I'll try to bring more kids to children film fest: Nandita Das

Children's Film Society of India

Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 (IANS) Actress Nandita Das, the newly appointed chairperson of the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI), promises to bring maximum number of kids to the children film festival, starting Nov 14, despite the fact that kids are hooked to reality shows.

'My top priority at this moment is to attract large number of children from different regions and classes to the children's film festival,' Nandita Das told reporters here while speaking on the sidelines of the programme 'Joy of Giving'.

The six-day Golden Elephant International Children's Film Festival of India will be held in Hyderabad.

'I will try to include quality movies and renowned juries in the festival to make the festival more attractive. With reality shows attracting the eyeballs, it is certainly a big challenge to attract children to the film festival. But I will try to make the festival interesting by bringing in quality movies which will attract large number of children,' she added.

Nandita took the charge of chairmanship from Nafisa Ali after she resigned last month.

The actress, who ventured into direction with 'Firaaq', also told that she is looking for a good script to show her directorial skill.

'I am certainly looking for a script which is close to my heart. I am in search of a good script to direct,' she said.

Source:http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail.html?news_id=67232

Mallika’s Fashion funda in LA

Mallika Sherawat

Mallika Sherawat has temporarily shifted her base to LA, where she is currently busy hobnobbing with her Hollywood counterparts. We zoom in our lenses on the sexy lass to find out how hot is this hottie’s fashion sense!

Polka symbolizes cuteness and the fact that Mallika has tried to make it look sexy (the plunging neckline) somehow doesn’t help her overall look much. Mallika seems like a Cinderella who’s all set to go Moulin Rouge!

TOI

Five Indian films under World Cinema category at 53rd London Film Festival

Indian filmmakers

Five Indian filmmakers under one roof for the first time at the BFI 53rd London Film Festival. Under the World Cinema category at this years London Film Festival, Indian Film Industry takes centre stage as four experienced, talented and versatile filmmakers, Shyam Benegal, Sudhir Mishra, Anurag Kashyap and Buddhadeb Dasgupta get ready to showcase their creativity with their respective films, Well Done Abba, Tera Kya Hoga Johnny, Gulaal, The Well and The Window to the world audience. While Anurag's critically acclaimed film Gulaal is to be screened on 17th, 19th, 21st and 25th of October at 12:30, 18:30, 15:15 and 16:45 UK time respectively, below is a brief synopsis of what's in-store for the world audience.

Shyam Benegal, whose Welcome to Sajjanpur was showcased at the prestigious London Film Festival last year, returns with a new comedy on Indian village life titled Well Done Abba. The film revolves around Armaan Ali, played by Boman Irani, who is a middle aged driver for a city executive. He takes a month's leave and, when he arrives back at work three months later, his boss, understandably, threatens to sack him. To save his job, charming Armaan spins a fabulous story of why he was delayed in getting his daughter married. Fable or truth, the boss isn't quite sure, but the story revolves around a central question - how a well, once dug, can be stolen? Unearthed in Benegal's part comedy, part political satire, is a hilarious and poignant depiction of the double dealing and corrupt middle men intrinsic to Indian rural politics. Meanwhile, at the heart of the story is a delightful romance between Armaan's daughter, played by Minissha Lamba, and a young, honest mechanic, played by Sammir Dattani, who saves the day. Benegal paints a wonderful and believable tableau of country life with an empathetic understanding of the cultures of Indian Muslim communities. This is Sammir Dattani and Minissha Lamba's first film to be showcased at the prestigious festival. Well Done Abba is to be screened on Sunday, the 18th of October at 18:30 UK time and Tuesday, the 20th of October at 15:15 UK time

Meanwhile, Sudhir Mishra spins his roller coaster ride at this year's London Film Festival in the form of his slum saga titled Tera Kya Hoga Johnny (English title - Ride the Wave Johnny). This is Neil Nitin Mukesh and Soha Ali Khan's first film to be screened at any prestigious film festival outside India. The director tells a story of Johnny, a young boy from the Mumbai slums who dreams of escaping to Dubai, but who instead must deal drugs supplied by a local mafia don to make a living. Through this trade Johnny comes into contact with a range of diverse characters, each living out their own drama in the backstreets of the sleepless city. These include Parvez (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a young man trapped by circumstances, who is having an affair with the wife of a corrupt and dangerous cop. Then there is Preeti (Soha Ali Khan), a young model who lives with her druggy advertising boyfriend, whose life is spiraling out of control. As these and other characters' stories converge and slide inexorably into robbery, violence and murder, Johnny seizes his chance to make his dream. With mostly hand-held camerawork, and lighting not unlike Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love, this film is visually stunning. Ride The Wave Johnny is to be screened on 15th, 16th and 18th of October at 18:45, 13:00 and 16:00 hours respectively.

Master filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta returns to the Festival with a tale of conflicting dreams. Bimal (Indranil Sengupta) is a good looking but unfulfilled dreamer, who works in a dead-end job. He lives at his girlfriend Meera's (Swastika Mukherjee) flat. She has a bright career in a call centre and when Meera gets pregnant, her family tries to talk her out of it, but she adores Bimal and wants to marry him. One day, by chance, Bimal visits his old school in the country and he quickly gets lost reminiscing about his childhood. The school is now run-down, and a huge ornate window, which had inspired him as a youth, has been removed. He promises to buy a new window for the school, but as his meager finances dry up, he secretly spends his and Meera's joint savings. Bimal delivers the window, but the school authority refuses it. Worse still, Meera finds out about the money and vows to abort their child. Dasgupta's poetic eye delicately captures the nuances of emotion, while his poetic visual style and pacing captures the beauty of the Bengali landscape, making the ordinary seem magical. The Window is to be screened on 27th and 28th of October at 20:45 and 18:30 UK time.

But it's just not the Hindi films that are going to shine at this year's London Film Festival. To join the bandwagon, a Marathi film titled The Well directed by Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni makes it the 5th Indian Film to be showcased at the fest. The Well is a bittersweet coming-of-age tale, stunningly shot amongst the grandeur of the rolling Indian plains. Young Sameer leaves the city with his parents to visit their country family who are preparing for a wedding. But for Sameer there is only one aim: to meet his cousin and best friend Nachiket. The two adolescent boys are inseparable and Sameer looks up to his older, free-thinking cousin who teaches him many truths as they stand at the cross-roads of their lives with the innocence of childhood slipping away. This change is echoed by the fate of Sameer's female cousin who is being forced into a marriage for the families' petty gains. Nachiket becomes increasingly distraught by this marriage until he can take it no longer, leading to an action that will change Sameer's young life forever. Kulkarni captures the subtle emotions and moods of his subjects, and their environment in a visual style reminiscent of the greats of Bengali art cinema, while he also explores the beauty of dosti (closest friends). One to watch!

With five big filmmakers representing India at the 53rd London Film Festival this year, one can surely state that Indian movies are making their presence felt globally.

I’m not a film person: Mandira Bedi

Mandira Bedi

Mandira Bedi has been seen on the small screen for several years and has done a few movies as well. But the actress-cum-anchor says she is not too much into films as filmmakers often don’t know what kind of roles to offer her.

“I don’t consider myself a film person. I have done four films in my whole life. If something good comes along or interesting comes along – like a role I could sink my teeth into, I would consider doing it,” Mandira told IANS.

The actress, who was seen in movies like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, “Shaadi Ka Laddoo” and “Meerabai Not Out”, says the lack of films in her work profile is also because filmmakers are confused about what to do with her.

“I’m offered films but people don’t know what to do with me – they offer me item numbers, sister’s role in small banners. But I don’t want to work with a small banner which is not going to give me anything. And I don’t want to be seen as an item person – I don’t want that image.

“Also, a lot of mainstream actors are getting into parallel cinema. So what happens to people like us is we don’t get much quality work,” she added.
Source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/

Anifest '09: Technical sneak peek into Nikhil Advani's Delhi Safari

With an array of animated features ready to hit the silver screen, Anifest India 2009 hosted a technical sneak peek of Nikhil Advani's maiden animation film Delhi Safari, courtesy Anand Bhanushali, the Technical Director of the film.

The film - produced by People Tree and animated at Krayon Picutres - traces the journey of a group of wild animals from Mumbai to Delhi and revolves around a leopard family of three - Sultan (Suniel Shetty), Sultan's wife Begum (Urmila Matondkar) and the cub Yuvraj (Ayesha Takia).

Explaining the pre-production process of the film, Anand said, "Our friends actually traveled from Mumbai to Delhi for locations, images and discovered incidents which could be placed in the movie. A team of 130 artists at Krayon Pictures has been working on Delhi Safari from the past two years."

In addition to the key characters and almost 300 props, the movie features a whopping 17 animation characters including a parrot, a monkey and a pigeon. Anand then explained in detail the processes that went behind the making of Delhi Safari.

