Sonakshi Sinha on the coverpage of ANDpersand Magazine
10/30/2010 01:02:00 PM
Bollywood
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Hrithik-Suzzane at the premiere of Breast Cancer docudrama ’1 a Minute’
Hrithik Roshan and his gorgeous wifey Suzzane Roshan stepped out for a cause, and in sizzling style, for the premiere of Breast Cancer docudrama "1 a Minute" in Mumbai on Wednesday, October 27.
Dressed in a black Velvet jacket, faded jeans and white tee, Hrithik sent hearts aflutter. While his gorgeous wife Sussanne looked an absolute stunner in a single shoulder dress and animal print shoes.
The film's premiere was organized by Priya Dutt in association with Nargis Dutt Memorial Charity Trust (NDMCT), but Priya's brother Sanjay Dutt was a no show.
Portions of profits from each ticket sale of "1 a Minute" will be donated to NDMCT with the aim to raise awareness and supporting the social cause in India.
The Namrata Singh Gujral directed and produced film will release on October 29 across PVR cinemas.
The movie stars Breast cancer survivors like Lisa Ray, Barbara Mori (Kites), Mumtaz (yester years Bollywood sensational actress), Namrata Singh Gujral (Americanizing Shelley and The Agency), Olivia Newton-John (Grease), Jaclyn Smith (Charlie's Angels), Melissa Etheridge (An Inconvenient Truth), Diahann Carroll (Claudine), brothers Billy Baldwin (Backdraft) and Danny Baldwin (VAMPIRES), whose mother is a survivor and finally Priya Dutt, whose mother, the famous Bollywood star Nargis Dutt, died of cancer.
John Abraham appeals against conviction
Fifteen days after being convicted in a case of rash and negligent driving and for injuring two people, Bollywood actor John Abraham, on Friday, filed an appeal in the sessions court against his conviction. The Bandra metropolitan magistrate court had sentenced Abraham to 15 days of simple imprisonment on October 14.
"The lower court ought to have seen that either a person has committed a rash act or has been criminally negligent. He can't do both," said Abraham in his appeal.
Further, he added that the 'judge has misconstrued and has, without applying the principles relating to the acts of rashness and criminal negligence, convicted the applicant (Abraham)'.
The appeal also stated that though the police had recorded the statements of various witnesses at the time of the incident, except for the evidence of one of the victims, 'no other witnesses have been examined in respect to the alleged incident'.
According to Abraham, even the victim 'has not made out a case of either criminal negligence or rashness against him.
"The lower court has relied upon hearsay evidence in convicting the appellant (Abraham), said the actor in his appeal.
The incident dates back to April 8, 2006, when Abraham had rammed his Suzuki Hayabusa bike into two youngsters on a bicycle at around 11.15 pm on Carter Road, Bandra.
After the accident, Abraham took the victims — Shyam Kasbe, 22, and Tanmay Majhi, 19, both working at Judo Wine shop at Pali Naka — to Bhabha Hospital.
Abraham, who was also injured, later got himself admitted to Lilavati Hospital.
According to the police, Abraham was returning from Maureen Wadia's Gladrags show, while both the youngsters were returning after closing the shop.
The police later booked the actor under Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code.
Bipasha Basu launches Aircel in Rajasthan
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu today launched Aircel GSM mobile in Rajasthan completing pan-India footprint for the service provider with lowest rates and packages, including pocket internet.
Basu, who made her first call from the newly-launched phone to Aircel chief operating officer Gurdeep Singh, said Rajasthan has made tremendous development and growth in IT sector, and will welcome this very service.
Singh said Rajasthan was the last destination to come with Aircel, and it will cover 23 districts with an investment of Rs500 crore in first phase, and Rs300 crore more in 2011-12.
Singh said Aircel would be providing innovative pocket internet cards to customers for unlimited browsing for a period of 30 days at Rs98.
He also announced the first 'Pocketapps Store' in association with Infosys this year, with a weekly charge of Rs7 with free download.
Besides, pre-paid, post-paid, inbult vas and data, international calling cards, and business pack for SMEs would be provided with new plans on competitive prices, Singh said.
Talking about her love for the state, Basu said: "Rajasthan's food, dresses and designs are great. We all love Rajasthan. It is full of culture, beauty and I always love to visit the desert state."
On Aircel's 'Save Our Tigers' campaign, she said that it was cruel that tiger population is dwindling due to alleged poaching. The programme needscomplete support of the government and non-government organisations.
"I am sure the new generation must be catching up with the campaign," she said.
When asked whether she comes on Facebook, Basu said social networking is her passion, as it keeps her hooked to her audience.
HC takes Bling out of Micromax
NEW DELHI: Bollywood hunk Akshay Kumar will no longer be able to say 'It twinkles!' on television while his wife Twinkle Khanna flashes a Micromax Bling phone.
The Delhi High Court has restrained India's second largest mobile phone brand, Micromax, from selling or advertising one of its largest-selling women-oriented mobile phones 'Bling' as it acceded to a trademark violation filed by Delhi-based mobile phone maker Bling Telecom.
According to the order, a copy of which is with ET, the court restrained Micromax, including its employees, agents, representatives, or anyone acting on their behalf, from using the trademark 'Bling' or any other name confusingly similar till the next date of hearing, February 8, 2011.
The court order dated October 19, restrains the company from displaying the Bling ads on TV and print, for which Micromax paid a hefty undisclosed amount to Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna. Costing about . 6500, the Swarovski elements-embedded Bling is one of the largest selling women-oriented phones in the market from Micromax.
The ad campaign, which has Twinkle Khanna displaying her shiny 'Bling' phone during a high street fashion show, was aimed at changing Micromax's image of a low cost handset company into a branded high fashion phone company.
Micromax declined comment to ET on the issue. Bling Telecom chairman Rajiv Khanna said the company had filed for the trademark in July 2009 and has since introduced six models under the brand name. "We are the prior users of the trademark 'Bling' in relation to telecom goods," he said.
Priyanka is stunning: Sidhartha
Deepika Padukone would never have dreamt that her off-the record boyfriend Sidhartha Mallya would choose Priyanka Chopra over her. At the launch of the Kingfisher calendar girls hunt 2011, Sid was asked who he thought has the perfect body in bollywood? While one hoped he would say Deepika, he surprised one and all.
"I think all of them are very beautiful and have great looking bodies but I feel Priyanka is particularly stunning." Deepika took the news sportingly: "I think I am blessed with a great face and body but her (Priyanka's) mental state and strength makes her successful and how she carries herself." Deepika also said she was glad to be chosen as a Calendar Girl before the company began the selection process via a contest.
Trisha not worried of losing Bollywood offers
Trisha is not disappointed with the mixed reviews that received for her performance in Bollywood film Khatta Meeta. She feels that the movie is not a flop movie as the media channels are projecting. Well about losing some of the Bollywood offers, the actress says that she is not worried, as the Hindi film industry is not her main concern.
Trisha says, "I am looking forward for the best offers irrespective of regional factors. I am really surprised to hear about media stories, which claim that Khatta Meeta is a flop movie. Well, I have got nothing to do with the film's results as everyone has their own roles in determining the film's results, not just the actresses."
The actress also utters that she has now started signing films that delineated her in a substantial character. It was very much illustrious with her previous film Abhiyum Naanum. She is currently busy with Ajith Kumar's 50th film Mangaatha and Telugu movie Kushiga, which is a remake of Bollywood movie Love Aaj Kal.
Howeever, she has already completed shooting for her next Tamil movie Manmadhan Ambu, in which she shares screen space with Kamal Hassan and Madhavan.
Facebook profile helped cops crack Priyanka murder mystery
AHMEDABAD: It was a message on the alleged killer's Facebook profile that helped cops solve the Priyanka Ramanuj murder mystery.
The storyline is more like a Bollywood film. Priyanka's fiance, Mahendra Sadhu, was forced to get engaged with her by his family. Priyanka had already faced a broken engagement prior to this.
Mahendra had a chance encounter with an old flame at a garba venue during the Navratri festival. This was enough to get him planning Priyanka's murder. Mahendra wanted his old girl friend back but could not reject Priyanka without facing strong opposition from his own family.
