Watch Indian Bollywood Movies Online Free

How to watch Latest Indian Movies over the Internet for free ? Or how to download hindi movies ?

That's probably the most sought after query on web - most people want to either watch hindi movies online or download the movies for offline viewing without spending money.

Indian Bollywood Hindi films are popular in for their music, songs, and extravagent colorful potrayl of Indian Weddings but unfortunately most of the bollywood videos online are either copyright violations or have been posted without prior permission from the producers.

While you can legally buy entire bollywood film DVDs from Indiatimes, rediff, ebay or even subscribe and watch the Hindi, Tamil, Kannada Movies, Malayalam or Telegu Movies, Pakistan Plays or films online as streaming media by paying for it, sites like Youtube and Metacafe have just taken the business out of them.

For example, a simple search for "bollywood movies" or "hindi movies" will returns tons of video clips on Youtube which have either been scrapped from the movie VCD's or recorded with camcorders during pre-release sessions.

While youtube requires you to register before you can view adult movie scenes, Metacafe has no such restriction and is turning out to be a popular destinations for Indian located across the world.

It is also possible to download movies and video clips from Youtube or any other video site since they are essentially flv files which can be played with any free FLV player. You can even download them as AVI and play with Windows Media player.

However, downloading hindi movies is not for dial-up users as the music video files are huge. Some downloadable hindi movies in xdiv formats on some torrent websites are of excellent quaility like a original hindi DVD.

Youtube and even Google video also has a large collection of old hindi movies and songs plus movie trailors of the latest bollywood flicks. But again, you may be breaking certain copyright laws by download them to your computer.

BitTorrent Cuts Movie Deals

Streaming software service BitTorrent has announced deals with several movie studios and content producers, in its move toward legitimacy.

Our colleague Steven Schwankert of the IDG News Service notes that it's BitTorrent's latest effort away from its role as a tool for piracy.

Several big names will offer content via BitTorrent's Web site, mostly selling or renting for a fee. New partners include News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox, Viacom's MTV Networks, Lionsgate Entertainment, Starz Media, and Kadokawa Group Holdings' Kadokawa Pictures USA.

All TV shows will be available only for sale, not rental viewing, BitTorrent said.

With BitTorrent's downloading software, users can transmit large files at high speeds. Many seized on the capability to illictly transfer large video and audio files (often copyrighted), but the company now has agreements with many major movie producers to make their products available legitimately.

Rs 50,000 worth Banarasi saris for Aishwarya?

If the owners of a prominent retail store here are to be believed, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai departed from the city not just with prasad of Kashi Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan temples, but also with signature Banarasi saris worth Rs 50,000.

After offering prayers at two prominent temples in this city on Monday, Aishwarya apparently sent one of the persons hosting her and Bachchans to Jalans, a retail shop in Kabira Complex in Durgakund locality, to fetch some choice Banarasi saris.

"As many as 11 saris of different hues including Banarasi Jamawar, Banarasi Katan and Khaddi georgette, worth Rs 50,000 were procured from our shop presumably for Aishwarya Rai,"said Vishnu Jalan, the shop-owner, adding that the saris cost between Rs 3,500 and Rs 5,500.

Google, You Tube & Dark Side Of Online Video - Bollywood

Online video is hot, and you can judge that from the break neck growth of You Tube¹. The San Mateo, California company was founded in February 2005, and a year later it is serving more than 3 million video views a day, receiving about 8,000 video uploads a day from users and transferring 16 terabytes of data a day. Add to the mix Google video and half-a-dozen others, and you get the idea that video-sharing is the hottest thing on the Internet. But many of these videos that are being shared are infringing on copyrights of some content creators.

Google Video, thanks to its massive infrastructure has become a repository for all sort of foreign films³. I have personally watched dozens of Bollywood movies, many of them released recently. Here is a little sampling⁴. Since the time I got in touch with Google last week, a lot of material has been taken off their site, but some Bollywood songs etc still remain. I guess, this is going to be a policing issue going forward for Google and everyone else. You Tube still features a lot of Bollywood content . Its not just fare from overseas markets, but I found a lot of music videos and television show clips, which make me wonder about how these video sharing services are going to protect against copy right infringements. I pinged Google and asked them about the said copyright infringements. A spokesperson emailed me this response.

As for infringement, Google respects the rights of copyright holders … For all of the content we host – whether from premium content providers or creative end users – we require the content provider to hold all necessary rights to the material. We work to identify and remove any infringing content that may appear on Google Video using the process set forth in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If we receive a notice or otherwise have reason to believe that content submitted by a particular user infringes another person’s copyright, their account may be terminated.

You Tube in an email statement pretty much said the same thing.

“All of the content on YouTube — including videos, comments, and ratings — is posted at the direction of users. We take copyright issues very seriously. Our terms of use make it clear that users should own or have permission from copyright holders to post any videos. We encourage copyright holders to contact us appropriately if they have any objections about specific postings.”

The news of Bollywood movies being shared on Google video hit the news wires this morning in India⁷. Sunil Thakur, founder of WahIndia!, a website that syndicates its entertainment segments online to sites like Sify and Planetguru told IANS news service, that “he received a response in which Google suggest(s) he “contact the user directly”, to remove content, or “file a complaint” using standard form to contact Google Video. These users (that Google asks us to contact) are usually untraceable and could be from anywhere in the world. While one waits for the issue to resolve, the filmmaker could be losing real money as new releases are downloaded and passed around on PC, iPOD, Sony PSP.”

I am not sure if this is a problem that is going to go away. Online video companies will have to figure out a policing mechanism… after all if CSI shows start showing up on Google video (not the store), Google’s partners at Viacom are not going to be too thrilled. Similarly SNL videos now for sale on iTunes store, available for free are going to become a headache of sorts for folks at You Tube.

Bollywood relieved over Munnabhai(Sanjay) verdict

Bollywood today expressed relief over film star Sanjay Dutt having been cleared of the conspiracy charge and his conviction on milder charges in the 1993 blasts case.

"Thank god they did not say he is a terrorist," actor Arshad Warsi, Sanjay's co-star in the Munnabhai series said following the actor's acquittal of charges under TADA by a court here.

"Everyone in his life makes stupid mistakes. It is good that he has got a milder punishment," added Warsi.

Leading director Karan Johar said, "It is heartening to know that finally the verdict is out and he has not been convicted for any conspiracy."

Theatre and film actor Boman Irani said Sanjay's conviction on milder charges under the Arms Act gave him a great sense of relief as it removed the 'terrorist' tag stuck on him for over a decade.

Shiv Sena leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi said, "He (Sanjay) had made a mistake of keeping a weapon -- an AK-56 rifle -- at his home."

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said, "I am very happy that Sanjay was not involved in any conspiracy."

Former police officer Y P Singh said, "Innocent Indians got carried away by the PR exercise launched by Sanjay Dutt which portrayed him as a god-fearing man who visits temples. Had a similar incident happened in connection with the 9/11 terror attacks, people in the US would have boycotted the actor."

KBC: Shah Rukh more expensive than Big B

We now know that Shah Rukh Khan has been roped in to replace Amitabh Bachchan in Star TV's popular game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. But what you might not know is that the channel has signed SRK with a huge hike in the fee.

Sources close to the proceedings also say Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar played a major role in swinging the deal in SRK's favour.

I am not sure about the exact amount, but it is more than double [of Bachchan's fee]," a source said.

"There are two reasons for changing the anchor. One, the TRP [television ratings] had fallen from five to six in KBC's second season. The other reason was to target a younger audience," the source added.

Anita Kaul Basu, wife of KBC's producer Siddharth Basu, says, "The shooting will begin in the last week of December or early January. It will be telecast from mid-January. Initially, we will be shooting 52 episodes."

Ash with Bachchans in Varanasi

Brushing aside the rumours that their relationship was on the rocks, Aishwarya Rai accompanied the Bachchan family to this holy city on Sunday night.

They are likely to offer Mangla Arti at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi on Monday morning.

According to the office of ADM (protocol), Samajwadi Party general-secretary Amar Singh along with Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, Shweta Nanda, brother Ajitabh and his daughter Namrata and Aishwarya Rai arrived here around 10 pm on Sunday.

Jaya Bachchan was already in the city for the past few days for the shooting of a Yash Raj banner film.
Soon after the arrival, the Bachchan family, accompanied by Aishwarya, went straight to the Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer prayer.

They will visit the temple again around 3 am on Monday to perform 'mangla arti'.

Bachchan out, KBC gets a new face

Kaun Banega Crorepati, one of television's big-ticket shows, returns in January 2007 with a brand new host. Neither Bachchans—Amitabh or Abhishek—will be quizzing fortune-hunters this time, but Shah Rukh Khan, will take over as KBC's new, charismatic host.

KBC's format will remain the same, and the prize money is Rs 2 crore. Synergy Productions will produce and create the show based on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Star India has signed a five-year contract with Celador for KBC this time too.

KBC-II went off air in late 2005 (it had ended a two-year hiatus by airing in July 2005) after Amitabh Bachchan was hospitalised the same year in December. Only repeats of special episodes of KBC II were aired until mid-January 2006.

Sameer Nair, CEO, STAR Entertainment India, says, “Without doubt Kaun Banega Crorepati redefined television viewing in India when it was aired first in July 2000. It is a show that remains close to our hearts as it laid the foundation for Star Plus’ domination in the number one slot in the general entertainment channel category for the last six years. When Mr Bachchan expressed a lack of interest and his inability to offer dates to the new KBC, we also chose to move to a new anchor.”

Shah Rukh Khan confesses, “I was pleasantly surprised when Star TV offered me the show. I was a participant in season one of KBC ...and little did I know one day I would be hosting it. It is a huge act to follow, that of Mr. Bachchan...but it also excites me that I am getting an opportunity to reach out... talk and interact with my audience.”

Malaika Arora Khan Biography

Name: Malaika Arora Khan
Birth name: Malaika Arora
Date of Birth: 11 September
Sign: Scorpian
Height: 5'6" or 1.68 m
Weight:
City:
Country: India
Mother:
Father:
Siblings: sister Amrita Arora.
Children: son Arhaan
Marital status: married
Spouse: Arbaaz Khan
Ex-spouse/boyfriend:
Education:
Likes:
Favorite food: non-greasy food
Favorite color:
Her hero:
Her heroine:
Other facts:
Hobbies:
Occupation: bollywood actress/model/vj
Debut Film: Aaja Meri Jaan
Languages: hindi, english

FILMOGRAPHY:

Kaal
The Hero
Kaante
Maa Tujhhe Salaam
Indian
Bichhoo
Dil Se..
Aaja Meri Jaan

Celina has Latin looks!!

It’s not the first time that Celina Jaitley has been complimented on her Latin American looks.

She’s almost accustomed to hear this question, “Given your Latin-American looks, haven’t you got any offers from Hollywood yet?” She’s quick to revert, “I haven’t received offers from Hollywood filmmakers, but from managers abroad. I received offers for German films, at a time when I hadn’t even started work on Indian films. I didn’t want to get into that territory without stepping into Bollywood. I would hate to say that I have Latin American looks. Honestly, I think I have a very Indian face.

It’s true that I’ve done only glamourous roles so far, but I get the maximum compliments about my looks when I am very desi, very Indian.” Be Indian, look Indian… that’s great attitude, girl!

Karisma gets back in shape!

Popular actress Karisma Kapur is all set to make her comeback in director Onir's next project 'You & I'.

Sanjay Suri will be in the main lead and this will be his third film together with Onir after the much-acclaimed 'My brother Nikhil' and 'Bas Ek Pal'.

Onir is in the process of signing other artists and is looking at roping in Boman Irani for a key role. The film would be a romantic story based on adventure sports - a departure from Onir's previous films.

The project will go on floors early next year and will be shot in exquisite outdoor locations, sources said.

While 'My Brother Nikhil' won several awards all over the globe, 'Bas Ek Pal' has been nominated for GIFA awards being held in Malaysia next month and is being screened at the ongoing IFFI in Goa.

Karisma's last film was 'Mere Jeevan Sathi' with Akshay Kumar and Amisha Patel. Her long delayed film 'Zamanat' with Amitabh Bachchan and Arshad Warsi is yet to be released.

Married to Delhi-based businessman Sanjay Kapur, she is the mother of a two-year-old daughter.

Karisma was seen in a television serial 'Karishma-the miracles of destiny' on Sahara television after her marriage. But, the serial did not prove to be hit with the audience.

Earlier this year, actress Kajol who has cut down on her film assignments after marrying to actor Ajay Devgan, was seen on silver screen after three years in 'Fanaa' with Aamir Khan.

Another Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit is slated to make a comeback in movies in a Yashraj film.

Rakhi can never be my friend now

Kashmera Shah is out of the Bigg Boss and very furious with some of her fellow contenders from the show.

"When Rakhi broke the fast she had kept so that I could remain on the show, I knew that I would be voted out. It was extremely wrong on her part. I realised she couldn’t be trusted. I never voted for her ouster. Rakhi has lost a friend forever," she fumes.

Kash also feels that with her exit the show is going to turn into real drab affair.

“All the colourful people are out now, so where’s the fun?” she asks.

There is also the buzz that Kashmera’s marriage with her American husband Brad Listermann has hit the dead end. And these rumours gained strength when she herself confessed in a hushed voice to Rakhi Sawant on Bigg Boss that she is seeing Govinda’s nephew Krishna.

Apparently the sparks flew between the two when they met on the sets of Pappu Pass Ho Gaya.

According to the director of the film S. Soni, "They both were inseparable during the shooting. We did not realise it earlier but when Kashmera demanded that Krishna be shifted to the hotel where she is staying, we were surprised."

Ask her if Krishna is the new man in her life and she tells, "I like him and we are doing a film together. At the moment, my marriage with Brad Listermann is not officially off. We are giving each other time. So let’s wait and watch."

So where does she go from Bigg Boss?

"I’m back to my stage shows. Now I’m going to happily tuck into some good food made by my cook," gushes Kash.

Review Dhoom:2 Captivates the audience in its aura

If one seeks to experience Breathtaking Hi-Speed Chases, Never-Seen-Before Action Sequences, Hi-Tech Heists, Non-Stop Laughter and Excitement, than the answer will undoubtedly be ‘Dhoom:2’ (D:2). In a nutshell, ‘Dhoom 2’ is mindless fun.
dhoom:2 aishwarya rai


The make-up experts of D:2 brought in from London really did a marvelous job. They completely transformed the stars to different human beings. The film promises not only bikes and bikinis but a lot more exiting sequences. From Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to Durban, South Africa, D:2 is being shot in a number of locations including many places in India, thereby adding a variety of space.

Apart from the glamorous Ash seen first time in short skirts and Bikinis who plays the role of girl named Sunheri, the film also features Hrithik Roshan playing the part of a perfect thief named Aryan, Abhishek Bachchan is in the role of a super cop Jai Dixit, Bipasa Basu playing the most attractive cop named Shonali Basu and Uday Chopra playing the role of a cop named Ali. The sizzling outfit of Bipasa Basu was an added feature.

The film has got the essence of Chor-Police saga of the 70’s and 80’s. The first hour focuses on the cat-n-mouse game, while in the second hour, it transform into a love story.

Directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, produced by Aditya Chopra and Amit Chopra, D:2 is a big budget film involving Rs.90 crores (900 Million/ $ 20.2 Million). Distributed by Yash Raj Films, Dhoom 2 is dubbed into Tamil and Telegu languages and was released on Friday along with its Hindi version. The other branches of D:2, saw many brains, such as, visual effects [Tata Elxsi], action sequences as also the stunts [Allan Amin], Cinematography [Nirav Shah, Vikas Shivraman], Dialogues [Vijay Krishna Acharya], Costumes [Anaita Shroff Adajania]. True to its expectation, Dhoom:2 took the cine-lovers in its magical grip.

Ash, it seems has come out of her shell and grown bold with D:2. Her first screen kiss was indeed a romantic sequence. The action scenes, the bike chases, the dance floor scenes, the choice of locations, the costumes, star cast, music, cinematography and all branches of the movie seems to be perfect blend to earn the title of a hit. On a 5 five point scale, Dhoom:2 can easily earn anything above 3.5 to 4.5.

Dhoom2 features Aishwarya Rai and her co-stars in new incarnation

The countdown for the release of the much hyped film Dhoom:2 (D:2) has already started. D:2 slated to be released on 24th November features Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Bipasa Basu and Uday Chopra- all in their new incarnation. The costumes and make-up of the stars added a fresh insight to the movie.
dhoom2 aishwarya rai hrithik roshan


The outfit of D:2 ( Dhoom2) will be a real feast for the eyes. Renowned brand Pepe Jeans, London has made a tie-up with this amazing film. All the stars were showering lavish praises upon the costumes.The branded westernised look of Ash in Dhoom 2 (D:2) might ravage many hearts. Aishwarya Rai named Sunehri plays the part of a petty yet clever thief in the film.

The make-up experts of D:2 brought in from London really did a marvelous job. They completely transformed the stars to different human beings. The film promises not only bikes and bikinis but a lot more exiting sequences. From Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to Durban, South Africa, D:2 is being shot in a number of locations including many places in India, thereby adding a variety of space.

Directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, produced by Aditya Chopra and Amit Chopra, D:2 is a big budget film involving Rs.90 crores (900 Million/ $ 20.2 Million). Distributed by Yash Raj Films, Dhoom 2 is dubbed into Tamil and Telegu languages and is slated to be released on the same day along with its Hindi version. So fasten your seat belts and hold your breath for Dhoom:2 is ready for taking the cine-lovers in its magical grip.

Asha Bhonsle rains anger upon Himesh Reshammiya

The new musical icon of India Himesh Reshammiya, is soaring high as his nasal gems delivered around 36 hit tracks in two years. However, things proved to be quite bitter for Himesh due to his off-beat comment on melody giants like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mukesh and R.D. Burman.
Himesh reshammiya asha


Himesh, in fact was tired of allegations that his songs are all nasal based. In order to substantiate his view point he remarked that, ‘Mukesh ji, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahib and R D Burman sahib had a nasal voice but no one says anything about them whereas I’ve given 36 hits in a year and a lot of people seem to have a problem with my voice. I don’t think the above singers ever gave the same number of hits in a year’.

This comment before the media on the eve of his concert at Surat invited the wrath of none other than the veteran singer Asha Bhonsle. She clearly stated ‘If anyone says Burman saab sang through his nose he should be slapped’.

Himesh, on the other hand had his own version of this episode. He said that he never thought of insulting R.D. Burman and added ‘I only wanted to prove a point. Now I realise I made a mistake. I should’ve never brought in the names of these greats in my argument’

Ash's kiss pisses off Abhishek

Dhoom 2 might be getting mixed reviews but Ash-Hrithik chemistry has been praised a lot in the film. But according to sources the duo's onscreen kiss hasn't gone down well with the Bachchans were invited to Yashraj Studio for an exclusive preview of Dhoom2.

It is said that BIg B, Jaya and Abhishek were upset with Ash’s decision to smooch on screen after having said no in her English films.