The production of the animation included critical asset building, where the team at Krayon Pictures heavily focused on the eminence of Modeling, Rigging, CFX, Foliage and also on Research and Technology. During the shot production of the movie, the team focused on the Layouts, Shot Finalizing, Lighting, Matte and Compositing.

Actress Asin Thottumkal hospitalised

Asin Thottumkal,
Mumbai, Actress Asin Thottumkal, who’s lately been working round-the-clock, has been admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital here following an acute sinus condition.

The “Ghajini” fame actress was admitted Monday morning. She was taken to Kokilaben hospital because it’s close to her home in Andheri.

Though the actress herself was unavailable for comment, her father, who was with her in the hospital, told IANS: “Yes she’s in hospital. Nothing to worry about. All this is part of the process of my daughter’s growing up.”

Asin is expected to be out after treatment in a couple of days. But the news of her hospitalisation on Eid was being whispered behind closed doors. Some said she was admitted after suffering from acute exhaustion.

“Asin was admitted to the Dhirubhai hospital… not for exhaustion but an acute sinus condition. She had been neglecting the condition for quite some time now. But now the sinus situation had to be attended to. But she was in great spirits, her usual chirpy and friendly self singing even as her treatment was being done,” said a source close to Asin.

Her condition got aggravated because of the night shooting for “London Dreams”.

“She had no choice but to get into the hospital to have the condition treated. She waited until Eid when there was break from work,” said the source.

Source:bollywoodworld.com

Bipasha doesn't like sitting on my bike: John Abraham

Bipasha Basu

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) John Abraham's love for bikes is well-known but his lady love, actress Bipasha Basu, doesn't like riding pillion with him for that very reason.

'Bipasha doesn't like sitting on my bike because I am very passionate and possessive about my bike. When she sits, I keep saying 'I hope you don't leave a scratch on the bike and all that', so that's why she prefers a car to sitting behind me in a bike,' John told reporters here during an event.

John will be next seen in 'Hook Ya Crook' and '1-1800 Love'.

Rahman set to compose for Hollywood comedy

Lagaan’, ‘Dil Se’, ‘Roja’, ‘Zubeida

Mumbai, Oscar winning musician A.R. Rahman is set to compose music for his first full-fledged Hollywood project “Couples Retreat” and he is determined not to create anything similar to the “Slumdog Millionaire” tunes. He also stressed that while there wouldn’t be any Indian sounds, there would be a touch of Indianness.

Apparently, there were numerous brainstorming sessions during which the sound of “Slumdog Millionaire” kept cropping up repeatedly. And Rahman gently but firmly steered the music away from the expected.

“There’s no point in doing something I’ve already done. I’ve reached a stage where I’ve to do new things. There’re so many avenues to be explored. So ‘Couples Retreat’ will be their kind of music with my touch, done in my way,” Rahman, who is looking at “Couples Retreat” as his real launch into the West, told IANS in an interview.

Directed by Peter Billingsley, the comedy revolves around four couples who settle into a tropical-island resort for a vacation. While one of the couples is there to work on the marriage, the others fail to realise that participation in the resort’s therapy sessions is not optional. It stars actors like Jason Bateman, Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman and Kristen Bell.

Rahman, who won two Oscars for his compositions in “Slumdog Millionaire”, said he would now make music to suit a typical American romantic comedy.

“‘Couples Retreat’ will have music that suits an American rom-com. There’re no real Indian sound in it,” said Rahman.

“But, yes, there will be a touch of Indianness in the sound. Otherwise, what is the point of bringing me into the picture?”

At one level, Rahman also agrees with his admirers and fans who feel Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” is not among his best work.

“He has done far superior work in films like ‘Lagaan’, ‘Dil Se’, ‘Roja’, ‘Zubeida’ and the forthcoming ‘Ravan’ and ‘Blue’. Friends keep telling him that. ‘Slumdog…’ was done in a hurry…in about 20 days flat. Rahman feels he could’ve done a lot better. He now wants the West to see some of his best,” said a source close to the composer.

Soruce:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/

Zayad khan Gifts Kylie a Sari

Zayed Khan

Zayed Khan and Kylie Minogue have made it a point to keep in touch even after completing the shooting of Blue. But we before you come to any conclusion we need to clarify that it’s strictly friendship here.

"Zayed and Kylie got a long like a house on fire. The two shared an excellent rapport and those who have seen the rushes of the film say that their chemistry is pretty visible on the screen too." Zayed gifted Kylie a designer sari on the last day of the shoot.

The gift took Kylie by surprise more so because it was a sari. She wondered how did Zayed know the size that’d befit her. Kylie later even asked Zayed about it. Zayed told her, "It was just that I kept my wife’s size in mind. Kylie was touched by Zayed’s gesture," said our source.

Why Gowariker cast Priyanka for 12 roles in What's Your Rashee

What's Your Rashee

TORONTO: Bollywood director Ashutosh Gowariker, whose "What's Your Rashee?" premiered at the Toronto Film Festival here Saturday, said he chose Priyanka Chopra to play the role of 12 brides-in-waiting to rule out beauty as a dominant theme in the film.

In "What's Your Rashee?" (What's your sun sign?), which is based on Madhu Rye's Gujarati novel "Kimball Ravenswood", Priyanka plays the role of 12 girls who meet bride-hunting NRI Yogesh Patel played by Hurman Baweja.

Yogesh, who has been flown in from Chicago by his parents to get married within just 10 days on the advice of the family astrologer, gets responses to his matrimonial advertisement from 165 girls. But since he cannot meet all of them in 10 days, he picks one from each sun sign to meet.

Asked why he didn't pick 12 different actresses for the 12 roles, Gowariker said at a press conference here: "If I had cast 12 different actresses, the audience would have wanted the fairest to win (Yogesh's hand) and thus beauty would have taken importance."

But he didn't want the choice of bride to be made on the basis of the beauty, he said.

"I didn't want beauty to play an important role. When I read the novel, I thought why not have the same girl play the 12 parts? I felt that if I cast 12 different girls, beauty will take precedence. To rule out beauty as a factor, I wanted to assure the audience that Yogesh is going to get the same girl.

"Once you are sure about it, you just sit back and watch how the relationship develops between Yogesh and each girl with a different sun sign, and which sun sign he finally chooses," the filmmaker said.

Gowariker said his film is as much about sun signs and romance as empowerment of India women.

"'What's your Rashee?' may seem a romantic comedy, but layers below it is about the girl getting the chance to speak her heart, and express her desires and ambitions. The film reflects the empowerment of women in India today," he explained.

The director said the film has deepened his interest in astrology.

"Before making this film, I was concerned only with my own sun sign Aquarius. But after the film, I now understand that each sign has its own qualities. My way of looking at even my childhood friends has changed.

"If my friend is a Cancerian, I now take care not to offend him, knowing that his sun sign is the emotional type. So I think in romance and relationships, that extra astrological information can be helpful for more bonding," he said.

The film is set for commercial release Friday.

ET

'Wanted': For the die-hard Salman fan

'Wante

'Wanted' rides on Salman Khan's star power. He may not be the best actor in town, but in a film like 'Wanted', in a role that seems like an extension of his personality, you can't think of anyone else enacting this role with flourish.

A remake of 'Pokiri' [made in Telugu and Tamil versions], 'Wanted' is a full on masala film. Recall the successful potboilers of yore. Recall how the good guy would reduce 10 hoodlums to pulp in a fraction of seconds. Recall how heroism prevailed in the end, no matter how adverse the circumstances were or how powerful the villains would be. Recall those movies in which logic took a backseat since the focus was on entertainment...You relive those moments as reel after reel of 'Wanted' unfolds.

A departure from candyfloss movies and diabetic-sweet characters that most Hindi movies boast of, 'Wanted' takes you back to those days when popular cinema reigned supreme, when the sole motive of the film-maker was to entertain.

The daring hero and his herogiri, the naïve girlfriend, the corrupt cop, the dreaded don, the don's moll, the fist-clinching henchmen... 'Wanted' is for those who seek unabashed entertainment and relish masala films. Damn the indomitable critics, pseudo intellectuals and connoisseurs of parallel cinema, this one's not for them. 'Wanted' is for the aam junta.

Soruce:http://entertainment.in.msn.com/

suggest girls try their hand at cricket: Rani Mukerji

cricket fanatic

New Delhi, She was not a cricket fanatic but after preparing for her role in the just released “Dil Bole Hadippa!”, Rani Mukerji has become a huge fan of the game. She not only wishes to go and watch it in the stadium, but also suggests that more girls try their hand at the sport.

“It’s a great sport to play… people say it’s a gentleman’s game but it is a ladies’ game too because it is a lot of fun. I would in fact tell a lot of girls to try their hand at cricket,” Rani told IANS.

“I would also love to go and see a game now in the stadium because watching it there is much more exciting than watching it on TV. Now that I know the game, it’s become pretty interesting for me to watch. Now I know there are so many ways to get out in the game other than what I knew of just a run out or a catch out.