Priyanka, an MBA student, went missing on October 21 and her body was fished out of a sewage canal near Gota a couple of days later. According to cops, the body was decomposed and they could not find any external marks of injury.
The cops got suspicious after learning from one of Mahendra's friends that he was romantically linked with another girl. The first breakthrough was literally posted on a social networking website. Cops read messages of Mahendra's lover.
"Further investigations revealed that Mahendra had a romantic relationship with this girl in the past. The messages on his profile revealed that the romance had been rekindled. We then put Mahendra under the scanner," said Sandeep Singh, superintendent of police, Ahmedabad rural.
Officials said that after killing Priyanka on October 21, Mahendra had got one of his friends to call up the other girl. Mahendra had told her not to contact him until the matter cools down. "We have found the girl's message of anguish from Mahendra's profile. She had blamed him for cutting off all contacts with her," said police investigators.
Akshay And Ash – Dharmendra And Hema Malini Of The Modern Age?
Barring an odd 'Khakee' where Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai were not conventionally paired opposite each other, the two actors have never shared screen space together. In fact it is surprising that none of the existing film makers ever thought of bringing the two together. This is the reason why it is reason to celebrate with Vipul Shah making it possible with 'Action Replayy'.
Since off screen, Akshay is known for being pretty rooted and grounded while Ash is a classic beauty with a Diva image to boast, was it really convincing for Vipul since he had to handle complete opposites on the sets?
"See that's the entire point", says Vipul who has earlier worked with Akshay in 'Aankhen', 'Waqt', 'Namastey London' and 'Singh Is Kinng', "The words that you have used to describe Ash – classic beauty – are absolutely right. For 'Action Replayy', I indeed wanted someone who boasted of classic beauty."
No wonder, Vipul's reference point was Hema Malini, who has lived on to be a dream girl for decades.
"Since the film is set in the 70s, if I had to think of someone who was a classical beauty in the era gone by, it had to be Hema Malini", reasons Vipul, "She was yesterday's dream girl, Ash is today's. Both have an Indian face and can look Western when required. It is so fantastic that I got what I needed."
Now all one hopes is that audience too get what they want. After all one expects some real conventional romance between Akshay and Ash this time around, especially due to the fact that in 'Khakee', it turned out to be an anti climax after all.
Laughs Vipul, "Don't worry on that aspect. In fact within our team, we have always maintained that Akshay is today's Dharmendra. Now when Ash is being seen opposite him, we all believe that it is back to seeing a Dharam-Hema pairing. Nothing can beat that."
Well, one looks forward to audience sharing a similar sentiment as well once the film hits the screens on 5th November.
Neha Sharma
Early life
Neha Sharma was born on the 21st of November,1987 in the district of Bhagalpur,Bihar.She has completed her high school from Mount Assisi School,Mahatma Gandhi Path, Bhagalpur. She is daughter of Mr. Ajit Sharma,one of the renounced personality in Bhagalpur. She is a scorpion by her zodiac sign.She has done a course on Fashion Designing from SRM's, Bareilly.
Film background
New into Bollywood, Neha, however, isn't someone who is new to the arc lights though. She has been on the film circuit for a while after doing a couple of films in Telugu as the leading lady.
She made her entry into movies with a Telugu film Chirutha, opposite Ram Charan Teja,son of Chiranjeevi. She made her entry in bollywood in 2010 with Crook (film). Chirutha was the debut movie for both Neha Sharma and Ram Charan Teja. The movie was released on 28 September 2007 and did good business in spite of mixed reviews. Neha Sharma got good recognition for her looks, dancing and acting skills.
Crook: It's Good To Be Bad is a Bollywood thriller film directed by Mohit Suri. Emraan Hashmi and Neha Sharma play pivotal roles in the film. The film was released on October 8, 2010 .
Zarine Khan Biography
Name: Zarine Khan
Location: Mumbai, India
DOB: 25 May
Eye color: Blue
Hairstyle: very American
Height: 174 cm
Workplace / job: Modeling / Acting
Favorite drink: Pepsi Max
Favorite Fast food: McDonald and Serrano
Favorite place: Indian film industry Bollywood, feels like she do in the Palace
The best Indian band: Pop singers
Channel 2 or 1 screen: Both good
Best Web: Google.com
Her favorite models: Sash and Kate Moss
Most beautiful person in the world: My mother, but she has always quite a crush on Salman Khan!
Indian men are: Rather handsome men!
Zarine Khan want to be: So rich that she can credited to her all the shoes in the world
She go to sleep in: socks, so she will not feel cold
Zarine Khan planning on: Moving to New York and then heading into Hollywood.
She is off the frenzy: To her it is very little difference how others look at her
Motto: If the shoes fit, buy one in every color
Boyfriend: If she could say Salman Khan, then she would do it
The hot topic of the matter, which came out from the promos of Salman Khan's Veer is the leading lady of the movie Zarine Khan. Can be called it coincidence or whatever, it is hard to neglect that Zarine's eerie resemblance to Katrina Kaif is something. But to say that she is just a twin of Katrina, would be doing gross unfairness to someone who is all set for starting steps into the world of acting.
Below the exclusive interview transcript with Zarine is given, the clock is rewinded and you are taken too back in time to give you an insight on how a single phone call changed Zarine Khan's life completely.
Her Background:
She is a pucca Mumbai girl. She used to live in Santacruz during her childhood and she is living in Bandra now. She had a very normal childhood. She used to be a quiet little girl with hardly any tantrums. She used to be a very good student in school, always scoring in the range of 90% and a complete teacher's favorite. Since she was such a good student, her mother wanted her to become a doctor. So she took up science and joined Rizvi College. However, she could not complete her education due to certain family and financial problems.
Early days of struggle:
Due to financial pressures, at a very young age, the responsibility of running the house came on her shoulders. At that time, she had to give up studies and start working. She always had a tom-boy streak to her personality. Most of her friends in school and college were boys. She actually became the 'Man of the house' when the situation demanded. She was fat and weighed almost 100 kgs in college time. She had never in her wildest dreams that she or her friends thought, she would enter the glamor world. She was just another happy go-lucky-girl enjoying her chocolates and junk food. However, when her family was going through financial chaos, she became more responsible. She knew that she had to take charge of the house since there were her mom and younger sister to look after. At that time, she started taking life seriously and began to focus on losing weight and getting into shape. She gave up on sweets, chocolates, started serious work-out and lost a lot of weight eventually. Since she had not completed her education, she could not really get a high-profile job and that is when she began modeling. She did quite a few small assignments that fetched her enough money to run the house.
Bagging Veer - Her First Big Break:
She got a call one day from someone at Mukta Arts and they asked her to come to the sets of Yuvvraaj during her modeling days. She did not ask too many questions for being a struggling model and immediately left for the venue. When she reached on the sets, she saw Salman Khan, a man whom she was a big fan for a long time. After the shoot, she got a chance to speak to him and told him that she was a big fan of his and even requested for his autograph. He obliged her with his autograph but also told her, 'Sweetheart, very soon you will be signing autographs'. She did not quite understand what he meant but understood about it later when she was offered for the movie Veer.
Growing up on Bollywood:
She is a huge Bollywood buff and watches all sorts of movies. In fact, even the movies which flopped badly have been seen by her too in the theatre. She was watching a movie, despite of the theatres used to be all empty. When she was a small kid, she used to be like Dharmendra because of his He-Man image. She likes strong and well-built men.
Kareena's the goddess of the Khans!
She's got the 'K' factor in her life. It's not the Kapoor title we're talking about, it's the Khan, dearies. Kareena Kapoor's a favourite of all the big Khans in Bollywood.
But recently, during an interview when she called Aamir the 'God of Acting', she didn't hear the end of it from good friend SRK. He's been ribbing her ever since, all in good humour, of course. More recently, when we quizzed her again about it, she was well on her guard and politically correct. Well, almost painfully perfect, we must say.