According to sources, her skimpy costumes too have not gone down well with the first family of Bollywood. "They are wondering where was the need for Aishwarya to change her demure image at this stage." said the friend.

When asked about the kissing scene in the film, Ash's co-star and Abhishek's childhood buddy Hrithik simply laughed it off and refused to comment.

Dhoom 2 - Movie Review

Cut the crap... Cut the gyan... Let's come to the point straightway: Is DHOOM 2 as big as its hype? Does it meet the monumental expectations? Or is it a gas balloon with a leak?

Yes, DHOOM 2 works big time and here's why...

Very rarely do you come across Hindi films that marry form and content so beautifully. DHOOM 2 is cool, but beneath the sheen there's substance too. Mounted on an extravagant scale, the film is a visual delight. The film travels from one breath-taking locale to another in those 16 reels, often making your jaw drop to your knees thanks to the sweeping impact it makes. For any sequel to score high marks, it ought to be embellished with pulse-pounding moments. DHOOM 2 is a hi-octane thriller and the thrills, stunts and pace -- vital for any thriller to strike a chord -- are sure to keep you on the edge from Scene A to Z. Most importantly, DHOOM 2 delivers what it promises: Escapist cinema at its best! Any hiccups? Not really, but the music could've been better. That's about it! So, what's the verdict then? A film like DHOOM 2 raises the bar for Hindi films. If you've tasted the best, you would never settle for anything komsi-komsa stuff later, right? That's the DHOOM 2 effect. For film-makers that tread a similar path, it's going to be an added responsibility to go beyond DHOOM 2. In terms of business, DHOOM 2 is bound to create dhoom at the ticket window. It's a box-office triumph all the way. Time for Yash Raj to pop champagne yet again! Ali's [Uday Chopra] dream of becoming a police officer has come true. He is now ACP Jai Dixit's [Abhishek Bachchan] right hand man. Together, they are trying to keep a tight leash on the crime in India. Little do they know what they are going to be up against. Enter Aryan -- Mr. A [Hrithik Roshan]. A hi-tech international thief. After pulling off a series of impossible heists all over the world, his next target is Mumbai, India. The case is given to ACP Jai and Ali. Helping them put the pieces of the puzzle together is ACP Shonali Bose [Bipasha Basu], Jai's college mate, now a police officer in her own right. For the last two years, Shonali has been tracking these amazing thefts and is now an expert on this thief, who no one has seen. Once in Mumbai, Mr. A finds his match in Sunehri [Aishwarya Rai], a petty yet clever thief. She makes him an offer he finds very hard to refuse. A partnership! Aryan accepts. And so the game begins, a game of cat and mouse, a game of good v/s bad. The cops -- Jai, Shonali and Ali -- are after the robbers -- Aryan and Sunehri. From the deserts of Namibia to the backwaters of Goa, the mean streets of Mumbai and the ancient forts of Rajasthan and finally to Rio, Brazil. DHOOM 2 is modeled on the lines of the chor-police sagas that Hindi films specialized in the 1970s and 1980s. In essence, it's not a path-breaking/inventive story, but what takes the film to dizzy heights is the sequence of events that unravel at a feverish pace. Right from the start of the film [Hrithik's first heist in Namibia; the robbing of a crown from a moving train] to his next target [robbing a precious diamond from a museum in Mumbai] to the theft in Jamnagar [Hrithik and Ash come face to face for the first time], the film whets your appetite from the word 'Go'. If the first hour focuses on the cat-n-mouse game, the second hour changes tracks as it transforms into a love story. While the scenes between Uday and Bipasha [in a dual role] are cute, the ones between Hrithik and Ash build up slowly. The pace drops intermittently in this hour since the thrills are reserved for the penultimate reel, but a number of worthy sequences in this half conceal this tiny blemish. Note the turning point in the tale -- the revolver sequence between Hrithik and Ash and the lip-to-lip kiss that ensues; it's an outstanding sequence from the writing, execution and performance point of view. The pre-climax -- the robbery of man-made gold coins -- as also the climax chase are breath-taking as well. The end is distinctive and will have its share of advocates and adversaries. Yet, in all fairness, it's one of the highpoints of the sequel. Any scope for the third installment? Oh yes, there is. Don't be surprised if Abhishek and Uday embark on their third mission. As for the climax shot vis-à-vis John Abraham's surprise appearance, it's an unfounded rumor! DHOOM 2 is director Sanjay Gadhvi's finest effort so far. The execution of the subject is such, you just can't help get transported to a world of make-believe. Gadhvi has handled a number of sequences with aplomb. The Hrithik-Ash sequence mentioned above is one of them. The dialogue between Hrithik and Abhishek -- after they've known each other's true identities -- is another. The final scene of the enterprise [it would be unfair to reveal it here!] is yet another sequence that indicates that the director has done his homework well. Pritam's music is fair. Barring the 'Krazy Kiya Re' track and the title track [filmed on Hrithik], the score is outright mediocre. However, the saving grace is the vibrant and energetic picturization, which takes the songs to another level. The choreography of the title track by Shiamak Davar is outstanding. Vaibhavi Merchant's choreography of 'Krazy Kiya Re' is admirable as well. Salim-Sulaiman's background score is highly effective. DHOOM 2 is peppered with good looking visual effects [Tata Elxsi], besides a stylish décor/look. The action sequences as also the stunts [Allan Amin] do complete justice to the genre and the Indian audiences are bound to gasp with disbelief. Cinematography [Nirav Shah, Vikas Shivraman] is impeccable. The camerawork can easily match international standards. Dialogues [Vijay Krishna Acharya] are wonderful. Costumes [Anaita Shroff Adajania] are upmarket. In fact, the styling of Hrithik and Ash [the tanned look et al] deserves distinction marks. Hrithik's casting as the antagonist can be accurately called a masterstroke. He's the actual star of DHOOM 2, the real scene stealer. In fact, you can't imagine any other actor enacting the cool robber with such precision. If there's anyone who's bound to benefit the maximum from DHOOM 2, it's Hrithik. No two opinions on that! Abhishek in DHOOM 2 is what Shashi Kapoor was in Amitabh Bachchan starrers. Important yes, but relegated to the backseat. Abhishek does a fine job nonetheless. Only thing, he needs to take care of his appearance and posture when he's pitted against someone with a personality like Hrithik. Aishwarya evolves into a different person in DHOOM 2. Her tanned makeup, her styling, her performance, it's a different Ash here. It's a complete departure from what Ash has done in the past. Does it work? Of course, she is in form! Bipasha is just about okay as the cop, but is lively as the twin sister. Uday irritates at times, but handles a few scenes well. His portions with Bipasha's twin sister in Rio are sure to bring a smile on your face. Rimi Sen is hardly there. On the whole, DHOOM 2 is a winner all the way. At the box-office, the film has already embarked on an earth-shattering initial and with multiple shows being conducted at multiplexes [16/18] with inflated ticket rates, the film will set new records in days to come. For Yash Raj, who've not only produced but also distributed the film, DHOOM 2 should emerge as one of the biggest hits of their career. Blockbuster!

She may be one of India's most sought after actresses, but when it comes to donning a bikini for her latest movie, Bollywood beauty Bipasha Basu has the same fears as every other woman.

"Let me tell you shooting in a bikini is not easy," the actress — who plays a cop in the movie Dhoom2 — told Hindustan Times in an interview published on Thursday.

''After three days of eating oranges, working out thrice a day and going paranoid, 'am I fat?' I did not want to look very oomphy, I wanted to look athletic,'' said Basu.

''I wanted to be a Cameron Diaz, I did not want to be a Pamela Anderson,'' she said.

Basu, who is currently dating Bollywood heartthrob John Abraham, has starred in more than 22 movies since she entered Bollywood five years ago. Her recent films include No Entry and Phir Hera Pheri.

Katrina's skirt now irks Govt.

The union Minority Affairs Ministry has sought details from the Ajmer Dargah committee regarding the show cause notices served to Bollywood star Katrina Kaif and others for filming a scene for a movie allegedly without permission.

Katrina had worn a short skirt during the shoot of the film "Namaste London" on November 11, drawing the ire of a section of servers and management at the dargah.

The working nazim of dargah committee said told today that the Minority Affairs department has asked the committee to give details of the incident.

The President of committee also discussed the progress relating to the showcase notices served to Kaif and others in this regard, Nazim said.

The committee has costituted a committee headed by its Vice President whose report is awaited, Nazim added.

The management of the shrine of sufi saint Khwaja Moinudeen Chisti here has served the show cause notices to Kaif and others for filming there a scene of the movie "Namaste London" without its permission.

Those who were served the notices were besides Katrina, Rishi Kapoor, director Vipul Shah and agent Babubhai Ghosi. They were asked to send their replies within 15 days after receiving the notice.

'I can't forgive Mallika Sherawat'

Couple of days back, when Mahesh Bhatt decided to throw a party to celebrate the success of Vishesh Films and 100 weeks of Murder, he sent an SMS to Mallika to join them. Mallika happily obliged and that was the end of three year old rivalry that started when she refused to work with the Bhatts in Zeher. Mallika made a timely entry only around the time when Emran and Ashmit were being felicitated on stage. But Emraan, who was already on stage, stepped down the minute Sherawat stepped up. It was Emcee Mareesha Parikh had to repeatedly request Patel and Hashmi to return to the stage to pose with Mallika — which they reluctantly did later. Later, Hashmi also admitted that their ‘cold war’ was still on, even though Mahesh Bhatt publicly acknowledged “Mallika’s huge contribution in making ‘Murder’ a box-office bonanza.” “Mallika and I had certain differences of opinion and I don’t want to talk about them anymore. Bhatt saab told me that I should grow up and forget the incident, but I’m sorry, I can’t," ha says. "I can’t give Mallika the warm welcome she thinks she deserves, because I don’t have warm feelings for her. But I’m not ill-mannered. I will not misbehave with her. So I went on stage, we met each other cordially and that was it.” The relation between Mallika and the Bhatts has been sweet and sour. It began with Anurag Basu-directed movie Murder almost two years ago and soured when Mallika demanded a hefty fee for Vishesh Film’s production Gangster that eventually launched Kangana Ranaut. Though Mahesh says he had never had any fallout with Mallika but he does admit that his brother Mukesh and some members of his production house have had some differences with the actress. "We would love to work with Mallika again. But both of us have to agree on a script. I think nothing is permanent in this industry, be it friendship or animosity," he gushes. Now that's what you call 'Success Ke Side Effects’.

Now, watch new Hindi films online!

Rajshri Media Limited, the digital media and entertainment arm of the Rajshri group, has launched rajshri.com, a broadband entertainment Web site for Indian video content.

The Web site has set a new trend by releasing a film online, along with its simultaneous release at the theatres. Vivah became the first Indian movie to premiere on the Internet.

Taking the digital revolution in its stride, Rajjat A. Barjatya, managing director, Rajshri Media, is set to change the way entertainment content is created, distributed and used worldwide. Rajshri.com will offer Indian video content across multiple genres, free and paid, on demand, 24/7 to a worldwide audience.

Rajshri Media also plans to add new features to the site on a regular basis, launch comprehensive sections on astrology, numerology, Indian food and spirituality, add regional language content across multiple categories and integrate content for mobile phones, iPods and other digital devices.

Rajjat A. Barjatya shares his views to Manu A B on the potential on online video streaming and how the company plans to entertain millions of Indians abroad with feature films, music videos, concerts, humour clips, short films and documentaries.

What is the idea behind online video streaming? How do you think this medium can score over other traditional forms of watching films?





About 25 million Non-Resident Indians, persons of Indian origin, students and working professionals live outside India and follow Indian entertainment content on a regular basis, connecting with their homeland primarily through Indian movies and music.

There are also 25 million non-Indians from places like South East Asia, large parts of Africa, Russia, the Caribbeans, etc. who like Indian entertainment globally. This is a large but fragmented audience, which is difficult to reach through the traditional 35 mm cinema route and as a result piracy fills the gap between demand and supply.

By releasing a new movie on the Internet, we are trying to convert a non-consumer into a legit consumer. It is especially for those who do not have access to an Indian cinema near them. We recognise the fact that the Internet cannot replicate the experience of watching a movie in a movie theatre but are proud that Vivah marks the day and age of legitimate multi-platform releases for Indian movies.

We believe all forms of content distribution and consumption will remain; movie theatres, home video (DVD) and online will co-exist as they are all complimentary and not competitive.

After how much time of a film's release in theatres will its online video be available? Or will this be simultaneous?

With Vivah, we have proved that the simultaneous online release of films is in the best interest of content owners as we are essentially creating a new market, which was either a non-consumer or was being fed by piracy. We are not taking away from an existing market.

You have mentioned that consumers will be offered options to stream the movie on their PCs or download the movie with a limited 72-hour license. Could you explain this?

New movies will be offered for a 72-hour download. It is called a download to rent model where the movie will be copy protected and cannot be pirated. We use Windows DRM (digital rights management) software, developed by Microsoft, which is nearly 100 per cent foolproof. Older movies are available on rajshri.com for free streaming.

How does the online video streaming of films work? How does one go about watching films?

It is very easy, log on to rajshri.com and click on any film/video to watch the video of your choice, on demand 24/7.

Do you think online films will help fight piracy?

We hope to marginalise piracy by offering a legal alternative at a compelling price point. The thinking is similar to apple's itunes service in the face of Napster.

How has the response from people been so far? How was the response for the film Vivah?

We have received extraordinary response. Rajshri.com has served over 1 million video streams in 7 days. Vivah has done very well online and we have received a lot of appreciation for our innovation and enterprise.

If new films are screened online and can be downloaded, won't it affect the revenue from theatres?

People who want the experience of watching the movie in a theatre will still go to one. Rajshri.com will cater to the audiences without access to an Indian cinema near them, creating a new market, which used to be either non-consumers or fed by piracy. Thus the two experiences are completely different; they are complimentary, not competitive.

Are music albums and videos more popular than films online?

It's a little too early to say as no one has ever put up full movies online like we have. So far, we are getting an excellent response for both full length movies and shorter music videos.

Are you getting better response from India or overseas?

The site is aimed primarily at the NRI community. We are not marketing the site in India as we still do not have good broadband connectivity, PC penetration is low and credit card usage online is still negligible.

How many films are available on the Web site? How do you charge for films?

We have a catalogue of over 300 films, which are being put up in a staggered manner. All our films, except Vivah, are available absolutely free for streaming. We will soon be starting a pay model for users who want to download and own these films.





Is this service for only Hindi films or for other languages too?

We are starting with Hindi films but have already begun acquiring regional language films, especially in south Indian languages.

How do you plan to develop content for mobile and other new media devices?

We have a competent content creation team in-house, supported by infrastructure like shooting floors, recording theatres and editing suites. We plan to start creating original content for distribution via the Internet and mobile networks.

We are currently studying various models of distribution, monetisation and are analysing consumer habits and preferences for the consumption of digital content. It is still in the early days and we are walking on a new path with a compass and not a map.

What kind of investment has gone into this venture? What are your revenue expectations?

Time, effort and initiative have been our biggest investments! Financial investment has been limited since the bulk of our content has been acquired on a revenue share basis. It is very difficult to predict revenues as we have no precedence to our business model. We believe in what we are doing and have a strong conviction about its potential and success.

What are the challenges that you face?

Frankly, we view challenges as opportunities. Our biggest opportunity is the fact that we are fundamentally changing the way people create, distribute, market and consume entertainment. We are proud to be pioneering a digital revolution. We plan to lead the digital revolution.

What is the future of mobile entertainment? What kind of content do you think will be a hit on mobiles?

We are experimenting with different kinds of content. We feel snack sized content will work better. . . like humour content is ideal for the mobile. 'What content would you like to watch on the go?' is a question we ask ourselves constantly

Will Rajshri be focussing on making films and serials to cater to the mobile space?
You won't have to wait too long for our announcement!

Biography: Amrita Arora

Name: Amrita Arora
Nickname:
Date of Birth: January 31
Sign: Aquarian
Height: 5'5" or 1.65 m
Weight:
City: Mumbai
Country: India
Mother:
Father:
Siblings: sister Maliaka Arora
Children:
Marital status: single
Spouse:
Ex-spouse/boyfriend: Kamaal Khan
Education:
Likes:
Favorite food:
Favorite color:
Her hero: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise
Her heroine: Malaika (she’s sexy) and Jenny Mcarthy (she’s mad)
Other facts:
Hobbies:
Occupation: Bollywood actress/model/MTV VJ
Debut Film: Kitne Door Kitne Paas
Languages: hindi, english

FILMOGRAPHY:

Fight Club
Deha
Jeet: Feel the Force
Raakh
Rakht: What If You Can See the Future
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
Girlfriend
Shart: The Challenge
Ek Aur Ek Gyarah
Awara Paagal Deewana
Kitne Door Kitne Paas

Wallpapers: Click to enlarge

Celina Jaitley Biography

Celina Jaitley Biography

Name: Celina Jaitley
Nickname: Chinto, Chinki
Date of Birth: 9 June 1981
Sign:
Height: 5'6" or 1.68 m
Weight:
City: Kabul
Country: Afghanistan
Mother: Afghani
Father: Punjabi
Siblings:
Children:
Marital status: single
Spouse:
Ex-spouse/boyfriend:
Education: B Com graduate
Likes: papaya
Favorite food:
Favorite color:
Her hero: Amitabh Bachchan
Her heroine: Sushmita Sen
Other facts: fourth runner up at the 2001 Miss Universe pageant
Hobbies: surfing the net, reading, sketching and listening to music
Occupation: bollywood actress/model
Debut Film: Janasheen
Languages: hindi, english

FILMOGRAPHY:

Zinda (2006)
Tom Dick and Harry
Aksar
Mazhab: The Religion
No Entry
Silsiilay
Khel
Janasheen

Kareena Kapoor Biography, Kareena Kapoor Filmography, Kareena Kapoor Wallpapers Name: Kareena Kapoor Nickname: Bebo Date of Birth: 21 September 1980 Sign: Virgo Height: 5'5" or 1.65 m Weight: City: Bombay, Maharashtra Country: India Mother: Babita Kapoor Father: Randhir Kapoor Siblings: sister Karishma Kapoor Marital status: single Spouse: boyfriend Shahid Kapoor Education: currently studying law Likes: Love watching old movies like Breakfast At Tiffany's, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Love Story and Ben Hur Favorite food: Chinese, Italian and Thai Favorite color: black and red Her hero: Raj Kapoor and ShahRukh Khan Her heroine: Babita and Nargis Other facts: she likes swimming Hobbies: reading, swimming, eating and making friends Occupation: bollywood actress Languages: hindi, english FILMOGRAPHY: Omkara Chup Ke Chup Ke 36 China Town Dosti Kyunki Milenge Milenge Bewafaa Hulchul Aitraaz Fida Dev Yuva Chameli LOC Kargil Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon Khushi Talaash: The Hunt Begins... Jeena Sirf Merre Liye Mujhse Dosti Karoge! Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Ajnabee Asoka Yaadein Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai Refugee Kareena Kapoor Wallpapers