“I wasn’t into cricket at all. I would rarely watch a match if it was a very interesting one as I wasn’t really educated in the game. When you don’t know much about the game, you can’t enjoy it,” Rani said.

She dons the garb of a Sikh in the romantic comedy to highlight a woman’s aspirations for cricket. Playing the part involved “rigorous training sessions” for Rani.

“I trained for six months in cricket and tried to learn it to the best of my ability because it was important for my character to know the game very well. I didn’t even know how to hold the bat correctly. So for me, to start from there to hit the shot was satisfying.

“I wanted to start shooting for the film after I had trained for the game. I took training from a lady called Anjali who has been a cricketer for the Indian women’s team and has played in the world cup also,” she said.

Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films, “Dil Bole Hadippa!” has been directed by debutant Anurag Singh. The movie was premiered at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) recently.

It also stars Shahid Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Dalip Tahil and item girls Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra.

The 31-year-old Rani also underwent a strict “weight training and yoga” regime to “tone” up her body for the character in tandem with her cricket lessons.

“I started losing weight because I wanted to look like a cricketer in the movie – very athletic and very thin. I really worked hard to change the structure of my body. I did a lot of yoga and weight training.

“It took me around eight months to tone up my body and after that I took weight training to tone specific part of my body. So it took me about a year in total to prepare myself,” she explained.

Rani was last seen in cameos in “Luck By Chance” (2009) and “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” (2008), after a full-length role in “Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic” (2008).

Asked what was keeping the actress busy all this while, she said: “The only thing that was keeping me busy was this film and the rest of the time I was spending with my niece Mysha. That’s been my life pretty much since last year.”

Rani’s future projects include a voiceover for animated movie “Koochie Koochie Hota Hai”.

Source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/

KAMINEY on Tatasky: Satellite television and cinema create history

Enkayaar, Bollywood Trade News Network

A History was created in the Indian film distribution arena when KAMINEY was telecast on Tatasky for two consecutive days 12 and 13 September 2009. There was no advertisement about this initiative but only announcement about this happening on television was announced in advance for the subscribers of Tatasky. So KAMINEY was there on offer for viewing for two consecutive days, at a fraction of cost of what one would have to pay if it were to be seen in the cinema halls, and that too could be savored minimum of three times during the day without any advertisement break whatsoever.

KAMINEY therefore has created another history as being the first mainstream film that is still ruling the box-office to be offered for viewing for the Tatasky subscribers. Incidentally, though KAMINEY has been produced by UTV Films and UTV already has its own movie channel KAMINEY was shown on Tatasky. At the last count Tatasky had 4 million customers, and even if one quarter of them decided to view it, neat additional revenue of more than 25 lakh at a conservative estimate would have been made.

This initiative has also dealt a serious blow to the pirates as now that KAMINEY has been viewed by quite a sizable population they would not hanker for the video prints which are otherwise shoddy. But would it also have an impact on the satellite rights and subsequent video releases for KAMINEY would be a thing worth watching out for. But a new marketing paradigm has been created with this initiative, as additional revenue has been generated while KAMINEY still is the flavor of the nation, as there hardly would have been anybody having a satellite connection having any doubts about viewing the film within the comforts of the house, without any advertisement breaks whatsoever.

Could this be the reason why UTV allowed it to be telecast through Tatasky as it already must have acquired the satellite rights for subsequent broadcast through its movie channel and this additional source of revenue could have been the win-win situation for all associated. Now an additional source of marketing the film has opened up, showing it through the movie channels of the Direct to Home service providers.

Associated fallout of this initiative would be that the marketing of DTH channels can acquire a feverish pitch and the small distributors would not be able to match it, as they would not be able to garner that quantum of resources to bid for a movie while it is still running to full houses. So the bar has been raised for the advantages that new technologies can provide for the viewers who align their fortunes with the DTH service providers, and a new battle ground is indeed getting prepared. Where the advertisement guys fit into it would, would be an interesting proposition to watch out for!

Soruce:http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail.html?news_id=65735

Percept aims for world cinema from India

Percept Picture Company

New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) Having made critically acclaimed films like 'Kanchivaram', production house Percept Picture Company (PPC) is aiming high - offering Indian cinema with global appeal.

'We want to create world cinema out of India. We tried 'Firaaq' and 'Kanchivaram' as a very amateur step and succeeded. Now we will create a commercial film for the world in an Indian language and target the global consumer,' said Shailendra Singh, joint managing director of PPC.

The studio also has 15 movies lined up, of which nine are ready to hit the screen.

'While 'Firaaq' has won 14 awards, 'Kanchivaram' has won the National Award for the best film and for us as a film studio, it doesn't get bigger. We are terribly excited,' Singh told IANS in an interview.

Asked about the studio's choice of making a regional film like 'Kanchivaram', which is in Tamil, Singh said: 'It's about picking the right subject that appeals to more people.

'Hollywood makes its scripts with global sensibilities and we make it with local sensibilities. But 'Kanchivaram' deals with a father-daughter relationship and the plot itself is universal.'

Most of PPC's line-up of 15 movies are commercial. 'We've got nine negatives ready for release. One or two are under production and among the remaining, four will go into production in 2010. We've got films lined up till April and every month we will have a new product,' said Singh.

'We have got an inventory of nearly Rs.200 crore (Rs.2 billion) to be released. We hope we succeed because if we don't, we will not shut down but will definitely go slow,' he added.

Some of the forthcoming movies include 'Jail', '24X7 Raftaar', 'Yeh Hosla', 'Raat Gayi Baat Gayi?', 'Bum Bum Bole', 'Grrrr' and '8'.

Singh admitted that bringing the movies on board during an economic slowdown has not been easy.

'We've lost 50 percent of our revenue, courtesy recession. Our product was Rs.500 crore (Rs.5 billion), it has now become Rs.200 crore (Rs.2 billion). Overnight our digital, satellite, music...all (income) gone, so it's only theatrical now,' he said.

'And for that you get only one-third share, which means for the investment to recover, a movie should do three-times the business, which is next to impossible. We have also fallen short of syndication.'

Singh added that unlike other studios, PPC doesn't believe in rushing its content.

'We do things nice and steady, but we do it very calculatedly. We released 'Jannat' at IPL (Indian Premier League) time, 'Malaamal Weekly' during exams, and 'Hanuman' in the middle of Muharram.

'We believe in right date, right time, right price and kind of thinking. We are not in a rush to release our films. Every Friday, six-eight films are releasing and becoming flops...we are not into that hara-kiri,' said Singh.

He pointed out that umbrella content packaging - where the same content caters to different audiences - is now passe.

'In India, the consumer is fragmented. There are different economic class groups and there are different social groups. We have to cater to all of them in a customised manner and price it accordingly. There cannot be one content for everybody...that stage is over now,' he explained.

Highlighting PPC's strategy, Singh said: 'At the end of the day, the agenda for PPC is clean, good and healthy content with value for money. We believe in creativity and content. We feel that somewhere down the line, the consumer wants a good story told well at the right price and we are running a marathon.'

PPC also plans to release Priyadarshan's 'Kanchivaram' in select theatres across the country by October-end.

Soruce:http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail.html?news_id=65750

Priyanka, Katrina to fight for youth icon award

Mumbai, Sep 15 (IANS) Bollywood's leading ladies Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif are set to battle it out to be India's youth icon.

The two actresses, along with actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar as well as superstar Hrithik Roshan have been nominated in the entertainment category for the Videocon India Youth Icon Awards.


Versatile actor Rahul Bose has also been nominated for the youth icon award, but for his contribution towards social justice and welfare. Rahul is the founder of the NGO, The Foundation, which works for various issues like education and child abuse.


Conceptualised by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. in association with media partner Sahara India Media, the awards will be a platform to honour young individuals for their extraordinary contribution to society. It will be sponsored by Videocon.


Awards will be presented to people in categories like sports, technology, media, the arts, private entrepreneurship and politics apart from entertainment and social justice and welfare.


The nominations have been decided by a panel of experts including journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, tennis ace Leander Paes, renowned cardiologist Naresh Trehan, actor and social activist Shabana Azmi, singer Usha Uthup and Venugopal Dhoot, chairman of Videocon Industries Limited.


The winners will now be chosen through online voting and the awards will be distributed Sep 25.

No rivalry, Sushmita and me worked well together: Lara

Bollywood.

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The two beauty queens became Miss Universe and later joined Bollywood. Now when they come together for a film, rumours of rivalry are bound to do the rounds. But Lara Dutta, who stars along with Sushmita Sen in comedy "Do Knot Distrurb", says they got along well and would love to work together again.

"Sushmita is a lovely person and we never had any problem working with each other. This (rumour) is generated for publicity, but there is normally very little truth behind the talk that we didn't get along," Lara told IANS in an interview.

