malls jostle for attention in a script that appears to know its John le Carrre as well as its Nick Carter.

Raghavan spins a delicious yarn of guns and growls, but blessedly no gadgets. The action is crackling. The soundtrack is a chirpy mix of cheesy retro (RD and Asha Bhosle 'Meri jaan tune kaha' from the film 'The Train' pops up unannounced) and contemporary techno sounds.

The plot, perched precariously on the brink of self-indulgence, never spins out of control.

Clearly Sriram and Saif adore the spy genre. We can see the fun they've had in doing this film. But beneath the boys-having-fun mood is an undertone of reverence for all the espionage films from our own 'Agent Vinod' in 1977 to Hollywood's Mission Impossible series.

Holding the restless plot in place is Saif's clenched and controlled performance. He desists from playing the spy to the galleries. He is urbane cool, yes. But he doesn't enjoy shooting the enemies for his country and really, patriotic jingoism is left far behind in the race to save civilisation from a nuclear catastrophe. There's a job to be done.And no room for fornication and fun.

Agent Vinod must be the only spy film from India where the Indian flag is not saluted or even mentioned in passing in hushed or shrill tones. This guy with a funny name would rather get along with the job .

Saif's performance is unfussy, no-nonsense and largely humourless. The end-title when he attempts to do a funny song seem so out of character, you wonder why the spy is trying so hard to be comical when we like him Martini-dry .

Ambling from one exotic location to another with the irradiant Kareena Kapoor in tow, Saif is a portrait of restrained heroism. He gets much-needed support from a cast of actors who seem to have been chosen without a second option. Every player knows his job and does it without looking distracted or self-important.

Raghavan's direction is deep-focussed on the inner world of people who live on the edge. There is no room for romance or emotions. In the only meaty sequence that she has, Kareena moves us to tears when she tells Saif she wants a normal girl's life. Significantly Saif eats as she weeps.

No, he isn't rude. Just honest. Life doesn't just go on. It goes on uncaring about those moments of tearful stock-taking which moviegoers would like to think of as the essence of life.

For all its sharply-defined interludes of counter-intelligence manoeuvres, 'Agent Vinod' tends to get long-winded, though miraculously the narrative never gets out of breath. On the contrary it takes our breath away towards the end when in a climactic bomb-defusion end-game that is reminiscent of Mani Shankar's '16 December'.

The globally-shot material is edited by Pooja Ladha Surti with more room for the narrative to sprawl and recline than necessary. Really, how much of the disconnected derring-do can we take before we throw our hands up in unresisting surrender?

The action sequences by Peter Heins and Parvez are sometimes heart-in-the-mouth. Other times they seem to have been put together on the editing table.

Life's like that. You are either swept away in circumstances beyond your control. Or you create situations that you choose to be swept away in.

'Agent Vinod' is not quite the overwhelming experience that you would want a global espionage thriller to be. More thoughtful than thundering, more la Carre and less Bond it nonetheless take the spy genre in Hindi to a new level of finesse. Finally, the cool quotient in Raghavan's chic spin on the espionage thriller is so high that you forget Bond and all his bloody brothers.

Saif imparts a dry devilish dispassion to his spy's part,. He doesn't get time to tell Kareena how much he loves her.

That's for the best. We already know that.

Rajesh Pillai's next movie titled `Gold'

2012-03-28T09:44:00.005+05:30

After the smashing hit `Traffic', director Rajesh Pillai has announced his next project, a film titled `Gold.

'It's based on the lives of women athletes and their journey of struggles that often gets unnoticed,' says Rajesh Pillai.

The film has been scripted by Sankar Ramakrishnan, who wrote Urumi. Rajesh will direct the Bollywood version of the film too.

The grapevine has it that the director has finalized a Malayali heroine, who acted in a Tamil hit recently.

It is rumoured that Kunchacko Boban will be doing the main role in `Gold'.

`Beautiful' team to do `Trivandrum Lodge'

2012-03-28T09:44:00.002+05:30

After the much successful `Beautiful', V K Prakash-Anoop Menon-Jayasuriya team will be joining hands again. The movie to be named `Trivandrum Lodge' will have almost all the cast and technical team of `Beautiful'.

Anoop Menon will be doing the script for the movie. Songs played a success mantra for Beautiful and hence Rathish Vega, who did the songs in Beautiful, will be the misic director for the new movie. Cinematography will be by Pradeep Nair and backstage works are progressing.