Rakhi Sawant Biography

Rakhi Sawant Biography

Name: Rakhi Sawant
Nickname:
Date of Birth:
Sign:
Height:
Weight:
City:
Country: India
Mother:
Father:
Siblings: brother Rakesh Sawant
Children:
Marital status: single
Spouse:
Ex-spouse/boyfriend:
Education:
Likes:
Favorite food:
Favorite color:
Her hero:
Her heroine:
Other facts:
Hobbies:
Occupation: bollywood actress
Debut Film: Joru Ka Ghulam
Languages: hindi, english

FILMOGRAPHY:

Malamaal Weekly
Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena
Khamosh: Khauff Ki Raat
Mumbai Express
Main Hoon Na
Masti
Paisa Vasool
Patth
Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne
Om
Kurukshetra
Joru Ka Ghulam

Neha Dhupia Biography

Neha Dhupia Biography

Name: Neha Dhupia
Nickname: Chhotu
Date of Birth: 27 August 1980
Sign: Virgo
Height: 5'6" or 1.68 m
Weight: 54 kgs
City: Cochin
Country: India
Mother: Manpinder
Father: commander Pradip Singh Dhupia
Siblings: brother Hardeep
Children:
Marital status: single
Spouse:
Boyfriend: Amrish Kumar
Ex-boyfriend: Bunty Sachdeva
Education: Graduation in History (Hons), Jesus and Mary College, New Delhi
Likes:
Favorite food: sea food
Favorite color:
Her hero: Tom Hanks, Aamir Khan
Her heroine: Julia Roberts
Other facts: extrovert
Hobbies: sport
Occupation: bollywood actress/model
Debut Film: TV serial Rajdhani
Languages: hindi, english

FILMOGRAPHY:

Fight Club
Garam Masala
Kyaa Kool Hai Hum
Sheesha
Siskiyaan
Rakht: What If You Can See the Future
Julie
Qayamat: City Under Threat
Ninney Ishta Paddaanu
Villain

Kangana Ranaut Biography

Kangana Ranaut Biography

Name: Kangana Ranaut
Date of Birth: 1987
Sign:
Height:
Weight:
City: Bhambla, Himachal Pradesh
Country: India
Mother:
Father:
Siblings: younger brother
Marital status: single
Her heroine: Madhubala, Angelina Jolie and Parveen Babi
Other facts: she did a bit of theatre in Delhi
Occupation: bollywood actress
Debut Film: Gangster
Languages: hindi

Hrithik was the Don in Farhan's mind

Long before Shah Rukh Khan came on the scene and tried to recreate Amitabh Bachchan’s magic by playing Don again in the much talked about remake, not many know that initially Farhan Akhtar had Hrithik Roshan in his mind when he was writing the script of the film.“I wrote the film with Hrithik in mind, but when I developed the final draft, I realised the role needs a mature actor and that’s when we decided to approach Shah Rukh Khan,” says Farhan. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Bollywood Item Girls ready to pay lakhs of rupees

Bollywood Babes Rakhi Sawant
Gone are the days when a music video’s success hinged on which popular ‘item girl’ starred in it. In fact, today the scene is diametrically opposite. With fierce competition rife among the femme fatales to bag that hot and happening video, the girls are willing to go to any lengths to be the flavour of the season. So much so that quite a few of them are even resorting to sponsoring the videos themselves.

When she was signed on to play the part of Rakhi Sawant in the Mika-Meet brothers song ‘Bhai Tune Pappi Kyon Li?’ item girl Nandini Jumani aka Krazy Kat says she never realised that she was expected to shell out Rs 3 lakh for the ‘privilege’ of being a part of the song that replicated the infamous kiss incident between Mika and Rakhi. “One day, before I was to begin shooting for the video, I was told to come up with Rs 3 lakh as payment to them. They told me that if I wasn’t interested, there were loads of other girls willing to pay as much as Rs 5 lakh. I obviously refused to pay up, so I was dropped and another girl was signed on instead,” she says.

However, according to music industry insiders, this is nothing new. “I know of a lot of girls who are willing to shell out a lot of money to star in what they think will be their ticket to instant stardom,” says model/actor Kainaz Parvez, who adds that she has been told by numerous music companies and producers time and again that she would have to pump in the resources if she wished to feature in a video. “It is either pay up or sleep with someone to become the latest ‘it’ girl. It’s a very sad trend which shouldn’t be encouraged,” she adds.

But then there are those who think that the proposition isn’t so bad after all. Having done shows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Rehana Khan (name changed) admits to having the money and the intention to pay a music video producer to star in a raunchy remix video. “Although I am very well known as a dancer for private functions and shows, I have yet to do a music video,” says Rehana. “I am willing to put in as much as it takes to become an item girl. And I know now just what to do!” -

Brazil to host Indian film fest to attract tourists

Ever since director Sanjay Gadhvi shot Dhoom 2 in Brazil, the tourism authorities believe that the film will help attract tourists from India to the country. In order to attract more people, a festival of Indian films will be held between March 6 and 11 in Sao Paulo.

Academia International de Cinema and The Indian Trade Promotion Organisation are the organisers of the festival. Besides Dhoom 2, Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Rakesh Roshan’s Krrish, Mani Ratnam’s A Peck on the Cheek and Santosh Sivan’s The Terrorist are some of the films that will be screened during the week-long film festival.

I too want to know who sent parcel to me: Aishwarya

Jaipur, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai has said she too is eager to know who sent a parcel containing Euros 23,000 (around Rs 13 lakhs) to her, why and from where.

"Like all of you, I am also eager to know who sent this parcel, from where and why it was sent?" she said while talking to reporters at Sanganer airport after returning from Mumbai last night.

She would be shooting for director Ashutosh Gowarikar's 'Jodha Akbar'.

During questioning by Customs officials yesterday at Sahar Airport in Mumbai, Aishwarya had disowned the parcel sent to her from Rotterdam in Netherlands.

Looking relaxed, Rai said she was waiting for completion of investigation by the authorities.

Asked about 'Jodha Akbar', she said, "Ashutosh Gowarikar has been working very hard on this film and it would be a hit."

As for lukewarm response at the box office for J P Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' in which she played the lead role, the Bollywood actress said, "I am not aware of box office results, but I got many mails from my fans who said my performance in the movie was good."

Meanwhile, Ashotosh Gowarikar spent the two-day break to search for and finalise more locales for shooting of 'Jodha Akbar', some scenes of which were filmed at Rupangarh Fort in Kishangarh.

Indian origin Miss Great Britain always centre of attraction

British-born Preeti Desai, who became the first ever Miss Great Britain of Indian origin, is said to have always been the centre of attraction due to her "raven hair and exotic skin tone".

Preeti, 25, clinched the title after she got the maximum number of text messages and phone votes by readers of the Sun newspaper.

"People were always telling my mum I should go into modelling, even when I was little," an excited Preeti told the newspaper.

"Not bad for a beauty contest novice whose mum, Hema, arrived in Britain after being brought up in a poverty-stricken Indian village. She arrived in the UK, unable to speak English, just before Preeti was born," the Sun reported.

"I suffered from depression due to cultural problems. After getting married, I arrived in England in 1980. I was from a village, I couldn't speak English very well and I had so many problems within the family. For instance, there were people in the family who didn't like the fact I had two daughters," Hema said.

"In our culture, when a son is born there are celebrations. But when a daughter is born people say, 'Better luck next time.' Because I had two daughters, no one would give me the time of day," she told the newspaper.

"When she (Preeti) was crowned Miss Great Britain she rang to tell me and said, 'The crown is for you.' I burst into tears. I felt as if I won that crown. I felt as if I am Miss Great Britain. She only wants to see me happy - both my girls do. They want to see me smiling and it is thanks to them I was able to overcome that dreadful illness," Hema said.

Preeti from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, won the title by replacing original winner Danielle Lloyd after she was stripped off the award for reportedly dating judge Teddy Sheringham.

Bollywood doesn’t give me roles I like - Nandita Das

Ask talented actress Nandita Das whether she avoids Bollywood and she replies, “I don’t see regional films as any less than Bollywood films. I have done almost 28 films and they have been memorable experiences. I’d be more than happy to do films of different genres. Yes, I would love to do Bollywood films since the language is easy, but my commercial value is not so high, and I don’t get roles that I like. I live in Delhi and people are not aware about me. It’s like ‘out of sight out of mind’.”

Speaking about her role in Chitra Palekar’s Maati Maay, Nandita says, “It was challenging because the story was intense and powerful. Most of the roles I have performed are real. Here, I play a woman who has a lot of dignity and due to social pressure, she crumbles, and it destroys her confidence. It was a reverse journey for me.”

Maati Maay is Nandita’s first appearance in a Marathi film. “Initially, I was sceptical about dubbing in Marathi. But Chitra had total confidence in me. She asked me to try it out and I did. It was stressful doing it since it was in Marathi and I didn’t know the language, but I dubbed it on my own. I also received a lot of support from Atul Kulkarni too. I am not being pompous, but I have a flair for languages. My mother is Gujarati and my father from Orissa, and I grew up learning different languages,” she explains.

So what’s next for Nandita? “Well, I am doing Santosh Sivan’s Kerala with Rahul Bose. It’s an English-Malayalam film. I am also busy with a lot of NGOs where we conduct workshops for tribal children. I also give talks on social reforms in colleges. Besides this, I am working on an audio book on the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. I love to communicate with people. I am also writing a script,” she reveals.

Having worked with Deepa Mehta in Earth and Fire, Nandita was a part of her trilogy Water. Unfortunately, when the film was finally made, Nandita was not in it. “It was sad that I could not be a part of it. I had even shaved my head for the role. Deepa had her own reasons. But I am happy that the film got made and I will always support Water,” says Nandita.

Sambhavna loves item numbers

Sambhavna Seth, who became popular with an item number in Subhash Ghai’s 36 China Town, has no qualms about doing one-off songs. “It was a big banner and I wanted to be associated with it, although I did not have much to do in the film. But yes, things did work out for me after 36 China Town. I got a lot of offers from good banners,” she says.

Sambhavna started her career with the video of the remix track Aajkal tere mere pyaar ke... She made her debut as the second lead with Paagalpan, which was followed by item numbers in Vadh, Zameer and Sauda. “I am also doing another video track with Azeem Parkar that is being produced by T-Series. I want to do good films now. I don’t want to repeat the mistakes that I made earlier,” she replies.

Sambhavna says that she doesn’t mind being labelled an item girl. “I am looking forward to doing them in the Sunny Deol-starrer Kaafila, Ravi Chopra’s Pappu Paas Ho Gaya, director Yunus Patel’s untitled venture and Koi Hai Aas Paas. I am playing the second lead in Kaaran along with Jackie Shroff and Seema Biswas. It is a commercial as well as art film where I play a mujrewali. It is a bold character,” she says.

Bollywood Couples- Part 2

Bollywood Couples- Part 1

Stills from Mani Ratnam's Guru:

Madhavan plays the role of the antagonist in Guru. Vidya Balan plays his wife in the film.


Mithun Chakravarty also plays the role of Abhishek`a guide and mentor in the movie.


Guru is rumoured to be based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani, with Abhishek Bachchan essaying the title role. Aishwarya Rai plays his wife in the film.


Guru is Mani Ratnam`s latest offering after Yuva. The director has roped favourites Madhavan & Abhishek Bachchan to play important roles.

Source: Sify Movies.

Dhoom 2 Stills...

What is Bollywood - Everything you want to know!!

This is one article written for those guys who keep hearing the word Bollywood and have no clue what it is!! Continue Reading to get the Idea....
What is "Bollywood"?
Bollywood is the name given to the Mumbai-based Hindi-language film industry in India. When combined with other Indian film industries (Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada), it is considered to be the largest in the world in terms of number of films produced, and maybe also the number of tickets sold.

The term Bollywood was created by conflating Bombay (the city now called Mumbai) and Hollywood (the famous center of the United States film industry).

Bollywood films are usually musicals. Few movies are made without at least one song-and-dance number. Indian audiences expect full value for their money; they want songs and dances, love interest, comedy and dare-devil thrills, all mixed up in a three hour long extravaganza with intermission. Such movies are called masala movies, after the spice mixture masala. Like masala, these movies have everything.

The plots are often melodramatic. They frequently employ formulaic ingredients such as star-crossed lovers, corrupt politicians, twins separated at birth, conniving villains, angry parents, courtesans with hearts of gold, dramatic reversals of fortune, and convenient coincidences.

Bollywood song and dance
While most actors, especially today, are excellent dancers, few are also singers. Songs are generally pre-recorded by professional playback singers with actors lip-synching the words, often while dancing. One notable exception was Kishore Kumar who starred in several major films in the 1950s while also having a stellar career as a playback singer. K. L. Saigal, Suraiyya and Noor Jehan were also known as both singers and actors. Of late, a few actors have again tried singing for themselves. Amitabh Bachchan, who started the trend of non-singing stars at the mike with the runaway hit "Mere Angane Mein" in "Lawaaris" in the mid-80's, continued his toe-dipping in singing with turns in "Silsila", "Mahaan" "Toofan" and more recently in the movies Baghban and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, as well as doing a duet with Adnan Sami in the song Kabhi Nahi (Never). Aamir Khan took a turn singing "Kya Bolti Tu" in Ghulam but only because "the character had attitude that only Aamir could do justice to", according to director Vikram Bhatt. These forays, while well-received at the time, have not led to real singing careers for either actor.

Playback singers are prominently featured in the opening credits and have their own fans who will go to an otherwise lackluster movie just to hear their favorites. The composers of film music, known as music directors, are also well-known. Their songs can make or break a film and usually do.

The dancing in Bollywood films, especially older ones, is primarily modeled on Indian dance: classical dance styles, dances of historic northern Indian courtesans (tawaif), or folk dances. In modern films, Indian dance elements often blend with Western dance styles (as seen on MTV or in Broadway musicals), though it is not unusual to see Western pop and pure classical dance numbers side by side in the same film. The hero or heroine will often perform with a troupe of supporting dancers, usually of the same sex. If the hero and heroine dance and sing a pas-de-deux (a dance and ballet term, meaning "dance of two"), it is often staged in beautiful natural surroundings or architecturally grand settings.


What is Bollywood dancing?
Bollywood dancing is a commercial name for modern Indian dancing. It's a combination of classical Indian dance (which is the base), folk dancing such as Bhangra and sometimes has a Latino and Arabic influence. It's fun and very expressive and there's a lot of deep meaning behind music in the films. You can actually express what the music means, through the graceful movements of the body.

Why is dancing so crucial to Bollywood films?
People in India have been brought up on musicals and if the music in a film isn't very good, sometimes the movie doesn't sell. Specific producers, such as Yash Chopra, Karan Johar generally produce movies with phenomenal and very emotional songs; hence the dancing comes into play.

Choreographers are now starting to take the industry by storm because Farah Khan – a famous choreographer recently directed her first movie called Main Hoon Na. This goes to show that people want to see elaborate and funky dance sequences, they don't want pure acting, hence dancing is a crucial.

Dialogues and lyrics
The film script (frequently credited as "Dialogues") and the song lyrics are often written by different people. The dialogues are mostly written in Hindi, with use of Urdu in situations which require poetic dialogues. Contemporary mainstream movies also make great use of English. Dialogues are often melodramatic and invoke God, family, mother, and self-sacrifice liberally.

- In the 1975 film Deewar, a dialogue between the gangster brother Vijay and his policeman brother Ravi:

Vijay: Hum dono ek hi jagah se apni zindagi ki shuruwat ki thi -- aaj main kaha hoon aur tum kahan ho. Mere paas gaadi hai, bungalow hai, daulat hai -- kya hai tumhaarey paas?
We both started our lives from the same place -- look where I am today and where you are. I have cars, bungalows, wealth -- what do you have?

Ravi: Mere paas ma hai.
I have Mother.

Music directors often prefer working with certain lyricists, to the point that the lyricist and composer are seen as a team. Song lyrics are usually about love. Bollywood song lyrics, especially in the old movies, frequently use Urdu or Hindustani vocabulary which has many elegant and poetic Arabic and Persian loan-words. Here's a sample from the 1983 film Hero, written by the great lyricist Anand Bakshi:

Bichhdey abhi to hum, bas kal parso,
jiyoongi main kaisey, is haal mein barson?
Maut na aayi, teri yaad kyon aayi,
Haaye, lambi judaayi!

We have been separated just a day or two,
How am I going to go on this way for years?
Death doesn't come; why, instead, do these memories of you?
Oh, this long separation!

Cast and crew
Bollywood employs people from all parts of India. It attracts thousands of aspiring actors and actresses, all hoping for a break in the industry. Models and beauty contestants, television actors, theatre actors and even common people come to Mumbai with the hope and dream of becoming a star. Just as in Hollywood very few succeed.

Stardom in the entertainment industry is very fickle, and Bollywood is no exception. Popularity of the stars can rise and fall rapidly, based on single movies. Very few people become national icons, who are unaffected by success or failure of their movies, like Amitabh Bachchan. Directors compete to hire the most popular stars of the day, who are believed to guarantee the success of a movie (though this belief is not always supported by box-office results). Hence stars make the most of their fame, once they become popular, by making several movies simultaneously. Aamir Khan is one of the few actors who is notable for his insistence on doing only one movie at a time.

Bollywood can be clannish, and the relatives of film-industry insiders have an edge in getting coveted roles. One notable film clan is the Kapoors: the patriarch Prithviraj Kapoor, his sons Raj Kapoor, Shammi, and Shashi, Raj's sons Randhir, Rishi, and Rajiv, and Randhir's daughters Karisma and Kareena Kapoor, have all been popular actors or even stars. Yet industry connections are no guarantee of a long career: competition is brutal and if film industry scions don't succeed at the box office, their careers will falter.

Bollywood awards
The Indian screen magazine Filmfare started the first Filmfare Awards in 1953. These awards were to be Bollywood's version of the Academy Awards. Magazine readers submit their votes and the awards are presented at a glamorous, star-studded ceremony. Like the Oscars, they are frequently accused of bias towards commercial success rather than merit.

Other companies (Stardust magazine, Zee TV etc) later entered the award business. Some of the other popular awards are:

• Zee Cine Awards
• Star Screen Awards
• Stardust awards
• IIFA Awards
  

They all sponsor elaborately staged award ceremonies, featuring singing, dancing, and lots of stars and starlets.

Since 1973, the Indian government has sponsored the National Film Awards, awarded by the government-sponsored Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF). The DFF screens not only Bollywood films, but films from all the other regional cinemas and independent/art films. These awards are handed out at a ceremony presided over by the President of India and hence are coveted by all.

Finances
Bollywood budgets are usually modest by Hollywood standards. Sets, costumes, special effects, and cinematography were less than world-class up until the mid-to-late 1990s. But as Western films and television gain wider distribution in India itself, there is increasing pressure for Bollywood films to attain the same production levels. Sequences shot overseas have proved a real box office draw, so Mumbai film crews are increasingly peripatetic, filming in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, continental Europe and elsewhere. Nowadays, Indian producers are drawing in more and more funding for big-budget films shot within India as well, such as Lagaan, Devdas, and the current production The Rising.