"Our country has only two Miss Universes and if they also start fighting...it couldn't get sadder than that. I just wish I had more screen time to share with her, as we had not worked together earlier and it was a fantastic opportunity," she said.

Rumour mills were abuzz that the two actresses were having a cold war due to Lara's meaty part in the film directed by David Dhawan.

Lara hoped she would get a chance to work again with Sushmita, who was crowned Miss Universe in 1994.

"I hope people will cast us again at some other time. At least David (Dhawan) should do it again," said Lara, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2000.

Co-produced by Big pictures and Vashu Bhagnani, "Do Knot Disturb" is a laugh riot on marriage and infidelity. Releasing Oct 2, the movie also stars Govinda, Riteish Deshmukh, Sohail Khan, Ranvir Shorey and Rajpal Yadav.

Throwing light on her character, Lara said: "I play Dolly who is sort of a pin-up girl for men. But her own life is very complicated as she loves a man who is her sugar daddy.

"She wants security too; so she has an ex-boyfriend who truly loves her and at the same time she also has an unsuspecting soul who enters her life and turns into her best friend. So it's complicated for her to decide what is it that she actually wants in life among security, love, compatibility and her best friend. That ties a knot in her life, which she has to unravel."

Comedy is Lara's forte as she showed her funny side in "Masti", "No Entry", "Bhagam Bhag" and "Partner".

"I love doing comedies. There's been an image of Miss Universe tagged to me and normally people associate me with being more cerebral and more poise because of the crown.

"But what people don't know is that I am very comic in real life too. Doing comedies just gives me an excuse to be who I am. And if people think it's great acting, it works for me," she said.

"Do Knot Disturb" is also Lara's third film with Govinda after "Bhagam Bhaag" and "Partner".

"I am very lucky to have got this film because if at all I consider myself to be a comic actress, then working with Govinda at least once is necessary. But I have had the opportunity to work with him for the third time and our fourth film ('Banda Yeh Bindaas hai') is also ready," she said.

"He is a fantastic actor and and I got an opportunity to grow as a comic actor with him. He is one of those actors who can make people cry with his laughter and at the same time make them laugh with his crying," she added.

With other future projects like "Blue", "Housefull" and "Tom & Jerry" in her kitty, Lara is on a high with the way her career is shaping up.

"I am very happy. It's a good time and good place where I am right now," she said.

Soruce:http://www.bollywood.com/Celebrity+News

TV actress Mona Singh chased with summons in Chandigarh

TV actress Mona Singh,

Chandigarh, TV actress Mona Singh, who was in Chandigarh for product promotion Wednesday, got little work done, as she was chased by determined rights activists with court summons for having dressed as goddess Sita in a reality show. At the end, she left town without accepting the summons.

Mona Singh, of “Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin” fame, was in the union territory Wednesday to participate in a roadshow of a toothpaste company outside MCM DAV College in Sector 36.

On getting information of her visit, Arvind Thakur, chairperson of an NGO Global Human Rights Council (GHRC) reached the venue to deliver her the court summons, issued by a local court here Wednesday.

GHRC and a radical Hindu organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had filed a complaint against Mona Singh for hurting sentiments of people by dressing like goddess Sita in a dance reality show in October last year.

Following this, the court had issued summons for Mona Singh a couple of times and sent them to her Mumbai address but nobody received them. The court had also issued a bailable warrant against her Sep 1.

“Nobody was receiving court summons at her Mumbai address. Therefore, when we got the information that she was in Chandigarh we got fresh summons issued from the court and tried to deliver them to her. We were accompanied by court officials but she again refused to accept them,” Thakur told IANS.

The GHRC activists could be seen arguing with the organisers of the event over the matter.

Even the eagerly waiting mediapersons, who had gone there to interview Mona Singh, could not interact with her as she left the venue hastily.

“I am not here to receive any summons. You have to send it at my Mumbai address,” said Mona Singh.

The spectators and the organisers were not at all happy with the way in which the human right activists approached the TV actress.

“This is not the way to confront any lady on the road. It is quite embarrassing and shameful. They were very rude and trying to intimidate everyone,” said one of the show organisers.

After failing to deliver the summons, Thakur returned to the court and got fresh bailable warrants issued against her. He even followed her to the airport but she had already left for Mumbai when he reached there.

Cricketer Harbhajan Singh and Mona Singh had performed a dance number on the reality show “Ek Khiladi, Ek Hasina” as mythological demon-king Ravana and Sita, in October last year.

In Hindu mythology, Ram’s wife Sita was abducted by Ravana.

After this, a criminal complaint was filed against Harbhajan, Mona and programme director of TV channel Colors by GHRC.

However, Punjab and Haryana High Court had quashed the complaint against Harbhajan Sep 1 as it observed that he had already apologised for his act.


Soruce:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/

I have different helmets for different days: John Abraham

Bollywood heartthrob

New Delhi, Bollywood heartthrob John Abraham’s passion for motorbikes is well-known. But very few know that he loves collecting helmets too.

“Bikes are my passion and I take care of my helmets as my babies. Like people go and buy clothes, I go shopping for helmets. I have different helmets for different days,” John told reporters here, Wednesday.

“People feel I’m crazy, but I love shopping for my helmets and I have all major brands,” he added.

The 36-year-old actor who is the brand ambassador of Yamaha, was in the Capital to launch three new bikes – Vmax along with limited edition of Fazer and FZ series.

After launching the motorcycles, John talked about safety measure that bikers should keep in mind while riding.

“Safety is very important and that’s why helmets should be a biker’s priority. Safety of pillion riders is also important and they should also wear helmets,” he said.

“Indian roads, mainly Mumbai is not very conducive for two wheelers. There are riders who don’t take any precautions and are very irresponsible. On the other hand, there are people who walk on the road without thinking and taking care,” said the actor who will be next seen in films like “Hook Ya Crook” and “1-1800 Love”.


Soruce:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/

No rivalry, Sushmita and me worked well together: Lara

New Delhi,

New Delhi, The two beauty queens became Miss Universe and later joined Bollywood. Now when they come together for a film, rumours of rivalry are bound to do the rounds. But Lara Dutta, who stars along with Sushmita Sen in comedy “Do Knot Distrurb”, says they got along well and would love to work together again.

“Sushmita is a lovely person and we never had any problem working with each other. This (rumour) is generated for publicity, but there is normally very little truth behind the talk that we didn’t get along,” Lara told IANS in an interview.

“Our country has only two Miss Universes and if they also start fighting…it couldn’t get sadder than that. I just wish I had more screen time to share with her, as we had not worked together earlier and it was a fantastic opportunity,” she said.

Rumour mills were abuzz that the two actresses were having a cold war due to Lara’s meaty part in the film directed by David Dhawan.

Lara hoped she would get a chance to work again with Sushmita, who was crowned Miss Universe in 1994.

“I hope people will cast us again at some other time. At least David (Dhawan) should do it again,” said Lara, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2000.

Co-produced by Big pictures and Vashu Bhagnani, “Do Knot Disturb” is a laugh riot on marriage and infidelity. Releasing Oct 2, the movie also stars Govinda, Riteish Deshmukh, Sohail Khan, Ranvir Shorey and Rajpal Yadav.

Throwing light on her character, Lara said: “I play Dolly who is sort of a pin-up girl for men. But her own life is very complicated as she loves a man who is her sugar daddy.

“She wants security too; so she has an ex-boyfriend who truly loves her and at the same time she also has an unsuspecting soul who enters her life and turns into her best friend. So it’s complicated for her to decide what is it that she actually wants in life among security, love, compatibility and her best friend. That ties a knot in her life, which she has to unravel.”

Comedy is Lara’s forte as she showed her funny side in “Masti”, “No Entry”, “Bhagam Bhag” and “Partner”.

“I love doing comedies. There’s been an image of Miss Universe tagged to me and normally people associate me with being more cerebral and more poise because of the crown.

“But what people don’t know is that I am very comic in real life too. Doing comedies just gives me an excuse to be who I am. And if people think it’s great acting, it works for me,” she said.

“Do Knot Disturb” is also Lara’s third film with Govinda after “Bhagam Bhaag” and “Partner”.

“I am very lucky to have got this film because if at all I consider myself to be a comic actress, then working with Govinda at least once is necessary. But I have had the opportunity to work with him for the third time and our fourth film (’Banda Yeh Bindaas hai’) is also ready,” she said.

“He is a fantastic actor and and I got an opportunity to grow as a comic actor with him. He is one of those actors who can make people cry with his laughter and at the same time make them laugh with his crying,” she added.

With other future projects like “Blue”, “Housefull” and “Tom & Jerry” in her kitty, Lara is on a high with the way her career is shaping up.

“I am very happy. It’s a good time and good place where I am right now,” she said.


Soruce:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/no-rivalry-sushmita-and-me-worked-well-together-lara-13482.html

Aamir, SRK are special for me: Rani Mukerji

Bollywood actress

Mumbai, Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji says she was delighted to see Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, “two special people” in her life, on the first day of shooting of her film “Dil Bole Hadippa”.