"Shah Rukh is a king himself, in fact, both Aamir and SRK are Kings in their own right. It's difficult to choose one of them. I am the luckiest actress as I've worked with all the four Khans, and all of them have their own distinct personalities. So it will be bad on my part to compare and chose one of them," said Kareena.
Well, what's interesting here is the way the gal stressed on the fourth Khan — Saif Ali Khan, of course. We know where that's coming from Bebo, we blame it on love. And yes, the fourth Khan is quite a rock-star too. Okay, stop blushing now. Lol!
Roshan 'flies to Berlin for Don 2 cameo'
Hrithik Roshan has reportedly flown to Berlin to shoot a special role in Don 2 - The Chase Continues.
According to Mid Day, producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani felt Roshan was ideal for the featured part in the project.
A source for the newspaper commented: "Roshan's character is a stylised one with interesting shades and they felt only he could do justice to it. But Farhan and Ritesh want to keep Hrithik's role hidden till the film's release as it's one of the highlights of Don 2."
Producers are also said to be excited about Roshan appearing opposite lead actor Shah Rukh Khan after they worked together in 2001.
"Hrithik and Shah Rukh will come together again in Don 2 after Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. They shared an amazing chemistry and are close friends even today," added the source.
The green-eyed actor has recently filmed with Farhan Akhtar in Spain for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara.
Vivek Oberoi and Priyanka Alva wear crimson for mehendi ceremony
Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and his to-be bride Priyanka Alva both sported matching shades of crimson at their mehendi ceremony today, which took place at a sprawling farm house in Bangalore.
The couple will tie the knot in a traditional ceremony tomorrow and celebrations are already afoot.
Priyanka, a 28-year-old management graduate from London, was dressed in an orange ghagra choli for the mehendi ceremony which was attended by friends and relatives.
Priyanka, daughter of former Karnataka minister, late Jeevraj Alva, will tie the knot with 34-year-old Vivek tomorrow.
Vivek, who arrived in Bangalore after a hectic schedule to promote his film Rakth Charitra, appeared relaxed and comfortable in his crimson apparel as he mixed with the invitees at the pre-wedding events.
The afternoon lunch saw a spread of culinary delights from Italy, apart from some light refreshments, sources said.
A part of the venue bustled with activity as chefs went about preparing the elaborate menu, a fusion of Punjabi and South Indian cuisine with some special dishes thrown in, for the party that will begin here late evening.
Long white drapes, lush greenery, flowers and scented oils set the ambience for the evening.
Guests, including close family members and relatives of the couples who arrived here and others set the festive mood for the wedding.
Invitees would be treated to a performance by drummer Sivamani tonight.
DJ Jasmeet is expected to add some punch to the event by belting out the latest numbers of Rakht Charitra and other Bollywood songs from Vivek's films.
Tomorrow morning would see the marriage puja commencing at the Alva house before moving to the Chancery Pavilion, venue for the rest of events.
The traditional haldi ceremony and chura ceremony would be followed by the the sehra bandhi and the milni and jaymala.
The couple who will both sport designer Tarun Tahilani's creations would be blessed at the ceremony by close family friends and relatives.
Though the Bollywood turnout is not expected to be large tomorrow, there would be many of them at the reception at Mumbai on October
Ram Charan’s Bollywood Debut Welcome to the Jungle?
Is Mega Star Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan Tej preparing to make his Bollywood debut? Sources are saying yes to this question.
There was a heavy buzz in the early 2010 (January) that Ram Charan has been signed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment for a Hindi Film. But, that was calmed down when the filmmakers said that they had no such plans.
Sources now say that Ram Charan had signed for a Bollywood film 'Welcome to the Jungle' that will be directed by Faruk Kabir (the director of yet to be released film 'Allah Ke Banday').
Earlier, it was said that Bollywood Star Hrithik Roshan would play the lead role in 'Welcome to the Jungle', which is supposed to be an action thriller. As per the script, the film requires protagonist to perform many stunts. And now with Hrithik stepping out of the project, Ram Charan was considered apt for the role and roped in. Major part of the film will be shot in Amazon forest.
Preity Zinta to get honorary degree by UK university
Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, known for her performances in films like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Veer Zaara, will be conferred a doctorate by a leading UK university.
Zinta, who has the unique distinction of addressing the Oxford Union yesterday, will receive the doctorate from the University of East London at a function tomorrow.
Later in the evening, the star will attend the Loomba Foundation Diwali dinner at the Guild Hall where the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Lord Navnit Dholakia, deputy leader of the Lib Dem at the House of Lords will also be present.
A versatile actress, Preity has acted in over 30 films in Bollywood as well as in Telugu, Punjabi and English language films.
The 35-year-old star made her acting debut with Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se' in 1998 followed by a role in 'Soldier' the same year. These performances earned her a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award, and she was later recognised for her role as a teenage single mother in Kya Kehna (2000).
Preity received her first Filmfare Best Actress Award in 2003 for her performance in the drama Kal Ho Naa Ho. She went on to play the lead female role in two consecutive annual top-grossing films in India: the science fiction film Koi... Mil Gaya and cross border romance Veer-Zaara, which earned her critical acclaim.
Her first international film role was in the Canadian film Heaven on Earth, for which she was awarded the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival.
Shilpa Shetty, Chitrangada add glamour to WIFW closing
Now we know why this Spring-Summer edition of the Wills India Fashion Week was devoid of any Bollywood star on the ramp. It was all being saved up for designer Tarun Tahiliani's finale where actresses Shilpa Shetty and Chitrangada Singh upped the glam quotient.
The absence of B-town celebs at this five-day extravaganza came as a surprise to many, but the Grand Finale last night compensated for it all with a double dose of 'filmi' glamour.
While 'Hazaron Khwahishein Aisi' star Chitrangada walked the ramp in a blush-coloured sequinned sari, Tahiliani's muse and longtime patron Shilpa sashayed down in a tulle bodice and a heavy paneled lehenga in malkha.
"Tarun reinvents me every time he designs something for me. Its fabulous to see a new me each time I walk the ramp for him. I am such an admirer of his clothes which are a nice fusion of Indo-Western," said Shilpa.
Her mehendi-adorned hands attracted the eye, which invited questions as to her celebrating 'Karva Chauth' the previous day.
"Yes, it was my first Karva Chauth and I have got mehendi on my feet too!" said Shilpa, who tied the knot with businessman Raj Kundra earlier this year.
Incidentally, Tahiliani had designed the 35-year-old star's wedding trousseau as well.
"The best thing about Tarun's clothes is that they are timeless. Clothes I bought from him seven years ago are still in my closet," said Shilpa.
Tahiliani's show was a spectacle in itself with diffused light falling on white shredded ribbons lined up all around the hall creating a dreamy ambience. Adding to it was a curtain of smoke at the foot of the ramp from where models made their entry.
The show began with a display of light on two huge white structures made of ribbons followed by the models walking down in Tahiliani's creations.
"This is my first Grand Finale at WIFW and I wanted to create a different ambience for it. A fashion show is all about creating a mood which is reflected in the clothes," said Tahiliani.
A group of Rajasthani folk singers crooning 'Ali Maula' as the models broke into a jig on the ramp, brought the show to an end.
The designer's collection comprised saris, paneled lehengas and kurtis, jodhpurs and jackets in fabrics like silk, gauze, tulle, malkha and chiffon in earthy colours of sand, charcoal, beige and taupe.
"The idea was to create a handloom mood and so the colours used were very natural. Fashion these days is all about juxtaposing two different things so we have something like a traditional lehenga teamed with a net top," said Tahiliani.
Bebo observes first Karva-Chauth for Saif
Basically, Karva-Chauth is performed by married women for the long life of their husband but recently the tradition is fast growing among the unmarried girls. Our Bollywood stars are also not behind in performing the rituals. Unmarried Kareena Kapoor in spite of hectic schedule kept her first fasting for her beau Saif Ali Khan.
She was busy promoting her latest flick, 'Golmaal 3' with her co-actors but she was determined to keep vrath for Saiffu dear. Last year too, she was willingly to keep the fast but she was very sick and was under medication.