Funding for Bollywood films often comes from private distributors and a few large studios. Indian banks were forbidden to lend money to film productions, but this ban has been lifted recently. As the finances are not regulated properly some of the money also comes from illegitimate sources. Mumbai gangsters have produced films, patronized stars, and used muscle to get their way in cinematic deals. In January of 2000, Mumbai mafia hitmen shot at Rakesh Roshan, film director and father of star Hrithik Roshan; he had rebuffed mob attempts to meddle with his film distribution. In 2001 the Central Bureau of Investigation, India's national police agency, seized all prints of the film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke after the movie was found to be funded by members of the Mumbai underworld.

Another problem facing Bollywood is piracy of its films. Often pirated DVDs arrive before the print for the picture. Factories in Pakistan and India stamp out thousands of illegal DVDs, VCDs, and VHS tapes, which are then shipped all over the world. (Copying is particularly rife in Pakistan, since the government has banned the import of Indian films, leaving piracy as the only way to distribute them.) Films are frequently broadcast without compensation by countless small cable-TV companies in India and Asia. Small Indian grocery-spice-video stores in the U.S. and the U.K. stock tapes and DVDs of dubious provenance while consumer copying adds to the problem.

Satellite TV, television and imported foreign films are making huge inroads into the domestic Indian entertainment market. In the past, most Bollywood films could make money; now fewer do so. Balanced against this are the increasing returns from theatres in Western countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America, where Bollywood is slowly getting noticed. As more Indians migrate to these countries, they form a growing market for upscale Indian films. 'Foreign' audiences—in Asian and Western countries—are also growing, if more slowly.

What problems does Bollywood face?
Bollywood's biggest problem is piracy - where people copy the films and either sell them or show them to other people for free. At the moment not all films made make more money than they cost to make, even though they can be seen by around one billion people.

If everyone paid to see the film legally the industry would make lots more money. At the moment Bollywood film producers are trying to work out a way to stop this happening. Another problem is that younger generations sometimes find the stories a bit predictable and are get bored of the similar tales. Film-makers are trying to solve this by changing storylines to reflect real life - like the fact that children of Indian families now study abroad.

What's the future for Bollywood?
The future looks even brighter for Bollywood. Big US film companies such as Warner Bros and Twentieth Century Fox are setting up offices in India. Where Indian film makers have found it difficult to compete with Hollywood's special effects, this is seen as the next big area for Bollywood to develop.

Coming Soon: Till March 2007

The below-mentioned release dates have been given by the producers and distributors of these films. At times, the films get postponed for various reasons, hence the list is updated every week. (Note: Movie names listed in alphabetical order)

October 6, 2006
- Bhoot Unkle
- Iqraar - By Chance
- Jaana - Let'S Fall In Love
- Mera Dil Leke Dekkho
- Seven Islands And A Metro
- Zindaggi Rocks

October 13, 2006
- Utthaan

October 20, 2006
- Don - The Chase Begins Again
- Jaan-E-Mann
- To The London Calling

October 2006
- Gumnaam - The Unknown
- With Love... Tumhara

November 3, 2006
- Kaafila
- Umrao Jaan
- Zamaanat

November 10, 2006
- Apna Sapna Money Money
- Deadline - Sirf 24 Ghante
- Jackpot - The Money Game
- Vivah

November 16, 2006
- Khujli

November 17, 2006
- Aryan - Unbreakable
- Sanam Teri Kasam

November 24, 2006
- Dhoom 2

November 2006
- Anwar
- Familywala
- Fear
- Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega
- Kisse Pyaar Karoon
- Nanhe Jaisalmer
- Sarhad Paar

December 8, 2006
- Babul
- Good Boy Bad Boy

December 15, 2006
- Kabul Express

December 22, 2006
- Bhagam Bhag
- Guru

December 29, 2006
- I See You

December 2006
- Kaise Kahe...
- mp3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar
- Traffic Signal

January 12, 2007
- Hum Laakh Chhupayein Pyaar ... Magar

January 19, 2007
- Kya Love Story Hai
- Salaam-E-Ishq: A Tribute To Love

January 26, 2007
- Fool & Final
- Metro

February 9, 2007
- Eklavya - The Royal Guard

February 2007
- Hat Trick
- Mr. Fraud

March 2007
- The Namesake

Anu Malik is now Annu Malek

Anu Malik has finally decided to get his name spelling changed to Annu Malek in consultation with numerologist, tarot, handwriting and signatures specialist Niraj Mancchanda. According to Niraj, “Annu’s good time period has begun from his birthday 2nd November and now he will go on signing movies and will get full credit for his work"

Annu has already signed two films of which one is with Tips. Niraj further adds "Annu Malek now comes to number 32 which has the power to sway the masses. The movie Sarfarosh directed by John M Matthan had come to number 32 which was a critically acclaimed hit and the legendary V Shantaram's name also comes to number 32 ".

When we spoke to Anu umm… Annu Malek and he confirmed this. “In the movie Baazigar, I was credited as Annu Malik which turned out to be a big hit. Niraj is my childhood friend and I respect him a lot. So he told me to continue with Annu and also to change the ‘i’ in Malik to ‘e’.

First Look: Anwar!!

Rajshri markets 'Vivah' differently

• Ladies are patronizing the film in a major way. The attendance of ladies in the 12 noon and 3 pm shows is as high as 70 to 80% in many of the cinemas.



• Special décor was put up at METRO ADLABS in Mumbai. A prominent spot inside the multiplex sported the VIVAH look. As a special part of the setup, the real ‘Doli’ from the film was set up there.



• At Tarakarama 70mm, Hyderabad, a stage was put up in the cinema compound and 4 persons were hired to play live shehnai. Both cinema gates were decorated with Banana trees, flowers and lighting. Even few small banners inside the cinema lobby were decorated with flowers. On the 1st day 1st show each and every viewer was given a packet containing sweets, farsan (chewda) and at interval, tea was served to all free of cost. Special colourful tickets of VIVAH were printed by S. Sharma Jewellers, who have incurred all the expense of the above.



• Lokmat Sakhi Manch, connected with Lokmat Group of Newspapers in Maharashtra, is an organization consisting of over 25,000 ladies as members. They organized ladies shows for the film on 10th November in 12 noon shows at the following centers in Marathwada region:- Sadia – Aurangabad, Yashoda – Latur, Talreja – Parbhani, Majestic – Jalna, Shyam – Nanded, Asha – Beed. To create the atmosphere of celebration of VIVAH, the exhibitors showered rose petals over each and every lady while entering the hall and during the interval, the canteen people of the cinema arranged a cup of tea to the audience, free of charge. These ladies shows have resulted in lot of popularity and hype for the film, especially amongst the ladies and family audiences. Now ladies shows on similar lines are being organized at Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Jalgaon in the coming weeks.



• Lokmat Yuva Manch, connected with Lokmat Group of Newspapers, having college students as members, organized a show at Sadia talkies, Aurangabad at 12 noon on 14th November only for college students.



• In Bihar, the following cinemas have made attractive decoration at the entry gate with flowers to give the look as if a wedding is taking place: Regent – Patna, Amar – Muzaffarpur, Craze – Darbhanga, Nutan – Sitamarhi, Sujata – Ranchi, Deshbandhu – Jharia. All these cinemas are playing shehnai cassette in their foyers to create the atmosphere of wedding. Craze cinema, Darbhanga went one step ahead and hired two persons to play Shehnai (live) throughout the day in the first week.



• At Raj cinema, Gorakhpur, both the cinema gates at the compound entrance were decorated with cloth and flowers.



• At Vasant talkies, Akola, the cinema gate was decorated with flowers and lights, so also the main entrance of the cinema.



• At Rajkamal talkies, Jalgaon, where the film has been released on 17th November, the cinema gate as well as the entrance of the cinema has been decorated with flowers and lighting. There is a red carpet welcome for all the audience and they are presenting a rose to each lady audience as also sweet and supari packets.



• 15 prints are added from 2nd week (17th November 2006).

Troubles for Ash-Hrithik film

Famous Bollywood director Ashutosh Gowarikar's ambitious project "Jodha-Akbar" has run into a new problem with a semi-government organisation serving notice to his production company on cruelty to animals. "'Pashu Krurta Nivaran Samiti' (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), a semi-government organisation has sent notice to Gowarikar's production company for committing cruelty against animals," an official of animal husbandry department told here Friday. For the past fortnight, the producer has been filming a sequence for the film on various locations in and around Jaipur. The film features Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan in title roles. Over 80 elephants, 100 horses and 55 camels are being used. The society has asked Gowarikar whether any permission was taken from the Animal Welfare Board and why he should not be tried for violation of Cruelty Against Animal Act. "A large number of these animals were subjected to great hardships during the shooting and there was no facility of a veterinary doctor during the shooting," said Manish Saxena, a member of the society. He said it was mandatory to seek permission of the national board for using the animals. Saxena said permission for such use of animals is granted on certain conditions relating to animals' welfare. "The department of animal husbandry shall see that the issues raised by the society are addressed by the film maker," Prabhu Lal Saini, Rajasthan's animal husbandry minister told. The film also faces resistance from the Rajputs. Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, has alleged that Gowarikar is allegedly "tampering" with history and threatened to move court to stop filming of the film. The Sena said it would request the state government to tell Gowarikar that he should change the title of the film and not associate the community with the film.

I'm not leaveing Ekta Kapoor

The decision to break away from Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms has left Iqbal Khan depressed, but determined. "I guess it had to happen. But I can never forget what Ekta and Balaji have done for me. I'd have been just another struggler in Bollywood. Ekta's 'Kaisa Yeh Pyarr Hai' gave me status and fan following. And I'll always remain grateful for that," Iqbal told. "If she asks me to work for her again, I would do so without a second thought. But for now Dec 25 is my last day at Balaji," said Iqbal, who can also be seen in Ekta's "Karam Apna Apna". But for now Iqbal is taking a much-needed break and is making plans for his wedding in January. "For two months I'll concentrate on getting my act together. I've been working unearthly hours. Now I need time to get married. I need to spend time with fiancée Sneha. My parents are in town. I haven't been able to spend a moment with them. "When I get married and have children I don't want them to look at me as if I'm a stranger in the house. I need to balance my working hours and a family life, which I haven't been able to do so far." "It's in January. And then Sneha and I will go on our long honeymoon. I'm not thinking about the future right now. Whatever has to happen will happen. But I want to make it clear I won't run to any rival company just to keep myself busy. What kind of a light would that show me in?"

Saif Ali Khan quits smoking!

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan too has joined an anti-tobacco campaign and started drinking a lot of water to give up cigarettes. ''I drink water every time I feel like having a cigarette and I kind of feel like I have achieved something really big,'' Khan told a national daily in an interview published on Wednesday. He described smoking as disgusting and said it was ''a killer,'' but said he was unsure how long he would be able to keep away from cigarettes. ''There is a high chance that I will go back to that deadly addiction, but I hope not,'' the daily quoted him as saying. Bollywood's top actor Shah Rukh Khan also is trying to quit smoking. Last year, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss wrote to Shah Rukh Khan, asking him to join an anti-tobacco campaign. Health experts say teenagers who watch films in which stars smoke are three times more likely to try smoking, and those whose favorite stars light up on screen are 16 times more likely to have positive attitudes toward smoking. A World Health Organisation survey of tobacco use in movies made by India's massive, prolific Hindi-language film industry - dubbed ''Bollywood'' - showed that more than 76 per cent of its most popular films in 1991 to 2002 depicted some sort of tobacco use, mostly cigarettes. The WHO says tobacco claims 5 million lives a year. According to government statistics, more than 800,000 Indians die each year from smoking-related illnesses.

Bigg Boss promotes bitching!

Hidden cameras follow well-known personalities living together, doing their own thing and making comments - not always charitable - about others. Welcome to Sony TV's reality show "Bigg Boss", which, already in its second week, is raising plenty of eyebrows. Modelled on Endemol's reality-soap "Big Brother", "Bigg Boss" raises many moral questions. The show shows the other side of celebrities, which is not a bad idea. But the fact is that with several cameras following them round the clock in a house, there are chances the show could enter a grey area. It has everything to keep the audience hooked - suspense, drama and catty comments. Thirteen people from different walks of life are put together into a house erected in Kazarat Studio, about 300 km away from Mumbai. Nitin Desai, who made the sets for Sanjay Leela Bhanslai's "Devdas", has designed it. The conflicts and ego clashes of the participants are giving away their true nature. "The participants know there is are cameras everywhere and the contract clearly states that they will be responsible for the language they use on the show and their conduct. They can't get away by saying, 'we didn't know'," a Sony source told. But it seems that in their quest to outdo each other the participants are ignoring the normal rules of decency. That made one college student, Janani, say: "I don't feel there is a need for such a show. It promotes bitching, it's hardly entertaining and a waste of time. Why would I care whether celebrities get along or not?" Every week, one person unable to cope with the situation will be eliminated. The lone survivor at the end of three months will go on to win the Rs.5 million prize money. "We're certainly not advocating a peep show here," the channel's creative head Sandeep Sickand clarified recently. "We're will capture the contestants doing normal things, in the beautiful house that we've specially built for 'Bigg Boss' with a swimming pool, et al in Karjat. Of course, the contestants are excited. But no sex! They'll do normal things like play games, cook food and etc," Sickand said. The show - Monday to Friday 10-11 p.m. - features unusual scenes like model Carol Gracias kneading dough, item girl Rakhi Sawant playing chess with Bobby Darling, and a cow making an appearance at the Karjat house. After the unending saas-bahu sagas such as "Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki" and "Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", audiences are eager to view reality shows. And channels have come up with increasingly outrageous ideas to cash in on the trend. Sony's dance show "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa" boosted its TRPs because it was thoroughly entertaining and was certainly for family viewing. On the other hand, STAR is reaping the benefits of a feel good dance show "Nach Baliye 2" - where celebrity couples show their dancing skills. Zee's "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" music contest has had many formats - and most of them were very popular. MTV is doing "Roadies" - in which youngsters from different parts of the country are put together for a long journey. As it is a tougher reality show, it has the participants involved in quarrels, confrontations and catty comments. The trend of reality TV started more than a decade ago with Zee TV's "Antakshari" 1993 and later STAR carried it forward with "Kaun Banega Crorepati" with Amitabh Bachchan as host. The latter's phenomenal success encouraged Sony to format "Indian Idol", which also had an exceptional viewer rating. However, not all reality shows have been successful. For instance, Zee's "Deal Ya No Deal" and "Business Baazigar" failed to bring the desired results. Similar has been the case with Sony's "Fear Factor India", in which celebrities had to conquer their fear of reptiles by actually sharing time with them in a glass box. STAR One's "Lakme Fashion House" got a lukewarm response. With "Bigg Boss" venturing into dangerous zones, the audience has now to worry about the moral implications and decide whether they want it at all.n

Letter sent to Gowarikar over use of animals in "Akbar Jodha"

An animal rights body has sent a letter to filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar asking him if he has obtained permission for using animals in the shooting of his movie "Akbar Jodha" in Rajasthan.

The local office of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a semi-government body registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India, sent the letter on November 9, SPCA secretary Manish Saxena told reporters here today.

Gowarikar is using 80 elephants, 160 horses and 65 camels for the shooting of his film in Ramgarh, Saxena claimed.

"It came to our knowledge that your company is using/hiring animals for the purpose (shooting of the film). We would like to know if you have prior permission from the AWBI for the purpose," Saxena asked in the letter.

Permission needs to be taken from AWBI for use of animals like horses, camels and elephants in films, he said.

Asked what would be done if Gowarikar had not taken permission, Saxena said the SPCA would take strict action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 and the shooting could be stopped.

Even if permission is taken, certain standards needed to be fulfilled, including suitable atmosphere for the animals, fixed work hours and presence of veterinary doctors, he said.

Gowarikar is already facing trouble here with the Sri Rajput Karni Sena threatening to disrupt the shooting to protest what it claimed his "tampering with historical facts".

According to the Sena, Jodhabai was not the wife of Mughal emperor Akbar but in K Asif's "Mughal-e-Aazam", she was depicted as so and Gowarikar was planning to do the same. The Sena alleged the director was portraying Rajputs "wrongly".

Ajmer shrine slaps notices on Katrina, others

The management of the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinudeen Chisti here has served showcause notices to Bollywood star Katrina Kaif and others for filming a scene for a movie without its permission.

Najim Abdul Aleem of the Dargah Committee on Thursday said the notices were served to Katrina, Rishi Kapoor, director Vipul Shah and agent Babubhai Ghosi for shooting a scene of the movie Namaste London at the shrine without permission last month.

Katrina had worn a short dress during the filming, drawing the ire of a section of the servers and management at the shrine. They have been asked to file replies to the notices within 15 days of receiving them and to tender a public apology.

The notices were issued on November 11 by Jatan Chand Jain, a lawyer acting on behalf of the Dargah Committee, Aleem said.

Though Ghosi made an application for permission to shoot at the shrine, his request was not granted, Aleem further said.

Katrina, wearing a knee-length skirt, entered the shrine with Rishi Kapoor on October 2 and offered a chadar at the Sufi saint's dargah without written permission, he said.

In sync with Islamic traditions, women wearing skimpy outfits are not allowed inside the shrine, and officials and the Muslim community had taken exception to the actress' attire, Aleem elaborated.

Sarwar Chisti, secretary of the Anjuman Committee or organisation of Khadims (servers), said, "What was the need to raise the controversy again as the matter had subsided last month. It (the notices) will lead to another controversy and media hype."

Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd - Preview

Character Sketch

Oscar Fernandez (Boman Irani) and Nahid (Shabana Azmi)
They are a middle aged couple who have married at an old age. People around them make fun of them but they are not really bothered about it. They have come from a tough background and had faced difficult times earlier. They are keeping their past behind and searching for a future with each other.

Partho Sen (Kay Kay Menon) and Milly Sen (Raima Sen)
This couple comes from a small town in Bengal and has different sensibilities than the rest.

Pinky (Amisha Patel) and Vicky (Karan Khanna)
Pinky and Vicky are from Delhi and are poles apart. While Pinky is a talkative sort, Vicky is quieter.

Madhu (Sandhya Mridul) and Bunty (Vikram Chatwal)
This is a crossover couple with the husband being an NRI while the wife is a Mumbai girl.

Hitesh (Ranvir Shorey) and Shilpa (Dia Mirza)
This is a young couple from Gujrat. Their story raises a question of what is more important in life – love or marriage. It challenges the social norms and traditions.

Aspi (Abhay Deol) and Zara (Minissha Lamba)
They are the most perfect couple. But there is a big twist that comes in their story towards the end.

Storyline

Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. aims to be a wholesome family entertainer. It is about married couples on a package honeymoon to Goa. Exciting and cheerful, this vacation is a subsidized option for a lot of dreamers on the brink of their new life.