“It was my first schedule for ‘Dil Bole Hadippa’. We were shooting the song ‘Bhangra Bistar’ and coincidentally Shah Rukh was shooting for ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ and Aamir was shooting an ad at Yash Raj Films studios at the same time…they were all eager to see what I am doing in the song and if I am playing a man so they came and kind of gave blessing to our set in a way.

“It was really sweet because Aamir and SRK are two very special people in my life and I see their presence on the set on the first day of the shoot as a happy coincidence.”

Releasing Friday, the film will see the actress playing a man too. She is starring opposite Shahid Kapoor and took cricket lessons for the role.

Soruce:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/

Salman is very lazy: Katrina

Bollywood superstar

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan can scare anybody off with his hot temper, but hottie Katrina Kaif didn't even think once before tweeting on her current flame.

Smasher Salman Khan, known for his hot temper has some food for thought dished out by love of his life. Katrina Kaif not only thinks that the hot hunk is 'lazy' but has also declared it to the world.

In response to a query Kat shared this valuable insight on her twitter page: "No, Salman's not on twitter. Do you think he has the patience to update on a daily basis?? Naah, he's quite lazy!! :)

So, Sallu what do you have to say about this? Or are you too lazy to react!

Soruce:http://www.hindustantimes.com/tbd/Salman-is-very-lazy-Katrina/453727/H1-Article1-453698.aspx

Ayesha Takia's sister to enter Bollywood next year

Natasha Takia

Bollywood actress-turned-business woman Ayesha Takia says her 21-year-old sister Natasha Takia is all set to enter the Hindi film industry next year. She wants her younger sibling to be welcomed by the audience like Kareena Kapoor was.

"My sister Natasha who is 21 will be in films next year. Hopefully, she'll be welcomed in the industry like other star sisters. I'm very excited for her. Let's hope her career works. She's preparing herself, working out ferociously. When I started out I had no clue about these things. At least now when they know I'm her sister they'll give her a chance," Ayesha said.

"There're so many beautiful girls in this country. Maybe they'll watch Natasha at least the first time because she's my sister. But there's the downside. They'll start comparing us. Audiences are so unforgiving. They give you one chance, and then they let go," she added.

Ayesha said she would like Natasha to be received like Kareena Kapoor, who became a bigger star than her elder sister Karisma. However, other star sisters like Tanisha (younger sister of Kajol) and Shamita Shetty (younger sister of Shilpa Shetty) were cold-shouldered by the audience.

Audiences would now get to see more of Natasha and less of Ayesha on the big screen as the latter has ventured into the business world.

"I've done it (films) for so long. I'm now enjoying making my own rules. I'm having a ball concentrating on business ventures. My first boutique hotel in Goa is on. We are hoping to start it this season," she said.

Source:http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14910063

Dil Bole Hadippa – Movie Preview

Yash Raj Films

New Delhi, After starring in back-to-back duds like “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic” and “Saawariya” and doing a few cameos in the last two years, Bengali beauty Rani Mukerji returns to the big screen in a new avatar in “Dil Bole Hadippa!”. Releasing Friday, the film will see the actress playing a man too!

Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the romantic comedy is the directorial debut of Anurag Singh, who has been an associate director for five films with filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and with Sanjay Gadhvi for “Dhooom 2″.

The movie also marks the entry of Shahid Kapoor into the YRF camp. He is paired opposite Rani.

The film tells the story of Veera (Rani), a fire-cracker of a girl who lives in a small village but dreams of playing cricket in the big league. Rohan (Shahid) is an accomplished captain of a county cricket team in England and returns to India to captain his father’s cricket team, which has been losing consecutively since the last eight years.

In a village where girls don’t play cricket, Veera has to wear a turban and beard to disguise herself as a man to fulfil her dreams. Her brilliance on the field earns her rave points and an entry into Rohan’s team.

“There is something which the film says very subtly because preachy films can be really boring. ‘Dil Bole Hadippa!; is very entertaining and in the end, it just leaves you with a thought,” Shahid had said.

The 31-year-old actress also hit the gym in vengeance for her toned look in the movie.

“Rani is very committed towards her body and her dedication has resulted in mind-blowing results. She is looking outstanding,” celebrity trainer Satyadev ‘Satya’ Chaurasia had told IANS.

Debutant director Anurag Singh says the film has been shot entirely in villages.

“There is no trace of any city or skyscrapers in it. We did all our shooting in villages outside Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Amritsar over 80 days,” he said.

Asked why he chose Rani and Shahid for the lead role, he said: “I wanted to bring in a pair which had never worked together before. There is some sort of freshness about Rani and Shahid working together. There was instant chemistry between the two,” he added.

The film has had its share of controversies too. Initially, the title of the film was “Hadippa” but the rights to the same had been bought by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali who refused to part with it on YRFs request. The movie title was then announced to be “Dil Bole Hadippa!”

Then the Punjabi Cultural And Heritage Board showed displeasure over Rani’s character in the film donning a patka instead of a pagdi, since an adult Sikh normally wears a pagdi and not a patka.

The Sikh community also raised objection regarding the use of a patka sign in place of a dot on letter ‘I’ in the movie title “…Hadippa”.

Apparently, this is YRF’s second film on a sport after their hockey-centric 2007 hit “Chak De! India”. Also starring Anupam Kher and Dalip Tahil along with item girls Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra, the movie premiered at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival.

Soruce:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/

Ajay Devgan whips himself black and blue in “London Dreams”

Mumbai, When Ajay Devgan

Mumbai, When Ajay Devgan first heard he had to whip himself in “London Dreams”, he wasn’t comfortable with the idea. But after director Vipul Shah convinced him to do so, the actor went all out and flogged himself black and blue for hours to get a 25-second clip right.

“We had a detailed discussion. Audiences could easily end up laughing at what is meant to be a moment of extreme self-loathing. Ajay was very concerned about how he would look whipping himself on screen. I assured him that we’d shoot the sequence in a way that it would look nothing less than stunning,” director Vipul Shah told IANS.

It’s a sequence where the impulsive emotional character punishes himself.

“It is sequence of repentance, but it is not religious. I saw the self-flagellation as a perfectly-defining moment for the character. It’s not done with a whip. It’s done with a belt. And Ajay hit himself powerfully. Once or twice I called ‘cut’ in more ways than one. But Ajay didn’t want a cut. He didn’t want to go through the experience in pieces. It was that harrowing for him,” said Shah.

“And that too for a shot which would last no more than 25 seconds on screen. I’d tell him that we should stop. But Ajay insisted we do it non-stop. We didn’t want the aesthetics to be lost. I’ve never taken longer on any sequence.”

Shah admits that sequence goes against Ajay’s image.

“It’s not a very macho thing to do. And it certainly goes against the image of the action hero and the comic hero. Quite naturally Ajay was zapped when he heard that he was to do sequence which required him to punish himself by whipping himself.”

The director also clarifies that the scene has nothing to do with religion and that Ajay isn’t playing a Muslim character in “London Dreams”.

“I’d be very alarmed if people see in a religious light. It’d just show we’re cynical about religion. Ajay plays a very intense and emotional character who does shock people with his extreme behaviour. I wanted to shock audiences.

“Ajay’s character is on the edge. I had to show that edginess. Ajay is such a chilled-out, in-control person. He would never be expected to punish himself. But I’d rather let the character define its actions rather than the image of actor.”

The film, that also stars Salman Khan and Asin Thottumkal, is scheduled for an Oct 30 release. Does Shah expect censor trouble? “I expect trouble from the censors any time.”

Right before we see Ajay whipping himself, we get him whipping up the laughs in “All The Best”. The laugh riot, which is directed by Rohit Shetty, is set for Oct 16 release.

But Shah is not at all worried.

“In a span of two weeks, audiences will see Ajay in two drastically different roles. If ‘London Dreams’ was funny, I’d be nervous. But mine is a completely different film from ‘All The Best’. ‘London Dreams’ is my most intense film to date. And if Ajay is the only leading man to whip himself, I’d say he has guts,” he said.

Source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/category/bollywood-news

Neeta Lulla is going to make my bridal wear: Sameera Reddy

Bollywood star

Kolkata, Bollywood star Sameera Reddy wants Neeta Lulla to design her bridal dress and expects it to be the style statement of the century.

The 27-year-old set the ramp afire at the Kolkata Fashion Week-II Friday, turning heads in a red lehenga as she show-stopped for Neeta’s bridal collection.

“I think Neeta’s Indian wear rocks and when I get married she is going to make me the best bridal outfit ever. It’s going to be the style statement of the century,” Sameera told mediapersons after the catwalk.

Sameera seemed in awe of Neeta’s bridal designs.

“Neeta has a lovely way of making an outfit look very rich without putting so much strain on the bride. It looks very flamboyant but it is very easy to wear,” she said.