This year, despite her professional commitments, she remained without food and water the entire day. After she wrapped up the promotional activities, she rushed to Pataudi before the moon rise up. She dressed up, prepared the thali and performed the ritual.
Saif Ali Khan gifted Bebo a fabulous jewelry set after the ritual. Kareena loves diamonds so he has gifted her necklace and earrings made of diamonds and emeralds. After the rituals, they headed for Delhi to spend time with Karisma Kapoor.
Abhishek - Prahlad Kakkar’s war of words
It all started at a forum at the MAMI film festival in Mumbai. Adman Prahlad Kakkar was one of the speakers discussing the way Bollywood works. Taking a pot shot at Abhishek Bachchan, Kakkar said, "Men stars in Bollywood are usually useless nephews and sons."
Further taking a dig at the young Bachchan scion Kakkar said, " Abhishek Bachchan has 17 flops in a row and is still going strong. He is unique and should be in the Guinness Book of Records." His comment garnered an uproarious laughter from the audience, but Abhishek wasn't ready to take it lying low.
A fan brought Prahlad Kakkar's comment to Abhishek's notice and he retorted, "I love Prahlad Kakkar, he should be a stand-up comic not an ad-filmmaker. Maybe then someone will take him seriously! This coming from a man who makes commercials with his own son."
Further setting the record straight, Abhi pointed out, "Oh ya, Prahlad, I'm already in the Guinness Book of World Records and a very proud son. I hope you give your sons an opportunity to say the same someday." The actor is in the Guinness Book for making maximum public appearances in 12 hours while promoting his film 2009 ' Delhi 6'. We wonder what Prahlad Kakkar has to say after this...
Bachchans, Dutts on Vivek's guest list
Bollywood, abounding with elephantine egos, is known for its ugly spats. But it is also known for its patch-ups. This patch-up though is special.
Last week, when his family was so very tied up with his wedding preparations, Vivek Oberoi went across to Mehboob Studios in Bandra to invite his ex Aishwarya Rai's husband, Abhishek Bachchan, for his wedding reception on October 31 in Mumbai.
A few days prior to inviting Bachchan Jr, Oberoi Jr also mended fences with Sanjay Dutt, when he went across to Dutt's residence for a Mata ki chowki pooja. Sanjay Dutt knew that Vivek was coming to his house with Lakhia.
Director Apoorva Lakhia accompanied Oberoi Jr to both Bachchan Jr's set at Mehboob Studios and Dutt's residence at Pali Hill. According to a source, Vivek called up Lakhia, who is very close to Bachchan Jr and Dutt, and informed him that he wanted to invite Bachchan Jr and Dutt for his shaadi.
The Oberois and the Bachchans had always had bad vibes between them, especially after Vivek's acrimonious split with Aishwarya in 2005. Even though Oberoi Jr has been trying to mend his relationship with the Bachchans for sometime and was successful in striking up a conversation with Bachchan Sr and Jaya at an award function in January 2010, he hadn't made much headway with Bachchan Jr.
Ditto for bad energy between Oberoi Jr and Dutt. Sanju Baba had been terribly miffed with Oberoi Jr when Oberoi Jr had allegedly made some uncharitable remarks about his wife Manyata. Though Sanju Baba did hug Oberoi Jr at an event in June 2010, there was still some awkwardness between the two whenever they came across one another after this.
Says the source, "Now, let bygones be bygones, All the concerned individuals have moved on with their lives. Vivek is busy with his career; Abhishek-Aishwarya and Sanjay-Manyata are leading peaceful lives. Toh phir jhagda kis baat ka? And this is exactly what Vivek feels.
Frankly, he wants to start life afresh and put the past behind him. He is in a very happy space, now that he is getting married to Priyanka Alva. Though it is an arranged marriage, Vivek and Priyanka have been bonding very, very well ever since they got engaged," adds the source.
When contacted, Lakhia however said, "I didn't take Vivek to Mehboob Studios. I had gone to meet Abhishek, who was shooting there for Rohan Sippy's film Dum Maro Dum." But he soon added, "I made Abhishek and Vivek talk on the phone, which is when Vivek invited Abhishek for his wedding." At the time of printing this, we were unable to confirm if Vivek has stepped into Galaxy Apartments on the way back from Mehboob Studios. It's a stone's throw away, after all.
Anushka’s co-star Ranvir lost cool at the airport
Anushka Sharma and her co-star Ranvir Singh boarded the flight to Delhi to promote their latest flick, 'Band Baja Baraat' but on reaching at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Ranvir Singh created a scene at the airport. He claimed that a passenger sitting on the back row was clicking their photographs and also video recording their movements on the flight.
On reaching at the airport, Ranvir caught the passenger and both had a heated argument. The passenger refused to show his mobile to Ranvir and claim the he is an IAS officer and will show his mobile only to airport authority.
The passenger denied clicking any photographs of the actors, "The passenger said he had not taken any picture or filmed them on his mobile and refused to show them the clippings," an airport source said.
Later the problem has been solved at Delhi airport. When asked, DCP (Airport) O P Mishra said, "No complaint has been received by the police in this regard."
John: 'I'd find two women even more beautiful!'
By movietalkies
He's half Malayali, half Parsi and a total delight. John Abraham speaks German, regrets not learning Malayalam, desires yet another fancy bike and admits to being sexually progressive. AJIT RAMACHANDDRAN explores facets of the hunkster who's turned all geek for his forthcoming flick 'Jhootha Hi Sahi'….
He's one helluva drool worthy dude. Eyeballs pop, heads turn and thrills peak as a figure togged up in a black tee, denims and smart shoes strides into the confines of a five star hotel in suburban Mumbai.
John Abraham.
Stylish swagger. Dimpled smile. Sexy stubble. And loads of charm.
Minutes later, the actor is affably beaming away for keepsake pics alongside the hotel staff, who are clearly smitten by JA.
The actor's physicality, which soared and scored with 'Dostana', has catapulted him to top bracket and John Abraham has consistently showed up in all possible lists of good looking smashers in Asia.
And yet, he's turned all ordinary, and truly more of a nerd for Abbas Tyrewala's 'Jhootha Hi Sahi', which illumines John as a habitual liar alongside Pakhi. From good looking to geek? Without wasting moments, you initiate the actor into inter phew mode, quizzing him about this volte face… and lots more.
Excerpts from a chat with the Sagittarian star…
'Dostana' made you a gay icon and Bipasha mentioned that the increasing male attention was making her insecure. Assuming Bipasha acted in a lesbian film and gained a lot of female attention, would you feel insecure?
I would love it! I find one woman beautiful. I would find two women even more beautiful. I find nothing wrong and respect people's feelings; there is a community out there we should respect. I feel rather happy that I am liked by everyone. I take it as a big compliment. I need to connect to my whole audience and not just one community.
But you've gone from good looking to geek in 'Jhootha Hi Sahi'. How would you describe your character Siddharth in the film?
Siddharth was a guy who was probably fat when he was a kid. He grows up to be very shy. When he sees a woman he stammers and can't really speak up his mind and he ends up lying and lying more to cover up his one lie. They say you have to lie a 1000 times to cover up your one lie and that's what Siddharth does. I was pretty much like that when I was young I never really knew how to approach a woman. I think it's a common Indian man trait as we are all scared of rejection. So I guess Siddharth is someone who is very relatable to the public.
Two months prior to the filming of 'JHS', Abbas Tyrewala gifted you this book called 'The Art Of Lying'. Besides, you've stated that he also helped you become a better liar. Give me three tips to becoming a good liar….
How to be a good liar..? Just look straight faced into the other person's face. Do not bat an eyelid. Do not blink, just look there. Don't raise your voice when you're speaking to the other person, you sound less convincing… speak at a normal pace. Keep smiling.
The film was earlier titled '1 800 LOVE' and now it's 'Jhoota Hi Sahi.' Whose idea was it?