The film opens with six couples, a guide, a driver and a handyman riding in a bus from Bombay to Goa. The narrative humorously unfolds seven different stories that explore the nature of love and human relationships. Woven into the hectic four day honeymoon schedule is a radio show – “Pyaar Ke Lamhe”. The jockey plays the role of an omniscient narrator and discusses individual characters, revealing secrets about them and their past.

From the time the bus leaves Bombay, a man on a bike follows them all the way to Goa. We don’t know who this mystery man is. He is dressed in leather and a helmet throughout, until one day….

Ayesha Takia to debut on television

We last saw Ayesha Takia giving a good performance in Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dor. After that stint she will be beginning her new innings and this time it will be on television. The actor has been signed to anchor the television show ‘Sabsey Favourite Kaun’ which will be aired on Star Gold.

Fans from across the world will be able to vote for their favourite Bollywood celebs over the phone or the internet. We wish the beautiful actor all the best in her new job.

Man on mission to 'kill' Mallika held

A notorious criminal, who claimed to have been on a mission to kill Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat, was nabbed from Sangli in Maharashtra on Wednesday.

The accused, Rajesh Dalal alias Raj alias Lucky (28), had escaped from the Tis Hazari court complex where he was being produced for trial.

Dalal had claimed in front of journalists that he was planning to kill Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat since she had defamed the Jat community. The police, however, rubbished this claim and called it a publicity stunt.

"Dalal is an educated, modern-day criminal. He has numerous cases registered against him including escape from custody, armed robbery, kidnapping, attempt to murder, assault on police officers on duty and criminal intimidation,"said Neeraj Thakur, DCP (crime branch).

Dalal, originally from Nangloi, had graduated in commerce from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana and started to crime in 1999, when he kidnapped his own estranged wife from her Paschim Vihar residence.

The woman was rescued later on, and Dalal then kidnapped her brother and sought a huge ransom in an attempt to seek vengeance.

The boy was rescued and Rajesh was arrested for the first time. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

As an undertrial in a petrol pump robbery case in 2005, Dalal had managed to escape from the Tis Hazari court premises, prompting the police commissioner to declare a reward of Rs 25,000 on him.

Don't you have a life Akshay: Preity

"Only if you're under 15 were you allowed to join in," Preity screams excitedly about her "first day out with kids." Preity had a ball with the kids. She gave them the time of their life. "Last month I had having a huge screening of Jaan-e-Mann, strictly for children under 15. Can you believe, I have not been in India to enjoy the release of any of my films since Koi…Mil Gaya. Even Veer-Zara, I wasn't here. After Koi…Mila Gaya, Jaan-e-Mann was another child-friendly film… It was clean, funny and very easy on the eyes. Since I was here for one of my releases after a long time, I wanted it to be a special occasion." Why just kids? "I wanted to have a blast. Kids love you unconditionally. I wanted to give kids from the Make A Wish Foundation and other charitable institutions a reason to smile." Jaan-e-Mann elicits high marks for its director from Preity. "Shirish Kunder is a man of a few words but the strongest visual sense. Since he's a film editor he knows exactly where to cut, and what. Sometimes during shooting I wasn't sure of what he was doing. We'd rehearse and rehearse and then I'd wonder where it was going. But then I'd see the final shot and go, 'Wow!'. Jaan-e-Mann is one straight from the heart. It doesn't try hard to make a statement. But it's a visual treat. And my compliments to the DOP. I can't tell you how good the film is looking, and not just my face." Preity shot simultaneously for KANK and Jaan-e-Mann. "And both partly in New York. But because I was so made-up in KANK I kept my look and make-up very simple in Jaan-e-Mann. Also Shirish wanted the make- up to be minimalist. And to create a different look becomes easier when you're doing both films together. KANK was more about power-dressing. In Jaan-e-Mann I'm more softer, more feminine. My character goes from being a college girl to a time zone that takes her somewhere else altogether." After the tensions of playing a woman on the brink of divorce in KANK, Jaan-e-Mann helped Preity unwind. "One barely saw me smile in KANK. I play a much happier character in Jaan-e-Mann. In KANK I was fighting my favourite actor. Fighting Shah Rukh wasn't easy. To be up against him was very taxing." But Preity loved her character in KANK. "So what if I didn't have as big a role as Shah Rukh or Rani? Karan couldn't have made a seven-hour film. After doing 24-25 films it looks a bit petty for me to be measuring my footage. Being at the center of a plot isn't a concern." Preity loved working with Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan in Jaan-e-Mann. "I worked with Akshay in Sangharsh many years ago. That was a very serious film. I loved working with Akshay. It was an important film for both of us. Akshay has got only better. He looks and acts better. He'd be on the sets at 5 in the morning. I'd be like, 'Don't you have a life?' I've never seen him lose his cool. He's wonderful, always happy at work. And he's grown so much as an actor… As for Salman, I've worked in three films with him before this. His emotional scenes in Jaan-e-Mann are his best ever. Salman has his own style. He stands out in crowd. The chemistry between Akshay and Salman is awesome." She's been living out of suitcases for so long, it isn't funny any more. "I like traveling. But suddenly I'd wake up one fine day in some country and want to go back home. But in half an hour I was back to normal. Yes, I'm strong and sensible. The long absences make me love my country even more. I was shooting for Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom in London. The director Shaad Ali was a revelation…very nice, very cute…It was me and my two fellow-Aquarians Bobby and Abhishek. And you've to see Mr Amitabh Bachchan in Jhoom…. Such energy! I had an ear-to-ear grin throughout. I had the time of my life." Preity shares a very special bonding with Abhishek. "He's amazing to work with. He and I had little bits together in Salaam Namaste and Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna. But this was our first full-fledged film together. I've come back from London loving him even more. He's so adorable. Absolutely fantastic. While working away from home I saw various sides to his personality, both the mature and childlike sides. …As for Bobby, he isn't chatty. But not quite reserved either…thank God I did a fun film like Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. Even Jaan-e-Mann has a very strong emotional quotient." Preity wonders about the variety of co-stars she has had, from both the Deol brothers Sunny and Bobby, to Shah Rukh and Abhishek. "I guess I've been lucky. All my co-stars have been extremely nice. I've shared a great rapport with all of them…As for the female co-stars, they're fine too. Except that I'm expected to become best friends with each one I work with. I don't make best friends with my co-stars, male or female. But Abhishek is a buddy." Jaan-e-Mann was Preity's second release this year. "Now that I'm back in the country I need to sign another film. I wish they'd come to me with something seriously tempting. So far I've been picky. But I'm okay with my pace. The minute I sign a film I get another, better offer, which I can't do because I've already allotted my dates. That's been happening to me for two years now. But yes, I'm signing a new film very soon."

Tera kya hoga, Gabbar?

What’s in a name? A lot if you happen to be Gabbar Singh in Ram Gopal Varma’s remade, err... remixed ‘Sholay’.
Though Ram Gopal Varma has remixed Gabbar to the extent of giving the original Gabbar an identity crisis, GP Sippy’s grandson Sascha Sippy, of Sippy Films Private Ltd, refuses to relent, and let Ramu keep the name, in fact, use any of the characters’ names. “Seven years ago, I had copyrighted the film ‘Sholay’, and trademarked all its characters. They are protected under Sections 14 and 51 of the Copyright Act of 1957. That is why I have filed a lawsuit, and sought a stay on the release of Varma's film. The use of name ‘Sholay’ by any other entity amounts to infringement of trademark and copyright,” says Sascha. Besides Varma, Justice Gita Mittal of the Mumbai High Court issued notices to his production house K Sera Sera, its managing director, PM Sanghvi and Ajit Sippy.

Bahut yaarana lagta hai...?

Well, that’s one Gabbar dialogue that both Ramu and Sascha definitely won’t be saying about each other for a long time. For, as Sascha continues, “Ramu can’t go against the laws, can he? The court order (a copy of which is with DT) clearly states that ‘the defendants, their partners or proprietor, their principal officers, and agents are restrained from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, advertising including on the internet and in any other manner using ‘Sholay’, Gabbar, Gabbar Singh trademarks or any other deceptively similar mark amounting to infringement of registered trademarks.’ The court further restrains Varma from reproducing the film ‘Sholay’, or its constituent parts (ie. script, screenplay, sound recordings, lyrics, musical works and art works). Furthermore, Ram Gopal is restrained from passing off my film or other production, using the mark ‘Sholay’ or any other deceptively similar mark, using the character names or thereof in any other manner, associating his film with ‘Sholay’, till the date of the next hearing. Effectively, he cannot even utter the word ‘Sholay’, or Basanti, or Veeru in connection with our film. And if he does so, by not taking the court orders seriously, I will see him in jail,” declares Sascha.

Jo dar gaya samjho mar gaya

Is Ramu’s attitude, for, he counters, “In my film, the story is the same, that of a cop employing a goon to catch a bunch of gangsters. But the rest of the characteristics have changed. When I made ‘Sarkar’, everyone said that it was a remake of ‘Godfather’. Yes, the plotline was the same, in that of the son of a don taking revenge on those who tried to kill his father. But if, after seeing the film, people still maintain that it was a remake, then that’s their perception. Ditto for ‘Sholay’. I have changed the characters to suit a modern 2006 Mumbai setting.” But what about the court order? “Yes, I have to reply to a court order by November 20. And I have no intentions of infringing any copyrights. But I also know that it is only a character that can have a trademark, not a name. There may be many Indians going by the name Gabbar. So, if my character wishes to retain that name sans the characteristics of the original, how am I flouting the law? Amitabh Bachchan will continue to be called Gabbar in my film,” states Ramu, refusing to reveal further, by saying, “the rest is reserved for the case in the court.”

Kitne aadmi the?

Many, if we take this famous dialogue of Gabbar Singh, to count those who have never given a damn about copyright issues in Bollywood. Many don’t even know the difference between the two legal terms. “A trademark protects the entire property, which in this case is the name of the film. And a copyright protects the storyline. A copyright can belong only to the person conceiving the story idea, whereas anyone can own a trademark. Yes, in Bollywood, nobody takes this seriously – I think only Yashraj Films copyrights its movies. In the West, it is a done practice,” says Mumbai-based lawyer, Satish Mane Shinde. Adds Sascha, “Tomorrow, I can easily trademark a character from Ramu’s films, like Bhiku Mahtre, for instance, and use it in our films. How will he like it then?”

Yeh film mujhe de de Thakur...

In 1991, there was a film called ‘Ramgarh ke Sholay’, where Amjad Khan himself essayed the role of Gabbar. And more recently, even Ektaa Kapoor has announced a Bhojpuri film, ‘Gabbar Singh’. So why is Sascha only targeting Ramu? “I cannot comment on a ’91 film, because at that time, I wasn’t involved in the day-to-day functioning of Sippy Films,” he answers. “But in the case of Ektaa Kapoor, I will take appropriate legal action if she attempts to use our trademarked property,” continues Sascha, adding, “I will sue even a technician working for a film remotely related to ours.”

Tera kya hoga Kaaliya?

“Maybe you should title your story this. For, I am going to give sleepless nights to a lot of people,” says Sascha. “In the way I am making my film, there is no question of any infringement. And for that, you will have to see the film. So let me make it first,” says Ramu. What about Ajit Sippy having sold the ‘Sholay’ rights to Ramu? A terse, “He has no rights,” from Sascha is legally validated by Shinde, “If Sascha holds the copyright, there’s no question of anyone else selling the rights, or making the same film.” But he is quick to add, “And regarding the trademark on the names of the characters, the name itself is not important, using it in the filmi context is.”

The aura of Gabbar

According to many, Gabbar’s persona worked because of Amjad Khan’s portrayal of him. Yet others insist that it’s a combination of his dialogues, body language, and attitude that made him such a hit. Whereas others, like director Madhur Bhandarkar insist that it was “Gabbar’s villainy, which was swaggering, quirky, yet contemporary one.” And Amitabh himself has said that “Gabbar’s role was beautiful, he had the best scenes, the best dialogues.”

‘Ramu cannot even utter the word Sholay, Gabbar or Basanti. And if he does, by not respecting the court orders, I will see him in jail’ – Sascha Sippy

V/S

‘Amitabh Bachchan will continue to be called Gabbar in my film. There are so many Indians called Gabbar... so how am I flouting the law?’ – Ram Gopal Varma

A Rs 150 cr, six-hour long Mahabharat!

The buzz doing the rounds is that Chopra wants to cast Amitabh Bachchan as Bhishma and Rani Mukherji as Draupadi. “I will not disclose my cast yet. It’s too early to talk about that,” he says. The film will be directed by Chopra and produced by B R Films. Incidentally, his father wanted to make ‘Bhagwan Sri Krishn’a with Shashi Kapoor as Krishna and Hema Malini as Draupadi in the early '80s, but the film got shelved. Later, in 1988, B R Films launched the mega-serial ‘Mahabharat’, which has been a benchmark in Indian television history, having been dubbed in more than 12 languages in India and in eight foreign languages.

Chopra says, “I have been toying with the idea of making this epic into a film, but I was tied up with my prior commitments. But now that Baabul is wrapped up, I can take up this challenge.”

This six-hour marathon is expected to be the longest film in the history of Bollywood.

Will Indian audiences have the patience to watch six hours of a film? “I am not going to show them ‘Mahabharat’ for six hours. I will release it in two parts – part one on one Friday and the second part on the following Friday. But I will be working on both films simultaneously,” he says.

He also insists that the film will be made differently from his serial. “A film demands more glamour and our budget is Rs150 crores, for part one and two. We are going to get a special effects team from Hollywood and it will have an international look, so that we can market it abroad,” he says.

Vidya Balan to star in Mira Nair’s short film on AIDS

Globally acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair will be making a short film to promote AIDS awareness.

This film will star Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan and Shiney Ahuja and is being made as a part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Initiative to fight AIDS.

It is expected to be shown before the screening of most feature films releasing early next year. Apart from Nair, the Union Health Ministry has requested quite a few established filmmakers to follow suit.

Roopali on her way out?

..Psst

Seven celebs from among the eleven locked up inside the ‘Bigg Boss’ (Sony) house have nominated actor Roopali Ganguly to be ousted this week.

While Anupama Verma and Aryan Vaid cite her behaviour as “artificial”, Amit Sadh says she is “too sweet to be true’, Kashmeera Shah says she “is a fake and a liar”. There's more... Deepak Parashar says she “looks for controversies and engages in groupism” and Rakhi Sawant can’t stand her “crying all the time and her insecurity.”

Roopali joins Deepak (five celebs nominated him again this week) and Ravi Kissen (nominated by Bigg Boss for the use of indecent language and for not following rules) to be ousted.

Movie Preview: Deadline - Sirf 24 Ghante & I See You ...

Renowned heart specialist Dr. Viren Goenka (Rajit Kapoor), his wife Sanjana (Konkona Sen Sharma) and their seven year old daughter Anishka (Jhanak Shukla) are a happy family in Mumbai. Their joys have just multiplied with Viren being honoured with a prestigious award for his contribution to the medical world.

Viren is all set to visit New Delhi to receive this award in a grand function. He promises his daughter to take her for a fabulous family vacation once he returns. But fate had something else planned for Viren and his family.

Destiny strikes hard against them and Anishka is kidnapped under Sanjana's nose. She is startled with the presence of a creepy man named Krish in her house. Krish tells her that Anishka will be fine as long as Sanjana and Dr. Goenka follow his instructions.

While Krish keeps Sanjana in the house, his partner Roohi keeps Viren confined in his hotel room and their third associate Kabir holds Anishka at a remote location. The kidnappers keep strict half-hour checks with each other by cell phones, and if all goes as planned, the whole act would take only 24 hours. The kidnappers set the ransom to a whopping amount of Rs 3 Crore.

It doesn't take much for Viren and Sanjana to realize that abiding by the kidnappers' rules is the best thing that they could do to save their daughter's life. Viren mortgages everything possible, including his dream hospital project and his house and somehow manages to collect Rs 3 Crore in just 24 hours, an act next to impossible being trapped at one place.

But it seems that testing time had just begun for the already suffering family. Something highly unfortunate strikes and the kidnappers flee without any sign of their daughter and take away the ransom money as well. Both Sanjana and Viren are uncertain about what could have happened and fear for the life of their only beloved daughter Anishka.

Viren wants his daughter back at any cost and thus he tries to exploit all his resources. Entire police force is on move to search for any clues of the kidnappers or Anishka but they can't discover anything significant.

As clock ticks away, a series of incidents take place and the turmoil almost changes each life. What happens next is the harsh reality that crosses a thin line between life… and death.

“You find love in the strangest places”

What do you do when you find a stranger in your house and she tells you that the house belongs to her? Should you send her to a psychiatrist? Consult one yourself?

Or do you believe in her?

I See U is the love story of a woman who is out there in spirit and a man who doesn’t believe in them!

When they first meet, confusion reigns supreme. Raj Jaiswal (Arjun Rampal), star at the India Shining TV channel with a show named British Raj, is all set to make a conquest of the new co-anchor on his show. But all hell breaks loose when he finds an unexpected visitor in his bedroom – a woman who claims to be merely an apparition who has finally found someone who can see her, feel her and hear her!

That is the dilemma Raj faces when he discovers Shivani Dutt (Vipasha) in his apartment. He is the only person who can see her, hear her, talk to her; no one else even senses her presence.

But Raj dismisses their first meeting as a bad dream until the next morning when it becomes slowly – and at an embarrassing cost to his ego and sanity – clear to him that Shivani is actually what she claims to be – a wandering spirit whose body is in the twilight zone between life and death. Caught between a scorned co-anchor, a disbelieving friend and a spirit who’s eager to be his friend, Raj tries to make sense of a situation that leads him to a hospital where Shivani’s comatose body is in danger at the hands of a racketeering doctor.

So when the doctor prepares to end Shivani’s physical care – and destroy the magical bond she and Raj share – he must find a way to save her. For it is only her love that can save him in return.

As their unusual friendship develops and deepens, Raj is determined to save Shivani’s life at all costs – even if it means breaking the law and attracting the attention of London’s only Hindi-speaking cop!

Bollywood plots hi-tech remake of famed Hindu epic

A Bollywood movie will aim to recreate the magic of a 1980s blockbuster Indian television serial based on an ancient epic Hindu text that portrays a clash of dynasties and the victory of good over evil.

Ravi Chopra, the director of the legendary series Mahabharat, which ran for 94 episodes between 1988 and 1990, is getting behind the camera again to make two, three-hour films with special effects he says will rival those produced in the West.

"This is something which I always wanted to do because it's a great epic and was made into a hit serial which international audiences should get to see on the silver screen," Chopra told.

"The film will be made with great special effects like those people saw in The Lord of the Rings."

The Mahabharat TV series was inspired by the epic Mahabharat, one of two Sanskrit epics of ancient India, and was one the biggest television hits in Indian broadcasting history.

The most sacred Hindu text -- the Bhagavad Gita -- forms a part of the Mahabharat, a tale of how two branches of a royal family fight over their kingdom.

People were glued to their television sets and streets emptied of people as its one-hour long episodes were aired.

Trains were delayed at stations as passengers refused to board during broadcasts, while TV sets were installed at weddings to ensure guests turned up.