Neeta also designed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s mehendi and wedding outfits.

Asked whether she followed fashion trends, Sameera replied: “I don’t because I believe you need to be confident in what you wear.”

Asked whether she is “brand conscious”, she said: “It is actually a mix.”

The actress said she loves to mix-n-match things and feels the all-branded look seems superficial.

Source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com

David Dhawan calls Lara Dutta Miss Perfect 58.

David Dhawan calls Lara Dutta 'Miss Perfect 58'

Director David Dhawan just can't stop raving about beauty queen-turned-actress Lara Dutta for maintaining a weight of 58 kg since her debut in Bollywood with the 2003 movie "Andaaz".

The director is so impressed that he calls her "Miss Perfect 58".

"David calls Lara Perfect Miss 58 and is completely amazed how the actress has maintained 58 kilos for last six years. Lara has one of the best figures in the showbiz and is also an amazing actress," said a source close to the unit.

Dhawan is extremely fond of Lara's acting and comic timing. He was so impressed by her work in his 2007 hit "Partner" that he decided to cast her again for his forthcoming film "Do Knot Disturb".

Soruce:http://www.bollywood.com/

Bangalore’s ‘Twitters’ to help underprivileged children

Bangalore, Sep 11: They mainly express themselves in the virtual world, but in order to help Bangalore’s underprivileged children, the Twitter community of India’s IT hub will come out in the open to tweet for a cause on Saturday. The event christened “Twestival” or Twitter festival will see Twitter users of the city come together to raise money for needy children. The money raised in the event will be donated to Bangalore-based NGO “Dream A Dream”, working for needy children. The festival has also come up with a cheeky slogan: Tweet, meet and give. “The idea behind the festival is to help underprivileged children who are struggling to get their daily food and education. We want an equal society and an end to poverty,” Hrish Thota, event coordinator, told IANS.

N Chandra wants Shahid and Sonam for his next film Fire & Ice

maverick filmmaker N Chandra

The maverick filmmaker N Chandra is a lonely man today. He has recently completed a script on an intense passionate romantic story between a boy from a broken home and a girl from a well-to-do family.

He has named the film Fire & Ice and would like to cast Shahid Kapoor opposite his old friend Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam in it.

Alas! The doors to the gen-next stars are closed to N Chandra.

"I thought the doors would re-open for me after Yeh Mera India. But sadly, not too many people saw it. It was a film that I did in a completely contemporary language. There is a belief that I haven't kept up with the times, that I'm a spent force. I may have made Ankush, Pratighaat and Tezaab in the past. But that was then. I don't follow contemporary cinema's language. I made Yeh Mera India in a very contemporary European style. The cameraman was an American."

Now, in Fire & Ice, Chandra claims to use a form of narration never used before. "It's non-linear and in a way never seen before. It's contemporary. I need a particular kind of personality for the two main parts."

Getting Sonam should be less difficult for Chandra than getting Shahid. After all Sonam's father, Anil Kapoor, teamed up for one of his best films Tezaab with Chandra.

"But that was in the past. Things have changed. This is a new generation, a new era in filmmaking. Everyone has their own favourites," says Chandra, hastily adding. "Anil and I are still very close friends.'

Soruce:http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2009/09/10/13260/index.html

Priyanka Chopra wants 'Dhan Te Nan' in female voice

After the success

After the success of Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Dhan Te Nan' in Kaminey, Priyanka Chopra is keen to have a female voice to the song. The actress had a word with the director and they soon plan to record the song with a female singer.

A source reveals, "Priyanka was in love with the song the moment she heard it. She always used to dance and sing on the sets to the song. PC complained to Vishal of being biased to Shahid Kapoor and giving him such a peppy song. At a recent award function, Priyanka chose to dance on this number even though it was a male voice."

The source continues, "Piggy Chops has now requested the director to have a female version recorded to the earliest so that she can dance to the tunes of this song at various functions. Currently, the director and Priyanka are busy with the various other commitments, but will soon record a female voice."

A source close to Priyanka reveals, "Priyanka totally loves the song and has spoken to director Vishal sir for having a female voice to the song. Nothing has been finalized but hopefully one will hear the female version soon with PC dancing to it."

Soruce:http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/index.html

MUNNABHAI AKA SANJAY DUTT & PRABODH DAVKHARE OF HEALTHWORKS GYM TO LAUNCH NEW GYM IN BANDRA IN MUMBAI

Munnabhai

Munnabhai aka Sanju baba aka Sanjay Dutt dropped a bombshell on Saturday when at a very select press meet at the Healthworks Gym at Thane, he said that he was considering launching a series of fitness clubs and gyms along with ‘good friend’ and fitness freak Prabodh Davkhare.

Sanjay even went steps ahead and said that if Prabhod Davkhare found it right, he would love to be the brand ambassador for the brand of gyms and fitness clubs. ‘Prabodh Davkhare is a good friend and I have always told him to push his efforts even further. I would love to be the brand ambassasdor of his gyms if Prabodh finds me suitable for the job,” said Sanju baba modestly.

Prabodh Davkhare runs one of the most modern and sophisticated fitness clubs and gyms in Thane called Healthworks gym. While going through the gym, Sanjay Dutt worked out for about ten minutes on the thread mill, the weights machine and even pushed some iron.

Sources close to Prabodh Davkhare said that Sanju baba is very keen on the fitness business and the two of them have been contemplating starting a chain of fitness clubs for some time. Confirming this, Prabodh Davkhare said, ‘I would love to have Sanjay Dutt to advise my gym members and clients. Sanjay Dutt is one of the fittest Bollywood stars and is the epitome of health in the country. He has maintained his physique in spite of several ups and downs in his life. For Sanju fitness comes first.”

Munnabhai aka Sanju baba aka Sanjay Dutt spent almost two hours at the Healthworks Gym at Thane on the outskirts of Mumbai along with promoter Probodh Davkhare on Saturday.

Munnabhai exercised, lifted weights, pressed some iron and even watched a demonstration of Karate along with about 200 excited fitness freaks from the area. He shared tips with the staff and even demonstrated certain correct methods of lifting weights, pressing iron etc.

Sanju baba and Prabodh Davkhare later on addressed a press conference where Sanjay Dutt answered about 50 to 100 questions from the audience regarding health, fitness, right diet etc. There were about 200 fitness enthusiasts present at the venue while a crowd of about 2000 persons gathered out the Healthworks Gym to get a glimpse of their favourite superstar.

Speaking at the Press Conference, Prabhodh Davkhare praised and thanked Sanju Baba for taking time out of his busy schedule to encourage and support the youngsters. “Sanjay Dutt has been a great source of help and encouragement both personally and for the entire staff at Healthworks India, and I thank him on behalf of every member and employee at Healthworks India,” said Prabodh Davkhare.

Sanjay Dutt also praised Prabodh Davkhare for his efforts to popularise the idea and concept of fitness.

Not too long ago, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan also visited the Healthworks Gym and spent almost an hour with the crowd. Other stars who were present included Zulfi Sayed and many other lesser known Bollywood personalities.

Both the former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and the current CM have visited the Healthworks Gym and encouraged Prabodh Davkhare and his team to spread the message of fitness across the city.

Healthworks India and Prabodh Davkhare have announced several special schemes for Government Employees, Police Officials and even students who can get maximum benefit from them and stay fit and healthy.

http://www.bollywoodpremiere.com

MUNNABHAI AKA SANJAY DUTT & PRABODH DAVKHARE OF HEALTHWORKS GYM TO LAUNCH NEW GYM IN BANDRA IN MUMBAI

Munnabhai

Munnabhai aka Sanju baba aka Sanjay Dutt dropped a bombshell on Saturday when at a very select press meet at the Healthworks Gym at Thane, he said that he was considering launching a series of fitness clubs and gyms along with ‘good friend’ and fitness freak Prabodh Davkhare.

Sanjay even went steps ahead and said that if Prabhod Davkhare found it right, he would love to be the brand ambassador for the brand of gyms and fitness clubs. ‘Prabodh Davkhare is a good friend and I have always told him to push his efforts even further. I would love to be the brand ambassasdor of his gyms if Prabodh finds me suitable for the job,” said Sanju baba modestly.

Prabodh Davkhare runs one of the most modern and sophisticated fitness clubs and gyms in Thane called Healthworks gym. While going through the gym, Sanjay Dutt worked out for about ten minutes on the thread mill, the weights machine and even pushed some iron.

Sources close to Prabodh Davkhare said that Sanju baba is very keen on the fitness business and the two of them have been contemplating starting a chain of fitness clubs for some time. Confirming this, Prabodh Davkhare said, ‘I would love to have Sanjay Dutt to advise my gym members and clients. Sanjay Dutt is one of the fittest Bollywood stars and is the epitome of health in the country. He has maintained his physique in spite of several ups and downs in his life. For Sanju fitness comes first.”