Well, '1 800 LOVE ' was the most popular concept among my producer, director and me and we wanted to go with the title till we came back to India after the shoot. The media, just like all of you, asked us how was it shooting '18000 LOVE' or '8000 LOVE' or '1800 LOVE' and we realised that the concept doesn't exist in our country, people aren't really familiar with the term of '1 800 LOVE' which is a toll free number. So we decided to change the title to 'Jhoota Hi Sahi'.
What attracted you to the script in the first place, considering you're the co producer of the film too?
What attracted me to the script was the idea itself. It was a brilliant idea, a great story and I said who better than Abbas Tyerwala to direct the film. It's just a perfect marriage of a great script and great director.
What do you feel is Abbas's strongpoint as a director?
Abbas' strength as a director is his intuitiveness to understand what his actor wants. If his actor wants space, he will give his actor space. If his actor wants time, he'll give him time. He comes and sits with the actor and looks into the actor's eyes, explains the entire process, the script narration lines, the scene to the actor and he does not want the actor to be disturbed. So I would say Abbas' biggest strength is that just like I believe I am a director's actor, Abbas is an actor's director. He's a dream director.
Usually an actor gets to work with a director's girlfriend or mistress. This time around, its the director's wife. Was it a little unsettling for you as an actor?
No. In fact, I asked Pakhi to be cast in the film because I just loved the way she narrated the film to me and when my producer, my good friend Madhu Mantena, asked me who do you think should be cast in the film I said why not this pretty girl who narrated the film to us? That was Pakhi and it was perfect casting. We needed this pretty cute girl who works in a DVD store next door and Pakhi just suited that absolutely right. Also, with Pakhi there was no question of home work because she wrote the film and she understood the skin of the characer very well.
What would you say is the USP of the film?
I would say the film in totality is the USP of this film. It's not a proposal, it's not about actors coming together with great music, etc. It's an honest film, it's not a first three day con job and I think people will learn to appreciate a good film.
How would you describe Pakhi as a co actor and as a person?
Oh, Pakhi is a sweet heart and she kept calling me 'John Sir', I don't understand why. She is a lovely person but Pakhi had her point of view because she has written the script. She would see Siddharth going in a certain way and she would say Siddharth is straying away, but not once did she correct me. Pakhi would go to my director and whisper into his ears. She'd say this is not the way. Then the director would come and talk to me. I think she demarcated both the spaces very well as an actress… she was there in front of me performing as a writer, she was there for my director and last she was his wife. That was third on her list of priorities and wasn't important.
Any unforgettable memory associated with the making of 'Jhootha Hi Sahi'?
One in my mind is the climax scene where I am running on the road, the camera is in front of me and my friends are in the car and I jump into the car. It was very life threatening because had I jumped wrong, I would have been below the car. So my friends are breathing a sigh of relief. That's one of the best shots in the film because we have actually captured those expressions where Raghu my best friend in the film, he's called Omar says, 'What the hell where you doing'. It's exactly that because I get carried away with the action and just get excited. There are many such scenes like that. We had a lot of good times in the film.
The film also explored and showed to the world a new side of you as a doodler, a cartoonist, a caricaturist. You created 'Jhootha John'. How did that happen?
I just subconsciously sketched something and from there on my producer said 'it's very interesting'. I said 'ya ya, make it into a comic strip' and he really made it into a comic strip because he takes my words very literally! He also did that with the launch of the name 'Jhootha Hi Sahi' when we launched it the first time, the billboard. He said 'John you got to go to the bookstore and tear the cover out' and I said 'Are you crazy? I want to tear the canopy of a billboard'. Next I knew, I was on the billboard tearing off the canopy! So my producer is very literal and I must say Madhu Mantena and HMV have been absolutely wonderful producers. Given an opportunity I would love to work with them again, if they would like to work with me.
Your bookstore in the movie is called 'Kagaz Ke Phool'. If you were to go back in time and be reborn as a yesteryear hero who would it be and why?
I would say Guru Dutt as there is certain angst in the way in which he performed and there is a certain look in his eyes. I think the romance and the tragedy in his expressions was most, most, most amazing.
You had started of as a media planner in Enterprise Nexus, you did your MBA too, but all your devising strategies and media planning have come in rather late. Don't you think you should have started off earlier?
I am a late bloomer in everything. I age late, I grew up late, everything happens probably five to ten years late in my life for me and that's good, because I believe I will live five to ten years later than the others. My friend's kids will be calling me 'John' and will be calling their father's friends as 'Uncle' and I feel great to be young.
In 1999, you were the first runner up at the Gladrags contest…
No, I was the winner. 1999 I won Gladrags, I was the first runner up in the 'International Man Hunt' in Manila.
Your personal website mentions you as "first runner up in the Gladrags" contest…
(frowns) Really… need to check on that one…
September 2002 you were called by Mahesh Bhatt to do 'Jism' but in the interim you were also called for a Pritish Nandy film. Is that true? Whatever happened to that film?
Yes, that's true. Well, that film was directed by Rahul Rawail. We shot a few frames, shot for a few days and then the film got cancelled because of some problems with the producer. In the meanwhile, Vikram Bhatt called me for Mahesh Bhatt and he said he wanted to do a film with me called 'Aitbaar' which had Bipasha Basu. 'Jism' was supposed to be shot with Diana Hayden and Diana Hayden was finalised for the film and Bipasha Basu was supposed to go for a world tour and her world tour got cancelled. Pooja Bhatt said I want Bipasha Basu for this film and luckily for me, Bipasha Basu did 'Jism' or I wouldn't be where I am today, because I completely owe the success of 'Jism' to Bipasha Basu. She was there and we did the film, but 'Aitbaar' was the first film I signed with her.
You have 90 per cent blockages in your nose… and a breathing problem? Your brother Alan dropped you when you were child and you fell flat on your nose. Is that how this whole problem came about?
Oh wow, that kind of information is amazing! No, I guess I don't know whether that's the reason. But I have got something called DNS… Deviated Nasal Septum. So I have got a practically closed nose and so I breathe with my mouth. That's why I'm always breathing heavily. But yes, my brother carried me on his shoulders and dropped me on my nose. That is why I have got a crooked nose and I blame him for it. Honestly, for my brother and me… looks are subjective. People feel I'm an averagely decent enough looking, but I think my brother is the real good looking guy of the lot.
Would you like to bring Alan into films?
He was offered a role and then he disappeared from our lives for a long time, because he cannot stand in front of the camera!
So we have lost another good looking hero?
I think we have lost one good looking man in the industry and he is 6.2½.
You're associated with PETA and 'Make a Wish Foundation'. Which are the other organisations you would like to work for?
I am also working for 'Habitat For Humanity' which is a Jimmy Carter Work Foundation. We build homes for the poor across villages, we feel the need better homes and a town planning. Last year, we built homes for about 50,000 people, but it's very important to say I have got a brigade called 'John's Brigade' which are a group of youngsters who actually come and build homes. I must give credit to Mrs. Rajshree Birla because she is responsible for convening the meetings and giving all the raw materials like cement, etc. for the homes. And Ask Financials Chairman, that is Asit Koticha who has given 10 million$! Nobody gives that kind of money today because our human nature is when you get money, you want to keep more. But this man gives generously, I think it's great to be associated with 'Habitat'.
You have four bikes already. Which is the one bike you would like to have which you don't have as yet?
I would like to have an MV Agusta F4, it's a super bike and it's the fastest production motorbike in the world. It has speeds of about 130 to 140 km/hr. whether I can go that fast or no is immaterial. I just want to have that bike and I want to hear the sound of the engine.
You've mentioned 'dhansak' and 'patra ni machchi' from Parsi cuisine as your comfort foods. How come you don't mention 'avial' the dish from Kerala cuisine which used to be one of your favourites earlier?
Oh no, I always mention that Kerala breakfast is my most favorite breakfast and 'puttu' is my most favorite dish in the world. I also love all kinds of 'appams'. If you ask me, I could just live on Kerala breakfast alone and that's my Mallu breakfast. My mom is not a Mallu, but she makes the best 'aviyal' in the world. I love my mom's 'aviyal.'
You speak fluent German… is that true?
I could understand a little German before and now I speak a little German now, so I can just about understand. I learnt German a long time ago (speaks a few lines in German).