The tale, one of the world's longest written epics, has been translated into different Indian languages and its commentary on goodness, charity and prudence is read out to many Indian children by their parents.

"The people loved the television serial and now they should also taste the same at the cinema. I will make it a world-class movie but will not digress from the Indian spirit which the Mahabharat has," Chopra, son of the legendary Bollywood filmmaker B.R. Chopra, said.

"I will start shooting the film in 2008. I am still finalising the script and then I'll select the cast."

less Umrao sinks

JP Dutta may have deleted scenes of a running time of around 20 minutes from his Umrao Jaan on Monday but it was too late by then. For, the damage had already been done by negative word-of-mouth publicity. Most filmmakers make the same mistake, like Dutta. Before release, they are reluctant to make their film crisper. When they do it post-release, there’s no use of the re-editing because the word that the film is too slow and lengthy spreads like wild fire. Come to think of it, lakhs watch the film on the first three days and there’s no mechanism to prevent them from talking ill of the film just because the maker is going to re-edit the film three days later.

Anyway, coming to the merits of the remake of Muzaffar Ali’s film of the same name, Dutta’s Umrao Jaan had other demerits too, which is why it has gone on to become one of the biggest disasters of the decade. On his part, Dutta has been crying himself hoarse that he was let down by his world distributors, Adlabs, which did not publicise the film enough to draw the audiences to the theatres in the initial days. After every flop of his, Dutta gets into this blame game. Basically, he doesn’t like to accept that he has failed. After an earlier disaster he had delivered, he had pompously announced, “My film hasn’t failed, the audience has failed.”

His actress-wife Bindiya Goswami seems to have taken after him because when a trade paper editor had predicted that his LOC — Line Of Control wouldn’t appeal to the public, she had called him a traitor for not liking a patriotic film like LOC.

The failure of Umrao Jaan may have made its distributors poorer by crores of rupees, but Dutta has made his packet of profit. If not more, the bearded filmmaker must be richer by at least Rs 10-15 crore. That’s because Adlabs first and the distributors who acquired the rights from Adlabs later, paid handsome prices to acquire the film for the various circuits. After his sole hit, Border, Dutta’s films have always generated heat at the time of release, whether it was Refugee, or the multi-starrer LOC. Although the pairing of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan has never clicked in the past (Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, Kuch Naa Kaho), the confidence was born out of three factors — Abhishek’s growing popularity among the masses, the alleged off-screen romance between Ash and Abhishek, and the whole hulaabaloo about remaking old hits. But the old Umrao Jaan with Rekha was not even a commercial hit.

Sooraj Barjatya returns after a four year gap with Vivah. This is the talented filmmaker’s shortest film, with a running time of 2 hours and 46 minutes. All his earlier films have had running times of three hours or more. Vivah has been made at a modest budget of less than Rs 10 crore.

While the public verdict will finally decide the fate of the Shahid-Amrita starrer, Sooraj’s dad, Rajkumar Barjatya, feels it is his son’s best film. It was the senior Barjatya who had predicted unprecedented success for Hum Aapke Hain Koun…, calling it a “road-roller” much before the public gave the Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit starrer a rousing reception in 1994. And yes, Rajkumar Barjatya was not happy with his son’s selection of subject for his last film, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2004), a big flop.

Music Review- Baabul

Music Director: Aadesh Shrivastava Lyrics: Sameer Music Label: T-Series Rating: ** Aadesh Shrivastava in "Baabul" carries on from where he had left in B.R. Films' earlier family melodrama, "Baghban", - managing to bring in enough hummable scores and doing a good job. The album rolls off with the reggae-pop-bhangra number "Come on come on" by Amitabh Bachchan and Sonu Nigam with supporting vocals by Vishal, Shrivastava and Ranjit Barot. In the song, Bachchan and Nigam enter into a father-son "verbal duel" - a peppy start to the album. Next is "Keh raha hai", a comparatively fast love song, crooned by Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal. "Bebasi dard ka aalam" is a sentimental soft number sung by Kunal Ganjawala to great effect. Shrivastava is able to capitalise on Ganjawala's rich voice, and with Sameer's lyrics it emerges a clear winner. Next is the fun-filled qawwali "Gaa re mann", sung by Sudesh Bhonsle and Alka Yagnik. Though not in the league of Alisa Chinai's "Kajra re", Bhonsle lives up to his reputation of aping Big B's voice to perfection. "Har manzar" by Ganjawala is another hummable number with a consistent rhythm. Richa Sharma sings a farewell song - a common element of family dramas - "Baabul bidaai". In "Baawri piya ki" sung by Nigam, Shrivastava instils a classical touch. Ghazal king Jagjit Singh lends his voice to "Kehta hai baabul", a slow number earlier supposed to have been sung by Bachchan. The album ends with Nigam's sad "Vaada raha". There are also two remixes in the album - "Come on come on" and "Har manzar" - both done by DJ Suketu. Though Shrivastava's efforts in "Baabul" cannot be termed great, the songs are refreshing. The situational songs have the elements to do well, and to see the effect one would have to wait for the song videos.

My clothes are a national issue now

Malaika is ecstatic. She had the most rocking birthday. "My husband who's learning to play the guitar played and sang Happy Birthday. Everyone laughed hysterically becase he has barely started learning. It was so sweet." It's hard to believe. But the stunning Malaika Arora just turned 31. "I never hide my age! Why should I? All the moms today are turned out so super! The happiest part of my birthday this year is that I was shooting for Nach Baliye. And all the contestants and the entire team surprised me by bringing on a cake on the show. You know I had brought in my 30th birthday on Nach Baliye last year, now again this year. I just have to make sure for years to come, I celebrate my birthday on Nach Baliye. I'm sure they had planned it from beforehand. But I was taken completely by surprise." She can't stop talking about the experience. "It was my birthday and things were getting delayed. Then suddenly all this tamasha happened, with Hiten Tejwani getting all serious and declaring that he had a grievance against the judges. I was like, 'Oh no, here we go again! ' I was just muttering under my breath, when they brought out the cake. I was fighting back my tears. It was very sweet." Malaika had a very nice theme party on her birthday. "We were wondering. Should I or should I not? My sister Amrita and I finally decided to put together everything literally at the last hour. We delegated work, and quickly slapped on a rocking theme party where everybody dressed '1980s' and danced to music from that decade. It was just Arbaaz and my family together. And that's quite a guest list of about a 100 people. We had a blast! Everyone loved the theme." Nach Baliye requires just one day per week in Malaika Arora's schedule. "And that suits me fine, because it fits into my scheme of things. But I've become so attached to the show, whenever there's no shooting there's a void in my life. All of us doing Nach Baliye have withdrawal symptoms when we are aren't shooting. Our TRPs show we've nothing to worry about." Comparing Season 1 of Nach Baliye to Season 2, Malaika observes, "They're both very different, and that's what makes it exciting. The couples in Season 2 are far less open and forthright. In Season 1 they all –Parmeet-Archana, Sachin-Supriya, Apoorva-Shilpa-- spiced up proceedings. This time they're a little reserved and need to be drawn out of their shells. That sense of repartee is missing during this season. The contestants this time weigh their pros and cons too much. I keep telling them to loosen up. Life doesn't have to be taken seriously." As for the competition, "Great! Last year it was just Nach Baliye. This time there's Jhalak Dikhla Jaa giving us a run for our money. It keeps us on our toes. Competition is always welcome. Last time we were all babies on Nach Baliye. This time we're far more clued in. I love it! Last season we shot during weekends. This time we shoot mid-week. The last time when I did television I was terribly possessive about MTV's Loveline. I'm getting equally possessive about Nach Baliye." About her stunning dresses Malaika explains, "My clothes on Nach Baliye have become a national issue. My sister-in-law Seema Khan does all my clothes on the show. She even did all my clothes last season. She understands my style. Sometimes I wonder if the dresses aren't too short but Seema is confident I can carry them off. Fellow-judge Kunal Kohli keeps asking me to pirouette for no reason, just so that everyone can see my dress." Malaika is truly one of the original TV queens. "I feel like I've been on television forever. I get very involved with my shows. In fact now I'm doing a style-based radio shows in Dubai. It's a completely new medium. People think it's tv without the visuals. But sorry, it's very different. There I am, sitting with the headphone talking away to an invisible audience. It's like talking to myself." As for Nach Baliye, "Watch out for my dance on Nach Baliye. That should be fun, what with the contestants saying, 'She's been judging us. Now let's see what she can do.' To dance on the show is scary. I know Saroj Khan will be watching me with hawk eyes. I'll have to rehearse really hard."

A Few HOT Images from the Series: Bigg Boss

This Series seems to be the hottest thing in town!! Well look at the pictures below and see if you agree!!

‘Dhoom’ again!

Director Sanjay Gadhvi talks about baddie Hrithik and hottie Ash in his sequel ‘Dhoom 2.’

Are you confident about creating ‘dhoom’ again with ‘Dhoom 2’?
I have seen the first print of the film. It looks good. I’m reasonably confident about ‘Dhoom 2’ being well received.

What made you cast Hrithik Roshan?
It was exciting to cast him as a bad guy because he looks so sincere and honest. Giving him a little edge and making him wicked was great fun. That’s what excited him too.

Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu have worked hard on their bodies for the film.

‘Dhoom 2’ is all about being cool, hot and sexy. If Anahita Shroff is designing such fantastic outfits then you need the body to complement them. The actors realised this. They also want to appear good in front of the camera.

Is Ash wearing a bikini in the film?
I leave that to everybody’s imagination. It’s for them to buy a ticket and find out whether Ash is wearing a bikini or not!

Why didn’t you cast John Abraham in ‘Dhoom 2’?
Kabir (John’s character) rode off the edge of the cliff preferring to die. Being a sequel, the film’s much like a James Bond film where each time there’s a new baddie. It would’ve been an overkill to have John again. Look at Sherlock Holmes. You won’t find him solving the same case again. So, is the case with books including Famous Five, Hardy Boys or Vikram Vaitaal. I apologise to the women in India though (laughs). But I’m sure that they’re going to like Hrithik too. He’s as hot and sexy.

The music of Dhoom 2 has not caught on yet.
How long has it been since the music was released? Do you expect people to take off their clothes or bombs to explode? People will take their time to hear it. Once you see the visuals, the music grows on you. I guarantee that in two months I will be asked the reason for the music’s success.

There have been reports of ‘Dhoom 3’ too.

That’s absolutely rubbish! It’s speculation on the part of the media. There is no truth to it. Nobody is thinking about it right now. If there will be anything it would be much later.

Priyanka finds SRK Yummy!

This is one news for all the gossip lovers!! Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra says she is a big fan of actor Shah Rukh Khan because "he inspires you to give your best." Chopra played Khan's girlfriend in her latest movie Don, which was released last month. "He is just plain yummy," Chopra told a movie magazine. "It took me a while to snap out of my fixation and treat him as a co-star." Khan "just inspires you to give your best," she said. "Even now, after so many years, he seems to be just a regular guy doing his job." Don, about a mafia head who eludes the police, is a remake of the 1978 Bollywood classic which starred movie legend Amitabh Bachchan and beauty queen Zeenat Aman. Chopra, 24, said she has been Khan's fan since she saw him in the 1995 blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Khan, 41, is one of the biggest Bollywood heartthrobs of the past decade and one of the highest-paid actors in India's movie world. Bollywood, India's prolific and wildly popular Hindi-language film industry, is based in Mumbai.

Nach Baliye: Shweta-Raja win

The excitement and curiosity is over at Nach Baliye 2 sets. After monday's wild card entry episode the results are in and Shweta Tiwari and Raja Chaudhary are the proud winners. The couple scored 29 points during the Wildcard episode, featuring alongside other also-rans like Narayani-Gaurav, Ketaki-Rasik, Gurdip-Arjun and Keerti-Sharad. The duo is now even optimistic of winning the title. “I can’t say if we will win or not. It’s not going to be easy. But yes, we’ll put our best foot forward,” says Raja.

Pritam all set to rock with a rock band

Success when accompanied with prior struggle makes an individual stronger and much more creative which is well reflected in the final deliverables. A classic example of this is the multifaceted Pritam Chakraborty or should we say just Pritam. He’s undertaking yet another musical journey with UTV’s upcoming film Metro, he’s all set to form a rock band that will be an integral part of the film narrative.

Metro directed by the Ace director Anurag Basu, for which Pritam is composing the music, is on the look out for two band members who would be part of the band that play a critical role in the film. The four-member band along with Pritam will have singer James the fervent vocalist from Bangladesh who was the lead vocalist in the film Gangster from the famous Bheege Bheege track.

The criteria for selection is well defined people with intense obsession for music of any kind, who can identify the melody in the waves of the ocean, enthusiast who can’t help but head bang listening to a Jimmy Hendrix or tap their feet listening to an old dhun at the nearest tea stall.

So if you have what it takes to be on the same stage as Pritam then this is your blessed chance to come and jam with the architect of some of the best tracks and background scores. And who knows u may just be his part member for this dynamic upcoming UTV production. Calling all you people of the world it's your lucky ticket to fame.

"Six songs will be performed by the band that will be selected. I want 2 singer musicians. We initially thought of having 6 different bands for the 6 songs but then figured out that it wont look nice in the narrative. People from all over India are auditioning", said an excited Pritam.

Amitabh Bachchan will be a funky God

Amitabh Bachchan will be playing a cool, spunky and amusing God in Rumi Jaffery’s God Tussi Great Ho. Most of the scenes of Big B are with Salman Khan in the film and both of them have an amazing screen presence. In fact, in this film, Big B has an on-going dialogue on life with Salman and the two have a very relaxed rapport with each other. Besides, these days Bachchan enjoys working with Salman Khan and thinks he is the coolest costar.

God Tussi Great Ho will be completed by the end of next year. However, this December Amitabh and Salman starrer Baabul will hit the screens. The film is directed by Ravi Chopra and also stars Hema Malini, Rani Mukherjee and John Abraham. After playing God in God Tussi Great Ho, Bachchan will be playing Ghost in Vivek Sharma’s Bhootnath produced by B.R.Chopra.

Akshay Kumar to romance 20 actresses in one song

Actor turned director Sajid Khan will make his debut as a director with his first movie ‘Hey Baby’ which is one of the biggest projects of year 2007. To make things bigger and better Sajid is toying with an interesting idea to attract audiences. Hey Baby will have a song where the lead actor of the film Akshay Kumar will be seen romancing with 20 Bollywood actresses.

He is presently working on the same song at Filmistan Studio in Goregaon. The song has been choreographed by Sajid Khan's sister Farah Khan. The list of 20 sizzling actresses reportedly includes Amisha Patel, Esha Deol, Lara Dutta, Sameera Reddy, Sushma Reddy, Juhi Chawla, Bipasha Basu, Malaika Arora and Amrita Arora. It is also believed that Preity Zinta and Mallika Sherawat might be seen in the song.

Bhagam Bhag: Coming SOON

Bhagam Bhag is produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd and Popkorn Motion Pictures Private Limited, and is directed by Humor king Priyadarshan. The story goes as follows. Paresh Rawal has a theatre group in India and he performs shows all over the country. Akshay and Govinda along with others are actors in the group. Both are very naughty natured guys who never miss any chance to flirt with girls, ever the girls in the group. At the completion of one show, an organizer offers Paresh’s group to perform 30 shows in England. All get very excited to hear the news but the day they had to leave for England, the heroine opts out due to Akshay’s misbehavior. Through Rajpal, a taxi driver, Govinda and Akshay try to find out a girl for their play but it leads to many misunderstandings and a series of funny sequences. In this process, Govinda & Akshay fall into trouble involving a drug baron and other mishaps. Thereafter, the trio discovers a girl (Lara Dutta), who suffers from amnesia to act in their drama and just as Akshay and Lara fall in love, her memory returns and it brings chaos into their lives, including a murdered husband! From here the story leads to its climax in which a major conspiracy gets exposed and finally these three innocent guys are set free.

Exclusive: Watch Vivah Online

"Vivah", starring Shahid Kapur and Amrita Rao, is India's first Indian mainstream movie to premiere on the Internet.

"The online premiere of 'Vivah' is predominantly aimed at 25 million global Indians and non-Indians who have an appetite for Indian entertainment but do not have access to original and legal downloads," said Rajjat A. Barjatya, managing director of Rajshri Media Pvt Ltd, at the launch of their site Rajshri.com Thursday.

"In 'Vivah' we have shown the sanctity of Indian marriage and commitment. This movie will connect with the global audience," Rajjat said at a press conference here.

Three versions of "Vivah" - Hindi, a Hindi version with English subtitles and a Telugu version titled "Parinayam" - were made available on rajshri.com Friday.

Surfers can stream the film on their broadband enabled devices or download-to-rent by paying $9.99 (approx Rs.445) with a limited 72-hour license.

Rajjat doesn't think that worldwide premiere on the Internet will effect the box office collection of the movie.

"The premiere is a deliberated effort. Nothing can replicate the experience of watching a film in a theatre. It is an effort to convert a non-consumer into a legitimate consumer," he said.

The entertainment portal will also have a huge library of more than 300 classic movies in multiple Indian languages. Apart from that, it will have top TV shows, music videos, short films and documentaries.

"Rajshri.com is a marathon. We have just taken a step. Every day we will be coming up with something new," said Rajjat.

Yes, (Bigg) Boss

Every time you blink, we’ll see your eyelashes. Everytime you cry, we’ll see your tears. So don’t do something that you wouldn’t like us to see. That’s how it’s going to be on the all - new reality show that doesn’t allow contestants three months of privacy,

Every move Rakhi Sawant makes is being watched, courtesy the Bigg Boss. Even when she washes her clothes or visits the toilet. This claim of Sony Entertainment Television might be an exaggeration but not for the 13 hand-picked celebrities, who will live under one roof for three whole months, under stringent house rules and no access to the outside world.

Yes, this week onwards, join Sawant, Deepak Parasher, Salil Ankola, Bobby Darling, Kashmira Shah, and eight others from the world of television and advertising as they try to live together and sleep together—in one room that is.

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With no means of communication or entertainment, they only have each other and Bigg Boss to interact with. They will live by the rules of the Bigg Boss home, complete the prescribed chores in order to survive and even earn their pocket money and goodies. This is the show where you get to watch your favorite stars back to basics. While you envied their success till now, you may now suffer their pain too.

Bigg Boss, the reality-based show, which premiered last week on Sony, aims to offer a unique combination of reality and real unscripted drama with all the 13 celebrities struggling to survive in the Bigg Boss house. It’s the Indian adaptation of the international format show Big Brother . “Bigg Boss is our next big offering. We hope the format that has successfully attracted millions of viewers over multiple seasons in some of the countries will change television viewing in India too,” says N P Singh COO of SET India Private Limited said.

“Bigg Boss is a unique offering as it combines the power of reality with the magical drama of soap—Bigg Boss with his kadi nazar will have a solid assarr not just on the celebrities in his home but on each one of you in your homes. With Bigg Boss viewers will get their daily fix, but with a difference,” claims Albert Almeida, Executive Vice President & Business Head of SET.