Munnabhai aka Sanju baba aka Sanjay Dutt spent almost two hours at the Healthworks Gym at Thane on the outskirts of Mumbai along with promoter Probodh Davkhare on Saturday.

Munnabhai exercised, lifted weights, pressed some iron and even watched a demonstration of Karate along with about 200 excited fitness freaks from the area. He shared tips with the staff and even demonstrated certain correct methods of lifting weights, pressing iron etc.

Sanju baba and Prabodh Davkhare later on addressed a press conference where Sanjay Dutt answered about 50 to 100 questions from the audience regarding health, fitness, right diet etc. There were about 200 fitness enthusiasts present at the venue while a crowd of about 2000 persons gathered out the Healthworks Gym to get a glimpse of their favourite superstar.

Speaking at the Press Conference, Prabhodh Davkhare praised and thanked Sanju Baba for taking time out of his busy schedule to encourage and support the youngsters. “Sanjay Dutt has been a great source of help and encouragement both personally and for the entire staff at Healthworks India, and I thank him on behalf of every member and employee at Healthworks India,” said Prabodh Davkhare.

Sanjay Dutt also praised Prabodh Davkhare for his efforts to popularise the idea and concept of fitness.

Not too long ago, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan also visited the Healthworks Gym and spent almost an hour with the crowd. Other stars who were present included Zulfi Sayed and many other lesser known Bollywood personalities.

Both the former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and the current CM have visited the Healthworks Gym and encouraged Prabodh Davkhare and his team to spread the message of fitness across the city.

Healthworks India and Prabodh Davkhare have announced several special schemes for Government Employees, Police Officials and even students who can get maximum benefit from them and stay fit and healthy.

http://www.bollywoodpremiere.com

Bipasha has never looked so simple: Rocky S

New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 11(IANS) Dusky beauty Bipasha Basu, known for her bold and sensual image, is playing a Kashmiri girl in "Lamhaa" and designer Rocky S, who has draped her in the Bollywood movie, says that she has never looked so simple onscreen.

"In this movie, you will be surprised to see Bipasha in a non-glamorous role. She is without any makeup and has worn simple clothes to fit in perfectly for this role," Rocky S told IANS in an interview.

"She is looking very simple, and trust me, she has never looked that simple. She has always looked glamorous onscreen but this time, it would be the girl next door look," he added.

Elaborating on Bipasha's look, Rocky said: "In this movie, you will see her in salwaar kameez, kaftans and dupattas. The colours that I have used there are also very subtle."

"She is playing the role of a tortured girl in the movie and this demanded a very subtle look," he added.

Was it difficult to portray Bipasha as a simple girl?

"Not at all. She is someone who carries every outfit with elan. She is beautiful and sexy and looks very feminine. The character of this simple Kashmiri Muslim girl has brought out that femininity," Rocky explained.

"It took me about one-and-a-half months to create the look for her. But at the end of the day, I am very happy with her look," he added.

Mumbai-based Rocky S is in the capital to participate in the three day Van Heusen India Mens Week (VHIMW) that opened Friday.

Rocky's Bollywood clientele includes John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu and Shilpa Shetty. When asked which celebrity would walk the ramp at VHIMW, the designer said: "Now I don't need any celebrity to prove myself."

Apart from "Lamhaa", he is also designing for Katrina Kaif in Priyadarshan's "De Dana Dan" but refused to divulge any details.

Source:http://www.bollywood.com/bipasha-has-never-looked-so-simple-rocky-s

Anil Kumble, Dino Morea charm as VHIMW showstoppers

New Delhi,

New Delhi, Sep 11(IANS) He has been a charmer on the cricket field all through his career, but Anil Kumble also proved his mettle as a showstopper on the fashion runway Friday as he walked the Van Heusen India Mens Week (VHIMW) ramp confidently and with an electrifying smile for designer Manoviraj Khosla.

"Anil Kumble looked every bit of a star on the ramp. Though he is a star, he was extremely confident and looked great on the ramp," Khosla told reporters after the show.

Kumble wore a formal look, with a classic black suit complete with a black and white tie, while model-turned-Bollywood actor Dino Morea looked smart yet graceful in a pristine white dinner jacket with black slim fit trousers.

For Dino, a former supermodel, walking the ramp as a showstopper was "exciting".

Having entered Bollywood, he said: "I miss modelling. There is always so much excitement and energy on the ramp. I have walked the ramp after a long time and I was a little nervous."

Khosla's collection comprised zipper and Nehru jackets, t-shirts with foil prints, waist coats, formal suits teamed with leather, linen and suede pants in various styles.

The colours ranged from white to milky blue, pastel green, burnt orange, coffee brown, steel gray and black.

Soruce:http://www.bollywood.com/Celebrity+News

Movie Review: Ruslaan

Times have changed,

Times have changed, but certain film-makers are still stuck up in the era gone by and that reflects in their cinema. That's what you realise when you watch RUSLAAN.

The film highlights a terrorist act that shook the nation a few years ago and how the life of an innocent goes topsy-turvy when he's falsely framed as a terrorist [KHUDA KAY LIYE and more recently NEW YORK also depicted this]. But the gravity of the situation doesn't come across on the screen because the writing is amateurish and the execution, childish.

Ruslaan [Raajveer] lives with his parents and a younger sister. He's in love with Samaira [Meghaa Chatterjee]. One day, a series of blasts occur at various railway stations of Mumbai and the cops arrest Ruslaan for this act of terror.

Director Mohan C. Sharma looks at a serious issue [train blasts in Mumbai], but there's nothing in the film that moves you or makes you think. In fact, the love story [between Raajveer and Meghaa] is also under-developed and the terrorist track is poorly written as well.

Why is Ruslaan picked up by cops, is never explained. Also, Ruslaan is thrown in a lock up, but the execution is such, it gives an impression that he's a petty thief, not a terrorist. Seems like no detailing whatsoever has gone into the scripting [writers: Brahma-Dhruv]. Music [Raees Jamal Khan] is the sole saving grace. 'Maula Maula' is the pick of the lot.

Raajveer tries hard to infuse life in his role, but, surprisingly, is relegated to the backseat in the second hour. Meghaa should've faced the camera after proper grooming. Asrani is as usual. Shahbaaz Khan and Ganesh Yadav are as usual. S.M. Zaheer and Smita Jaykar are okay.

Source:http://www.bollywood.com/movie-review-ruslaan

The cure is Lisa's birthright, says director Dilip Mehta

Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 11 (IANS) Lisa Ray has spirit and will combat the rare multiple myeloma cancer she has been diagnosed with, says her director Dilip Mehta who cast the actress as a diplomat's wife in his debut "Cooking With Stella".

"It came as a jolt to all her friends and fans. Lisa has a huge fan following in Canada. There's a pall of gloom here. But I know she'll fight it out," Dilip told IANS from Toronto.

Multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the plasma cells, is said to be incurable.

"It's a rare cancer. But it's combatable. And Lisa will do it. She has spirit. The cure is Lisa's birthright. No one can deprive her of it," he added.

What Dilip admires most is the manner in which the 37-year-old Canadian born actress has confronted her illness.

"Lisa looked the illness in the face and has taken it on. She has shared her crisis with the world and is now ready to battle it out. Nothing can keep it down. Lisa is an effervescent person. She carries happiness and hope wherever she goes," said Dilip, brother of Canada-based Indian filmmaker Deepa Mehta.

Lately Lisa has been travelling a lot.

"She shot in Delhi with us. Then she was in Kerala travelling with her father, not because she wanted to travel the destinations of her liking in a final kind of way but because she wanted to see the world. She's a free spirit. She recently lost her mother after an illness. And she needed to rejuvenate her spirit."

Dilip says Lisa never allowed her illness to dampen her spirit while shooting.

"While we shot 'Cooking With Stella' there was just that hint that her body was acting up. But you know how it is. You get a cough and you hope it won't be anything worse and it will go away. Lisa shot the film without letting her health problem show up."

"I've no doubt she'll fight out this crisis in her life. She has gained so much positivity and goodwill all across the world."

Source:http://www.bollywood.com/cure-lisas-birthright-says-director-dilip-mehta

Rupali Guha, Basu Chatterjee's daughter, makes her directorial debut with Aamras

Abhimanyu Ray

The Chak De casting director Abhimanyu Ray was debutant director Rupali Guha's savior. After Rupali saw the way the new girls had been cast in Chak De, she gathered the courage to make her first film Aamras with four new girls.

"After Chak De, I was adamant. It had to be fresh faces no matter how much the pressure to get stars. I'm glad I stuck to my guns. The four news girls Vega, Natasha, Manvi and Aanchal are the backbone of my film about girl bonding."

Debutant director Rupali Ganguly has a hard act to follow up. Her father is the formidably prolific Basu Chatterjee and her father-in-law is the equally-formidable Dulal Guha. Both legendary in their own right.