Your dad is a Malayali Syrian Christian. How much of Malayalam do you know?
Korechu korechu (meaning little, little)
Why only korechu korechu?
That's the one thing I really regret in life. Being born and bought up in Mumbai, I was closer to my mother's side. I can speak Guajarati fluently, but I haven't really had an opportunity to speak to my father's side and my father and mother always spoke in English. I still regret not being able to learn Malayalam though I would love to learn Malayalam and would also love to do a film down south.
Have you been offered a full fledged Malayalam film, or maybe a special or guest appearance? There was something to that effect… but it did not happen…
You're a method actor in commercial cinema.. you lost 20kgs for 'Aashayein', smoked 80 cigarettes for 'No Smoking' and worked out for five to six hours religiously for two of your films, which lead to muscle fatigue, as per media reports. Were you advised by doctors to stop training and exercising?
There was a misrepresentation in the Press that I have got muscle fatigue and that doctors said that could lead to neurological disorders. When I was asked what the problem was, all I said was that I'm only tired of working out. I just need a two day break. I take my fitness seriously. I know when my body is damaged. Now, I'm at the fittest stage of my life. I have been through a lot of bone damage and I credit myself for have bodily reached where I have with all the handicaps.
You designed a game called 'Velocity' for mobile phones. Any more of such ones on the cards?
'Velocity' was a game that I designed very long ago. I was the first one to conceptualise that game and it didn't happen the way I wanted it to. Today, you see the advent of games. I was also the first guy to have a website in 1997 98.
Turning model from an MBA background must have been quite a cultural shock for you, because models are generally dudes who're considered to be idiots…
(laughs) I think you put it pretty bluntly. But yes, I was treated as someone who has got no brains when I entered modelling. It took me a while to put forth to people that I am educated, after which I got a lot of respect from them. Also, my projection as an actor has been very subtle. That's the reason I have always been underrated as an actor, it's always been the case that I had done the role then but the perception is changing now. I believe it's important to be a trend setter rather than a follower.
You had Deepa Mehta as a director for 'Water', the first 'woman director', so to say. Is that a different experience as an actor? What does a woman bring to the craft of direction that is so different from that of a male director?
Experience is great. I think women directors, especially women writers are exceptional and I love to work with them. Pooja Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt have just asked me whether I would like to do 'Jism 2' and very impulsively I said 'Yes'. Very soon I am going to listen to the script and I hope I like it and get to do it.
Most actors like to shed off their middle class image, once they've made it big. But you seem to hold on to the 'middle class hero' bit…
I think it is my upbringing and the values given to me by my parents, the education they have given me and I don't think a few extra rupees is going to change the way I think. I am a middle class person in my head. I am very proud to be in the film industry, but I am also proud to be the general representation of the audience in the industry. The audience feels that one of us is standing out there and that is John Abraham and that makes me very proud. My parents have worked very hard to reach where they are and me too. I thank my audience and they are just outstanding people to have supported me.
Considering you don't come from a film background at all, in retrospect, are you happy with the career moves that you you've taken?
I don't regret anything. I think regret is a passé thing. Learn from your mistakes rather than regret. I think now I'm not going to be doing films that are proposals. I am going to be doing films that are going to appeal to my gut on the first instinct, as all films that have appealed to my gut on the first instinct have worked.
Namitha kidnapped, rescued!
Aishwarya and Kareena fighting this Diwali
She is the most beautiful women alive in Bollywood and another has topped the power list of Bollywood damsels.
Folks, this Diwali there's a fight for supremacy as the top ladies of Bollywood glitterati will be battling it out for the crown of the Queen. Both Aishwarya and Kareena will be seen in this year's Diwali dhamakas 'Action Replayy' and 'Golmaal 3' respectively and people have started the speculations on who will emerge as the winner.
Well the opinion is fairly divided in the industry who is giving almost equal points to both the B-town lovelies Kareena and Aishwarya.
According to some it will be Aishwarya who will grab the crown which is still not occupied, whereas some believe Kareena will surpass everyone and will pose happily with the crown. The reasons being given for Kareena is her popularity as a brand and her top position in brand endorsements where she has bagged major giants, she acted in the mega hit '3 Idiots' which became the biggest grosser of Bollywood last year.
Aishwarya on the other hand has the biggest hit of Bollywood history 'Robot' to her credit and being a senior and ex Miss world, Aishwarya can bank on her vast range of admirers around the globe.
Difficult to say who will be able to influence the audience the most but one thing is sure… This Diwali, Bollywood promises guaranteed entertainment where you have Vipul Shah's rom com 'Action Replayy' bringing the nostalgia of the swinging seventies back, whereas Rohit Shetty with his gang and the laughing gas is back with the third edition of the fun and masti 'Golmaal3'… Obviously the audience would love to watch both the film but folks, the question is who will be the first choice... Aishwarya or Kareena…? tell us as we all want to know…
JOKER to be first 3D Bollywood film
Shirish Kunder the multi-talented husband of director Farah Khan has confirmed that they are embarking on making the first Bollywood film in 3D, called JOKER. The lead male role for the film will be played by Bollywood action star, Akshay Kumar.
Kunder confirmed on his Twitter account that he is making the film, he tweeted, 'Yes we are making JOKER in 3D.'
The film is Kunder's dream project and he has delayed it until he felt the time was right to start the project. Most people think that JOKER is going to be a superhero movie but it's not the case. Originally it was scripted to be a superhero movie but Shrish said he has changed the concept.
Speaking about the changes to the film, Shrish said in a recent interview: "I have changed it and reworked the entire story of the film. The new Joker, since I had the rights to the name, will be like any other commercial Bollywood pot boiler, but one thing for sure is that Joker will differ in terms of its innovation, unlike anything what we have seen till date."
Shirish has been inspired by the success of James Cameron's Hollywood blockbuster 'Avatar' and saw lots of scope to utilise the techniques for the visuals of JOKER in terms of live animation.
However, Shirish is not looking at using CGI (computer generated imagery) for the film as used in Avatar. The way Avatar was made is not fully applicable to Kunder's project. "Using the camera James Cameron developed will not be a suitable option. For my film, we will use the available stereoscopic camera since with that we can shoot the entire project in 3D, like shooting a normal film." he said talking about the camera options.
When Kunder was asked about why he chose to do a movie specifically in 3D, he replied, "Coming to the whole 3D aspect of the film, if we look back it was always there, but seldom used for the sole reason that we didn't have the right technology to screen and view the film."
The film will have lots of stunts and action in it. So, Akshay Kumar was an ideal choice for the lead actor. However, originally Akshay was sceptical about the film but after seeing a 3D poster in 3D glasses produced by Kunder for it, he immediately wanted to be part of this exciting, innovative and first 3D project in Indian cinema. And Kunder says that Akshay's role will be 'larger than life' in the film.
Since Shrish is a composer he will be producing some of the tracks for the film and says, "It will be a mix of various music directors, and yes since I have also started composing I will also pitch in with a few tracks."
Kunder is keen to utilise skills home-grown skills for the project instead of using a technical team from the West. He strongly feels that the production needs to show-off the talent that India has to offer to make such a film.
Pre-production for the film has started and the shooting schedule for JOKER will commence January 2011 onwards. It will be mainly shot in India.
Another project of similar ilk making news is Pooja Bhatt's plans to make India's first ever 3D adult film. Whilst watching a love scene in James Cameron's 'Avatar' the idea crossed Mahesh Butt's mind.
The film will be a sequel to Pooja Bhatt's seven year old film, Jism, which starred John Abraham and Bipasha Basu and featured sizzling scenes for its time. The female lead in the 3D film will be depicted as a very modern girl with a dark, tainted past. The cast has not been decided but the team are looking for a talented girl with a great body and two male actors too.
Pooja is very excited about the project and is midst of writing the script. The film will deal with betrayal and suspense. It's reported that the film will contain 3D based explicit love-making scenes which is another reason why the 3D format has been chosen. It will be the first adult Bollywood film to be shot made in 3D.