Apna Circuit of Munnabhai MBBS, Arshad Warsi will anchor the show. He’ll be the only link between the inside and the outside world for the celebrities who are confined to live within the four walls with just the basic necessities, and no help from maids or assistants. They’ll be on camera 24x7 with personal microphones recording their every word.

The drama is inevitable. There’s also confession time. Each inmate will reveal his / her true feelings to Big Boss in the Diary Room. Also, no hanky - panky boys and girls, and no religion too.

Once again, the viewer is the real boss. Through their SMS voting muscle they’ll show the door to celebrities one by one. Each week, two celebrities will be placed in the hot seat by the other inmates of the Bigg Boss house but the one to be voted out will ultimately be decided by the viewers. The lone survivor at the end of three months will go on to win the Rs 50 lakh prize money.

So wait and watch and see who gets the better of Bigg Boss.

Yes, Boss!

Clothes Cinderella would have worn

A Rahul & Firdos creation

If you like labels that suggest that everything is imported. If you like light, easy to wear fabrics, and cool, classic designs. And if you, most importantly, like looking like a kitten in your man’s clothes – then maybe there is an answer to your desires. At the Stanza show on Day 1 of the Lakme Fashion Week the women watched as men strutted their stuff. Stripes, self designs, ribbed patterns, shirts running the gamut from solids to checks and informal paisleys proved there was something for every taste under the sun. The fabrics looked crisp and made for easy care.

Stanza claims to import almost all its linen and blends from the mecca of fashion – Italy. The threads that hold the garments come from Germany, and the work is spun out on machines that are gathered from countries as far flung as Japan and the US. Italian designers work on the patterns, making sure the two sides as well as back and front of each garment are perfectly matched. And of course the buttons, hooks, whatever else is needed to make the shirt and trousers work comes from some part of the world which makes the best in that category. And the best part is that this otherwise imported pot-pourri is assembled in a home grown factory in Hyderabad, and bears the ‘Made in India’ label!

DESIGNER: JULIE KAGTI
TREND: Asymmetrical hems

Knots it was, on cloth, as Sutra by Julie Kagti declared. Kanta met pin tucks who hobnobbed with sequins and appliqué circles... patchwork ruled the ramp, layering of fabric alternated colours and textures. A lot of asymmetrical hems which makes one think that this is a trend that is gaining acceptance, and pretty cap sleeves that can show off most Indian arms to advantage. Silk, crepe, chiffon, rubbed shoulders on the same garment sometime. Might be a nightmare for maintenance but looked interesting. Combinations of shibori with kanta created a wandering stitch that travelled across garments, making for unexpected drama. Wearable clothes, young at heart and in spirit. Could see more of such and still be happy.

DESIGNER: SANDIP BISWAS
TREND: Double layered skirts

Sandip Biswas, who shared the show, also leaned heavily on kanta. The good thing is that these are new interpretations of a stitch that had almost been sent into the back of dusty cupboards, but too much of a god thing is also too much of predictability. Geometrics met florals, patterns crossed as cut and paste techniques were applied to most garments a la Kolkata. The skirts were interesting, with flouncy double or sometimes tripe layers, but this might not turn into a trend. Liked the strawberry pinks and the appliquéd aqua lines on white...very eye-catching and a departure from the rest of the colour palettes we have been seeing till date.

Despite the lack of celebrities in the audience, the younger set of designers at LFW put their best stitch forward and managed a pretty good showing. Definitely worth a second look were the creations of Arjun of Rishta. Pin tucks, pleats and soft silks structured in pleasant ways to hold the body in were evident in a wearable line of Western wear. Swapnil Shinde’s eye-catcher was a line of soft beige garments with English roses and Indian gold thread coming together to create muted drama. He also tried a series of garments that could be ruched up at will, but just missed the effect that would have been desirable.

Deepti Toor’s cotton shift dresses and other wearables were like the things of those born in the 1960s and worn as children – a very handloom feel and comfortable. Asymmetrical edges were a trend statement, prints were edged with pleated fabric, there was a peek-a-boo of printed fabric through solid lines. Nice.

DESIGNER: RAHUL & FIRDOS
TREND: Organza with brasso

The scene stealer was the collection by Rahul & Firdos. Elegant chic and classic. Ballerina confections in silk, organza with brasso, that Cinderella would have worn if she were in India. Bravo!

The juice...

• Sabina Chopra admitted to gooseflesh walking up her arms at the Rahul & Firdos showing…but wondered if the bandhini sculpting could be worn by Indian figures with our tendency to love handles!
• Spotted Sujata Asoomal walking through the venue, taking in only a show a day...part of her sabbatical from fashion, writing and journalism.
• Most of the designers who were still around watched the newcomers. Perhaps it is encouragement. Or is it keeping an eye on potential challengers?

Facts you never knew about SRK

Shahrukh Khan celebrates his 41st birthday today. We decided to do something special. We will tell you facts about Shahrukh that everyone might not know. Here is a sneak peak into Shahrukh’s life.


• 2nd November 1965. In New Delhi's Talwar Nursing Home, to parents Mir Taj Muhammad and Lateef Fatima, was born a young boy. For the family, that lived in Rajinder Nagar, a middle class locality in the national capital, it was time to rejoice and celebrate the newly born.
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• When he was just four years of age, Shah Rukh happened to throw a rock at a neighborhood boy because of which the latter's teeth broke. Late at night that day, the child's father came to the house in an inebriated state while wielding a knife. Shah Rukh's father coolly opened the door and when this man threatened to kill his son for what he had done, he crosschecked with Shah Rukh as to whether or not he had committed the act of mischief. When the child confessed, the dad asked him to go out and explain himself to the man who was not only drunk but also armed. Shah Rukh had to go outside and apologize for his deed.



• Shah Rukh had won the Raman Subramanyam Award in Class X (1982-83) for character, all round performance in studies, sports and extra curricular activities and the Sword of Honour in Class XII (1984-85) for the Best all round performance, loyalty, obedience, integrity and sportsmanship.



• The college where he studied was Delhi University's Hans Raj College, and Shah Rukh did his Economics Honours from the institution between 1985-88. When Hans Raj celebrated its Golden Jubilee, the college gave away 17 shields to its alumni who had excelled in their lives and professions and Shah Rukh was one of them.



• After graduating from Hans Raj, he went on to join Jamia Milia Islamia's Mass Communications Research Centre to do his masters in filmmaking and journalism.



• Shah Rukh had a solid theatre background and had worked with an institution like Barry John in New Delhi.



• Shah Rukh was, in fact uncomfortably possessive about his lady love (Gauri), whom he lovingly calls Gaurima. So much so that he would pick up a quarrel with her even if she let her hair down…literally. Finally, Gauri lost her cool and without informing Shah Rukh, came down to Bombay. Shah Rukh followed her to the huge city and kept looking for her around the beaches because of his awareness that she was attracted to them in a big way. Later, a cab guy advised him to go to Aksa Beach and Gorai Beach. After searching frantically, he managed to track her down when she was standing in the water! Isn’t that filmi?



• One of the reasons why Shah Rukh bought Mannat, his palatial bungalow, was since he wanted to have an exclusive prayer room. Shah Rukh says that if he were broke, he will sell everything except Mannat



• Both the children, Aryan (13th November 1997) and Suhana (23rd May 2000) have been taught to revere the co-existence of Ganpati and Allah in the Khan household. How wonderfully they are being brought up manifests itself in the story that when Shah Rukh was having a critical neck surgery, Aryan went to the temple and said an Islamic prayer so that his father could get well soon.



• Shahrukh Khan is a Muslim but celebrates Diwali and Christmas along with Eid every year. He keeps a Lakshmi Pooja every year in his office and at home. He even has a Christmas tree at home. From all the festivals Shahrukh’s kids love Christmas the most.



• Shahrukh Khan has the holy Quran Bismillah kept along with the idols of Indian Gods at his place. His kids pray to both the God’s simultaneously.



• Shahrukh Khan can be managed best only by his wife as she understands him the most. She is the only person who can command Shahrukh to do things. Infact Shahrukhs’s daughter Suhana imitates Gauri Khan very well by saying in a strict voice, “Shahrukh, eat your food.”



• Shahrukh never asks anything for himself from God. It is always his family and his close people he asks for. But whenever he wants to ask for himself, he never goes to a temple but goes to his parent’s grave. He believes that whatever he will ask there will be fulfilled and yes most of them have come true which makes Shahrukh’s belief all the more strong.



• Shahrukh requires a lot of his own space for himself and his near and dear ones understand that. Whenever Shahrukh is angry, he needs to be left alone or you will only make him angrier.



• Shahrukh loves watching movies in the darkness of his car. He loves watching movies alone and peacefully.



• Shahrukh is a complete game freak. In fact he turns everyone around him into a gaming freak. The latest game that Shahrukh is playing is Smackdown versus Raw which is a wrestling game. Shahrukh can’t wait to get his hands on the new Play Station 3 as he is not an XBOX fan.



• Shahrukh studied at St. Columbus School and he believes that it is the best school in the whole world not because he studied in it, but because he feels they are very disciplined.



• Shahrukh still remembers his first fan who is a lady. She was his fan even before he became a film star or a famous televison star. She remembers him since his theater days. She shouted Shahrukh’s name on the middle of the road when she spotted him. Shahrukh still cannot forget that moment.



• For Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Shah Rukh had taken a signing amount of Rs 5,000 and did the entire film for Rs. 25,000.



• Shah Rukh had signed a movie called Jadoo co-starring Raveena Tandon, Anupam Kher & Navneet Nishan to be directed by Pavan Kaul. But Shah Rukh refused to kiss Navneet who was playing a vampish role. Shah Rukh had promised himself that he would never kiss any actress on-screen. And, he has stuck to this till today.



• Calcutta has a unique Shah Rukh Khan club that was founded by a Khan admirer Arnab Roy on 13th December 1995 after the release of DDLJ. The club established its own SRK museum in January 2002 and its members were thrilled when Shah Rukh himself visited them on 7th August 20.

Will Hrithik become ‘Hrithick’?

Numerologist Niraj Mancchanda suggests Hrithik Roshan to add a ‘c' in his name and spell as ‘Hrithick Roshan'.
“If he does it, then his name will come to number 46 and as he is number 1 now, he will reach unbelievable heights which nobody has ever imagined,” said Mancchanda in a recent interview.
Mancchanda predicted, Hrithik's career's outstanding period has already begun, and it will last till 2011.
His earlier prediction about Hrithik also has become true. He had said Hrithik's ‘Krrish' will be the biggest hit of 2006 and Hrithik will get offers of Rs. 10 crore per film and it was not a bluff. Hrithik recently signed a Rs. 30 crore deal with Adlabs for three films. So will Hrithik now add a ‘c' in his name and become ‘Hrithick' instead of Hrithik – its a million dollar question.

The Mujras were lot of hard work: Aishwarya Rai

This is the interview of Aishwarya on the movie umrao jaan published in santabanta.com:

JP contributed immensely to the final choreography….Abhishek was the veteran on the sets." Aishwarya Rai pours her art out to Subhash K Jha... Q: Umrao Jaan takes you back to the elegant kotha culture…it takes an Aishwarya Rai's elegance to recreate that culture. A: That's quite a compliment. I just want to thank my directors for providing me opportunities in such rare genres. It doesn't oft-come in these times. So I feel good about it. All creative people are hungry for such experiences, eager to come away enriched from doing films like Devdas, Raincoat, Umrao Jaan, Dhoom 2 and Guru. I guess I'm blessed. Q: Abhishek does his first costume drama… A: Yes Umrao Jaan is his first costume drama. But I've done another beautiful costume drama earlier Devdas. If I may say so, I'm equipped to go back to that era of elegant dancing and old-world culture because I'm a girl very rooted to Indian culture. I mean, the sari is my most favourite apparel in the world. I'm teased that I belong to some other era. But at the end of the day I am a contemporary woman of the world. It's cinematic experiences such as Devdas, Umrao Jaan and Guru that give me the privilege of going back to another era. Q: Please explain. A: You know we communicate mostly in English. The Hindi we speak is hybridized. Being a South Indian people like me and Rekhaji have worked very hard at brushing up our Hindi. But Urdu which is such a beautiful language, is totally alien to me and to most of us in Umrao Jaan, including J.P. Dutta. We were all tremendously aided by JP Saab's father O.P Dutta Saab. To have a director like J.P Dutta who's perceived as a task master, was a blessing Q: He's known to be a tyrant on the sets. A: You think Sanjay Bhansali is any less of a tyrant on the sets? Any director who's passionate about his work will be perceived as a tyrant. Whatever the decibel at which a committed director instructs his actors, he wants his point made across. It's the teacher-pupil relationship. There're different kinds of teachers in school. I've worked with all kinds of directors from Sanjay to JP Saab to Adi Chopra to Subhash Ghai. They're all known to be passionate in their own way. Why, even Karan Johar whom I haven't worked with, is known to fly off the handle on the sets. And don't forget Mani Rathnam. My God! He's my first director (in Iruvar). And now I've worked with him again in Guru. Of course he's known to lose his cool. Q: But there's a story about how JP cut your costume in a fit of rage. A: Now let's not make a mountain out of a molehill. I don't get rattled by the passionate declarations and discussions on the sets. Nothing that a conversation cannot solve. There might have been a day when JP got rattled. If he did he was very sweet about it afterwards. When you know it's nothing personal, the director's outburst is totally understandable. I'm not egoistic about these things. The entire team on Umrao Jaan or Dhoom 2 and Guru are committed to their work. And I'm as passionate about my work as the director. You've known me very closely. You've seen how I lose track of time when I get involved with a film. Sleep, food all forgotten. We needed to not just work on our Urdu but also the body language of the time. Sometimes I'd want to go subtle while JP wanted it louder. He wanted the drama of the times to shine through. Sometimes the 'Hai Allah' needed more punctuation than I gave. Q: You're uncomfortable with the higher notes. A: That's the way I am in real life. You won't find me screaming in real life or on screen. Of course I've gone through a spectrum of emotions with Sanjay Bhansali. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas had high points of drama. That's where you mould your talents to every genre. Q: What about the fun aspect of such passionate team work? A: Oh yes! I must tell you about this particular hour that Abhishek had set aside during shooting when all of us would just crack up. Nothing could stop it. Even JP was in fits of laughter. In fact he'd look at the watch and say, 'It's going to happen now, right? Nothing can stop it from happening.' And then OP Saab would say, 'Children are at it again. What do I do?' The children would of course include JP. And then we'd settle down to work again. Q: Did you enjoy doing the Mujra in Umrao Jaan? A: You know, to know to dance is one thing. But to get the finer nuances of a Mujra, down to its smothered energy and expressions of restrained poignancy, is very very difficult. Vaibabhi Merchant and I got together after Kajra re. She knows Kathak. She brought the classical element into the dances. Along with her choreography there was a huge contribution by JP Saab. After three rehearsals he'd suddenly bring in changes and I'd be like, 'Okaaay.' The Mujras in Umrao Jaan required myriad expressions in one sweep. JP had a three-camera set up. He operated one of them. So I had to give different expressions into different cameras. By far this was the most challenging film for its dancing. Q: And Abhishek? A: He was the veteran of the unit, having worked with JP twice before. Shabanaji, me we were all the babies. Q: Abhishek thinks Umrao is your best performance. A: That's very generous of him. Me? I can't assess myself. There're films and roles that I've thoroughly enjoyed. And you know which ones they are. Because it shows in my work. Umrao Jaan is one of them.

Nudity in Mira Nair's Namesake

	Actress Zuleikha Robinson

Will the fleeting nude scene featuring Zuleikha Robinson in Mira Nair's The Namesake worry Indian audiences?

Peter Herbst the editor-in-chief of Premiere magazine wanted to know. Not to forget the kissing scenes, and the scene in which Zuleika and Kal Penn are frolicking in the bed.

Nair assured him that she wasn't worried at all, and she had made the film, based on a bestseller by Jhumpa Lahiri, for the entire family. She had not even made it for expatriate Indians, she asserted, adding that in fact, the film about an immigrant family in Boston and its emotional losses and gains, was made for a "very wide audience" across the globe.

She was participating, along with the film's lead Kal Penn, in a post screening discussion of the film at a New York theater on November 1, when her film had opened the sixth edition of the Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival.

Herbst -- clearly new to Bollywood -- pressed on, asking if it wasn't true that Bollywood films were chaste?

"I am sure the scene in my film is chaste enough," quipped Nair. And she hoped that the censors in India won't pounce on that single scene.

She recalled the fight she had with the Indian censors 10 years ago with Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love. Though she retained some of the film's many semi-nude scenes, it wasn't an easy fight.

She said just as the Censor Board was deciding the fate of her film, she had gone to see a couple of Bollywood films. In one of them she found at least 135 suggestive scenes with frequent thrusting of the pelvis. She did not name the film but she said the wet sari scene in the film left very little to the imagination.

Compared to the racy scenes in many Bollywood films, her Kama Sutra looked quite chaste, she added.

Umrao Jaan Hits the Theaters

It's Friday and one of the most anticipated movies in a long time, the Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan starrer Umrao Jaan, hits screens today.

The film, directed by J P Dutta, is based on Mirza Mohammed Haadi Ruswa's Urdu novel, Umrao Jaan Ada.

This is a recreation of the 1981 film, which had Rekha in one of her most memorable roles as a courtesan in Lucknow.

”Helen of Troy”

For war movie veteran Dutta it was Aishwarya Rai who made him change the genre of his films leading to the remake of the 1981 Muzaffar Ali classic.

“Aishwarya is my Helen of Troy whose face stopped me from going to war again," quipped Dutta, director of war-zone magnum opuses like Border and LoC.

At the premier of the film on Thursday attended by the film's stars Abhishekh Bachchan and Aishwarya, the director said the former Miss World made him change his genre when she finally consented to do the movie, he had been planning for 13 years.

SRK celebrates birthday with family and friends

Bollywood's "Don" and the heartthrob of millions, Shah Rukh Khan, quietly celebrated his 41st birthday on Thursday with close family members and friends.

Considered the country's biggest film star, Khan has ruled the box office for over a decade, starring in blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai and Kal Ho Na Ho.

Sources close to the actor said he had no plans to celebrate the day in a major way and he spent time with his family and friends.

His legion of fans in India and abroad sent in their best wishes to the actor, while several movie channels screened his films throughout the day to celebrate his birthday.

Khan has plenty of reasons to celebrate, with both his releases this year -- Don and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna -- doing well at the box office.

His next release is likely to be Chak De, a Yashraj film in which he plays the coach of a woman's hockey team.

Undercover cops are watching fashion week

After last season's wardrobe malfunctions, plainclothes cops are keeping an eye at the fashion week in Mumbai.

Wise from their experience of dealing with slipping tops and skirts coming undone in the last edition of the Lakme Fashion Week, undercover policemen, trained now to spot loose buttons and carelessly hooked dresses, are watching every move at the ongoing fashion week in Mumbai.