And yet Rupali had to knock from door to door to get her first screenplay approved. "I went to everyone from UTV onwards. They all said, 'Who'll watch this film?' Or worse, 'Get Shahid Kapoor to play the boyfriend.' How could I fit Shahid Kapoor into a film about the bonding among four 18-year old girls played by four absolutely new faces?"

The story of Aamras was born from debutant director Rupali Guha's 13-year old daughter's Jonaki's experiences.

Says the director, "When I was growing up, I had just one best friend and then I had my family. My daughter has a circle of eleven close friends from different strata of society. And she comes home with very different experiences. I needed to understand her world of incompatible emotions. Aamras has given me a chance to open up my daughter's world."

Next, Rupali is working on script called Cinderella about a girl's dreams of a Prince Charming falling to pieces.

Regrettably, Rupali's father Basuda is in Kolkata and has not seen the complete film. "I can't wait for his reaction," says the nervous daughter, and a mother whose daughter is nervously wondering how much of her life her mom has put on screen.

Source:http://www.bollywood.com/

Priyanka excited about entering Guinness Book with 12 roles

'What's Your Raashee?

Mumbai, Sep 12 (IANS) Eighty years ago legendary British actor Lupino Lane created a (yet unbroken) record for a male actor playing 24 roles in 'Only Me' (1929). And now Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra is all excited about the possibility of her entering the record books for doing 12 roles in forthcoming 'What's Your Raashee'.

'I was aware about Sanjeev Kumar playing nine roles in 'Naya Din Nayi Raat' and Kamal Haasan being seen 10 times over in 'Dashavatharam'. However, even I got to know about Lupino Lane's achievement very recently. Hats off to him to have done that eight decades back and that too in a silent film,' Priyanka told IANS.


In Ashutosh Gowariker's 'What's Your Raashee', she plays 12 different roles and the film has already been referred to the Guinness Book of World Records.


While there have been quite a few double role performances by leading ladies in the past, there aren't many movies where a Bollywood actress has played even a triple role, let aside coming close to enacting a dozen-odd characters in a single outing.


'Yes, I have been told about this. I guess not just in India but even in world cinema no woman has ever played 12 different characters in the film. In fact, the producers of 'What's Your Raashee' have got in touch with the Guinness Book of World Records and we are awaiting their response,' said Priyanka.


If one goes down the memory lane, one can comfortably say that with 'What's Your Raashee?', Priyanka may well boast of doing the biggest ever film written for a woman protagonist in the history of Indian cinema.


'Please don't make it all sound so big and heavy. Let's just look at it as an entertaining movie and leave it there. Words like 'greatest' and 'biggest' don't hold much relevance if one doesn't justify each of the characters. You may win when it comes to count but then you must also be able to put some weight in your performance,' she said.


So was she overjoyed when Gowariker approached her for the role?


'Not at all. In fact I was quite nervous about how I would manage to pull it off. A role may look fantastic on paper and you too may feel confident of pulling it off. Still, you have to be extra careful to make sure that audiences too like what you bring to the table,' said Priyanka, who has given three consecutive hits - 'Dostana', 'Fashion' and 'Kaminey'.


This was the reason why she stayed away from all the limelight while shooting for 'What's Your Raashee?' and her look for each of the characters too was kept under wraps.


'You end up picking on all the flattery around you but none of that helps in what comes across on screen', she said. ''What's Your Raashee?' has such a fantastic script written with each of the 12 roles boasting of such well-etched characterisation.


'I had to go all out in following Ashutosh's vision. With the coming together of a great production house, an intelligent director, a fantastic co-star and some melodious music, it all seems to have summed up well. Now that the mathematics part has gone well, it is time to see how audiences react to our effort.'


'What's Your Raashee?' is set to release Sep 25.

Soruce:http://in.movies.yahoo.com/n

Ajay Devgan whips himself black and blue in 'London Dreams'

IANS

Mumbai, Sep 11 (IANS) When Ajay Devgan first heard he had to whip himself in 'London Dreams', he wasn't comfortable with the idea. But after director Vipul Shah convinced him to do so, the actor went all out and flogged himself black and blue for hours to get a 25-second clip right.

'We had a detailed discussion. Audiences could easily end up laughing at what is meant to be a moment of extreme self-loathing. Ajay was very concerned about how he would look whipping himself on screen. I assured him that we'd shoot the sequence in a way that it would look nothing less than stunning,' director Vipul Shah told IANS.


It's a sequence where the impulsive emotional character punishes himself.


'It is sequence of repentance, but it is not religious. I saw the self-flagellation as a perfectly-defining moment for the character. It's not done with a whip. It's done with a belt. And Ajay hit himself powerfully. Once or twice I called 'cut' in more ways than one. But Ajay didn't want a cut. He didn't want to go through the experience in pieces. It was that harrowing for him,' said Shah.


'And that too for a shot which would last no more than 25 seconds on screen. I'd tell him that we should stop. But Ajay insisted we do it non-stop. We didn't want the aesthetics to be lost. I've never taken longer on any sequence.'


Shah admits that sequence goes against Ajay's image.


'It's not a very macho thing to do. And it certainly goes against the image of the action hero and the comic hero. Quite naturally Ajay was zapped when he heard that he was to do sequence which required him to punish himself by whipping himself.'


The director also clarifies that the scene has nothing to do with religion and that Ajay isn't playing a Muslim character in 'London Dreams'.


'I'd be very alarmed if people see in a religious light. It'd just show we're cynical about religion. Ajay plays a very intense and emotional character who does shock people with his extreme behaviour. I wanted to shock audiences.


'Ajay's character is on the edge. I had to show that edginess. Ajay is such a chilled-out, in-control person. He would never be expected to punish himself. But I'd rather let the character define its actions rather than the image of actor.'


The film, that also stars Salman Khan and Asin Thottumkal, is scheduled for an Oct 30 release. Does Shah expect censor trouble? 'I expect trouble from the censors any time.'


Right before we see Ajay whipping himself, we get him whipping up the laughs in 'All The Best'. The laugh riot, which is directed by Rohit Shetty, is set for Oct 16 release.

But Shah is not at all worried.

'In a span of two weeks, audiences will see Ajay in two drastically different roles. If 'London Dreams' was funny, I'd be nervous. But mine is a completely different film from 'All The Best'. 'London Dreams' is my most intense film to date. And if Ajay is the only leading man to whip himself, I'd say he has guts,' he said.

Ajay Devgan whips himself black and blue in 'London Dreams'

IANS

Mumbai, Sep 11 (IANS) When Ajay Devgan first heard he had to whip himself in 'London Dreams', he wasn't comfortable with the idea. But after director Vipul Shah convinced him to do so, the actor went all out and flogged himself black and blue for hours to get a 25-second clip right.

'We had a detailed discussion. Audiences could easily end up laughing at what is meant to be a moment of extreme self-loathing. Ajay was very concerned about how he would look whipping himself on screen. I assured him that we'd shoot the sequence in a way that it would look nothing less than stunning,' director Vipul Shah told IANS.


It's a sequence where the impulsive emotional character punishes himself.


'It is sequence of repentance, but it is not religious. I saw the self-flagellation as a perfectly-defining moment for the character. It's not done with a whip. It's done with a belt. And Ajay hit himself powerfully. Once or twice I called 'cut' in more ways than one. But Ajay didn't want a cut. He didn't want to go through the experience in pieces. It was that harrowing for him,' said Shah.


'And that too for a shot which would last no more than 25 seconds on screen. I'd tell him that we should stop. But Ajay insisted we do it non-stop. We didn't want the aesthetics to be lost. I've never taken longer on any sequence.'


Shah admits that sequence goes against Ajay's image.


'It's not a very macho thing to do. And it certainly goes against the image of the action hero and the comic hero. Quite naturally Ajay was zapped when he heard that he was to do sequence which required him to punish himself by whipping himself.'


The director also clarifies that the scene has nothing to do with religion and that Ajay isn't playing a Muslim character in 'London Dreams'.


'I'd be very alarmed if people see in a religious light. It'd just show we're cynical about religion. Ajay plays a very intense and emotional character who does shock people with his extreme behaviour. I wanted to shock audiences.


'Ajay's character is on the edge. I had to show that edginess. Ajay is such a chilled-out, in-control person. He would never be expected to punish himself. But I'd rather let the character define its actions rather than the image of actor.'


The film, that also stars Salman Khan and Asin Thottumkal, is scheduled for an Oct 30 release. Does Shah expect censor trouble? 'I expect trouble from the censors any time.'


Right before we see Ajay whipping himself, we get him whipping up the laughs in 'All The Best'. The laugh riot, which is directed by Rohit Shetty, is set for Oct 16 release.

But Shah is not at all worried.

'In a span of two weeks, audiences will see Ajay in two drastically different roles. If 'London Dreams' was funny, I'd be nervous. But mine is a completely different film from 'All The Best'. 'London Dreams' is my most intense film to date. And if Ajay is the only leading man to whip himself, I'd say he has guts,' he said.