Bollywood does not want to be left behind in the technological revolution of cinema and it is evident from these projects that it wants to show the world that it has the technical ambitions and skills to prove this point.
Vivek, Priyanka to tie the knot tomorrow
BANGALORE: Dashing Bollywood hero Vivek Oberoi is bound to break many hearts when he ties the knot with Priyanka Alva on Friday.
The wedding day begins with the marriage ceremony at 8.30am at Alva's residence, before moving on to the Chancery Pavilion, where ceremonies and music concerts will go on till 11pm. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa is expected to be a special guest at the wedding.
While most Bollywood stars will attend the reception on Sunday at a five-star hotel in Mumbai, Vivek's friends Sushmita Sen and Dia Mirza are expected to be in Bangalore for the nuptials. Tarun Tahiliani, who's designed the wedding attire for the bride and bridegroom, will also be present along with Kumar Taurani, producer of Vivek's 'Prince', and Sachin Gupta, who scored the music for that film. Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan Teja and Allu Arjun may also attend.
The bride's younger brother, Aditya, had his thread ceremony on Wednesday morning at the Alva residence, attended by the Oberois and about 300 more guests. Carnatic musician Manasi Prasad regaled the family with some scintillating singing.
Thursday will see a performance by Sivamani, who is slated to play between 9pm and 10pm, after which DJ Jasmeet will take over and churn out tunes from 'Rakht Charitra', 'Saathiya' and 'Prince', among other popular numbers from Vivek's hits. Bhangra is also on the cards, adding a Punjabi-Sindhi touch to the wedding.
Friday will see a shehnai recital at 11am, haldi and chura ceremony at 12 noon, sehra bandhi and high tea beginning at 4pm, baarat at 5.30pm, milni and jayamala around 7pm, followed by a flute concert by Praveen Godkhindi and a veena concert by Kannan. Dinner, another shehnai performance and pheras will wrap up the event.
K V Bhaskar Raju, director, Chancery Pavilion, is all excited. "We are very happy to host the Oberois. They are here with a lot of family and friends. Nandini Alva is a family friend, which is why they chose our hotel," he said.
Anupam Kher all set to launch his acting studio
Anupam Kher, the name that needs absolute no introduction, has been away from the national news for sometime now. If you wondering why, it's only because he has been extremely busy creating international news!
On one hand, when he has just wrapped up the Akshay Kumar's Hollywood production titled Breakaway, on the other, Kher is all set for the launch of his acting studio, 'Actor Prepares', in association with H R Shah, Chairman and CEO of TV Asia.
Speaking to us, a visibly excited Anupam said, "My institute 'Actor Prepares' is indeed very close to my heart. I have spent considerable time scouting for the best acting schools in the world, studying their curriculam. Each student here receives individual guidance and counseling throughout the program from me."
And when asked him about how his school plans to be a bridge between actors and acting, he said, "Acting is a craft which is universal and can be taught, learned and perfected. It is a craft that has now transcended regional and national barriers as reflected in productions with global themes and locales in an era of crossover films. 'Actor Prepares', the school is just not Bollywood-centric; it trains actors to perform anywhere."
Speaking about this association, H R Shah of TV Asia said, "The Bollywood industry is growing faster than Hollywood. India and Indians have been influenced by Bollywood entertainment for the past 100 years. That is why; it is today the largest producer of films in the world. There are a lot of talented Indian American actors in North America, who have no platform to promote their talent. 'Actor Prepares' will help them gain a foothold not just in Bollywood, but in Hollywood."
The official launch of Actor Prepares in New York, will take place soon.
Katrina admits her split from Salman
Katrina Kaif has never admitted to her relationship with Salman Khan in the last eight years. Although they acted together and she was a permanent fixture at his home, she had maintained they were only friends.
But on Tuesday in an interview to a daily, she admitted that she'd split from the Dabangg actor.
An industry source reveals, "On Monday, an article in a morning newspaper carried quotes of an old interview of Katrina, in which she'd spoken about Salman and her closeness to him. This upset the actress, who has been trying to maintain a strictly professional relationship with her ex."
The actress called up the higher-ups in the organisation and told them that she wanted to clear the air about Salman. The following day, her interview admitting to her split was flashed in the front page of a city tabloid under the heading: For The First Time.
So the question is: Why did Katrina finally come clean about Sallu? Says an insider, "That interview made matters embarrassing for her. She is seeing Ranbir now, and the Kapoor khandaan have welcomed her into their fold. How would she explain an interview gushing about Salman being a '4 am friend'?"
Her break-up confession was a face-saving attempt.
Signal ka khel
A source close to the actress adds, "When Katrina read an article about Salman and her closeness, she was extremely upset. She doesn't want to send out the wrong signals to Ranbir and his family. She is not with Salman anymore.
Last month, at a press conference for a foreign airlines she endorsed, she'd vaguely hinted at Salman's bachelor status."
The source continues, "Though Salman and Katrina broke up long ago they continue to be friends. She appreciates all that he has done for her, and they will always be there for each other.
After the Being Human show recently, he even asked her to party with him and his friends but she refused as she had an early morning flight.
Though Salman and she still keep in touch they are not romantically involved anymore and she wants to dispel that wrong impression."
Tommy Hilfiger’s Bollywood Roots
Tommy Hilfiger has become one of the best selling international brands in India thanks to a little unexpected help from actor Shah Rukh Khan, says Mohan Murjani, who built the brand in the U.S. and brought it to India six years ago.
Some Indian consumers knew Tommy Hilfiger even before they knew Levis because they saw superstar SRK covered head to toe in Hilfiger in the 1998 mega hit "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai."
The romantic comedy — which was a defining moment for the Hindi film industry as it was director Karan Johar's first – created millions of new Hilfiger fans and an untapped demand which the chairman of the Murjani Group has been riding ever since he brought the brand here in 2004.
Its bright shirts and jeans got all this attention without having to promote itself in Bollywood or even pay a penny for product placement, says Mr. Murjani.
"The (movie's) stylist just loved Tommy Hilfiger. We couldn't believe it when we saw it," he told India Real Time. "Even before we launched in India it was on top of the list of brands to buy."
Many foreign brands have complained that India is a tough market to crack. Not only has the government put restrictions on foreign ownership in retail but the Indian consumer has been much less likely to pay big bucks for the international names than in other markets like China.
Some retail brands have come to India and left and even homegrown stores are struggling. Mr. Murjani gave up the franchises of Gucci and Jimmy Choo in India when he realized he had overestimated demand for luxury goods.
Still, Indian sales at Tommy Hilfiger have been unstoppable, he says. His revenues have been rising 50% per year every year, even in 2008 and 2009 when almost everyone was struggling. Tommy clothes, perfume, watches and underwear can now be found at more than 1,000 different points of sale across the country.
"The consumer base is growing extremely rapidly, not only in terms of number of people but also in terms of the individual disposable income," of the Hilfiger customer, he said. "It is really boom time."
And he expects growth to continue at this pace as he brings the brand into smaller and smaller towns, wherever he can find Shah Rukh Khan wannabes.
Deepika Padukone, Mallya scion judge models for Kingfisher Calendar 2011
Mumbai, Oct. 27: Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone and Sidhartha Mallya, the owner of Kingfisher Airlines, judged models for the Kingfisher Calendar 2011 here on Tuesday.
Many aspiring models took part in the contest with the hope of appearing in the limited edition Kingfisher swimsuit calendar.
This year, too, ace lensman Atul Kasbekar would shoot the entire calendar.
Padukone said models have to be not only good looking, but also intelligent.
"I think apart from just a great body and a great face, I think it's also very important for the girls to be smart witty, intelligent, because at the end of the day, it's not, like I said, it's not just the way you look, I think it's the entire package, and I think that's what really takes one forward in life if you really want to become successful. So, I am looking for someone who is, you know, not just good looking but also very, very intelligent," said Padukone.
She added that she had also been a part of the calendar, and empathised with the aspiring calendar girls.