James Cameron dives to deepest point of ocean

2012-03-28T09:43:00.003+05:30

Los Angeles: 'Titanic' and 'Avatar' director James Cameron succeeded in reaching the depth of the Mariana Trench Sunday, becoming the first person in the world to complete the feat in a solo dive.

Cameron, who is also an avid explorer, plumbed the depths of 'The Challenger Deep', a depth of 35,756 feet southwest of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, National Geographic said.

The director surfaced from the ocean at about 7 p.m., reported Xinhua.

'All systems OK,' Cameron, who is National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, told the crew after reaching the lowest point on earth.

'Just arrived at the ocean's deepest pt,' he said in his Twitter account roughly an hour after reaching the lowest point of the ocean.

'Hitting bottom never felt so good. Can't wait to share what I'm seeing w/ you@DeepChallenge.'

The endeavour was achieved after seven years of preparation. Cameron, 57, travelled solo inside Deepsea Challenger, a torpedo-shaped specially crafted submersible that he helped to design.

Under Deepsea Challenge, a joint scientific expedition which partnered the director with National Geographic, Cameron was to spend up to six hours on the sea floor, collecting samples for scientific research and taking pictures and video of the famous trench. The director/explorer surfaced in 70 minutes which was considered faster than expected.

Cameron is the only person to ever complete the dive to the point in a solo vehicle, and the first since 1960 to do so in a manned submersible when the feat was completed by US Navy Lt. Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard in the bathyscaphe Trieste.

'Avatar 2' not delayed as no release date fixed: Producer

2012-03-28T09:43:00.000+05:30

Oscar-winning producer Jon Landau has rejected rumours about delay of 'Avatar 2', saying there is no question of delay as a date for its release was never set.

In India to oversee the 3D release of 'Titanic', Jon told IANS, ' 'Avatar 2' has not been delayed. We never set a date for it to delay it. We are in very early stages of pre-production and we want to put all the pieces together before we formally announce a date.'

Jon is James Cameron's partner in producing both 'Titanic' and 'Avatar'.

And like the first, the next two sequels of 'Avatar' will also push the technological frontiers of filmmaking and viewing. Both the films will be shot on an increased frame rate giving the audience a perceptible difference in quality of images.

Though Hollywood experimented with a faster frame rate in the 1970s, the technology could not gain traction.

'Things like higher frame rate have existed in the industry before, but using them meant converting all film projectors. Digital projectors however have no such issues and can run at a higher frame rate without changing anything,' he said.

As a strong proponent of 3D, Jon added: 'A film ultimately is about the story. But how you present the story and how you manage engagement from the audience is enhanced by the use of technology. 3D activates more of your mind and the brain has to work more to process the imagery you see leading to greater audience engagement.'

Many feel that despite large admission numbers, India is still a small market for Hollywood movies in terms of revenue. Jon however does not think so.

'I think India is an emerging market and will grow steadily. My coming here signifies that as an industry we acknowledge that. Secondly, I bring a message for the industry in the country asking them to use technology the right way.

'For example, a theatre may go for a cheaper 1.3K projector, but I'd ask them to go for the 2K ones because it has better quality and gives you a competitive edge and thus profits in the long run.'

He is enthusiastic about 'Titanic 3D' that has been restored at a cost of $18 million.

'We are treating and promoting it as a new film,' he said, before adding, 'We want to share the movie with a generation of moviegoers who have never seen it on the big screen and, for those who have seen it, 3D will enhance the dramatic story leading them to be more engaged with the characters in the movie than ever before.'

Jon is the son of film producer parents who made some landmark films in the 1960s and 1970s like 'Long Day's Journey Into Night' and Sidney Lumet's 'The Pawnbroker'.

Ironically, it was not easy convincing them to allow him to join the 'family business'.

'Knowing how hard producing films was, they wanted me to become a teacher or do computer science.'

How then did he become a producer? 'Like all kids, I rebelled,' he said with a laugh.

Having seen the film business up close, he is in a perfect position to comment on what's changed in the business.

'A lot has changed and we now have newer technologies to tell stories. Movie marketing has also changed drastically.'

Yet, before signing off he reiterates, 'Despite all these, a movie is still about the script and the story. And that is something that won't change forever.'

(Satyen K. Bordoloi can be contacted at satyens@gmail.com)

--Indo-Asian News service
satyen/ar/rn