"Our men in plainclothes are keeping a watch on the proceedings. The last show was a bad enough experience. This time we are going to make sure that there is no repeat," DCP Sanjay Mohite of Mumbai Police's Social Service Branch says. The branch had a tough time when two wardrobe malfunctions involving top models – Carol Gracias and Gauhar Khan – at the Fall/Winter Week in March had led to an uproar about vulgarity and deliberate attempts by designers to hog attention.

Mohite said men from the Social Service Branch have been deployed at the venue. "I can't comment on the numbers. But we have enough men inside to cover all shows. The men have been briefed about their job and will keep a keen eye on each show."

The DCP had held a series of meetings with the organisers of the fashion week a couple of weeks back and laid down a strict code of conduct for designers, models and choreographers. Based on their discussions with Mohite, the organisers took a written undertaking from each designer in which they were asked to list the types of clothes they would be putting on the ramp, the material they would use, their models, and the fitters who would be involved in dressing up the models.

Each designer was also asked give an undertaking that they would devote enough time to trials with the clothes he/she would be putting on the ramp and the models who would wear them. Accordingly, trials were held under the organisers' supervision.

The designers, on their part, are also taking ample precautions to avoid the embarrassments of the last fashion week. Every designer is preparing large folios of pictures taken at the trial and fitting sessions to prove, in case there is a wardrobe malfunction, that the clothes were tried and tested.

Lakme VP Anil Chopra said a 28-point checklist has been prepared for all designers, choreographers and models. "There are guidelines all participants will have to follow. And we were very happy with the way things have gone so far. In fact, some of the models have also spoken to the media about how much they like this system," he said. And the cops, we are sure, are not complaining about this new job!

Only mediocrity is compared!

As King Khan turns 41 this week, we find out why he doesn't worry about comparisons with the incomparable Big B.

He is here, there and everywhere, doing everything possible with his unbounded energy. Yet, Bollywood's badshah Shah Rukh Khan, who is turning 41 on November 2, is dissatisfied.

"I work about 18 hours a day, but that's not enough. If I had the power to change anything, I would add a few more extra hours in a day. I truly want more time," says Shah Rukh. He has delayed his trip to Australia because he wants to spend his birthday with family and friends. There's a grand celebration happening, planned by his friends.

"Nothing special about turning 41," he smiles. "It's just one more year added to 40. But yes, it looks like it was only yesterday that I was 40... God! Time flies so fast, you don't even realise..." he trails off. However, he adds that nothing major has changed in his life. "Unlike last year, when I was tied down because of my back problems, this year I'm feeling much better. I'm planning to sign more films than usual. And yes, I'm spending more time with my kids." Son Aryan is apparently flying high with Khan's new avatar as the new Don. "Yes, he loved it. Only that he thought his real life kicks are better than mine on screen!" says the proud papa.

While Don has invited mixed reactions, SRK isn't perturbed. "I am nobody to be compared with Amitji. I think Dilipsaab and Amitji are incomparable. But my effort was to introduce the film to the younger generation," he says and adds as an afterthought, "Excellence shouldn't be compared. It's only mediocrity that's compared."

He is also not bothered about the rankings. "Being called India's greatest star and all that doesn't excite me anymore. If a film does well, I'm excited and if it flops, I'm very disturbed. I go through endless and nervous waiting till the day of the release and after that, it's over. Next morning, it's a new day for me," he says. The superstar also admits he is only human. "I would lie if I say I am not a victim of the trappings of a star. Like everyone, I am also affected by success. The thought of discovering that all these things are not there one day, scares the hell out of me. I guess, life has its own plans," says SRK candidly.

One also wonders about his autobiography, that he has been writing for the last two years. "My book is ready, but it's redundant now. Other people have beaten me to it. I have it in my computer. I'll probably continue writing. I'm not a writer and I don't have a deadline. I can take my time," he reveals. So where does SRK see himself 10 years from now? "I only see one hour ahead, I don't think about the future. For me, the magic lies in the moment."

HC refuses to stay Umrao Jaan's release

Way to go BHC......... Read this article from DNA for more....
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to stay the release of the Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Umrao Jaan on a petition seeking dues of Rs 7.5 lakh for post-production work.
Vacation Judge VM Kanade said he was deferring the hearing to November 8 before a regular bench as the court felt that there was no urgency in the matter.

The movie is slated for an all India release on November 3.

RajTaru studios had filed a petition seeking recovery of Rs 7.5 lakh due for post-production work of Umrao Jaan and sought a stay on the film's release.

The petitioner contended that on earlier occasions the producer of the film, JP Dutta, had not settled post-production dues for his films Refugee and LOC - Kargil and paid only Rs 10 lakh as part payment towards the same.

The petitioner further said it had approached the Association of Motion Pictures Studios that appointed a Dispute Settlement Committee to look into the issue.

The committee had directed Dutta to pay the dues but the payment had not been received so far, he said.

Seeking a stay on Umrao Jaan, the petitioner raised an apprehension that if the film failed at the box office and in case the producer suffered losses, then they would not get their dues and hence insisted on payment of dues before the film’s release.

Nisha Kothari is Ramu's Basanti

Finally we have the answer to that question, and it is that Basanti is not called Basanti, but Ghungroo and the role, immortalised by Hema Malini, shall be attempted by Nisha Kothari. The casting of Ram Gopal Varma Ke Sholay, presented by Adlabs Entertainment, is just getting more and more curious.
Currently on the floors, his adaptation of Sholay is likely to be as unique as similar to the original by Ramesh Sippy. Among the female cast of Varma’s film is also Sushmita Sen who plays Jaya Bachchan’s role. Unlike Radha, who wore white in the 1975 blockbuster, Sen’s character, called Devi, is always in black attire.

Also, Basanti’s horsecart has been replaced by Ghungroo’s auto-rickshaw called Laila, a far cry Dhanno the mare. But Ghungroo also treats Laila like a friend and solves many a dilemma by confiding in her. If that’s not enough, Devi and Ghungroo are the best of friends.

“Ghungroo happens to stay close to the house of Inspector Ranveer Singh, so it’s but natural that her acquaintance with Devi develops into a close friendship,” says Varma.

Dismissing the notion of Devi being dressed in black being a sharp contrast to Radha’s white, Varma says, “This film is set in a different era and milieu and it’s unlikely that a widow today would dress as one 30 years ago did. After the gangster Gabbar Singh massacred her family, including her husband, she has gradually become strong-minded.”

The modern Devi is a trained nurse, who runs a small clinic. While she understands Ranveer’s need for vengeance on the gangster, she feels he is impractical in expecting others, especially two seemingly good-for-nothing nobodies like Jai and Veeru, to take his war as their own.

Revealing a bit about the Jai-Devi track, Varma says, “Jai is drawn to Devi’s stoic dignity and silent strength, and her focus on things makes him see purpose. He is awed by her larger than life perspective towards life and her ability to see the positive side in the most negative things.”

Devi’s best friend Ghungroo would like you to believe she’s a man. Mumbai’s only woman auto driver, she knows all the short cuts in the city and easily switches between Marathi, Hindi and English.

Tell Varma that we believed ‘Basanti’ would be a taxi driver and he says, “I chose an auto-rickshaw because it is treated like a human and easier to maneuver in traffic than a taxi. Ghungroo stays with her mother, an aggressive hard-nosed fisherwoman, locally called Gangu Maami, and her father, who was a rickshaw driver till he lost his leg in an accident.”

One of the interesting aspects will be the interiors of Ghungroo’s ride which she adorns with hangings, a perfume dispenser, animal print upholstery, multi-speaker music system and disco lights a large sticker with the image of Goddess Durga is stuck on the rear window. Ask him what attracts Veeru to her and he replies, “The fact that they’re similar.” Though the court case against his film is pending, Varma seems undeterred and marching firmly along with his film.

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75 crores in first week

Is there any link whatsoever between Shah Rukh Khan and the great legend Amitabh Bacchan? Can Shah Rukh equal his work, no way! This is how people have written of the Khan before the release off Don.

But Shah Rukh was a winner from the word go. Though Farhan Akhtar was disappointing to say, the actor bought a unlimited craze to the film

And the news is that it has garnered 75 crores as the first week collections and made Don a safe venture.

Top 10 movies last Week

Top 10 Movies Last week: Expect Don to top this Week!!
1 Woh Lamhe
2 Dor
3 Khosla Ka Ghosla
4 Lage Raho Munnabhai
5 Rocky
6 Bas Ek Pal
7 Omkara
8 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
9 Naksha
10 Dil Diya Hai

Hrithik’s stunts in 'Dhoom 2' are dangerous than in 'Krrish'

Hrithik Roshan says he had to stretch his physical and mental limitations to do dangerous stunts for Yash Raj banner’s forthcoming thriller Dhoom2.

Even before shooting for the film, Hrithik had to learn roller-blading, snow-boarding, sand-boarding and stunts on motorbikes.

Stunt choreographer Alan Amin has designed some very difficult stunts in the film. The movie has a particular sequence that required Hrithik to train for two months. And there are as many as three such sequences in ‘Dhoom 2’.

Hrithik says although he did not train as much as was required for the stunts, he did undergo very arduous training for them.

For the pre-climax scene of the film, Hrithik had to do snow-boarding down a steep mountain in Durban.

The movie’s climax shows a chase sequence in a tunnel. The main part of the action climax was shot in Durban, South Africa. But the tunnel sequence was shot in Filmcity, Mumbai.

Not just Hrithik, even Aishwarya Rai has done some awesome stunts in the film.

When she began shooting for the film, the movie’s producer, Aditya Chopra, found her a little overweight for her role. So she did power yoga for two months to develop a perfectly toned up body.

Both Hrithik and Ash’s characters in the movie are shown very stylish. So, a lot of attention was paid to their styling. Hrithik's hair is colored almost blonde. Anahita Shroff is Hrithik’s stylist, while Blunt parlour has designed his hairdo.

Meticulous attention was given to the outfits of Ash. In the climax sequence, Ash has worn a black catsuit with dark goggles and open hair.

‘Dhoom 2’ looks like a very promising thriller. The movie has Hrithik and Ash playing thieves. Abhishek Bachchan , Uday Chopra and Bipasha Basu play cops.

The movie releases on November 24.

The capped all-rounder: Himmesh

From producing serials to composing music, from singing his way to Wembley to starring in an autobiographical film, HIMESH RESHAMMIYA is doing it all.....

Himesh Reshammiya performs at London’s Wembley Arena along with the finalists of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 on Sunday night

Himesh Reshammiya is turning actor. The music director who has broken all norms by consistently giving voice to his own compositions and beating established singers to the top of the charts and awards trophies, will be starring in a film called Aap Kaa Suroor, The Movie, based on his own life, of course.

And it promises to be right up there with Bollywood’s mega-budget projects. If that is music to the ears of his fans, they can wear a bit of Himesh too as a fashion label is also being launched in his name. The music director chose London’s Wembley Arena to make the announcement on Sunday night, which took the huge concert crowd by surprise.

The two-hour film featuring him as “HR” is being directed by Prashant Chadha, who has done all his music videos, and will be produced by Vijay Taneja, who has invested in films like Hum Ko Tumse Pyar Hai and Yeh to Hona Hi Tha.

“The film will answer all the questions people have been asking — why I wear the cap, why I never smile, why is there so much pain in my songs, why the girls always leave me in the music videos… It will deal with the enigma that I am,” declared Himesh, standing on a stage that had hosted Tom Jones 24 hours before him and will have Christina Aguilera rocking next week. After all, for whatever it is worth, Himesh is being projected as the “first Indian rockstar” on his UK sojourn that follows his 18-city US tour.

Aap Kaa Surroor, The Movie will revolve around “the real luv (sic) story” of the man. “But it will be a fast-paced dramatic thriller, not boring,” promised the nasal singer, back at the Wembley Plaza hotel after a high-decibel performance. “I am not playing a Jaggudada ya don. It will just be me,” he added.

Prashant Chadha, the director, explained that the composer-singer’s love story had been dramatised “so that it follows the classic Act I-Act II-Act III pattern”. The biggest draw of the film would be nine new tracks that the ‘capped’ composer claimed would be his best work.

Aap Kaa Surroor, The Movie, eyeing a June 2007 release, will straddle continents as the songs would be shot in different countries. “The film will feature a world tour and one sequence will be a concert. But we will recreate that experience and not use archival footage. So that would involve a lot of money,” said Chadha. Two fresh female faces would be introduced as eye candies.

“Himesh would not need any workshop. He is a very quick learner. Once you tell him what he needs to do, he gets it in a flash. We will at best have a line-reading session with everyone,” said Chadha.

On the fashion front, Himesh has joined hands with Kishore Biyani’s Future Group to launch a brand called Mega Music Movement (M3). The labels would be available under Suroor, Jhalak, Aashiq and Jhoom, key words in Himesh hit songs, at Big Bazaar.

“I owe it to my young fans,” said Himesh. The other initiative from this combination would be eight branches of a Himesh Reshammiya School of Music, across four metros.

“It will have 10 departments on rock, sufi-rock, jazz, classical, symphony and even club mixes. There is need of talent in the industry today. No longer shall two or three names rule for 25 years.” The launch happens in Calcutta in two months as Himesh, an RD admirer, loves “Bengal music”.

But won’t all this give his critics much more to aim their pot shots at? Himesh, on a high, does not really care. “When I started producing serials at the age of 16, people said yeh ladka kya karega? Andaz became a huge hit on Zee TV... When I started singing, they laughed me off. I produced 36 hits and people started taking me seriously. Apna mazaak banane ke liye main music industry mein nahin ayah hoon.”

If there is more of Himesh on these fronts, there will be less of him in another. Himesh will cut down on the number of films he would compose for to two-three projects a year, other than cutting a solo album. “Himesh Reshammiya should not be available to everyone,” he declared, with composer father Vipin Reshammiya standing by him.

Aishwarya Rai turns 33

The gorgeous Aishwarya Rai , regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world, turns 33 today.

It is going to be double celebrations for the former Miss World this year as her birthday falls two days before the release of Umrao Jaan, in which she plays the title role.
Ash is paired with none other than her alleged real life beau Abhishek Bachchan in the movie.

Ash is currently the most known face of Indian cinema, along with mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan , abroad and has attained huge popularity and fan following in India and overseas in her career spanning over a decade.

Despite not-so-good box office record of most of her movies, Ash is still one of the highest paid actress in the country charging over Rs one crore for every project.

Ash as she is lovingly called, was born on November 1, 1973 in Mangalore to Krishnaraj Rai and Vrinda Rai. Her family later relocated to Mumbai. Ash's native language is Tulu, Kannada, she also speaks Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, Telugu and Tamil.

Ash attended the Arya Vidya Mandir at Santacruz, Mumbai, then entered Ruparel College, Matunga, Mumbai. Ash began modeling on the side while studying architecture.

Ash was a contestant in the Miss India 1994 pageant, which she lost to Sushmita Sen . She later went on to win the Miss World title that same year.

Ash debuted in Mani Ratnam 's critically acclaimed Tamil language film, ‘Iruvar’ alongside Mohanlal and Tabu in which she played a dual role. In 1997, she made her Bollywood debut in Rahul Rawail ’s ‘Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya’ with Bobby Deol , but the film did not run well.

Ash’s third project, a Tamil-language film, ‘Jeans’ by S. Shankar was the first commercial success in her career.

The year 1999 was a turning point in Ash’s career as she got her first major success in Sanjay Leela Bhansali ’s superhit movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam . Both the movie and her performance were appreciated so much by the critics and the audience that she won Filmfare Best Actress Award.

Ash also mesmerized the audience in Subhash Ghai ’s Taal the same year. The movie did an average business in India but was a massive hit overseas.

Ash allegedly started seeing Salman Khan for some time before calling off their romance following reported abuse.

Ash appeared in the extremely successful Yash Chopra ’s Mohabbatein .

In 2002, Ash starred with Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit in Bhansali’s lavishly produced Devdaas , which was a major box-office success. The film attracted overseas attention as well, receiving a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival and garnering international attention for Rai. She won her second Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role as Paro.

Ash has been nominated four times in the Best Actress category and once in the Best Supporting Actress category at the Filmfare Awards.

Ash has also won three IIFA Awards, three Z-Gold Awards, four Star Screen Awards, an EU's Global Diversity Award, three Zee Cine Awards and a Rajiv Gandhi Award.

In 2003, Ash was a member of the jury at Cannes. In 2004, Ash was chosen by TIME Magazine's Asian Edition as one of Asia's "100 Most Influential People" and was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile on January 2, 2005 - "The Most Beautiful face in the World."

A month later Ash appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, and on April 25, 2005, she was featured on Oprah's "Women Across the Globe" segment. A wax figure of Ash is on display in London's Madame Tussaud's wax museum.

Cashing in on her huge popularity abroad, Ash turned towards Hollywood and appeared in British director Gurinder Chadha ’s Bride and Prejudice , a Hollywood-funded but Bollywood- version of Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice.

Ash’s next Hollywood project was Mistress Of Spices , written by Chadha and her husband Paul Mayeda Berges, from the novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and directed by Berges, which was released in the UK in April 2006 and received milder critical and commercial reception but rave reviews in Middle East and Asia.

Ash is also slated to appear in Provoked and The Last Legion .

However, most of Ash’s Bollywood movies all these years like Albela , Hum Kisise Kum Nahin , Dil Ka Rishta , Kuch Naa Kaho , Kyon, Ho Gaya Na , Shabd etc failed at the box office. Critics even began to term her ‘an average actress’ with ‘gorgeous looks’.

However, Ash hit back at her critics by delivering remarkable performances in Rituparno Ghosh ’s Raincoat and Chokher Bali .

Ash’s movies might not have done well, but her sizzling item number Kajra Re…with Bachchan and Abhishek in Bunty Aur Babli did magic on screen and became an instant hit.

Ash was also rumoured to be going around with Vivek Oberoi but called it quits later.

Presently, Ash is believed to be dating Abhishek, although, both have always maintained a silence on their alleged affair.

Currently, Ash is hogging the limelight, thanks to her three big releases all set to hit the screens soon.

While ‘Umrao Jaan’ will hit the theatres on November 3, Sanjay Gadhvi ’s Dhoom 2 and Mani Ratnam ’s Guru will release in November and December respectively.

In all the three movies, Ash will get ample opportunity to prove her versatility as her roles in all the three films are vastly different.

Ash has emerged as the global face of Indian beauty in the past few years and at 33, she is still one of the most sought-after actresses in the country.

Now ‘Sex’ plays RGV’s hero!

Got this on DNA!! Read on...

The director’s film on pornography will have a character by that name

Pritish Nandy and Ram Gopal Varma’s film on sex and pornography will actually have a character named Sex! Titled ‘Sex Haazir Ho’, the film is experimental and will tackle sex-based issues. A courtroom drama, the film will have accusations levied against Sex!

RGV says, “It is going to be an intensely dramatic film where sexual desire becomes an accused party. It deals with a case, which stuns all—from politicians to puritans, women’s libbers to the common person! It’s also about a fight for sexual freedom. The conflict is not against any person but with the self to destroy sexual hypocrisy!” The cast of the film has not been yet decided.

Ram Gopal Varma