"When I was there in the calendar, there was no hunt for the girls. I think I was just lucky that I had already started modelling and these people (Kasbekar) noticed me and I was a part of the calendar, and I think I am really fortunate that till today I have never really been part of a contest or never been part of a Miss India, so I think somewhere I feel a lot of, I mean, I feel nervous for these girls because I know what it feels like to sort of go through judges, and to be judged for the way you look and things like that. So, it's definitely tough on them," added Padukone.
Mallya said that it was one of the biggest platforms for aspiring models.
He also complimented the models, saying they were bold and beautiful.
The calendar, introduced in 2003, was the first of its kind in India, and promises twelve months of glamour and visual appeal.
Kingfisher Airlines and the Kingfisher range of beers are both owned by the United Breweries group.
Bollywood star Amitahb Bachchan reprises success for Sony TV
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan's appeal to Indian audiences appears undiminished after he delivered early ratings success to Sony Entertainment Television (SET) in the relaunch this month of the quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, known in India as Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).
Bachchan, who turned 68 the same day KBC's fourth series began running on October 11, is reprising a role from a decade ago, only this time with a different channel. He was the inaugural host of KBC in 2000, when it catapulted SET's rival Star Plus (owned by News Corporation, which also owns The Australian) to the top of the ratings among Hindi general entertainment channels – the most lucrative part of India's crowded television firmament.
This time around, KBC's opening episode scored 6.2 television viewer rating points – a far cry from the double-digit ratings of 2000, but a huge success in an Indian television universe that has expanded to 500 channels over the last 10 years.
Man Jit Singh, CEO of Multi Screen Media, which runs SET and six other Indian television channels, told The Australian this week that he was delighted with KBC-4's ratings and it had established itself as "the unquestioned king of the non-fiction shows currently playing in India."
He said that when SET was conducting market research ahead of a relaunch, the "overwhelming response was that if KBC was coming back, it should have Mr Bachchan as the host."
Bachchan, known as the "Big B" of the film world, has been a fixture of the Indian entertainment scene for four decades, making his movie debut in 1969. He held the KBC role for two long runs between 2000 and 2006 before illness sidelined him. Star Plus opted to use his younger rival Shah Rukh Khan for KBC-3 in 2007, but the show ended after only four months. KBC was put on the shelf after that, before SET bought the rights in 2008 as part of its comeback plan.
In recent years SET has languished in fourth place among the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs), behind Star Plus, newcomer Colors and another long-time rival, Subhash Chandra's Zee Entertainment.
Figures from the industry survey agency Television Audience Measurement (TAM) show that SET had just 11.7 per cent of the Hindi general entertainment audience before the relaunch of KBC, well behind Star Plus on 23.8 per cent, Colors on 21.3 per cent and Zee on 18.6 per cent.
Bachchan and KBC-4 have given SET a major boost since then in both viewers and sponsorship, giving credence to Singh's turnaround plan for MSM.
"There has been a terrific response from advertisers and the show is completely sold out," Singh said this week. "We started with eight sponsors that were signed on weeks before the show opened and our spot sales were completed the first week of the show."
Industry sources say that 10-second spots on KBC were sold for 250,000 to 300,000 rupees, or about A$5700 to A$6800 each.
With strong economic growth delivering more money into the hands of 1.2 billion Indian consumers this year, the number of TV households in India is expected to reach 132 million by 2012.
According to a recent study of the Indian media and entertainment industry by KPMG, advertising and subscription revenue for TV will grow to about A$18 billion by 2012. And while there is a growing push into more regional language offerings, Hindi GECs dominate the revenue stream, taking about 35 percent of all advertising spending.
According to Singh, MSM, which is the Indian arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, has had a "tremendous year" after a subdued performance since the mid-2000s.
"Today we have two of the top five Hindi GECs in our network (SET and SAB) and three of the top 10 channels (SET, SAB and sports/movie channel MAX) in India. Our strategy and channel positioning is clear and the ratings have validated our approach," he said.
Still, Singh has his work cut out in the GEC arena to grow and hold his market share. Altogether, there are 12 general entertainment channels doing battle for an immense Hindi-speaking audience that is worth more than A$7 billion in advertising revenue.
Star Plus has held the top spot for a decade, although it has been pressed in recent months by the aggressive, disruptive programming of Colors, launched in July 2008 as a joint venture between U.S. entertainment major Viacom and the fast-growing Network 18 media group set up by former TV anchor Raghav Bahl.
In an interview in Mumbai in April last year, Singh told The Australian that SET aimed to get back the No. 1 or No. 2 entertainment spot it had occupied in the past.
"We may have lost our way a little. But we have a strategy to get back. You'll see us be edgier, more contemporary, with a skew to younger viewers," he said then.
Eighteen months down the track, Amitabh Bachchan and KBC -4 are an integral part of that strategy. Those younger viewers, it seems, respond well to the 'Big B' of Bollywood, judging from the steam of comments left on his Twitter page.
On his blog this week, Bachchan wrote that KBC is playing for the "celebration season of Diwali" (India's festival of lights). "An entire week dedicated to fun and joyous laughter; to be in the mood for lightness of spirit and joy."
Jhootha Hi Sahi – Was ‘Jhootha Hi Sahi’ really delayed?
Right through the making of 'Jhootha Hi Sahi', there were murmurs and speculations around how the film had to go through various ups and downs due to costs involved in the production of the film. When launched around a couple of years back, Bollywood was at its peak, films were being launched with mammoth budget and stars were being paid through the roof. However, situation took a turnaround with recession hitting the industry.
"Fortunately for the makers, they had spent all the money before recession so nothing could be done anymore from the production perspective", says a highly placed source attached to the film, "See, the thing is that when people say that a film's cost is very high, they only talk about the actor and the director. Most of them conveniently ignore the money which goes into other aspects of production."
There were a few detractors who have claimed that the film was also stuck in the interim period due to monetary issues and other budgetary constraints.
"Abbas (Tyrewala), the director of the film, was always very sure that 'Jhootha Hi Sahi' had to be an October or November release. The time period between the last day's shoot of the film and the release has been around 8 months. However, the makers always knew that the film would take this much time since the climax required a lot of CG work", continues the source.
When contacted, John laughed away the insinuation, "In fact Abbas and I also used to joke around this that there would be a lot of speculations around the so-called delay in the film's release. But that's okay, people do talk. I just carried on with my work."
BOLLYWOOD WOMEN DIRECTORS: NOT WEAK!
With countries like Sweden supporting their filmmakers monetarily, it seemed like the normally ignored Bollywood women directors would love the same subsidiary. Negative. Bollywood women directors do not feel the need for the government to help them finance their films. They went on to individually explain that there are perfectly fine by themselves. The following ladies took to a panel at the MAMI's 12th Mumbai Film Festival and explained their passion for cinema albeit the fact that they a) were not men and b) did not need the help of men to make good films.
Acclaimed director Zoya Aktar, went on to explain that even if her films are more feminine, it's her film ultimately. "If I'm the director, it's my party. I will cry if I want to. I will be in all my hormonal glory. I'm not going to be embarrassed by it. As a man, you have chosen to be part of my set, so you handle it, boy," she added.
Newbie Anusha Rizvi was questioned as to sexism in the industry in all facets. "In workplaces, men have two ways of dealing with women, quiet flirtation or outright condescending. So you have to figure out how to deal with it. Beyond a point, there is no point talking about it," Rizvi said.
In fact, Aisha director Rajshree Ojha experienced a number of interesting events while shooting her directorial debut. "Everybody was shouting. We had fights on the sets. There were a lot of hormones. The men were very scared of the women on the sets," she explained.
Actress and now director Nandita Das added, "They expect you not to be able to handle the pressures that comes on the set as a director. There is definitely a thing of labeling women."
Leena Yadav, whose first film Shabd was a washout at the box office went on to explain her experiences of direction, "There's an expectation that as a woman you'll probably make something different, and your women characters have to be outstanding."
And finally Sooni Taraporevala, who directed Little Zizou, confessed her reasons for taking years before finally deciding to plunge into direction. "After having written numerous scripts for others, it took me 24 years to write my own and once I had written it I did not want to give it to anyone else. I wanted to give myself a 50-year present."
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